Build Your Personal Brand on Social Media: A Practical Guide
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 9 min read

Contents

In the digital age, building a personal brand on social media platforms is more than just a trend—it's a smart strategy for anyone wanting to make an impact. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or professional, your personal brand is your calling card. It tells the world who you are, what you do, and—most importantly—why you do it. Our practical guide will walk you through the steps to craft a personal brand that resonates with your audience and helps you stand out in the digital crowd.

Identify Your Brand Objectives

Before you jump into creating profiles and posting content, take the time to identify your brand objectives. This means figuring out what you hope to accomplish with your personal brand on social media. Do you want to attract potential employers? Connect with like-minded individuals? Promote your products or services? Knowing these objectives will guide your strategy and help you make decisions about everything from the type of content you post to the social media platforms you choose.

Define Your Goals

First things first, what are your goals? Are you hoping to increase your visibility in your industry, or are you seeking to establish yourself as a thought leader? Perhaps you're an artist hoping to attract gallery representation. Whatever your goals, it's essential to define them clearly.

  • Visibility: You want to be seen and recognized within your industry.
  • Thought Leadership: You aim to share knowledge and inspire others in your field.
  • Representation: You're seeking to attract agents, galleries, or other professional representation.

Understand Your Purpose

Next, think about your purpose. This is the 'why' behind your personal brand. It's the reason you get up in the morning and the passion that drives you. Your purpose is the heart of your personal brand and it should shine through in all your social media interactions.

Set Your Objectives

Finally, with your goals and purpose in mind, set your specific objectives for building a personal brand on social media platforms. These could be daily, weekly, or monthly targets that move you closer to your overall goals. For example, you might aim to gain a certain number of followers, secure a number of collaborations, or receive a set amount of engagement on your posts. Remember, your objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—often referred to as SMART objectives.

  • Followers: Aim to attract a specific number of followers on your chosen platforms.
  • Collaborations: Set a target for how many collaborations you'd like to secure.
  • Engagement: Set goals for likes, comments, and shares on your posts.

Define Your Target Audience

Building a personal brand on social media platforms isn't just about putting yourself out there—it's also about knowing who you're trying to reach. Defining your target audience is a critical step in building a personal brand that resonates and engages.

Who Are They?

Start by asking yourself who you want to reach with your social media presence. Are you trying to connect with other professionals in your field? Perhaps you're looking to attract potential customers for your business. Or maybe you're hoping to inspire young people who are interested in your area of expertise. Be as specific as you can in defining your audience.

  • Professionals: Connect with others in your field to network and share insights.
  • Customers: Attract people who could be interested in your products or services.
  • Young People: Inspire the next generation by sharing your passion and knowledge.

What Interests Them?

Next, consider what your target audience is interested in. If you're a fitness trainer, your audience might be interested in workout tips, healthy recipes, and motivational content. If you're a digital marketer, your audience might want to know about the latest trends in SEO, content marketing, and social media strategies. Aligning your content with your audience's interests will increase engagement and help build your brand.

Where Do They Hang Out Online?

Lastly, you need to figure out where your audience spends their time online. Are they scrolling through Instagram? Are they engaging in discussions on LinkedIn? Or maybe they're the type to share posts on Facebook. Knowing where your audience is will help you decide which social media platforms to focus on.

  • Instagram: Ideal for sharing visual content, like photos and short videos.
  • LinkedIn: Perfect for professional networking and sharing industry insights.
  • Facebook: Great for sharing a wide range of content and connecting with a broad audience.

Remember, understanding your audience is key in building a personal brand on social media platforms. When you know who you're talking to, you can tailor your message and content to resonate with them, making your brand more compelling and memorable.

Choose Your Social Media Platforms

One of the key steps in building a personal brand on social media platforms is choosing the right ones to focus on. You don't have to be on every platform out there. Instead, pick those that align with your brand objectives and where your target audience hangs out.

Facebook: The All-Rounder

Facebook is a versatile platform that caters to a broad audience. Whether you're a painter showcasing your latest artwork or a chef sharing your mouth-watering recipes, Facebook's diverse user base can help you reach a wide range of people.

Instagram: The Visual Maestro

If you're in a field where visuals play a significant role—like fashion, travel, or food—Instagram is a fantastic choice. The platform's focus on images and videos allows you to highlight your work in a visually appealing way, perfect for building a personal brand that stands out.

LinkedIn: The Professional Network

For professionals looking to connect with others in their industry, LinkedIn is a must. This platform enables you to share industry insights, participate in relevant discussions, and network with like-minded professionals, helping you to establish your personal brand as an authority in your field.

Twitter: The Conversation Starter

Twitter is the go-to platform for joining conversations on trending topics. If you're someone who enjoys sharing your thoughts on current affairs, or you're a subject matter expert keen on sharing bite-sized pieces of advice, Twitter can be a beneficial platform for your personal brand.

Remember: it's not about being everywhere—it's about being where it matters. By choosing the right social media platforms, you can effectively reach your target audience and start building a meaningful personal brand.

Create a consistent brand voice and visuals

After picking the right social media platforms, the next step in building a personal brand involves developing a consistent brand voice and visuals. This is similar to creating a character in a novel; you want your audience to recognize your brand's "personality" instantly.

Brand Voice: Your Brand's Personality

Your brand voice is like the spoken words of your brand's personality. Is it formal or casual? Is it playful or serious? For instance, if you're a life coach, you might choose an empathetic and uplifting brand voice. If you're a tech blogger, you might opt for an informative and conversational tone. The key here is consistency. You want your audience to hear the same voice across all your posts and interactions.

Brand Visuals: The Look and Feel of Your Brand

Brand visuals are all about the aesthetic aspects of your brand. This includes your logo, color palette, typography, and the style of your images or videos. For instance, if you're a fitness trainer, you might choose vibrant colors and dynamic images to reflect the energy and movement in your field. If you're a mindfulness coach, you might opt for calming colors and serene images to evoke tranquility.

Bringing It All Together

Let's take a famous personal brand as an example: Elon Musk. His brand voice is innovative and forward-thinking, while his visuals often revolve around groundbreaking technology and space exploration. This consistency in voice and visuals makes his personal brand recognizable and memorable.

Remember, building a personal brand on social media platforms is not just about what you say, but also how you say it and how you present it. By creating a consistent brand voice and visuals, you can make your personal brand instantly recognizable and deeply resonant with your audience.

Share Value-Adding Content

Once you've established your brand's voice and visuals, it's time to focus on the heart of building a personal brand on social media platforms: sharing valuable content with your audience. So, what makes content valuable?

Relevant and Useful

Firstly, your content should be relevant to your brand and useful to your audience. If you're a food blogger, this might mean sharing your favorite recipes, cooking tips, or restaurant reviews. If you're a digital marketing expert, this could involve sharing insights on the latest SEO techniques or social media trends. The key here is to make sure your content directly benefits your audience in some way.

Original and Unique

Secondly, your content should be original and unique to your brand. This doesn't mean you have to reinvent the wheel every time you create a new post. But it does mean adding your own twist to existing ideas. You could share a personal story, offer your own perspective, or use your unique brand voice to discuss a popular topic in a fresh way.

Consistent and Regular

Lastly, consistency and regularity are key when it comes to sharing content. This doesn't mean you need to post every day, but you should establish a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Regular posting shows your audience that you're committed to providing value, and it also helps boost your visibility on social media platforms.

Remember, building a personal brand requires more than just frequent posts—it's about consistently sharing content that adds value to your audience's lives. In doing so, you can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field and deepen your connection with your audience.

Engage with Your Audience

So, you're sharing content that's valuable, original, and consistent. That's a great start. But building a personal brand on social media platforms isn't a one-way street. It's also about engaging with your audience and fostering a sense of community. Here's how you can do just that.

Respond to Comments and Messages

When someone leaves a comment on your post or sends you a direct message, take the time to reply. A simple "thank you" or a more detailed response can go a long way in making your audience feel heard and appreciated. Plus, it's a great way to start conversations and build relationships with your followers.

Ask for Feedback and Opinions

Another way to engage with your audience is to ask for their feedback or opinions. You could ask what they thought of your latest post, what topics they'd like to see you cover in the future, or even their opinion on a relevant industry trend. Not only does this show that you value their input, but it can also provide you with valuable insights to guide your content strategy.

Participate in Discussions

Lastly, actively participate in discussions on your chosen social media platforms. This could involve joining Twitter chats, commenting on LinkedIn posts, or participating in Facebook group discussions. By adding your voice to these conversations, you can raise your profile, demonstrate your expertise, and engage with your audience in a meaningful way.

Remember, engaging with your audience is a vital part of building a personal brand on social media platforms. It's about more than just broadcasting your message—it's about opening a dialogue and building relationships with your followers.

Monitor and Adjust Your Strategy

Building a personal brand on social media platforms isn't a set-and-forget kind of deal. It's a process that involves constant learning, experimenting, and adjusting. Here's how you can stay on top of things and keep moving in the right direction.

Track Your Metrics

Firstly, don't just post content and hope for the best. Make sure you're tracking key metrics like the number of likes, shares, comments, and new followers you're getting. This will help you understand what's working and what's not, so you can make informed decisions about your content strategy. Remember, numbers don't lie!

Analyze Your Performance

Once you have some data, it's time to analyze it. Look for patterns and trends. Are certain types of posts getting more engagement than others? Are there specific times of the day or days of the week when your audience is more active? The answers to these questions can provide valuable insights for your strategy.

Adapt and Experiment

Based on your analysis, don't be afraid to make changes to your strategy. Maybe you need to post more often, or perhaps you need to experiment with different types of content. Remember, what worked yesterday might not work tomorrow, so keep an open mind and be ready to adapt.

In conclusion, building a personal brand on social media platforms is not a static endeavor. It's an ongoing process of monitoring, analyzing, and adjusting. So, keep your finger on the pulse, stay flexible, and enjoy the journey!

If you're interested in diving deeper into building your personal brand on social media, don't miss the workshop 'Building A Brand & Using Social Media (As A Photographer)' by Chris Luckhardt. This workshop offers practical tips and strategies tailored specifically for photographers looking to grow their online presence and brand identity. Give it a try today!