By Lizzie Songhurst – Social media account manager
Learn how to build your personal brand on social media, with our guide to consistency, the right platforms, engagement, quality content and more.
Consistency is key
When building your personal brand, consistency is really important. Ensure that your brand name, logo, colour scheme, and overall messaging remain uniform across all social platforms and your website. This creates a cohesive identity and makes you more recognisable to your audience. From LinkedIn to Instagram, maintaining a consistent aesthetic helps build trust, making it easier for followers to connect the dots between platforms.
Choose the best platforms for your audience
Choosing the right social media platforms is essential to successfully building your personal brand. Different platforms attract different audiences, so it’s crucial to focus your efforts where your target demographic is most active.
Below is a breakdown of the audiences in relation to each platform:
1. LinkedIn
Best for B2B and professional networking. If you’re aiming to build a business-oriented personal brand or attract corporate partners, LinkedIn is the ideal platform. According to recent data, 60% of LinkedIn’s users are aged 25-34, making it a key platform for connecting with young professionals and decision-makers in various industries.
2. Instagram
Known for its strong B2C focus, Instagram is perfect for younger, visually-driven audiences. It remains highly popular among people aged 18-34, with women making up 50.9% of the platform’s user base. Instagram thrives on content like photos, videos, and short-form stories, making it ideal for visually appealing brands.
3. Facebook
This platform offers a mix of B2B and B2C opportunities. Its largest user base consists of individuals aged 25-34, and it remains highly versatile for engaging with various demographics. Facebook’s diverse audience and robust ad tools make it a great choice for those looking to reach both businesses and consumers.
4. TikTok
This short-form video platform is dominated by Gen Z users, with more than 60% of its audience aged between 18-24. If you’re targeting a younger, trend-savvy demographic, TikTok is a powerful tool for creating viral content and building a personal brand that resonates with younger consumers.
5. Pinterest
Best for creative and lifestyle brands. It attracts users primarily between the ages of 18-24, with women accounting for 76.2% of its user base. If your brand focuses on home decor, fashion, or DIY projects, Pinterest can be a vital tool for engagement.
Show your brand’s personality
Your tone of voice is a defining feature of your personal brand. While it’s important to remain professional, don’t shy away from injecting personality into your content. People respond to authenticity – they want to know the person behind the brand. If you’re comfortable being in front of the camera, use that to your advantage. Video content can generate stronger connections and boost engagement as people tend to remember faces, not just logos.
Engage and respond
Engagement is the heart of social media. It’s not enough to post content – you must interact with your audience. Reply to comments, like and reshare when you’re tagged, and show genuine interest in your followers’ opinions. This two-way communication fosters loyalty.
Social media can also attract negative comments, so it’s essential to respond gracefully and diffuse potentially harmful situations. A well-managed response to criticism can enhance your brand’s reputation.
Educate, entertain, and keep them interested
Your content should offer value, whether entertaining or educating your audience. Evergreen content – such as how-to guides or tutorials – can help establish your authority and remain relevant over time.
Ensure your pinned post clearly explains who you are and what you offer; visitors won’t spend time hunting for information. Keep in mind that attention spans are short – the average is just eight seconds – so deliver your message quickly and effectively.
High-quality content
With the tools available today, there’s no excuse for low-quality content. High-quality images and videos signal that you take your brand seriously. Mixing up your content with single images, carousels, videos, and articles keeps your feed engaging and varied. Poor-quality visuals can make your brand appear unprofessional, which could drive potential followers away.
Additionally, making the most of search engine optimisations (SEO) will help elevate your captions. By incorporating keywords into your text, you are helping the algorithms understand what you are offering and will help place your content in front of the right eyes. Making sure your content is well written is crucial in keeping your brand looking professional and will encourage the reader to stay on your post.
Test, analyse, and improve
In the early stages of building your personal brand, it’s essential to test different types of content and monitor what resonates most with your audience. Use analytics tools provided by social media platforms to track engagement, reach, and conversion rates. Whether it’s articles, short-form videos, or long-form pieces, refine your strategy by doubling down on the formats that drive the most engagement in your niche. Depending on your industry and audience, it will work differently.
Collaborate to expand your reach
Collaborate with like-minded brands or individuals whose values align with yours to significantly expand your reach. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to co-create posts and share them with both audiences, helping you tap into a broader, yet relevant, community. Joint ventures and guest content can boost visibility and credibility for both parties.
Use paid ads to increase growth
Once you’ve established a solid foundation, consider using paid ads to grow your personal brand further. Most platforms, from Facebook to LinkedIn, offer ad targeting that allows you to reach specific demographics. Eye-catching, well-constructed ads can help you expand your audience and turn followers into customers.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to building a personal brand that stands out in the digital landscape. A consistent, engaging, and authentic approach will ensure that your brand not only captures attention but also builds lasting relationships with your audience.
Find out more by contacting us here, and we will be in touch in no time.
