You’re a professional, you’ve worked in companies that guard their brand. You know what that’s like. A marketing team enforces identity guidelines, everyone must use consistent fonts, colors, use the right language in the media and more.
Just as you set or comply with stringent guidelines for a corporate brand; you should do the same for your personal digital one. Why? Because:
1. Reflecting on the aspects of your personality you want to share and those you prefer to keep private helps create a loyal following of advocates who engage regularly
2. Consistency in your image and messaging improves recognition and recollection. Seeing the same profile photo on Facebook, twitter, linked-in and other channels helps followers remember you.
Here are a few tips on how you can do that:
- Principles & Policy – reflect on your standards for following, befriending, liking and criticizing others. Think of how you’ll engage fans, friends and followers on topics you find interesting. Be consistent.
- Your avatar photo – defines your personality.. make it reflect who you are.. keep it consistent across networks.
- Covers & Backgrounds – are important digital real-estate. Use it to give insights into your passions. Share your causes, creations and concerns on your covers and backgrounds.
- The language you use – dictates your followers.. how you speak, the tone, the language, the topics all determine who follows you. create a dialogue (not a monologue) around topics you like and can maintain an interest in. Don’t be a trend follower, be a trend starter.
- Hashtags – You can use to subject trends that spark your interest by hash-tagging. It keeps your content current. Anyone who searches for a hashtag finds you. Take the time to develop your hashtags and use them consistently. My favorites #SOCENT (Social Entrepreneur) and my personal ones #elevate and #live2give
- Keep it in character – while being different is good, being you is great! I often come across content that’s trending and unique, but it doesn’t reflect my character. I move on! You can get fans and followers by riding a trend wave, but do you really want just anyone riding your coattail?
Or on the topic from the expert:
7 Tips to Finding “Your” Writing Voice | Jeffbullas’s Blog.
If you have any more insights on creating a personal brand online, please share them in the comment section. Looking forward to hearing from you!
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