Social media is quickly becoming one of the most lucrative and vital marketing methods for individuals, small businesses, and major companies. From multi-million dollar brands to micro-businesses and freelancers, hundreds of thousands of people are leveraging social media to their advantage.
One of the most important parts of any social media marketing presence is the profile. Whether you are marketing for a company or yourself, your social media profile forms the base for your actions, and is the first point of reference when potential customers, clients, or PR people come your way.
So instead of winging it and potentially creating a profile that is ineffective, put some structure and purpose into your profile and drive sales and media exposure for your business. These five rules will help you create social media profiles that are structured, effective, and business-ready.
1. If you have invested in personal branding, do not be a braggart.
There is a fine line between being a slick self-promoter and a shameless braggart, and when you use social media for branding it can be difficult to balance on the right side of the equation. Nothing could be worse than a profile that does not best represent you, so before you publish anything online, have someone impartial take a look and tell you if it is too promotional or one-upping.
2. Never say too much.
There is an ethos amongst marketers: always give the customer a reason to return. Your social media profile should not be a say-all and tell-all essay, but a quick and friendly summary of your business or personality. Instead of going for the one-off sale the first time someone sees your profile, aim for long-term success by giving them reasons to click through to your website.
3. A profile without pictures is incomplete.
It is not 1996 anymore, and businesses simply can’t get by with a text-only social media profile or online presence. With a quick investment in some images (they do not need to be professional) your profile can be transformed from a newspaper-style classified advertisement to a conversion-friendly online property. Audiences love images and dynamic media, so be sure to include it in your profile.
4. Make your profile personal.
Even if you are a business, it is best to assign a little bit of personality to your profile. The internet is jam packed full of faceless companies, and very few of them tend to succeed with social media. The companies that do succeed know one thing — personality sells. Make sure your profile is packed with information about what you do, not just what your company does.
5. Keep the business info in there.
If your business is working with a social media strategist, make sure they do not take over your marketing entirely. It is easy to take the personality strategy too far and end up with a profile that is not business related, so if you feel the profile is becoming too much of a one-person shrine, step in a make sure it outlines your business effectively.
