Oftentimes we associate marketing with a company that sells a certain product or service; however, we also market ourselves (consciously and unconsciously). We need to become more aware of our actions and how others see us, which is not just helpful for a job interview, but it is also helpful for our everyday living. With the invention of social media in particular, we should be well aware of what we are posting and how it affects us. Everything we post affects our personal brand. Here are a few tips on marketing yourself on social media:
1. Identify your target market
Identify how each social media site can be used for a different target market. For example, LinkedIn is mostly for professional networking. This is not the place to post photos from your Christmas party. Facebook tends to be a little more open, but at the same time, remember it is not as private as you think. Nothing is wrong with posting pictures having fun but take a double look at the photos to ensure they are not sending another message.
2. Be yourself
Consumers, employers, and peers can tell when you are being fake, especially if they know you personally and see you frequently. Make sure your posts are representative of who you are. You don’t want people to wonder if they can trust you.
3. Utilize your best asset
Get to know yourself a bit more. Find out what your best asset is (perhaps get advice from friends) and be sure to post accordingly so you are showing off that asset. Of course this does not mean your nicely sculpted 6-pack, unless it is relevant for your business – a gym, for example. What you put out there is what people will gravitate toward.
4. Grammar is still important
When making posts on any social media site, remember to spell check and also grammar check. You don’t want people to think you cannot communicate effectively. Most text editors come with some type of integrated language help.
5. Set your privacy options
Some social media sites allow you to change your permissions. For example, on Facebook you can choose who you want to see certain pictures or certain posts. There is also a feature that allows you to approve photos you are tagged in before they get posted to your profile. Even though you were out last night enjoying a drink with your friends, the photo you are tagged in might send a completely different message.
6. Pay attention to other people’s privacy
Have a professional message that you can use when sending a friend invitation on a professional network such as LinkedIn. Don’t become a stalker if a person does not respond or fails to communicate with you. Respect their privacy and don’t share conversations or other content that might be sensitive.
7. Be careful who you add
Add individuals you know or are familiar with. If someone adds you and you do not know them, do some research on them, look at the mutual connections and ask your friends about them before you add them. They could either be a great connection that could lead to opportunities or just someone fishing for personal information.
8. Do not post too frequently
It is important to post content and update your profile, so that your network can get to know your personality; however do not overdo it. Posting every 5 minutes can become very annoying, especially if the posts are similar.
9. Watch out for likes and comments
Be careful what you like and the type of comments that you make. Remember those are seen by persons you do not know as well. What you like and the types of comments you make says a lot about who you are as a person. It might also come back to haunt you at some point in the future.
10. Know your social media sites
Not all sites are for you. Select your choice of social media sites carefully. Be in tune with what each type of site is used for, and ensure that your posts are within their guidelines. This shows that you respect the site, yourself and also the people using it.
Nicolette Satchell is an MBA student in the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. She can be reached at ns1016@nova.edu
#1 by Nicola on 6/2/16 - 8:46 PM
#2 by Monique Mitchell on 6/7/16 - 8:25 PM
#3 by Antonio Cedeno on 6/11/16 - 1:02 PM
#4 by TING-YEN, TSAI on 6/11/16 - 3:08 PM
#5 by Samara Ramsackal on 6/11/16 - 4:02 PM
#6 by Gaia Calcaterra on 6/11/16 - 9:53 PM
Being mindful of what one posts or shares is no longer optional, its a necessity.
#7 by Bernardo Tervil on 6/12/16 - 1:36 AM
Your article is great. In Today’s word we tend to gravitate towards social media for everything. Users no longer have to watch TV, or read the newspaper to find out what is the “Latest News”. However, social media has a positive and negative effect on its Users. Yes, you are a fingertip away from the latest information. Nevertheless, employers are now using these platforms to find out more information on you. I personally had to open my Facebook, and Instagram for an employer to be considered for employment. I agree one hundred percent with everything you have presented. Your article should be shared amongst the young college and High School students.
#8 by Reixa Phillips on 6/12/16 - 2:54 PM
#9 by Gabriela Andara on 6/12/16 - 7:54 PM
#10 by Barbara Destine on 6/12/16 - 11:08 PM
#11 by Jose Paez on 6/13/16 - 7:47 AM
#12 by Dane Brown on 6/13/16 - 8:58 AM
#13 by Hugh Cunningham on 6/13/16 - 10:28 AM
Great article on how to avoid the many pitfalls of social media. There are many wonderful benefits of using the various sites on the web. As the author pointed out we need to be selective on where we post and how we post. LinkedIn would not be an appropriate site to post vacation photos, or Facebook for your professional profile.
This should be required reading for joining any of the social media sites. many of us would be saved from embarrassing posts and in some cases damaging revelations. This could be a very useful guide for newcomers to social media, and the internet for that matter.
#14 by Jenny Augustin on 6/13/16 - 3:59 PM
#15 by Mariangel Blanco on 6/13/16 - 4:25 PM
#16 by Ahmed Ranhali on 6/13/16 - 5:19 PM
#17 by Michael Bohorquez on 6/13/16 - 5:42 PM
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#27 by Hamza Hanana on 6/14/16 - 4:13 PM
#28 by Cameron Shanklin on 6/14/16 - 9:08 PM
#29 by Alejandro Cubero on 6/14/16 - 9:15 PM
#30 by Leon Kennon on 6/14/16 - 9:17 PM
#31 by Jean Lopez on 6/14/16 - 9:17 PM
On the other hand, we must be careful with the image that we are projecting, many times people want to be popular by posting photos that go against their principles, which completely fragmenting the opinion that people had of them.
#32 by Yana Vorontsova on 6/14/16 - 11:16 PM
#33 by Kevin Matthews on 6/14/16 - 11:24 PM
#34 by felicha philippe on 6/14/16 - 11:51 PM
#35 by Fils, Abelard on 6/14/16 - 11:54 PM
#36 by willy vargas on 6/15/16 - 12:22 AM
#37 by Michelle Williams on 6/15/16 - 5:34 AM
#38 by Gaspard Masseus on 6/15/16 - 7:04 AM
#39 by Nuoyi Wang on 6/15/16 - 10:28 AM
#40 by TONNETTE SAMUELS on 6/15/16 - 10:49 AM
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#41 by Marisleydis Bruguez on 6/15/16 - 10:53 AM
#42 by Javier Campoverde on 6/15/16 - 11:13 AM
#43 by Jordan Sanchez on 6/15/16 - 4:17 PM
#44 by Lan Le on 6/15/16 - 4:36 PM
People should also realize the type of people that are in your network physically and on social media. Possible employers sometimes make judgment calls on who you surround yourself with. We are our best marketers for ourselves.
#45 by Jena Mendicino on 6/15/16 - 5:38 PM
#46 by Stephanie Espinoza on 6/15/16 - 6:38 PM
#47 by Ivonne Perez on 6/15/16 - 6:41 PM
#48 by Jose Lebrun on 6/15/16 - 7:28 PM
#49 by Ivonne Garcia on 6/15/16 - 7:49 PM
Ivonne M Garcia
#50 by Alexandra Lequerica on 6/15/16 - 7:58 PM
#51 by Alvaro Ortiz on 6/15/16 - 7:59 PM
Great post! Everything an individual does outside work in their personal life is a reflection of one’s self. With the ever growing social media exposure, employers and peers can make an assumption of your personality and work ethic. Friends and employers don’t want to be acquainted with person who has questionable like style that can trickle down to work performance. Therefore, I agree with what you write, post, who your friends are when posting that information in social media.
#52 by Grace Mendoza on 6/15/16 - 8:01 PM
#53 by Nadira A St Hilaire on 6/15/16 - 9:16 PM
#54 by Angelica Sanchez on 6/15/16 - 9:29 PM
#55 by Shonique D Thomas on 6/15/16 - 10:22 PM
#56 by Gerson Vanegas on 6/15/16 - 10:36 PM
#57 by Sumaira Karim on 6/15/16 - 10:43 PM
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#63 by Norbert Yaw Ching on 6/15/16 - 11:48 PM
#64 by Christopher Moreno on 6/15/16 - 11:58 PM
#65 by Antoniu Costea on 6/16/16 - 12:12 AM
The post states a few clear and concise steps one can take in order to establish and protect one’s brand in the online environment. Maintaining a high level of integrity will ensure that we are viewed as proper individuals. While some of the points mentioned here have to do with the esthetics and hygiene factors of our brand, some attention should be given to the intellectual and behavioral aspects. In this sense, I consider that we should attempt to post meaningful content, in a respectful manner, and not engage into literary altercations. For example, LinkedIn is a social media site aimed at professionals with the intent of creating networking opportunities. While for the most part the content shared on this platform remains professional, from time to time there are posts that have no place on such a platform. Many users actually react to these posts by referring them to other platforms such as Facebook. Having a profile on this social media platform (LinkedIn), entails that the meaningful content that is shared here is of a professional manner and failing to adhere to this practice may attract negative reviews.
#66 by Kistna Alper on 6/16/16 - 10:37 AM
#67 by Carolina Pena on 6/16/16 - 11:31 AM
#68 by Travoy Forbes on 6/16/16 - 2:37 PM
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#70 by cesar camacho on 6/18/16 - 7:30 AM
#71 by Mimi Martin on 6/19/16 - 1:51 PM
#72 by Branislav Spisak on 6/29/16 - 5:31 AM
#73 by straight 2 voicemail on 6/30/16 - 5:40 AM
Thanks
#74 by Kassandra Obas on 8/29/16 - 5:08 PM
#75 by Magaly Azcuy on 8/30/16 - 10:03 PM
#76 by Brandon-Ray on 8/31/16 - 8:46 PM
#77 by Laura Izquierdo on 9/1/16 - 4:52 PM
#78 by Fahad Alghareeb on 9/2/16 - 7:06 PM
#79 by byron higueros on 9/4/16 - 4:51 PM
For me is very important how I market myself and how I present myself to the world. I don’t want people to take the wrong impression of me and also I don’t like to show a character that im not. These tips are very helpful to make understand people how to keep a professional personality in social media. Social media has the disadvantage that you can see a profile but not the real personality of a person; a social profile is what describes someone and having the right information and actions is what is going to describe that person.
#80 by Rebecca Timmerman on 11/4/16 - 1:55 PM
I found your blog post very interesting and helpful. I'm always careful about what I post on Facebook and Instagram because I know that some employers could end up looking at my page prior to hiring me. However, I'm sure that I could be doing some of the things that you mentioned in your post to better market myself through social media. I liked your tips about "utilizing your best assets" and "what out for likes and comments." I know that those are things that I could definitely improve on in order to better market myself on social media.
Thank you for the post and the helpful tips!
-Rebecca