Personal Branding Review
Silas T. Williams
This semester, I focused my personal branding on three distinct social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Each has its own abilities and resulting uses. Here is an outline of how (and how frequently) I use each channel.
Purpose: Maintain list of acquaintances and friends
Usage: Message friends instead of text as I’m usually at computer, tag friends in fun content
Usage Frequency: Almost always logged in, but rarely post. My last original post was Feb 19th.
Notes: I have the most number of nosey family members on this outlet, so I tend to post very little personal content. Also, no saucy language used here.
Purpose: Show off my mechanical projects
Usage: Post photos of personal projects or activities, enter contests, share content with friends via direct message
Usage Frequency: Check personal account daily. Post only when I have a project going.
Notes: I’ve used this channel less than I used to as I now post some of my personal content on the Insincerely account instead.
Purpose: Static, professional rendering of myself
Usage: Provides others with a professional view of myself and my achievements. Contact other professionals — known and unknown.
Usage Frequency: Occasionally log in and check suggested connections and confirm requests. Only update if something major changes.
Notes: For obvious reasons, this is the least authentic presentation of myself.
My goal for the semester was to better unify each channel. I linked to other channels when possible. When only able to have one link, I chose my LinkedIn account. I used the same profile picture and a similar bio for both Facebook and Instagram. LinkedIn has a temporary profile picture and cover photo that I used to simply complete my profile. I will do a more professional photo in the future.
On Facebook, I updated the “motto” section to describe myself. I chose some featured photos for others to see, and I filled in the employment/education fields. Finally, I linked to my LinkedIn account as well as my business website.
On Instagram, I updated my silly bio to reflect my professional interests. I also updated my profile picture to match that of Facebook. Finally, I added my LinkedIn to the bio and updated my handle to be my own name.
Since LinkedIn was a completely new account, I had the opportunity to do it right the first time. My profile is now “all-star.” I filled in as many details as I could, leaving lots of information about the role I play at school and work. However, I purposely left my side-business – insincerely – out of my LinkedIn due to potentially questionable content. My LinkedIn now has 19 connections, some personal and some professional.
Since I was mostly looking to create more consistency across channels rather than boost engagement or grow, my channels have stayed relatively stagnant. This is what I want. For me, my the only professional role for my channels is to be easily discoverable so others can contact me. I want them to provide some baseline information about my education, work, and hobbies so that people can verify my identity and find me easier. However, due to my interest in entrepreneurship, I am not catering to future employers.
My interest is instead in future clients. I want to make sure my accounts are appealing to my future target market. I intend to create separate accounts for my future consulting work. However, I want people to be able to search for me personally, and verify that my interests and personal life align well with my consulting firm and, more importantly, them as a client.
For now, Facebook is for family and old friends, Instagram is for my personal projects, LinkedIn is for potential employers and professional contacts, and my consulting work will have its own associated channels.