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Brand Building
Influencer Marketing
Brand Strategy
ARTICLE #103
How to brand yourself on social media? A detailed guide
Brand Building
Influencer Marketing
Brand Strategy
Written by:
5 min read
Updated on: August 29, 2024
Samson Mosilily
Senior Regional Manager
African Market, Regional Management, Growth
Samson Mosilily
Senior Regional Manager
African Market, Regional Management, Growth
Many entrepreneurs see social media as a loudspeaker for product launches and promotions. Yet there’s another angle that often slips under the radar: using these same channels to cultivate a powerful personal brand. By presenting insights in your own voice, you are more likely to earn trust and spark engagement—far beyond what a faceless corporate feed can achieve.
Data even shows that employees’ personal posts can reach 561% more people than an official brand account. It’s a reminder that real, human voices attract more attention in a crowded digital space. If you are aiming to raise your profile, boost credibility, and amplify your impact, social media might be your most overlooked ally.
Many entrepreneurs see social media as a loudspeaker for product launches and promotions. Yet there’s another angle that often slips under the radar: using these same channels to cultivate a powerful personal brand. By presenting insights in your own voice, you are more likely to earn trust and spark engagement—far beyond what a faceless corporate feed can achieve.
Data even shows that employees’ personal posts can reach 561% more people than an official brand account. It’s a reminder that real, human voices attract more attention in a crowded digital space. If you are aiming to raise your profile, boost credibility, and amplify your impact, social media might be your most overlooked ally.
Define your brand identity
Define your brand identity
Let's begin with a bit of self-reflection—who are you? What do you believe in? How do you wish the world to perceive you? Establishing your brand identity is not simply a matter of selecting a logo or deciding on brand colours (though, those do matter too). It's about becoming super clear on what it is that makes you, you.
First, you need to discover your uniqueness. You might think of it as creating your personal brand (or your business's) from the inside out. What values do you hold core? What skills do you contribute? What drives your mission in terms of passions or viewpoints? Take a moment and consider the obstacles you've encountered and what you've learned from them; sometimes those difficulties speak more to your character than your success. You must begin with a long-term vision. Your vision must be purpose-driven, and it must anchor you when the road gets rough. At its heart, your values will drive every decision you make. They'll inform your actions and choices as you build towards your goals. This is not merely selling a product; it's creating a real impact—and your values will keep that purpose at the forefront. Without them, you'll get lost in the background noise.
Find your unique selling proposition
A strong USP revolves around who you serve, how you add value, and what skill sets you apart. Create a short, clear statement addressing your:
Target audience: The people you aim to influence or assist.
Value: How you improve their lives or businesses.
Market: Others in your field (colleagues, peers, or competitors).
Superpower: That one thing only you offer—maybe it’s a creative twist, a unique approach, or an uncommon life story.
Let's begin with a bit of self-reflection—who are you? What do you believe in? How do you wish the world to perceive you? Establishing your brand identity is not simply a matter of selecting a logo or deciding on brand colours (though, those do matter too). It's about becoming super clear on what it is that makes you, you.
First, you need to discover your uniqueness. You might think of it as creating your personal brand (or your business's) from the inside out. What values do you hold core? What skills do you contribute? What drives your mission in terms of passions or viewpoints? Take a moment and consider the obstacles you've encountered and what you've learned from them; sometimes those difficulties speak more to your character than your success. You must begin with a long-term vision. Your vision must be purpose-driven, and it must anchor you when the road gets rough. At its heart, your values will drive every decision you make. They'll inform your actions and choices as you build towards your goals. This is not merely selling a product; it's creating a real impact—and your values will keep that purpose at the forefront. Without them, you'll get lost in the background noise.
Find your unique selling proposition
A strong USP revolves around who you serve, how you add value, and what skill sets you apart. Create a short, clear statement addressing your:
Target audience: The people you aim to influence or assist.
Value: How you improve their lives or businesses.
Market: Others in your field (colleagues, peers, or competitors).
Superpower: That one thing only you offer—maybe it’s a creative twist, a unique approach, or an uncommon life story.
Select the right social media platforms
Each platform has its vibe and user base, so it’s smart to focus on the channels that suit you best. Going all-in on every single platform usually leads to burnout.
1. Instagram: Ideal if your brand hinges on visuals—think fashion, food, or fitness. Stats show that the engagement rate of Instagram is four times higher than Facebook's.
2. X (Twitter): Good for real-time insights, short updates, and building a voice in tech, media, or public affairs. Almost 53% of users visit the platform to get the latest news.
3. LinkedIn: Built for professional networking and thought leadership. Great if you want to reach B2B clients or partners. LinkedIn is perfect for B2B industries, professional networking, and career development. It has over 1 billion members in 200 countries.
4. YouTube: A strong option if you are into tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or interviews, especially if video-based teaching is your niche.
5. TikTok: Perfect if your brand skews younger, or you enjoy creating short, punchy videos with the potential to go viral.
6. Facebook: The heavyweight platform with multiple content forms (live streams, video, text). Brilliant if you want a broader but more general audience. Statista’s 2024 report states that Facebook has surpassed 1 billion registered accounts and currently has more than 3 billion monthly active users.
Each platform has its vibe and user base, so it’s smart to focus on the channels that suit you best. Going all-in on every single platform usually leads to burnout.
1. Instagram: Ideal if your brand hinges on visuals—think fashion, food, or fitness. Stats show that the engagement rate of Instagram is four times higher than Facebook's.
2. X (Twitter): Good for real-time insights, short updates, and building a voice in tech, media, or public affairs. Almost 53% of users visit the platform to get the latest news.
3. LinkedIn: Built for professional networking and thought leadership. Great if you want to reach B2B clients or partners. LinkedIn is perfect for B2B industries, professional networking, and career development. It has over 1 billion members in 200 countries.
4. YouTube: A strong option if you are into tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or interviews, especially if video-based teaching is your niche.
5. TikTok: Perfect if your brand skews younger, or you enjoy creating short, punchy videos with the potential to go viral.
6. Facebook: The heavyweight platform with multiple content forms (live streams, video, text). Brilliant if you want a broader but more general audience. Statista’s 2024 report states that Facebook has surpassed 1 billion registered accounts and currently has more than 3 billion monthly active users.
Update your social media accounts
With more than 5 billion people on social media globally, no wonder social media is the hub of choice to build a brand. But the trust is, every social media account isn't equal, and not all will assist in building the brand you desire. So, if you find yourself stretched too thin with accounts spread across platforms, it's time to consolidate your efforts and turn your social media presence into an effective branding powerhouse.
Audit your current presence
Go through each platform and figure out where you are actually getting engagement and where you are just posting into the void. Not all channels are right for every brand, so it’s important to evaluate the usefulness of each account. If some of your profiles aren’t doing much for you, don’t be afraid to cut the cord. You don't have to be on all platforms, just the ones that are most appropriate for your brand. Start by reviewing how many followers you have on each platform and taking inventory of the communities you've established. Are you growing? Or are you simply amassing numbers with little activity? It's more efficient to build one platform at a time, instead of trying to split yourself across multiple accounts. Get one down before you proceed to the next. Trust me, it's quantity over quality here.
Update personal information
Your social media bio should accurately represent who you are and what you do, and if it doesn't, it's time to update. Keep your professional image front and center, with concise information about who you are, your purpose, and what you are striving for. You don't need to bombard your followers with blocks of text. Your bio has to say something about your mission, values, and goals that stops people and makes them think, "I want to know more about this person." And if you do have a personal website or portfolio showcase it and make people have somewhere to go where they can deeply get into your work.
Make your profile pictures professional
Your profile picture is equivalent to your virtual handshake. It's the very first thing anyone sees when they check out your profile, so making a good impression counts. If you are sporting a fuzzy selfie or an ancient photo taken a decade before, it's time for a change. It must be professional, clean, and on-brand. If you are representing your company, have your company logo as your profile image on all your sites. Your logo needs to be identifiable since no one wishes to guess whether they are in the right profile or not, so keep your visual identity uniform.
Showcase your work
Social media is not just about posting personal photos or random memes (although hey, those have their place too). It's about presenting who you are and what you do—your work. Include accomplishments, finished projects, published writing, or any notable accomplishment that speaks to your expertise. If you have a portfolio or individual site, link to it in your bio or posts, and feature your top work directly on your feed. Consider your social media profile as a virtual portfolio. It's the ideal platform to flaunt your expertise, post your success stories, and gain credibility. Through project highlights, reviews, or behind-the-scenes peeks, let your social media profiles be an alive resume—highlighting what you have done and what you can do. Individuals wish to witness the work behind the brand, and presenting it will make them believe in you more.
With more than 5 billion people on social media globally, no wonder social media is the hub of choice to build a brand. But the trust is, every social media account isn't equal, and not all will assist in building the brand you desire. So, if you find yourself stretched too thin with accounts spread across platforms, it's time to consolidate your efforts and turn your social media presence into an effective branding powerhouse.
Audit your current presence
Go through each platform and figure out where you are actually getting engagement and where you are just posting into the void. Not all channels are right for every brand, so it’s important to evaluate the usefulness of each account. If some of your profiles aren’t doing much for you, don’t be afraid to cut the cord. You don't have to be on all platforms, just the ones that are most appropriate for your brand. Start by reviewing how many followers you have on each platform and taking inventory of the communities you've established. Are you growing? Or are you simply amassing numbers with little activity? It's more efficient to build one platform at a time, instead of trying to split yourself across multiple accounts. Get one down before you proceed to the next. Trust me, it's quantity over quality here.
Update personal information
Your social media bio should accurately represent who you are and what you do, and if it doesn't, it's time to update. Keep your professional image front and center, with concise information about who you are, your purpose, and what you are striving for. You don't need to bombard your followers with blocks of text. Your bio has to say something about your mission, values, and goals that stops people and makes them think, "I want to know more about this person." And if you do have a personal website or portfolio showcase it and make people have somewhere to go where they can deeply get into your work.
Make your profile pictures professional
Your profile picture is equivalent to your virtual handshake. It's the very first thing anyone sees when they check out your profile, so making a good impression counts. If you are sporting a fuzzy selfie or an ancient photo taken a decade before, it's time for a change. It must be professional, clean, and on-brand. If you are representing your company, have your company logo as your profile image on all your sites. Your logo needs to be identifiable since no one wishes to guess whether they are in the right profile or not, so keep your visual identity uniform.
Showcase your work
Social media is not just about posting personal photos or random memes (although hey, those have their place too). It's about presenting who you are and what you do—your work. Include accomplishments, finished projects, published writing, or any notable accomplishment that speaks to your expertise. If you have a portfolio or individual site, link to it in your bio or posts, and feature your top work directly on your feed. Consider your social media profile as a virtual portfolio. It's the ideal platform to flaunt your expertise, post your success stories, and gain credibility. Through project highlights, reviews, or behind-the-scenes peeks, let your social media profiles be an alive resume—highlighting what you have done and what you can do. Individuals wish to witness the work behind the brand, and presenting it will make them believe in you more.
Create compelling content
Even the most active social media strategy crumbles if your posts are bland. You need content that’s interesting enough to spark likes, comments, or shares.
Use storytelling: Whether you are explaining how you overcame a career hurdle or sharing a customer success tale, stories foster an emotional link with your audience. Think about the everyday challenges or funny slip-ups your readers might recognise from their own lives.
Content calendar and scheduling: Map out what you’ll post and when. This reduces last-minute scrambling and keeps your feed consistent. If you are juggling multiple time zones, use a scheduling tool that automates posting at the perfect hour. That way, you can focus on quality.
Even the most active social media strategy crumbles if your posts are bland. You need content that’s interesting enough to spark likes, comments, or shares.
Use storytelling: Whether you are explaining how you overcame a career hurdle or sharing a customer success tale, stories foster an emotional link with your audience. Think about the everyday challenges or funny slip-ups your readers might recognise from their own lives.
Content calendar and scheduling: Map out what you’ll post and when. This reduces last-minute scrambling and keeps your feed consistent. If you are juggling multiple time zones, use a scheduling tool that automates posting at the perfect hour. That way, you can focus on quality.
Engage with your audience
Let's get real—how brilliant your content or strategy is, if it's not engaging with the right people, it's all a bit redundant. You have to know what value you are bringing to your audience and then engage with them. It's not a case of posting and hoping. Social media sites are programmed to reward engagement, so the more you engage, the more they will push your content. Comment on blog posts, respond with user-generated content, and don't mind commenting thoughtfully on your target group's posts. It's a matter of connection, not only of promotion of your message. The greater your interaction is, the higher your degree of contact created, and this makes social media function. Engagement = Connection.
Use hashtags and keywords
Hashtags are the GPS for your content, they assist individuals in locating you in the social media mess. Whether you are tweeting on X (Twitter), posting on Instagram, creating videos on TikTok, or sharing content on LinkedIn, the correct hashtags can make your content much more discoverable. Vary your approach with general hashtags, niche-based hashtags, trending hashtags, brand-specific hashtags, and even location-based hashtags to increase your reach. But hold on, as keywords are equally vital, don't ignore them. Be it on social media, blog posts, or your site content, these little treasures aid in enhancing your search engine and social media visibility. Essentially, they are the backstage ticket that admits you into the proper cliques.
Connect with influencers in your sector
If you want to take your personal brand to the next level, influencer connections are a game-changer. Don't make the mistake of believing that you need an A-list influencer with millions of followers. It's no longer all about the celebrities; micro-influencers are the new rockstars. Stats indicate that micro-influencers create up to 60% more engagement than their larger counterparts. They also enjoy an engagement rate of 3.86%, while mega influencers can only muster 1.21%. It takes time to find the right influencer for your brand. It's not a "DM and done" affair.
You have to build a relationship, make them see why you are a good investment of their time, and demonstrate that you're not another brand going after the shiny object. Begin small, set your sights high—don't just glance at the number of followers, but engagement rates. Contact them where they are on the platforms they use, lay out expectations in advance, and ensure you think about your objectives. After obtaining a collaboration, ensure you map out your terms, objectives, and project; don't let them wonder what's going to happen. Stay concise, remain professional.
Let's get real—how brilliant your content or strategy is, if it's not engaging with the right people, it's all a bit redundant. You have to know what value you are bringing to your audience and then engage with them. It's not a case of posting and hoping. Social media sites are programmed to reward engagement, so the more you engage, the more they will push your content. Comment on blog posts, respond with user-generated content, and don't mind commenting thoughtfully on your target group's posts. It's a matter of connection, not only of promotion of your message. The greater your interaction is, the higher your degree of contact created, and this makes social media function. Engagement = Connection.
Use hashtags and keywords
Hashtags are the GPS for your content, they assist individuals in locating you in the social media mess. Whether you are tweeting on X (Twitter), posting on Instagram, creating videos on TikTok, or sharing content on LinkedIn, the correct hashtags can make your content much more discoverable. Vary your approach with general hashtags, niche-based hashtags, trending hashtags, brand-specific hashtags, and even location-based hashtags to increase your reach. But hold on, as keywords are equally vital, don't ignore them. Be it on social media, blog posts, or your site content, these little treasures aid in enhancing your search engine and social media visibility. Essentially, they are the backstage ticket that admits you into the proper cliques.
Connect with influencers in your sector
If you want to take your personal brand to the next level, influencer connections are a game-changer. Don't make the mistake of believing that you need an A-list influencer with millions of followers. It's no longer all about the celebrities; micro-influencers are the new rockstars. Stats indicate that micro-influencers create up to 60% more engagement than their larger counterparts. They also enjoy an engagement rate of 3.86%, while mega influencers can only muster 1.21%. It takes time to find the right influencer for your brand. It's not a "DM and done" affair.
You have to build a relationship, make them see why you are a good investment of their time, and demonstrate that you're not another brand going after the shiny object. Begin small, set your sights high—don't just glance at the number of followers, but engagement rates. Contact them where they are on the platforms they use, lay out expectations in advance, and ensure you think about your objectives. After obtaining a collaboration, ensure you map out your terms, objectives, and project; don't let them wonder what's going to happen. Stay concise, remain professional.
Monitor and evolve your brand
Use social media metrics to find out how well your social media strategy is performing. You can do it with the help of different tools.
Reach (It is the number of audience members who see your content)
Audience growth rate (how many people have followed you during a certain period)
Impressions (the number of times your content appears on users' newsfeeds)
Amplification rate (It is the number of shares your content receives)
Engagement rate (the number of reactions, comments, shares, and likes your content gets as a percentage of followers)
Click-through rate (the percentage of time your audience clicks on a link in your post to access additional content).
Adapt to feedback and trends
Social media is constantly changing, and you need to learn and adapt. From tweaking your content based on feedback to jumping on a new trend, it is important to maintain a strong online presence to compete.
Learn from your successes and failures: Not every post will be a home run, and that's fine! The beauty of social media is that it gives instant feedback. Dive into your analytics and see what worked. Customer feedback, private messages, and comments on your posts are treasures of feedback. If folks are saying, "I love this!"listen up. If they are saying it with constructive criticism, take it to heart. The more that you know about your people, the better your content will get.
Be in tune with upcoming trends: You can never be too fixed on social media. Something is always coming along. Get ahead of the curve by searching for new tools, hashtags, or content types that might be leveraged to talk to your people more effectively. If you hesitate to jump into something trendy, you'll find yourself behind the times. Be ready to adjust quickly when called upon.
Maintain consistency
Consistency is your buddy when it comes to creating and sustaining your own personal brand. But it's not necessarily posting daily, it's posting meaningful content regularly. You don't want to overload your fans with subpar posts to satisfy an obligation. All that being said, varying platforms call for varying posting schedules. Instagram may call for a once-a-day posting, whereas TikTok may require even more frequent posts to keep your content vibrant and active. The balance here is important—you can't simply post to post, but you also don't want your account gathering dust. Post too much and you risk burnout (yours and others'), post too little and you risk losing your steam.
Use social media metrics to find out how well your social media strategy is performing. You can do it with the help of different tools.
Reach (It is the number of audience members who see your content)
Audience growth rate (how many people have followed you during a certain period)
Impressions (the number of times your content appears on users' newsfeeds)
Amplification rate (It is the number of shares your content receives)
Engagement rate (the number of reactions, comments, shares, and likes your content gets as a percentage of followers)
Click-through rate (the percentage of time your audience clicks on a link in your post to access additional content).
Adapt to feedback and trends
Social media is constantly changing, and you need to learn and adapt. From tweaking your content based on feedback to jumping on a new trend, it is important to maintain a strong online presence to compete.
Learn from your successes and failures: Not every post will be a home run, and that's fine! The beauty of social media is that it gives instant feedback. Dive into your analytics and see what worked. Customer feedback, private messages, and comments on your posts are treasures of feedback. If folks are saying, "I love this!"listen up. If they are saying it with constructive criticism, take it to heart. The more that you know about your people, the better your content will get.
Be in tune with upcoming trends: You can never be too fixed on social media. Something is always coming along. Get ahead of the curve by searching for new tools, hashtags, or content types that might be leveraged to talk to your people more effectively. If you hesitate to jump into something trendy, you'll find yourself behind the times. Be ready to adjust quickly when called upon.
Maintain consistency
Consistency is your buddy when it comes to creating and sustaining your own personal brand. But it's not necessarily posting daily, it's posting meaningful content regularly. You don't want to overload your fans with subpar posts to satisfy an obligation. All that being said, varying platforms call for varying posting schedules. Instagram may call for a once-a-day posting, whereas TikTok may require even more frequent posts to keep your content vibrant and active. The balance here is important—you can't simply post to post, but you also don't want your account gathering dust. Post too much and you risk burnout (yours and others'), post too little and you risk losing your steam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 pillars of personal branding?
According to Jill Hauwiller, the 7 pillars include Purpose, Values, Clarity, Strengths, Energy, Legacy, and Ownership.
What is the ABCD of personal branding?
It’s Appearance, Behaviour, Communication, and Digital Impression.
What is the golden rule of personal branding?
Identify your unique strengths, leverage them wisely, and present yourself as a capable authority in your niche.
Final Thoughts
Social media is quicker than a rollercoaster, and to remain in the lead, you must be as flexible. Branding yourself on social media is not just about sharing handsome photos; it's about developing a killer plan and getting everyone aligned to make it happen. Having a solid plan in place allows you to drive the ship and actually reach your targets rather than going off track. And let’s not forget, a professional team can give your social media efforts a serious boost. If you have the right people by your side, you will push boundaries and carve out a unique identity. By following these branding tips, you set yourself up to attract new opportunities, stand out from the crowd, and take your career to the next level. So, why wait? Start creating your personal brand today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 pillars of personal branding?
According to Jill Hauwiller, the 7 pillars include Purpose, Values, Clarity, Strengths, Energy, Legacy, and Ownership.
What is the ABCD of personal branding?
It’s Appearance, Behaviour, Communication, and Digital Impression.
What is the golden rule of personal branding?
Identify your unique strengths, leverage them wisely, and present yourself as a capable authority in your niche.
Final Thoughts
Social media is quicker than a rollercoaster, and to remain in the lead, you must be as flexible. Branding yourself on social media is not just about sharing handsome photos; it's about developing a killer plan and getting everyone aligned to make it happen. Having a solid plan in place allows you to drive the ship and actually reach your targets rather than going off track. And let’s not forget, a professional team can give your social media efforts a serious boost. If you have the right people by your side, you will push boundaries and carve out a unique identity. By following these branding tips, you set yourself up to attract new opportunities, stand out from the crowd, and take your career to the next level. So, why wait? Start creating your personal brand today.
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Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
- FOR® Brand. FOR® Future.
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
info@for.fi
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®
Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
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Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
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Copyright © 2024 FOR®