Three Things You MUST Include in Your Social Media Branding 

Your brand is your voice. It’s how you communicate with customers when you can’t be face to face. And it not only the current state of your business but a future vision, too. Consider what you want to be known for and the best way to express this to followers.

Through social media branding, you’re telling the story of your business—its philosophies, the products or services you offer, and what makes you the best choice over a competitor. This story takes time to develop, but trust us— it’s worth it!

Here are three things we suggest including when planning your online branding:

1.     Clarity- Whatever message you’re trying to get across to your audience, you need to make sure it’s one they’ll understand. Perhaps obvious, yet every set of followers is unique. Ask yourself:

• Who is my target audience?
• What appeals most to them?
• What tone do I want to convey?
• What imagery will be visually appealing to them? 

The key is consistency. Your tone, message, and imagery should all reflect the story you're trying to tell. A cohesive social media presence shows that a brand is in tune with consumer wants and needs, and will be much more successful than one without a clear focus.

2.     Emotion- Without reaching customers on an emotional level, you miss a key component of branding. People like to feel vested in companies they support, so think about how you’ll connect with them. Remember, you’re not just selling a product; you’re selling an idea, a vision, and a lifestyle. Themes like health, wellness, and community resonate more than physical items.

3.     Networking- Social media is one big networking arena and a must for building a successful (and profitable) brand. If switching from more traditional marketing seems intimidating, we promise it’s not! On social media, it's easy to connect with others in similar industries, and doing so will help expand your professional network. Plus, the more effort you put into interacting with other brands and accounts, the more likely yours will be recognized, too!

The most successful brands on social media are the ones that give back to their followers through engaging, high-quality content, quick responses to messages and comments, and a generally friendly and appealing tone. Be sure to prioritize these areas and regularly monitor analytics for the best results.

Need help developing your brand on social media? At Officially Social, we’ve worked with many small businesses to cultivate their online presence with clear, curated content specific to the needs of their consumers. Reach out anytime with questions- alison@officiallysocial.com. We’d love to hear from you!