7 Social Media Mistakes Hurting Your Personal Brand by Aaja Corinne Magee

(as published on BlackDoctor.org)

The age of social media has made groundbreaking impact on our society and totally revolutionized the way that we do things. What was first a casual way to connect with peers has become a revolutionary tool in personal branding and business. Now, our social media profiles can be strategically leveraged to grow our brands as well as to create foundational connections between clients and colleagues.

We all are brands, whether we realize it or not, so image and reputation management online is essential to influencing the perceptions that are used to define us. The big question: Is social media working for you or against you? Below are 7 things to avoid with your social media use:


1. Lack of quality imagery

Because we are visual beings, we subconsciously form judgments and make assumptions almost immediately upon coming into contact with someone – it’s just human nature! Invest in quality graphic design, leverage low-cost design options like Fiverr and Canva, or simply take photographs in natural lighting to achieve a polished look.


2. Spelling errors and grammatically incorrect wording

Take pride in your presentation by proofreading carefully. If writing is not one of your strengths, hiring a writer and/or editor to effectively communicate your brand message will prove to be a worthy investment.


3. Too much "salesy" content

Profiles should not be used to fulfill the purposes of a website through aggressive sales pitches. The proper use of social media is to generate brand awareness and lead traffic to your company’s website for interested parties to take further action. Businesses can maximize their social influence by sharing their story in unique ways and creating value for their audience.


4. Lack of original content

Social media has made it extremely easy for the masses to publish content and sometimes it can be a fight through the fog to separate the real from the fake. When it comes to your personal brand, original content is a great way to establish credibility and trust among your audience as well as position you as an authority in your field of interest.


5. Too many "selfies" in relation to overall value of content shared

Find a balance between self-promotion and content that your audience will find valuable. If you are posting a picture of yourself, consider captioning it with an informative or inspirational message.


6. Outdated profiles

A very important element to branding oneself is being relevant. Outdated profiles send a signal to your audience that you may be out of touch or not worth keeping up with.


7. No consistency across social platforms

With branding, consistency is key. Make it easy for others to find you and recognize you by being consistent with social media handles, profile images as well as the overall tone of content shared across platforms.

If a prospect visited your profiles today, would they find content that is the best representation of you and/or your business? If not, it's time to shape it up!

Aaja Corinne Magee is a Chicago-based, Branding Strategist & Speaker, specializing in helping leaders and experts to maximize their impact through personal brand development. For more savvy advice and resources, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter at www.aajacorinnethebrand.com.

Twitter: @AajaCorinne