Using Social Media in a Professional Capacity

Balancing social media and professionalism can be a scary endeavor, but it certainly doesn’t have to be. There are ways to present yourself and your “brand” as a well-put-together individual with a lot to offer the working world. Here are some tips on merging social media and professionalism.

Create Content Pillars

Figure out what it is that you would like to do on social media and what your personal employee brand looks like. Maybe you want it to be a bit personal but also tie into a niche you’d like to get more involved in. Create “pillars,” or similar content themes, to follow and sprinkle them into your content postings. 

Your postings should have a common thread to ensure they follow a pathway that you want to create. Your audience will be attracted to your theme and continue to follow and engage with your content.

Keywords and Hashtags

On sites like LinkedIn and Twitter, keywords are huge for attracting audiences. You can hashtag (#) any keywords in your posts and anyone searching for that word could come across your content. Make sure your content is worth reading and you could have a viral social post with the right keyword strategy.

You can’t just use any word as a hashtag and expect it to attract an audience. Check out what’s trending, first, and what high-trafficked tags draw the specific audience you’re looking to reach. 

Tell a Story

What makes you different from literally millions of other social media users out there? Tell your story, share your opinions, and inform people of insights you have gathered and what you have learned through your experiences. Most importantly—stay professional.

Be Mindful of What NOT to Post 

Recognize that potential employers will see all of your photos, political rants, religious views, etc., you present on public platforms. When you’re about to post something, ask yourself: Do I want my boss to see this? Would I show this to everyone in the office? Would I be proud for my coworkers to see this?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘no, that wouldn’t be appropriate’—don’t post it!

This is how you succeed in the world of social media and professionalism. You must stand out—but in a positive way.

Need More Advice on Balancing Social Media and Professionalism?

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