Have you ever doubted making a post on social media because it felt “unprofessional” to your personal branding? Whether it be a selfie on Instagram or a humorous tweet, it can be difficult to find a balance between being personal and self-promoting as a young professional. In today’s digital age, most professionals are either occasional or frequent social media users. Connections are often made through social media, which can be intimidating to new professionals trying to create their “professional persona”.
However, there is good news. Authenticity is the key to personal branding on social media. What often fails to be understood is human beings are complex and multifaceted. Your complexity regarding what makes you the person you are on a professional and personal level should play a role in your branding—it is who you are!
Authenticity is credibility
Your personal brand reflects what you value, who you are, and what you bring to the table. People tend to trust and listen to people they can relate to on some level. It’s a healthy reminder to remember that the put together corporate robot all the time is an unrealistic portrayal of a human being and honestly, it is unrelatable. The overly fabricated and perfectly polished persona can lead to a lack of trust as it is to some degree a fake version of who you are.
Authenticity differentiates you from others
You do not have to act, dress, or speak the way other professionals do. Use your strengths and interests to set yourself apart. Be unapologetically yourself and don’t be afraid to respectively show your true colours. Being transparent about who you are and what you do makes for a successful and unique personal brand.
Authenticity allows you to build genuine connections
As mentioned, social media has increasingly become the meeting spot for professionals alike to connect. Social media has also created an effortless space for people to find and connect with similar people through tools like hashtags and smart search. Again, people want to connect with people they can relate to in some way. Making a genuine connection with somebody that interests you is the first step to building strong professional relationships.
It can be difficult to define yourself as a personal brand on social media. Luckily, being yourself is a lot more valuable to your personal brand than you may think and can require little effort. Embrace your authenticity and get started creating those connections.
Article By: Maria Baini
Editor, Symmetry Public Relations
