Key Elements for Social Media Profile Success

Having a good social media presence is key to getting more online exposure, helping connect you to customers and improve your online reputation. 

When someone does a quick Google search of your name, your social media profile is usually one of the first results, unless you own a major site associated with your name, so start seeing your social media profile as a landing page for your personal brand. 

It’s highly likely that your social profile is the first thing someone sees when they encounter your brand, so it’s essential to create a great first impression to make sure your visitors are interested in knowing more about you. 

Here are some key elements for successful social media profiles:

1. Social Media Username and URL

On most social media platforms, your username gets included in your URL. Often it’s different from your display name. In cases like these, you might not be able to change your username, so choose carefully. 

Our advice is that you stick to your own name, but sometimes if you’re the face of your company then opting for the company name might work better. Quick tip, wherever possible, try to keep your username the same across all your platforms. 

2. Profile Picture 

The age-old question, logo or personal picture? 

For personal accounts, always go with a quality headshot. For companies, it’s a bit tricker and really depends on your brand’s goals. If you run a small operation, stick to a professional headshot however if you have a fairly recognisable brand or would rather not have your company specifically associated with you, choose a logo. 

And just like usernames, where possible, use the same or similar photos across your social networks. 

3. Profile Links 

This is different for each social platform, but always be on the lookout for any opportunity to get your link on the main page of your social profile. 

For example, you can add a link in the bio of your LinkedIn and Instagram profiles. 

If you’re adding links to your profile, it would be a good idea to create a social media-specific landing page on your site so you can track which profiles are bringing in the most traffic. There are different ways to integrate social media into your website (insert link) all of which can greatly benefit your social presence. 

4. Profile Bio 

Your main social profile bio should at least have a sentence or two about yourself and your business. This prime real estate to put your elevator pitch and include keywords. 

Of course, this all depends on the social platform. Twitter, for example, has a character limit while LinkedIn offers up to 2,000 characters for your bio! This is a massive opportunity to explain what you’re all about and is the perfect spot to make a great first impression. 

To succeed, think about your bio as more than a simple description of what you do, instead, create a complete story punctuated with a basic call to action. 

5. Profile Interests 

Some profiles let you add extended information about yourself in the form of interests. Most people will skip over this, but that’s a big mistake. 

Think of those fields as an extra place to get great value and connections. There isn’t a niche out there that doesn’t have at least one published book. 

Adding these fields adds credibility to the people who are first learning about you. 

6. Background or cover image 

Most social media platforms nowadays let you add a background or cover image. Don’t just use the default background image offered. 

Customised backgrounds are the perfect palace to share extra information and show people your brand’s personality. Don’t go overboard and make it distracting, your cover photo shouldn’t be more important than your profile picture, but having a great cover image goes a long way for social media personalisation. 

7. Privacy Settings 

Once your profile is all set, the next thing you want to look over is your privacy settings. This varies for each network but it’s important to make sure the information you want to show the public is viewable. 

8. Social Media Activity 

With every social media account you make, your ongoing mission will be to make sure there is a healthy level of activity on your networks. 

Having a social media account isn’t a set and forget platform. You need to make sure you’re making contributions to the platform and building connections. 

No matter what platform you’re on, there are basic guidelines that apply to all of them. Responding to questions or comments left by your connections and followers, posting interesting thoughts or content, and even sharing interesting or relevant information. 

9. Social Media Promotion 

There’s nothing wrong with little social media promotion! You can do so by adding your social network profile links to your website, e-signature and even physical business cards. 

Getting Success From Social Media

If you’re still getting started with social media marketing, it’s crucial that your social accounts and profiles are set up correctly. If you’ve been using social media for a while, there’s no harm in double-checking your profile setup. 

Remember, your social media profile is the first impression most people see! It’s well worth spending time to improve your social media presence. 

If you’re looking for help planning an effective social media marketing campaign, we’re here to help! 

At RankingCo we know that often, the best way for small businesses to build awareness, audience, and brand credibility is through social media. With our social media ads campaign, our experts can boost your social engagement online. 

As Australia's best digital marketing team. We work hard to ensure your business gets the attention it deserves. We understand that every business is different, that’s why our team invests our time and energy into making sure we understand your goals. Want help or more information call our friendly team today at 1300 247 045 or let's chat.