It’s hard to believe that I started blogging over 14 years ago. At the time, it was just a hobby and something I enjoyed doing with the kids. Never in a million years did I imagine how creating Mrs. Kathy King.com and our social platforms would impact me professionally. Whether you’re trying to land a job, become a consultant, or start a business, having a solid social media presence is crucial to your success. Your professional social media pages are often the first reference points for potential employers, employees, clients, and customers. It’s where they can learn more about what you offer and your educational and professional experience. While having professional accounts is essential, it’s only as beneficial as the effort you put into presenting quality content.
What Your Page Says About You
When you search for your professional social media accounts, what do you find? Does it come up at the top of search engine results? Is there industry-relevant content? Can a viewer easily learn about your education and experience? If you’ve answered no to any of these questions, you need to consider making some changes.
Ultimately, your page is a digital representation of your brand and professionalism. It often serves as a first impression and helps viewers make an informed decision about doing business with you. If you want to persuade outside parties you’re the suitable choice; you must go the extra mile to ensure your page supports their decision. Below are some suggestions to consider.
1) The Basics
Let’s start with the basics. Your page should have your name and a photo or logo representing your brand regardless of which platform you’re using. You should also have contact details, including other social media pages, company websites, digital portfolios, email addresses, and phone numbers. Finally, your social media profile should clearly state your profession or industry and provide a brief description of how you can assist your target audience.
2) Highlight Educational Experience
When selecting an employer, employee, consultant, business, or service provider, people want to know that whoever they choose knows what they’re doing. One way of boosting your credibility is by showcasing your educational experience on your social media platforms. Ensure that you highlight any completed courses, degrees, licenses, or certifications you have within your field.
3) Flex Professional Skills
Highlighting your college degrees means you understand your field, but what experience do you have applying what you’ve learned? That’s where your professional expertise comes into play. Some social media platforms allow users to upload their resumes, which is a great place to start. However, you can take things further by adding digital badges to your page. Badges are essentially virtual verifications of your participation, completion, and passing of specific courses. For instance, if you’re trying to secure clients based on your expertise, displaying a social media badge from a reputable education or training course confirms that you know your stuff.
4) References And Reviews
There’s no greater confirmation of your professional abilities than a positive opinion from others. When former employers, clients, or customers take the time to share their experiences, it goes a long way to persuade your target audience to work with you. If you’re trying to secure a job, having letters of recommendation on your social media page from high-level execs of reputable brands can give you the leg up you need to land that interview. On the other hand, if you’re an entrepreneur or consultant, create a space for star ratings and reviews.
5) Post Optimized Content Consistently
A professional social media page should go beyond what you’d find on a company website or a job search account. While a great deal of the information should be about you and your experience, you should also provide valuable content to your target audience.
A financial advisor, for instance, might give followers tips on how to organize their finances or post content about the current state of the economy. An interior decorator might suggest how to update decor on a budget or upload before and after images of recent projects.
All posts should be optimized with keywords or hashtags to increase search engine results. You should also post content regularly to keep audiences engaged and informed.
No matter your professional goals, social media is a pivotal part of your success. It’s a digital business card that provides the first impression to your target audience. Beyond creating an account, business professionals are encouraged to develop a page that conveys a strong message and encourages viewers to take action. Use the above suggestions to develop pages that help you reach your goals faster.
Leave a Reply