How Can I Leverage Social Media To Build My Personal Brand?

I was honored to have the opportunity to chat with Chris Yandle about working in sports for his new video blog “Behind the Y”.

During the session, Chris asked me to give one piece of advice to students looking to break into the sports industry. Aside from experience, my answer is simple:

Take advantage of this digital world we live in. Start transitioning your online presence from personal to professional NOW.

 

When I talk with students about social media and their personal brand, I often find they are using the tools much differently than I am. It seems like platforms, even Twitter, are about a dialogue between friends and a place to spew thoughts.  I think there’s a place for that if you want it (Facebook per say), but I always urge students to start thinking about social media as a way to grow their network, knowledge and reach.

If you are interested in working in the sports industry, social media can be a huge asset as you embark on your professional journey.  Social media has opened doors to directly connect with future employers and bright minds in the business, stand out from the crowd and sell yourself. The sports industry is also one where people are eager to share and offer advice along the way. How cool is that?

But what does it mean to transition your online presence from personal to professional? How can you leverage social media to build your personal brand? I thought I would take this opportunity to elaborate on my advice.

Before I dive into action-items, it’s important to understand two golden rules:

First, your personal brand is not what you say about yourself; it’s what people say about you.

Second, your digital footprint is a living and breathing resume. Be the best reflection of yourself online!

Now that you know the golden rules, it’s time to focus on five steps that will help you start building an online presence to be proud of:

1.  Evaluate your digital footprint. 

• Google your name.
• Take a look at the content on your social media platforms.
• Consider the implications of what you’re sharing.
• Stay aware.
• Check your privacy settings.
• Remember, nothing in social media is ever completely private.

2.  Know each platform’s purpose. Set your boundaries. 

FACEBOOK: Keep private. Limit access to family and friends.

TWITTER: Mix of personal and professional.  Twitter is a great tool to network, develop relationships, share information and absorb knowledge. Don’t be afraid to show some personality too.

LINKEDIN: For 100 percent professional use.  Stay away from sharing personal information and anecdotes. Connect with those you know and meet in the industry.

3.  Find your niche.

One of the keys to building a great personal brand is finding your niche. Whether it’s social media and sports, ticket sales, crisis communications, sponsorships, etc. you have to do some self-exploring to find out what you’re interested in. Understanding your niche will guide you on what type of content to share, who to reach out to, what resources to read and more. It will also help you build a dedicated following.

4.  Use Twitter to grow your network, build relationships, absorb knowledge and add value. 

• Keep your profile concise, but memorable.
• Use hashtags relevant to the industry.
• Don’t be shy. Reach out to people.
• Set goals. For example, engage with at least one new person in your industry a day and share at least two articles a day.
• Participate in Twitter chats.
• Show your personality.
• Add value. Share compelling content.
• Be consistent with what you share. People who follow you should know your niche and interests pretty well. Don’t be all over the place with content.

With Twitter, the more you give the more you receive. If you are active on the platform and willing to share knowledge it can be a huge asset in your professional life. Be patient, approachable and consistent… it will pay off.

5.  Maximize LinkedIn.

• Choose your profile picture wisely (no pictures of pets, significant others, nights out on the town, etc.).
• Fill out your profile completely.
• Use keywords that describe you best.
• Connect with people you meet through work and professional organizations.
• Always send personal notes when making connections.
• Share compelling content.

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A good personal brand does not happen overnight. It takes time. But, if you understand the golden rules and apply these five points to your online life, you will be well on your way to a rocking social media presence that is a great reflection of the professional you. Of course, there is a lot more that you can do to maximize this digital age, but it’s all about baby steps.

What other advice do you have for those trying to leverage social media for their personal brand? Share it below!

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