Social Media and Online Presence: Best Practices for Standing Out and Being True to Yourself

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for building a personal brand, networking, and connecting with others. Our online presence can have a significant impact on our careers and personal lives, and it’s important to stand out in a crowded and noisy online space. One key to success is authenticity – being true to oneself and genuine in one’s online interactions. In this post, we’ll explore the importance of authenticity on social media and how it can help you stand out, as well as best practices for maintaining a professional online presence. As an example, consider the successful businesswoman and social media influencer Marie Forleo, who has built a large following and established herself as a thought leader in her industry through her authentic and transparent approach to social media.

Marie Forleo is a successful businesswoman, author, and motivational speaker. She is known for her online business coaching program, B-School, and for her popular YouTube channel and podcast, “MarieTV,” which offer advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs and small business owners. In addition to her online coaching and content, she is also the author of several books, including “Everything is Figureoutable” and “Make Every Man Want You.”

The Importance of Authenticity on Social Media

Authenticity is crucial on social media. When we present ourselves authentically, we build trust and credibility with others. People are more likely to engage with and follow us when they feel that we are genuine and authentic. This is especially true for individuals or businesses looking to build a strong following or establish themselves as thought leaders in their fields.

For example, consider a personal brand that is known for being authentic and transparent. This brand is likely to have a strong and loyal following, as people appreciate the honesty and openness that the brand represents. On the other hand, a brand that appears inauthentic or fake is likely to struggle to build and maintain a following, as people are less likely to trust or engage with it.

Authenticity is a key factor in building a strong and successful online presence. By being genuine and true to ourselves, we can stand out and connect with others in a meaningful way.

Best Practices For Standing Out On Social Media

In addition to being authentic, there are several strategies that can help us stand out on social media. Here are a few tips to consider:

1. Use visually appealing content: People are more likely to engage with content that is visually appealing. Here are some examples of visually appealing content that could be used on social media:

• High-quality images: This could include professional photographs or graphics that are well-composed, well-lit, and visually appealing.
  
• Videos: Video content can be particularly engaging, particularly if it is well-produced and visually appealing. This could include short video clips, live streams, or full-length videos.
  
• Other types of media: Other types of media that could be visually appealing include infographics, GIFs, or interactive content like polls or quizzes.
  

By using visually appealing content, you can increase the chances that your content will be seen and engaged with by a wider audience. It’s important to keep in mind that people are more likely to scroll past content that is poorly lit, poorly composed, or otherwise unappealing, so it’s worth taking the time to create high-quality, visually appealing content. Engage with followers: Engaging with your followers is a great way to build relationships and stand out on social media. This could include responding to comments and messages, asking and answering questions, and interacting with others in your field or industry.

• Responding to comments and messages: This could include thanking followers for their comments or answering questions they might have. By responding to comments and messages, you show that you value your followers and are interested in engaging with them.
  
• Asking and answering questions: You can engage with your followers by asking them questions and encouraging them to ask you questions in return. This could include polls, quizzes, or simply asking for their opinions or thoughts on a particular topic.
  
• Interacting with others in your field or industry: You can also engage with your followers by interacting with other individuals or businesses in your field or industry. This could include sharing and commenting on their content, collaborating on projects or events, or simply connecting and building relationships.
  

By engaging with your followers in these ways, you can build stronger relationships and stand out on social media. It’s important to remember that social media is a two-way conversation, so make an effort to connect with your followers and interact with them regularly. Stay up-to-date with trends and current events: By staying current and relevant, you can ensure that your content is timely and interesting to your followers. This could involve following industry news and trends, or sharing your thoughts and insights on current events.

• Following industry news and trends: If you are in a specific industry, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends in your field. This could include following relevant publications or blogs, or subscribing to newsletters or alerts.
  
• Sharing your thoughts and insights on current events: Another way to stay current and relevant is to share your thoughts and insights on current events or news stories. This could involve sharing articles or posts that you find interesting or relevant, or offering your own perspective on a particular issue.
  
• Using hashtags: Hashtags can be a useful way to stay up-to-date with trends and current events on social media. By following relevant hashtags, you can see what others are saying and join in on the conversation.
  

By staying up-to-date with trends and current events, you can ensure that your content is timely and relevant to your followers. This can help you build a stronger following and stand out on social media. Use social media features to your advantage: Each social media platform has its own features and tools that can help you stand out. For example, Instagram has features like Instagram Stories and Reels, while Twitter has the option to use polls and threaded tweets. Explore the features of each platform and see how you can use them to your advantage.

• Instagram: Instagram has several features that can help you stand out on the platform, including Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV. Instagram Stories allow you to share short-form videos or photos that disappear after 24 hours, while Reels allow you to create short, looping videos set to music. IGTV is a feature that allows you to create and share long-form videos on the platform.
  
• Twitter: Twitter has several features that can help you stand out, including polls, threaded tweets, and hashtags. Polls allow you to ask your followers a question and gather feedback, while threaded tweets allow you to create a series of connected tweets that appear as a single thread. Hashtags are used to categorize tweets and make them more discoverable.
  
• Facebook: Facebook has a variety of features that can help you stand out, including the ability to create and share videos, live streams, and interactive content like polls and quizzes. Facebook also has a number of groups and pages that allow you to connect with others and share content.
  

By exploring the features of each social media platform and seeing how you can use them to your advantage, you can increase the chances that your content will be seen and engaged with by a wider audience.

By following these best practices, you can increase the chances of your content being seen and engaged with by a wider audience.

Maintaining a Professional Online Presence

While authenticity is important, it is also important to maintain a professional online presence, particularly for those in leadership or professional roles. This means being mindful of the content that you share and how you present yourself online. Here are a few tips to consider:

• Avoid sharing inappropriate or controversial content: It’s important to be mindful of the types of content that you share on social media. Avoid sharing anything that could be considered inappropriate or offensive, as it could damage your professional reputation.
• Manage your online reputation: Your online reputation is important, and it can be easily damaged by inappropriate or unprofessional behavior. Be mindful of what you post and how you present yourself online, and consider using tools like Google Alerts to monitor your online reputation.
• Use privacy settings: It’s important to protect your privacy online, particularly if you are in a leadership or professional role. Make use of privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can see your content and personal information.
• Keep your personal and professional lives separate: It’s important to maintain boundaries between your personal and professional lives online. Consider creating separate accounts or profiles for your personal and professional activities.

By following these best practices, you can maintain a professional online presence while still being authentic and true to yourself. It’s important to strike a balance between the two, as it can help you build credibility and trust with others.