Tips on setting up a personal social media account

Did you know that almost half the planet is on social media? That’s 3.5 billion people and chances are you are one of them. So, how do you make your voice heard in an ocean of 3.5 billion users creating mostly similar content and competing for the same audience? Well, before you start to fret over all this you need to build a solid foundation by creating a professional and effective social media account and we have some tips for you on this.

#1: Your display name

With display names, you’ve probably heard it is always best to use your own name and this is mostly true. Sometimes, however, depending on the social media platform you are on, you can use a pseudonym or even a hashtag. For example, Jemila Abdulai’s username on twitter is Jemila #BlackLivesMatter. She usually has a hashtag in her name to inform followers of causes or events she is participating in, (which is currently the black lives matter revolution after the murder of George Floyd). When creative usage of a display name is done well, it can increase traffic to your profile and get you more followers. Just remember to be appropriate and professional.  It is still important to note that for some social media platforms, like LinkedIn, using your actual name is the best way forward.

#2: Your username and URL

This is the name you sign up with to your social media account and with most platforms you cannot change it so choose wisely. It is always safe to go with your name or a variation of your name. For example: @anna_idrissu, @idrissu.anna, @aidrissu10. When possible, try to keep your username the same across platforms to make it easy for followers to access you.

#3: Your profile pic and background/cover image

Your profile picture is always a first impression of you, whether or not it is a picture of you. Again, the social media platform you are on always informs the decision of the type of profile picture you can use. Always stick to a professional and relaxed photo of yourself if you are not too sure about what to use.

Always go for a cover image that is not too distracting and also complements your bio, interest or contents of your profile. On platforms that make use of background/cover videos, you can use a short video profile of yourself or an intro/explainer video of your organization or project. Pick a video the viewer can engage with without sound.

#4: Your link

Make use of the link or website option that is available to you on your social media profile. You can link to your other social media pages or some work you have authored or are featured in online, if you don’t have a website. Websites are essentially clean, creative and professional online C.V.s which are widely and always accessible. They are increasingly important in the digital space with each passing year and building them is now as easy as creating a PowerPoint, with tools like Wix and SquareSpace.

#5: Your bio

For platforms with fewer bio characters, you can use your bio as an elevator pitch with relevant keywords and hashtags. Sometimes, you are offered more space to write about yourself and you should take full use of that. Be sure to use the space creatively and efficiently. For example, you can tell a story with a final call to action, telling the reader about your small start-up company, why you started it, what you love about it, how it can help the community and finally ask them to visit your website or donate to your cause.

#6: Your activity

Now you have designed and woven the perfect basket, what are you going to put in it? Once you create a social media profile, you are now a content creator/producer, whether you know it or not. Your activity (what you post, repost, like and comment on) is effectively your content. What are people going to come to your page to see? What are people going to expect from you? Have these questions in mind as you use your social media accounts. That is not to say you cannot have fun on your account or dedicate it to some recreational activity you enjoy but always remember the platform you are using defines what is appropriate to post and share.

#7: Your timeline/ Who to follow

Who you follow on social media greatly affects the information you receive and consequently, the information and content you share. The key here is balance. You will always tend to follow accounts that share your interests and you should but you will need to balance it out with some accounts that are a little outside your scope of interest. For example, if you love football and politics, apart from following accounts of sports teams and news outlets, it is advisable to follow accounts from the science and tech industry or environmentalist bloggers to get information outside your scope of interests.