To write a social network profile that works, you have to fit in and stand out at the same time. Show what you do instead of listing who you are, use the keywords your audience searches for, keep it current, tell people what they gain by following you, add a personal touch, and check it for mistakes.
Whether you use social networks for personal or for professional reasons, the goal is usually the same: you want people to follow you, so that you can share your thoughts and information with them.
Getting people to follow you starts with your profile, and writing one means walking a fine line. You have to "stand out" while also "fitting in". Your profile has to suit the network and appeal to the groups and people you want to reach. At the same time, it has to set you apart from the rest of the crowd.
Show, don't tell
This is one of the best-known tips for writing in general, and it applies to a social network profile too. Don't put the focus on who you are. Tell people what you do and what you have done. It's easy to write a profile that gives your job title, but that isn't nearly enough. Many job titles don't really describe the job, so most people won't even know what yours means.
For example, instead of telling people that you are creative, give them examples of projects you have worked on that show your creativity. Or be creative in the way you write the profile itself. Either will make you stand out much more than simply saying that you're creative.
Focus on keywords
Keywords matter more in a social network profile than most people think. Many public profiles can be found through search engines and through the network's own search, if they contain the right words. Find out which keywords are important to your audience and use them in your profile. That way, the people who search for those words will find you.
Keep it fresh
Keep your profile current, and be careful with popular buzzwords. Most of them have a short shelf life: if you fill your profile with today's trendy words, they will soon sound dated and reflect poorly on you.
Along the same lines, review your profile from time to time to make sure that the rest of the information is still up to date.
Offer a value proposition
The value proposition is often overlooked. It answers the question your readers silently ask: "What's in it for me?" If you want people to follow you, tell them how it will benefit them. Say what they can expect from you, what value you bring, or what kind of information you will share with them.
Get personal and add humor
Many people build their profiles with business in mind, but that doesn't mean a profile has to be all business. A few personal details make it more appealing. You want your readers to see that you are a real person, and personal details and a touch of humor are good ways to show it.
Check your spelling
Whatever you write, check it for typos, and that is just as true for a social network profile. If you want people to follow you and they find misspelled words or basic grammar mistakes, you lose your credibility at once. Run your profile text through the Spell Checker before you publish it.
Once your profile is ready, the same ideas help with everything you post: see the perfect social media post.