7 Social Media Post Ideas to Boost Your Personal Branding

There are a million reasons why people use social media – if you’re using it as a tool to boost your business or personal branding, keep reading – we’ve got a lot to talk about. 

The beauty (and sometimes frustration) of social media is that it is constantly evolving. There’s no such thing as the “perfect” social media strategy because the second you think you’ve figured it out, there’s a platform update, new feature or trend to learn. 

One truth I’ve found that hasn’t changed in the last 15 years I’ve been on social media…you are the product. 

Great news – you already know how to sell products. So many of the tactics that print and promotional product professionals fundamentally use in business can be applied to their social media strategy as well. Content ideas are endless, but here are a few to get the ball rolling: 

1. Product in action
Rather than a static image or catalog image, add personality and real-life application. People follow you because they like and trust you. Be playful, fun and connective. Content with faces will typically always get more traction that without – associate yours with the value you provide to your audience. 

2. Unboxing videos
The next time you receive a new sample or shipment, record your authentic reaction. Or, if you want to be a little more informative, open the box first and prepare your high-level talking points (not script!)

3. Accomplishments
We have enough negativity in the world…share the positive when you can. Allow your audience to celebrate the wins with you! Did you recently earn an industry certification, win an award, or come through for a customer? Share it. And don’t just share it…explain what motivates you, how you feel and what your experience was like.

4. Family updates
Obviously, you need to find the line where you’re comfortable, but I think a common misconception that you shouldn’t share non-work posts like your family weekend at the lake or that you spent Saturdays watching your kid’s volleyball games. Customers buy from you – the whole you – not just the version working 9-5. 

5. Your hobbies
With the above point said, share your passions and interests outside of work…like your quirky collections, your favorite brewery or side projects you’re working on. If all business relationships remain purely business, you run the risk of never connecting with them on a personal level or find commonalities you wouldn’t have otherwise realized. 

6. Pet Content
Ah, the sweetest low-hanging fruit of social media content (and I say this in the fondest way…I can’t resist posting with and about my dog, Edna.) People love pet content and it often helps build the audience’s relationship with you. Think about this in a pre-internet context: if you know someone’s dog or cat well, that meant you probably knew that person VERY well. 

7. Be the Teacher
So often, we take for granted the knowledge we’ve accumulated over the years. Quick reminder – most non-industry people don’t know what the process of apparel decoration looks like, why vacuum tumblers keep drinks so hot or how promo statistically provides a higher ROI than almost every other medium. Pass on your tribal knowledge – and do it in a concise, entertaining and engaging way. 

When in doubt, it’s a good practice to always analyze purpose before sharing. Compelling content should be at least one of the following: educational, informative, emotional or entertaining. The real magic is when you can capture a bit of each. Don’t overthink it, feel the need to be perfect or overly curated – but lay the foundation for a strategy that reflects who you are – and be kind to that self as you work thought it.