Creating an on brand social media presence: how to build a memorable brand identity on social media.
Social media is a great way for businesses to connect with people, build relationships, and strengthen their brand. But to stand out online, it takes more than just posting regularly or using beautiful graphics.
It’s about having a social media presence that feels true to your brand, reflects your values, and speaks directly to your audience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your current approach, having a clear and consistent brand across your social media can make a big impact.
Here’s some simple tips to help you create a social media presence that attracts followers and builds trust and loyalty for your brand.
1. Develop a Clear Brand Style
Your brand style or brand personality is how you present your brand to the world. A clear brand style helps people recognize your business instantly and creates a strong, memorable impression.
The best way to define your brand style is to start with brand strategy. Brand Strategy is essential to knowing your purpose and mission, people, positioning, values, personality, voice and tone and brand story.
Your brand style includes:
- Visuals: Brand color palette, fonts, imagery and overall aesthetic. Make sure these elements are used consistently across all social media platforms, your website, email and any other interactions your client have with your brand.
- Tone & Voice: Specific guidelines for how your brand “speaks” on social media. Is it playful, professional, or inspirational?
- Brand Guidelines: Using Brand Guidelines will ensure a cohesive look and feel across every touchpoint your audience has with your brand.
2. Use Brand Templates
Using brand templates can help you stay consistent, save time, and improve your marketing efforts.
Creating reusable social media templates will create better consistency across all platforms. It will increase your brand recognition and create a unified look. Your brand will look more polished and professional. The consistency will build trust and credibility with your audience.
You can also create custom brand buttons and icons using your brand fonts and colors to use on social media stories.
When using stock photography choose photos in your brand style and colors or add overlays or filters to make them feel more cohesive with your brand.
3. Create a Posting Schedule
Whether you only have time to post once a week, twice a week or everyday, choose a cadence that is sustainable and feels good for your business. Post at the same time everyday or week and plan your content ahead of time so you are not scrambling at the last minute.
- Posting Frequency: Establish a regular schedule for posting. This helps your audience knows when to expect content. It also helps to plan ahead and schedule content.
- Content Buckets: Create a balanced mix of promotional, educational, entertaining and engaging content that reflects your brand’s values.
- Seasonal & Thematic Content: Use themes or events to tie in content with your brand’s message and visual identity. Some ideas could include seasonal business tips, holiday posts, productivity or planning tips.
04. Show up authentically
Showing up “authentically” on social media isn’t just a buzz word; it helps you to truly connect with your audience, build trust, and showcase the real passion behind your brand. Share your unique story, your process and the values that drive you.
Share Behind-the-Scenes Content
Show the less-polished parts of your daily life. Share work in progress, your workspace, or personal struggles. This makes you more relatable.
Use Your Voice and Story
Write like you talk. Use a friendly, conversational tone. Share your journey and challenges; people love to follow real stories rather than just highlights.
Engage with Your Audience Personally
Respond to comments and DMs. Comment back on followers’ posts or stories. This helps to build a real connection.
Show Your Face and Personality
Include pictures or short videos of yourself, even if you’re camera-shy. Adding voiceovers or short “talking to the camera” clips can make your presence feel personal.
Be Transparent about Your Process
If a project is especially meaningful, complex, or challenging, share a bit about what went into it and why it matters to you. People are drawn to the passion behind your work.
Share Your Purpose, Values and Mission
Share what matters to you, whether it’s ethical production, environmental sustainability, or your love for creative freedom. It’s a great way to attract people who share your values.
Authenticity is less about getting it perfect and more about being yourself.
5. Maintain Consistent Messaging and Brand Voice
Your brand voice is the personality, tone, and values that make your business memorable and relatable. It’s the way you connect with your audience.
- Key Messages: Identify the main messages or values your brand represents, and consistently weave these into your social media content.
- Hashtags & Taglines: Use brand-specific hashtags, taglines, or catchphrases that your audience can associate with your brand.
- Respond to followers in a way that aligns with your brand’s voice, whether it’s friendly, casual or professional.
- Use key phrases or taglines in your replies or interactions that mirror your brand messaging.
6. Aligned Partnerships
Aligned partnerships on social media can amplify your reach, reinforce your brand values, and create genuine connections with a like-minded audience.
- Work with influencers, partners, or collaborators whose values and aesthetics match your brand. This will maintain consistency in how your brand is portrayed.
- Guest Content: Ensure any guest posts or shared content fits your brand guidelines and brand voice.
7. Track, Analyze and Adjust
Tracking your social media performance is key to understanding what connects with your audience and how to refine your strategy.
- Track What Works: Use social media insights to see which posts perform best. Adjust your content and align those successes with your brand’s core identity.
- Audience Feedback: Pay attention to comments or interactions to see how your audience perceives your brand, adjusting where needed.
8. Use Brand Storytelling
Brand storytelling is about creating a narrative that resonates with your audience on a deeper level, inviting them to connect emotionally with who you are and what you stand for.
- Story Highlights: Use features like Instagram Stories to highlight specific themes or products in ways that support your brand story.
- Behind-the-Scenes: Show sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes content that reflects your brand’s authenticity.
Creating an on-brand social media presence is essential for standing out. It builds consistency, trust, and a recognizable identity that resonates with your audience, ensuring they connect with your values and remember your message. An authentic, well-defined presence not only strengthens relationships but also drives lasting loyalty, turning followers into true brand advocates. In the end, staying true to your brand on social media is the foundation for meaningful connections and long-term success.
Need Expert Help?
As a graphic designer with over 20 years experience in brand building, I’m here to help. During our brand strategy session, I will guide you through the process and help you gain clarity on your purpose, vision and mission, values, target audience, personality, target audience, position, messaging and voice and tone.
My Brand Strategy Session includes:
One hour brand strategy workshop.
Brand Workbook – A comprehensive guide to provide clear direction for all of your branding and marketing efforts.
One 30 minute follow-up brand clarity call to provide support and direction for implementing your strategy.
Tell me more about your brand.
Hi, I'm Cindy. I'm a branding expert who is passionate about health and wellness.
I’m here to help you build a strategic brand that speaks to the hearts and minds of your ideal clients.
