Have you created consistency across your social media sites?

Consistency - Young businessman with blackboard - isolated on white

In order for you to come across as a dependable, reliable, and up-to-date professional, it is imperative to have consistency throughout all aspects of your online presence.

Most people already realize that they need to have consistency between their website and their hard-copy (printed) marketing materials, such as business cards, fliers, and brochures. But they aren’t always as vigilant when it comes to creating that same consistency across their social media sites so that they are not only consistent with each other but also with the website and hard-copy marketing materials.

Here are some of the key marketing elements where consistency is critical:

 

Head Shot

  • Use the same professional photo everywhere, from hard-copy materials to websites, to social media sites. And, even though Meetup groups aren’t actually social sites, be sure that you use this same professional photo in any business-oriented groups you join.
  • This photo should be current and contain only you. Ditch the sunglasses and anything else that takes away from your professional look.
  • Dress the way you dress when you meet with clients. If your business world is somewhat formal, your photo should reflect that. If it’s more informal, then dress less formally for your photo.
  • And it’s generally worth the money (or trade) to have a professional photographer take your picture.

 

About You

  • Use similar key words in the bio sections of your LinkedIn headline, the about section of your Pinterest account and Facebook business page, the profile sections of your Twitter account and Google+ site.
  • The character length options vary a bit among these sites, but you generally have between about 120 and 160 characters, so make sure what you want to say fits in the smallest option and you can use it across the spectrum.
  • If you have a tag line for your company, be sure to add it to all your about sections as well.

Cover Photos and Other Visuals

  • The cover photos you select for your Facebook business page, your Twitter profile, your Google+ profile (and business page), and your LinkedIn company page should mirror what you use for the masthead visual on your website. Pinterest doesn’t provide an opportunity for a cover photo.
  • You might choose to have a variation of this photo on your LinkedIn profile due to the format of what they call the background photo. FYI, you can have a background photo on LinkedIn even if you don’t have a paid account.
  • If you have other photos and visuals in your website, use these in your social sites as appropriate. For example, they might be good cover photos for a Pinterest board.

 

How About You?

What aspects of marketing do you think benefit most from consistency? Where have you seen jarring examples of inconsistencies in someone’s online presence? How do those make you feel/think about the ability of that individual or business to handle work for you?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel, Founder of Boomers' Social Media Tutor

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more comfortable using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.

She works with business owners, business development professionals, leaders of nonprofit organizations, job seekers, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.