Can you describe yourself and/or your business in 160 characters or less?

Summarizing ourselves in any format can be a big challenge, but the small amount of space allotted on social media makes it even more difficult.

There are several places within different social media sites where you need to be concise, yet clear and specific, in describing yourself:

• LinkedIn – the headline (displays right after your name)
• Twitter – the bio
• Facebook (business pages) – the description page (displays in the left hand column of the page under the word “about”)
• Pinterest – the “about you” section

One of the ways I assist my clients is by reviewing their social media profiles, and I pay special attention to these important sections.

Once I have looked the page over, we brainstorm ways to include the appropriate (and necessary) key words, yet also contain their tagline if they have one, and any other information that is unique or will make them stand out from their competitors.

 

Tips for Social Media Summaries

• Include your tagline. One of the key concepts in marketing is consistency. So, if you have a tagline you use on your business cards and other marketing materials, include it in your business summary.

• Use the kinds of key words that your clients use in searching for people who do what you do. Avoid getting too clever or ambiguous in describing yourself.
• Ask your clients and business colleagues to describe you and/or your company in 160 words or less. Consider offering a reward to the person who, in your opinion, comes closest to summarizing your services.
• Review the social media summaries of others in your industry to gain insight into the key words considered most important.
• Don’t be afraid to change these summaries from time to time. For example, I recently wrote a chapter for a book. When it was published, I added the word “author” to my LinkedIn headline, Twitter bio, and the “about you” section of my Pinterest page.

 

How About You?

What are your tips for creating social media summaries that are eye-catching, interesting, and relevant?

 

About Joyce

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, nonprofit organizations, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.