Rene Thomas Rodriguez, Associate
Edited by: Victoria Reyes, Associate
I like to think I’m quite social media savvy. With 300 followers on Instagram, I’m practically a niche internet micro-celebrity already. However, those numbers are just rookie numbers compared to what established social media pages achieve. The level of detail and scrutiny that PR teams apply to social media is astronomically different from the playful doodles I used to post. That being said, there’s a wealth of knowledge in these PR strategies that anyone, including myself, can leverage to develop their own brands.
To grasp what you need to learn, it’s essential to identify what your brand requires to succeed. A professional might pinpoint each minor flaw in your social media presence, but to do this yourself, you need to apply a bit more scrutiny. A practical approach is to establish a SMART goal for yourself.
A SMART goal is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Specificity is crucial when crafting a SMART goal; you must know precisely what you want to achieve if you hope to realize it. Your goal should also be measurable—not necessarily in terms of units but in a way that allows you to evaluate the success of your efforts. Simply saying, “that worked” and moving on isn't enough. Goals need to be attainable, and SMART goals are no exception. Relevancy is straightforward; just ensure that your goal aligns with what you’re trying to accomplish. Lastly, your goal must be time-bound. Without a deadline, procrastination becomes a risk. Always set a time limit to ensure your goal gets completed.
Once you’ve established a SMART goal, it’s time to identify your target audience. For instance, if I’m looking to grow my Instagram page featuring art, I could analyze popular trends and recent activity to guide my posts. Many brands become overly focused on their desires instead of what their audiences want, leading to failure. Luckily, it’s your responsibility to understand your audience's preferences. With direct access to your followers, you can quickly discern what content resonates with them. Additionally, consider how people perceive your brand. Understanding brand perception reveals your strengths and weaknesses within your target audience. For example, since I haven’t posted on my Instagram page in months, people might view my account as inactive or even dormant.
Now you have a solid foundation to cultivate your personal brand using PR tactics like a pro. By setting SMART goals and understanding your audience, you’ll position your brand for impressive growth. Who knows, maybe I’ll take my own advice and implement some of these strategies myself!
Comments