How to Make Your Social Media Professionally Personal

In recent years social media has become the new go-to for internet marketing. Small businesses like yours rely on advertising and informing consumers through various platforms. And with roughly 4 billion daily users worldwide, it’s easy to see why a solid online presence is so desirable.

With increased exposure comes less anonymity, leaving business owners wondering how much personal information to share. Here are our recommendations for how to keep your social pages professionally personal:

Share Contact Information- We understand the hesitation in sharing personal information with such an expansive network. You’re putting yourself out there for what seems like all the world to see. But the more time someone spends tracking down how to reach you, the less likely they are to use your services. Keep a business email, phone number, and website posted or pinned at the top of your pages for easy access.

Build Meaningful Relationships- You know the feeling you get when you walk into your favorite local establishment and are greeted with a warm welcome? That’s the vibe you want to convey through social media.

Why? People are more likely to follow accounts of businesses when they actually like the people working there. Take time to develop an engaging online rapport. Reply to comments, give shout-outs to local businesses, and “like” followers' posts from time to time. Social media is not a one-way street; show others you’re interested in what they have to offer, too.

Show Your Face- Humans are visual creatures and like to see the faces behind brands they support. Don’t leave them guessing who you are or what you look like. Show off your professional pictures, but also include candid photos once in a while. Don’t be camera shy! Go live on Facebook or Instagram, or include some background information about yourself. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be honest.

Or Don’t!- If the thought of sharing a selfie or talking into your camera makes you cringe, you can still give followers an insight into your business. Snap a photo of a book you’re reading that would appeal to your followers, show your employees in action, or share a pic of a recently finished project. 

Seek Input- People love sharing their opinions, especially for a company they've had success with. Use this to your advantage and ask for client testimonials. Doing so opens up the dialogue and makes others feel vested in your company. You can also gather feedback on an upcoming business venture or new product. Try a “Question of the Day” as a weekly feature on your main feed or in stories.

Accept Criticism- Sometimes negative feedback comes with the territory. Respond politely and in a timely manner to show followers you’re open and accepting of constructive criticism. Your network will appreciate the honest approach and gain greater trust in your services.

Make it Fun- Social media is an incredible marketing tool for your business, but it should also be fun! We recommend following the 80/20 Rule: 80 percent of your content should inform, educate, or entertain your audience, and the other 20 percent should promote your brand and sell products. That leaves lots of room for motivational quotes, a clever joke, or Pinterest inspiration. Keep things light, and followers will look forward to your posts, leading to increased sales.

Need help updating your social media bio or crafting a more personal newsletter? Here at Officially Social, we create industry-specific content to expand your reach and broaden your network. Reach out today with any questions— we’re happy to help!

Does Your Small Business Need TikTok?

By Jamie Johnson • July 29, 2025
In recent years, TikTok has evolved from dance trends and viral challenges into a powerful marketing tool. With over 1 billion monthly active users , TikTok has the pote ntial to help businesses of all sizes, especially those that are creative and looking to grow their reach. It also differs from other social platforms with its exceptional ability to reach viewers. Unlike other social media outlets, TikTok doesn’t just show content to followers. The simple way to reach new prospective clients gives businesses a huge advantage and allows for expansive marketing with a single video. So, could your small business benefit from TikTok? Here’s why it may. It can help grow your audience. TikTok’s user base is diverse and growing fast, including an eclectic mix of millennials, parents, professionals, and even baby boomers. The chances are high that your ideal customer is spending time on TikTok, so your business probably should be too. It allows for more creativity. TikTok rewards creativity, not perfectly polished content. Think real moments, business tips, behind-the-scenes peeks, product how-tos, or even humorous outtakes on what it’s like running your business. Here are a few more ideas to get you started: Share a day in the life at your business. Highlight customer stories or transformations. Show your product or service in action. Jump on relevant trends (with your own spin). Like other social media platforms, TikTok requires some strategic planning to make the greatest impact, but don’t stress too much. The more you share, the more you’ll see what interests your audience most. It helps build your brand. Branding on TikTok begins with your bio. Be creative and make each word count. From there, think about the tone and message you want your account to convey. Focus on similar themes for a cohesive look, and don’t be afraid to try different layouts and music. It’s ok to have a little fun while promoting yourself! It offers a solid ROI. TikTok can be a game-changer for visibility. Even accounts with small followings can go viral, thanks to the algorithm. It’s the ideal platform for businesses seeking to drive genuine conversions, increase website clicks, and boost product sales. If your business thrives on word-of-mouth, personality, or storytelling, TikTok can do all that (and more) at a lower cost than traditional advertising. TikTok continues gaining momentum with businesses of all sizes, making it a wise choice to add to your social media toolkit. For small businesses with a unique offering and a willingness to show up authentically, TikTok can be an incredible tool for growth. Looking to add TikTok to your business marketing? Email jamie@officiallysocial.com to get started. .

Get the Most Out of Your Social Media Investment

By Jamie Johnson • June 30, 2025
As content creators, we live and breathe social media. However, we also recognize that this is not for everyone, and we often get asked by business owners if they truly “need” an online presence. In short, YES! Regardless of your industry, social media is a MUST. There is no wiggle room; you need to be posting on at least one (or two or three) social channels regularly. Need a little convincing? We get it! Especially for those not comfortable with sharing personal details online, jumping on the bandwagon can be a scary proposition. But we promise there is so much more good than bad it will do for your business and brand. And working with an experienced social media manager takes all the guesswork (and stress) out of the equation. And since social media is an investment, we want our clients to feel 100% confident in their decision. Here are four ways to ensure maximized ROI in online marketing for your business. · Know your audience. Determine who you’re looking to reach and what you hope to gain. You’ll also want to have an understanding of things they care about and their interests offline, too. All of this helps create a well-rounded depiction of your ideal client. Once you’ve narrowed your focus, you’ll be able to tailor content to that niche, allowing you optimal reach and engagement. · Set clear goals. To get the most out of your investment, you’ll need to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. While not every post needs to be perfectly aligned with that purpose, the overall story you’re telling needs to reflect your business goals, both short and long-term. Most importantly, be flexible in your approach and willing to make changes as needed. A solid organic social media strategy is the most powerful online tool you can have! · Create quality content. Before people do business with you, they need to like you and see value in what you offer. Accomplish this through strategic storytelling and captivating visuals that create a buzz. Staying fresh and relevant isn’t as easy as people think; it requires planning and diligence. We also recommend following similar industry accounts for inspiration, and don’t be afraid to take risks! · Track your results. Social media is a numbers game. While you don't need to get hung up on every like, save, or share, it’s smart to examine monthly analytics for your accounts. Pay close attention to metrics like engagement, traffic, and leads to understand what’s working—and what isn’t. When you figure out what followers respond to most, you can develop specifically tailored content. Some brands thrive on videos and reels, while others see more success with carousels and stories, but you won't know unless you look at the data. Social media is constantly evolving, which is why we work closely with clients to develop the most effective strategies that provide the greatest return on investment. We’ll stay flexible in our approach and refine content based on results. Questions about how we can help? Email Alison@OfficiallySocial.com anytime.

How to Humanize Your Brand on Social Media

By Jamie Johnson • May 30, 2025
Marketing your business on social media can seem overwhelming. From trending reels to clever taglines, there is always something new to add to your strategy. But here’s the thing. If people don’t connect with your messaging on a human level, you’re missing a huge opportunity to build trust and long-term relationships. Brands that show personality, empathy, and authenticity stand out. Humanizing your brand on social media isn’t just nice to have; brands that show personality, empathy, and authenticity stand out among competitors. A dedicated consumer will bring more repeat business and referrals than a constant influx of new customers. Here are five ways to ensure you’re building a human connection in a virtual world. 1. Know Your Audience - When you know who your audience is and what appeals to them, it’s much easier to create content that will resonate. And this relevant content drives higher engagement, shares, and saves.Just like you’d chat with customers face-to-face, online relationships are no different. Choose targeted messaging to gain new clientele, but don’t forget the value of existing customers. 2. Get Personal - Social media can sometimes feel, well, unsocial. An inauthentic presence is hard to hide, so use your platforms to tell the story of who you are, what you value, and why you’re different than competitors. Have a team working alongside you? Introduce them! Share behind-the-scenes moments, even when they aren’t always pretty. Celebrate personal and professional milestones. These stories are what build connections and attract ideal clients. 3. Prioritize Engagement - If people take the time to leave a comment, try replying as soon as possible. If checking messages and emails regularly isn’t feasible, delegate this task to another employee who can handle it for you. Avoid generic replies. Instead, tailor your response to include their name when possible. Even a simple “thank you” goes a long way. 4. Welcome Feedback and Suggestions - Listening to your audience is crucial to building brand loyalty. When people feel heard, they feel valued. Try asking things like: · “What do you want to see more of?” · “What’s something you wish we did better?” · “What are you loving?” We know it’s scary putting yourself out there for criticism, but the truth is there are also lots of satisfied customers eager to sing your praises, too. 5. Share Your Purpose - People prefer supporting brands that stand for something. Show the causes you care about and ways you use your business to make a positive impact. This allows followers to feel like they’re part of something bigger, deepening their loyalty to you and your business. A strong mission helps set you apart and gives people a reason to choose you over competitors. Final Thoughts Too often, businesses make the mistake of talking “at” their customers rather than creating shared conversations. But this misses the mark because no one wants to be sold to. They want brands that understand their needs and speak to their interests. Remember, social media isn’t a one-way street. Brands that succeed online are the ones truly listening.