Declutter Your Social Profiles Today

May 19

It’s important to regularly monitor your social profile to ensure you’re giving the best possible impression of yourself.

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First impressions are paramount. Despite the warning not to judge a book by its cover, in today’s world, we often get judged by our social profiles.

Of course, an online first impression can never compete with an in-person first impression, but it’s a smart and proactive step to take if you’re trying to build up your online presence or attract potential jobs and opportunities. It’s important to regularly monitor your social profile to ensure you’re giving the best possible impression of yourself to everyone that clicks, from customers to potential employers. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Take a Course or Hire a Coach

If you don’t know where to start or don’t know how to use social media, then it’s time to learn. Social media is continuing to grow, and even if you think you’re too old for social, you will likely need a social media presence for something. There are thousands of courses and videos online to help you get started building your profile. If you want to take it a step further and really understand social profiles and their potential impact, I recommend taking a course or hiring a coach to help you. People hire resume writing coaches, athletic coaches, and speaking coaches—in today’s world, online branding coaches are just as important.

2. Professional photos are a must

Whatever your career or business, you need a gallery of professional photos to help build a reputable image. They don’t need to be traditional headshots in a pin-striped suit; the photos should fit your brand or industry. If you’re a lifestyle blogger, your photos will likely be informal and casual, but they should still be professionally taken.

3. declutter Irrelevant or outdated information

Comb through your social media profiles and keep your eye out for old information or information that has changed. You want only the most relevant information on your profiles, so declutter what isn’t good for your brand. For example, perhaps the entire world on Facebook doesn’t need to know that you were valedictorian of your high school and babysat on weekends if you are trying to promote your bookkeeping business.

4. be authentic

Above all, stay true to yourself, be authentic, and keep it honest. Just like an old-school paper resume, it’s not a good idea to put something false on it. Try to be authentic and keep things current. If you’re taking a course, say so. When you finish a course, update your profile. Keep things up to date by the moment to reflect your true life.