Building a Positive Social Media Presence

In today’s world, having a solid social media profile is a must. Whether you're a high school student trying to get into college, a job seeker wanting to catch a recruiter’s eye — or trying to be an influencer, social media can help you stand out, showcase your skills, and connect with the right people.

But let’s be real — figuring out all the different social media platforms can be pretty overwhelming. Each one has its own vibe, rules, and audience. Tweaking your approach for each can be the difference between blending in and totally shining.

Understanding social media fundamentals

Your social media profile is basically your digital self. This digital footprint — made up of your posts, comments, likes, and shares — plays a big role in how people see you and can impact real-life opportunities.

Billions of people use social media every day. Here are some key stats from Pew Research:

• YouTube: 83% of U.S. adults use it, making it the top platform.
• Facebook: Used by 68% of U.S. adults.
• Instagram: Used by 47% of U.S. adults.
• Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Snapchat: Usage rates range between 27% and 35%.
• X (formerly Twitter): Used by about one in five adults.

Knowing these basics shows why it’s important to be active and responsible on social media. Staying up-to-date and adaptable will help you use social media effectively for personal and professional growth.

Tailoring your presence for different audiences 

Social media isn’t one-size-fits-all! Here’s how you can make the most of your social media presence.

College Applicants 

Want to impress college admissions officers? Use social media as your portfolio to showcase your academic and extracurricular achievements and your personality.

Some colleges check applicants’ social media profiles during the admissions process. A 2019 Kaplan survey found that 36% of top-ranked college admissions officers looked at an applicant's social media to learn more about them.

Dos: 

• Share your projects, awards, and academic accomplishments to highlight your dedication, passions, and intellectual curiosity. 
• Post about club involvement, sports, and community service, demonstrating leadership skills and a well-rounded character. 
• Follow profiles of colleges that pique your interest — and like their posts. 

Don’ts: 

• Post inappropriate language, offensive content, or anything unprofessional. 
• Share too much personal information that could compromise your safety and privacy. 

Job Seekers 

Looking for a job? Put social media to work for you! It’s a powerful tool for showcasing your skills and expanding your network. 

Don’t have a LinkedIn profile? Make one — and keep it updated as your professional experience, skills, and education grow. Join other LinkedIn groups, share industry-relevant articles, and engage in discussions to show (and grow) your knowledge and passion. 

Whether you’re new to the employment world or have been working for a while, enhance your LinkedIn profile by including detailed descriptions of previous roles, key achievements, and skills. Ask your colleagues, professors, teachers, and current or former managers for endorsements. 

For example, if you’re a college sophomore looking for an internship, share your experience working at your part-time (or full-time!) job. Talk about a relevant project you completed in one of your major classes.

Let’s say you're a marketing professional who graduated a couple of years ago, and you’re ready to make your next career move. Share a successful campaign you designed or offer insights into emerging market trends.

Whatever you do, don’t make negative remarks about your current (or previous) employers or colleagues. Avoid sharing controversial opinions that might not reflect well in a professional context.

Wanna be an influencer?

If you're dreaming of becoming an influencer, social media is your playground. Here’s how to make the most of it and build a following. 

Dos

• Focus on an area you’re passionate about — whether that’s fashion, fitness, cosmetics, gaming, or cooking! 
• Post regularly with high-quality photos and videos, and engage with your followers. 
• Collaborate with others to reach new audiences. 
• Stay true to yourself and your brand.
• Utilize hashtags, and stay updated with trends to enhance overall brand image. 

Don’ts 

• Purchase followers or use bots. 
• Ignore analytics. 
• Copy others. While it’s fine to get inspiration, don’t outright copy other influencers and focus on creating your own, unique image. 

TikTok has also been home to creating millions of makeup, fashion, dancing, fitness, cooking, traveling, and many more types of influencers. Charli D’Amelio started by posting dance and lip-sync videos on TikTok in 2019. Her genuine and relatable content quickly gained her a massive following.

Now, with over 155 million followers, she has hosted the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, starred in her reality TV show "The D'Amelio Show," and won season 31 of "Dancing with The Stars." Charli’s story shows that with creativity and authenticity, you can turn short videos into a thriving career.

By following these tips and staying true to your passion, you can build a successful and influential presence on social media.

Prepare to post 

Mastering social media is key to standing out and achieving your goals. Whether you're applying to college, looking for a job, or aiming to become an influencer, using these platforms effectively can open many doors. Stay active, be authentic, and engage meaningfully to make the most of your digital presence. You can even find a summer program that teaches you the ins and outs of social media management. Go ahead and dive into the world of social media – your future self will thank you!