Real Social The Power of Being 'You' on Social

N E W S , T R E N D S , & T O O L S F O R R E A LT O R S ®

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The Power of Being 'You' on Social Media & How to Develop Your Brand Voice

BY TEAH HOPPER

Do you have trouble putting yourself out there on social media? I will be the first to admit, it’s not easy. But the most important things we do are rarely the easiest. Being vulnerable and sharing your unique thoughts and opinions can be scary, but it will make every interaction you have on social media much more meaningful.

But why, exactly, is it so important to share your voice? Well for one, I believe we have all been given unique gifts and that the world needs those gifts. In today’s world, there's no better way to share your gifts than through social media. Secondly, I think as a culture, we are craving authenticity. It's easy to be vanilla on social media and simply say what everyone else is saying. It's harder, but so much more rewarding, to really be you, to talk about the things that you're fired up about—especially if those are things that no one else is talking about. Putting yourself out there takes courage and vulnerability. As a culture, we're really disconnected and isolated, and we're craving someone to connect with. The great thing is that you have the power to make those connections. But how do you do that? It's not easy. So here are four ways that you can really be "you" on social media, lean into who you are, and develop your voice.

1. Know who you are. In order to share your voice, you have to know exactly who you are. Know your brand values and what you stand for. If you don't know your values, what you represent, and what you want to be known for, it's pretty hard to develop your voice and know what to talk about—and how to talk about it. So go back to the drawing board. What are your values? What do you want to be known for? The way you answer those questions will drive everything moving forward. Really get clear on your values, and the rest will be much easier.

2. Brainstorm topics that you're passionate about. While brainstorming your passions, also keep in mind things that your audience is asking for. What really fires you up? What are the things that no one else is talking about? Or what are the things that everyone's talking about, but you would say a little bit differently? Start talking about those things on social media and your voice will start to develop naturally. Maybe you have a love for animals. Share pictures of your pets or you volunteering at your local animal shelter. You’ll become known for your love of furry four-legged creatures and attract people who share that same passion.

3. Create content with your voice. Now that you know the topics you want to cover, you have to decide how you’re going to talk about them. Here is the thing, you have to create content in your own

voice. If you like to write, you should blog. Start blogging and really let your own ideas and opinions come out through your writing. If you're okay being on camera, then create videos. Or better yet, go Live. If you don't necessarily want to be seen on camera, but you would rather talk, then create a podcast. The important thing is to create original content with your ideas, your own words and your own opinions. Don't just share the same things that everyone else is talking about. Put your ideas out there—people are waiting for them! (Bonus tip to create content in your voice really well: write like you talk.)

4. Use Stories. Stories are a great tool to develop your voice and let people know who you are on social media. Whether it's Instagram, Facebook, or both, use Stories to let people know who you are. They’re a good way to share a behind-the-scenes look into what your life is really like. (Like when your dog insists on going to showings with you.) Let people know what it's like to work with you, the things that you enjoy doing and what you’re

passionate about. Don't miss out on all the opportunities that Stories provide. Brian Chesky, the founder of Airbnb said, "Build something that 100 people love, not something that one million people kind of like." This is the perfect way to sum up this topic. When you start to be you, you’ll attract the right people. Maybe you won’t attract everybody, but you’ll attract your people, and that is the true power of social media.