Social media has become not only a way for millennials to connect with one other, but also a way to create an online portfolio. Although many may not pay attention to it, with every Instagram they post and tweet they send out, they are branding themselves to the rest of the world.
Millennials have not only opened themselves up to social media, but embraced it fully. Likes have taken on a life of their own, deeming who is "popular" and who isn't in modern day society. How many followers you have shows the world how "relevant" and "cool" you are, when in reality most people don't know all of their followers personally, or even at all.
Yet the youth on social media aren't the only ones who are paying attention to the growing accounts. HR departments, companies and future employers not only understand the importance of social media, but want to see the impression possibly future employees make with their accounts.
As millennials grow up, the lessons to be learned with social media will become increasingly more difficult.
This is where the idea of "branding" comes into play.
Since social media has taken on the role of a "digital portfolio," it is important to make sure that your posts not only reflect who you are, but are cohesive in the deliverance of the message you want to send across.
First is the idea that your accounts should be appropriate. If a future employer stumbled across your Instagram, they shouldn't see a picture of you in a random club, with beer spilled all over you. This isn't to say that you can't be seen having a nice time, but there are other ways to do it that don't involve questionable actions.
Second, think about the way in which your accounts line up. Do you have a very professional Facebook and Instagram, but your Twitter is filled with profanities? Across the board your social media accounts should be portraying your best self—leaving no room for any problems.
Thirdly, just because you may be "branded" in a certain light, doesn't mean that is your brand for life. Take Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber for example. Although they are not pillars of great and appropriate social media use, they have both successfully altered their brands. Both Cyrus and Bieber have re-invented themselves, and a large role in that is due to the power of social media.
Although social media grew out of the idea of self-expression in a world that was becoming dominated by technology—the reality is that social media is not private to just you and your close followers anymore.
The world is watching, liking, re-posting and commenting on posts all around the world, bringing attention to things that would have flown under the radar previously. So be smart in your posts, and be confident in your branding. Only you know what is best and appropriate for yourself.
