Social Media

How to Brand Your Social Media

How to Brand Your Social MediaPublished: 4/21/2015 | Last Updated: 9/4/2017

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: branding is important. Branding is one of the most important things you’ll do to create a cohesive online presence. I’ve written before about branding your blog post images, but you’re not done yet. Your brand should extend out to your social media platforms so your readers always know whether a profile, graphic, blog post, etc., belongs to you or your blog. This means your fonts, your colors, and everything in between.

In order to guide you through how to do this, we’re going to go through each social media separately and discuss each part that needs to be synced with your blog/brand. It’s really not hard, but you definitely have some homework tonight. ;)

So let’s go ahead and get started, shall we?

Facebook

Ahh, good old Facebook. With over 1 billion monthly active users, Facebook is definitely the most popular social media. So you want people who happen to stumble onto your blog/business’s Facebook Page to immediately know that they’re in the right place.

Profile Photo:

[image dimensions: displays on desktop at 170x170px, smartphone at 128x128px, feature phone at 36x36px]

For many small business owners and bloggers who are the face of their business, this image should be a photo of you. If you own a company and have employees where your business is more than just you, your profile photo should be your logo.

I’m going to repeat this for every single social media outlet that we cover, but make sure that your profile photo is always the same photo as your main blog photo of you, and that it is the same across all platforms.

See? (Facebook versus blog)

How to Brand Your Social Media

How to Brand Your Social Media

Your readers don’t know you that well and might not be able to tell if you’re the same person in two different images. Just make it easy for them and use the same image across all of your social media channels.

Cover Photo:

[image dimensions: displays on desktop at 820x312px, smartphone at 640x360px]

Because of the size difference across platforms, Buffer has found that the ideal, perfect size for a “one size fits all” Facebook cover photo is 820x462px. But you’ll want to make sure that the actual “meat” of your cover photo (the graphics or words that matter) are within the middle 640x312px so that users can see them across all platforms.

There are a number of ways to use your Facebook cover photo. In fact, I’ve written a blog post before that shows 28 different ideas for your own cover photo if you’re not quite sure yet.

My cover photo is way #1: an extension of my brand. (You can scroll up a little bit to see what mine looks like again.)



Twitter

Now we’re getting to my favorite–Twitter! Now this may be surprising, but there’s actually a lot that you can do with your Twitter in order to get it in sync with your brand.

Links:

When you log into Twitter, click on over to your profile so we can match your main Twitter color to your main brand color.

WHAT, YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT WAS A THING? Today is the day I change your life, homes.

Click Edit Profile and head over to the left sidebar where your bio and all that jazz sits nice and pretty. You’ll want to put the 6-character hex code under your Theme color so your blog’s user experience is completely transferred over to your Twitter page.

How to Brand Your Social Media

If you don’t know your main brand color, you really should have that knowledge easily accessible. Your logo designer should have provided you with a style guide that includes all of your colors, fonts, etc. If not, you can upload your logo or a screenshot from your website to a Hex Color Finder and grab the hex code for your main brand color that way.

Profile Photo & Cover Photo:

[Profile Photo image dimensions: 400x400px, displays at 200x200px. Cover Photo image dimensions: 1,500x500px.]

These will be the same across the board. Profile photo must be the same on all social media outlets (at least the ones you use for blog promotion) and cover photo should be the same graphic or photo in the varying image dimensions specific to each platform.

Twitter Photos:

[image dimensions: 440x220px, or any larger combo or 2×1]

If you use Twitter for blog promotion but you’re not really utilizing images on Twitter, then you’re really missing out. I have seen firsthand just how much adding a photo to your tweets increases reach and engagement.

I’ve also seen several bloggers simply use the same image from their blog on Twitter. However, I don’t suggest doing it that way. Images won’t always show up correctly–text may be hidden or cut off–so then the point of sharing an image is completely null and void.

Instead, you should be creating images to share on Twitter while you create your blog images. My blog images are 800 x 1200 px, so I just create my Twitter photos at 800 x 400 px. (The smallest your images can be to fit perfectly inside your tweet is 600 x 300 px, but any larger variation of 2 by 1 works just as well.)

Look at the difference a well-fitted Twitter photo makes:

Instagram

This works best for all you design people out there. Instagram is a goldmine for anyone who works in visual aesthetics.

Profile Photo:

[image dimensions: 110x110px]

I won’t waste any more of your time than I need to on this–just make sure it’s the same as all of your other social media and your blog.

Instagram Photos:

[image dimensions: photo size is 1080x1080px and photo thumbnail is 161x161px]

A real Instagrammer has a consistent style that they stick to on Instagram.

Maybe you like a lot of white space like @korymae:

How to Brand Your Social Media

Maybe you want to focus on your brand color like @allyssabarnes:

How to Brand Your Social Media

Whatever you choose, just be sure to keep your style consistent. I mean, just look at how perfectly both of these Instagram accounts pull together.

Quotes:

This is a little bit different from your regular Instagram photos because these are typically images that you have to create in Illustrator or Canva.

You always need to bring your blog’s design aesthetics into these photos. Use the same colors, fonts, etc. I suggest creating a template that you can just go back to and edit each time you need a new photo.

Here are a couple of examples of recurring quote styles. (If you go to the Instagram profile, you can see multiple variations of these images.)

Don’t give anyone else that much power over your life. It’s your job to create your own happiness.

A post shared by Messy Room (@messyroomco) on

Today I’m sharing 12 of my favourite free fonts. ✨Click the link in my bio to check them out. ✨

A post shared by Meagen (@forthandcreate) on

Shout out to all my weird people out there (i.e. Everyone). :) And thanks Todd Herman for reminding us that our uniqueness is our biggest asset — that you DON’T have to run your business or life like anyone else. That you can still be successful even if there isn’t already a model for what you want to do or who you want to be. ✌🏼 . I’m lucky to call Todd Herman a friend and mentor. I found him during a time when I was unmotivated, overwhelmed, and lacked a productive routine in my business. And because of it, I was trying to be like everyone else in the business world — forgetting that my weirdness is a gift. After working with him, my life and business did a complete 180. . Todd just opened enrollment for his 90 Day Year program, which shows you a framework for achieving your biggest annual goals in only 90 days. It will help with overwhelm, productivity, purpose, confidence, and gettin’ down with yo’ bad self. 🕺🏻 Todd is a great human and the stuff in this course has been taught to Fortune 100 CEOs, Olympic athletes, and now…you, hopefully. :) . I’m also throwing in a couple bonuses if you enroll via the link in my profile (MelyssaGriffin.com/90). Here’s what you’ll get (in addition to the course and Todd’s bonuses)… 1️⃣ 6 months subscription to PursuitHQ, my monthly membership community for entrepreneurs. I release weekly content (on topics like webinars, organic traffic, and more), plus we do monthly Q&A calls and have a lively community of entrepreneurs in our forum :) 2️⃣ My behind-the-scenes business evolution. In this live (virtual) Masterclass, I’ll show you the steps I took to grow my business. I’ll also give you a glimpse into my business revenue and expenses and share my top tips for your own business growth. . Enrollment closes very soon! Visit the link in my profile to sign up. :)

A post shared by Melyssa Griffin (@melyssa_griffin) on

Pinterest

Another favorite of mine is Pinterest–but you guys already know that. It’s the number one traffic generator to creative blogs/websites because Pinterest is bomb like that.

Profile Photo:

[image dimensions: 165x165px]

Again. Just make sure ALL social media profile images are the same photo. And every time you change one image you must change them all.

Board Covers:

[image dimensions: 736x736px]

Whoa. Mind blown. I bet you never even thought about branding your board covers before.

Well, folks, I’m about to piss you off because yes, I absolutely believe that your 387 Pinterest board covers should all be cohesive and synced with your overall branding. Sorry ’bout it. (JK. If you’ve done an audit of your Pinterest, you most def shouldn’t have 387 Pinterest boards.)

However, there are two ways that you can do this. The first way is super serious and would definitely be the best way to brand your Pinterest, but you can also take the easy way out and go with number two.

1. Check out the board covers I designed for my agency’s Pinterest:

How to Brand Your Social Media

Do you see how all of our Pinterest board covers are similar–however they’re not exactly the same. We used a combination of font sizes and colors to create images pull our brand together and tell viewers eactly what the board is.

2. However, if you just don’t want to freaking do all that (hey, I can’t blame you, I lit’rally have 76 Pinterest boards), then here is the lazy blogger’s way of branding your Pinterest.

Pink is my main brand color. So instead of creating Pinterest board covers for each of my boards, I have instead carefully chosen a pin that has some shade of pink in it (preferably millennial pink or coral) for every single one of my board covers.

If you’re going to take the easy way out (which isn’t sounding quite so easy, now, is it?) then you still have to do some work.

Take a look at your own blog photos/design aesthetics. Choose your board covers carefully. Use your blog colors and similar images in order to create a cohesive Pinterest user experience for your followers.

What steps have you taken to brand your own social media channels?

PS: Why You Need to Brand Your Blog Post Images

36 Comments

  • April 21, 2015
    marianne

    Oh wow Chloe, this is super thorough and you have amazing examples here, I am truly honored to be included among them. Some of these things I've been putting off and I really just need to get them done.

  • April 22, 2015
    Sophia

    Yes, it is very thorough. I'm gonna have to spend some time this weekend going through it and applying it (:

    • April 22, 2015
      Chloe

      Good luck, Sophia! Let me know if you have any questions during the branding process. :)

  • April 22, 2015
    Erika Madden

    This is SO awesome, Chloe! I love so many of these ladies + their fabulous branding, and your tips are gold. Pinning!

    • April 22, 2015
      Chloe

      Thank you so much, Erika! Your site is amazing, so this means a lot coming from you!

  • April 22, 2015
    Abby Flynn

    Chloe this is SUCH a comprehensive list, awesome stuff seriously. I'm saving this to start systematically going through. You brought out a lot of things that impress me about other brands that I never even really thought about. Now to combat my laziness!

  • April 23, 2015
    Sara

    Great post, Chloe! I really love all the examples you've included here and you've created an absolute goldmine :) Pinning!

  • April 24, 2015
    Olivia

    Wow! This is an amazing post! So much inspiration! I'm definitely going to think about these tips as I continue to improve my online brand. Thanks for sharing!

  • April 24, 2015
    Keizra

    Hi Chloe! Such an awesome post AND thank you so much for using my Facebook App designs as an example! I can't wait to read the rest of your posts on the other social platforms & PINNING!

    • April 24, 2015
      Chloe

      Thanks, Keizra, so glad you enjoyed it! And of course, I LOVE your branding! Gorgeous! :)

  • April 25, 2015
    Sandra

    Puuuuhhh, I feel like I did everything wrong since starting my blog :o Branding ALL my images? Never came to my mind, silly me. I'm shocked how silly I was -because obviously all my favourite bloggers are doing it, so why didn't I even notice?! I gonna have sooooo much homework in the next time!! ;D Anyway: I wanna thank you for this post, it really is full of information and I can feel how much efford you put into it!! :*

  • July 13, 2015
    Julie Harris

    This is amazing Chloe! What a fantastic round up of examples. You really have something here for every kind of brand to take away from. Instagram is definitely my weakest platform as I have never really factored it into my social strategy, but I definitely want to test it out more and see how I could expand my branding into my Instagram. Thank you so much for always support my brand too. I am so honored to be included amongst so many of my online favorites. You are such a genuine bosslady and I am so thankful to know you!

    • July 16, 2015
      Chloe

      Thank you so much! I personally need to work on my own Instagram as well. I'm definitely not a photographer! I think design brands do so well on there though, so you could really get something out of it!

  • July 18, 2015
    Dina Destreza

    I never thought about branding images as I use different design pattern in every image. Don't you think it looks boring If we keep on creating same type of images? P.S : I love your blog. Your blog design is awesome.

    • July 20, 2015
      Chloe

      I definitely don't think it's boring at all! As long as you switch out your background image each time, then it's perfect. You're creating an image template that your readers are going to recognize and know that each post belongs to you because that's YOUR image!

  • July 19, 2015
    Ane Urquiola Lowe

    Thanks, that was so useful, especially the Facebook tabs! I didn't even know you could customize them!!

  • August 10, 2015
    Michael May

    Great Post! Branding is one of the most important pieces to creating a successful business/blog.

  • November 5, 2015
    Meghan Silva

    Such amazing tips, thanks for sharing. Meg | Meghan Silva's Blog @MeghanSSilva on Instagram

  • November 27, 2015
    Jeannie

    Chloe, super helpful information but helloooo I'm overwhelmed and feel like I have SO much to do! I am definitely going to get started on this stuff, I know how important it is. Thanks for the great post!

    • November 28, 2015
      Chloe

      Thanks for the comment! Yes it's certainly a lot, but so important! You could add it to your to do list in increments so that you're not working on it all at once. Could help to manage it a little bit better!

  • December 17, 2015
    deborah

    thank you for sharing was needed that!!!!

  • January 27, 2016
    Tia

    This is incredibly useful, especially for amateur blogger, such as myself. Thank you so much!! -Tia http://retouchingblog.com

    • January 27, 2016
      Chloe

      Thanks for your comment, Tia! So glad you've found this helpful! :) Good luck with your new blog!!

  • February 26, 2016
    DAKrólak

    This is probably one of the best social media guides I've seen...do you have an infographic of this information?

  • April 15, 2016
    Tash

    I have just found this post on Pinterest and I Love It!!! Thank you for all the great tips! I will be re-re vamping my Pinterest boards shortly and my Twitter! Thanks Tash

  • May 6, 2016
    Krystal

    Fantastic list Chloe - so comprehensive! Love it - totally reminded me to install apps on Facebook! How did I miss that?? (It's been on my to do list for waaaaaaay too long... thank you for the reminder!!) x

  • May 8, 2016
    nara

    Brilliant!

  • June 21, 2016
    Cam

    This is the most comprehensive branding post I've seen; love it! What about Tumblr? Any tips?

  • January 8, 2018
    Ernest Nnamdi

    This is lovely, has alot of info, can't wait to apply this and try it out

  • January 26, 2018
    Unaiza @ UnaizaKhalid.com

    OMG this is a great guide, thanks for sharing the goodness!!! There are things that I seriously didn't ever think of specially the hex code for Twitter! You saved me Chloe! I would like to add that as we all know that only graphics don't play the complete part in branding so keep your message across all social media coherent as well. Sometimes, just to make more sense to type of audience people tend to forget their true brand message, it should be always directed to our ideal client and not to anyone! :) Cheers! and thanks again <3

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