Is your Twitter bio too literal? Spunk it up!
What are your best practices for profile writing? Name, nice headshot, disclose affiliations, blah, blah, blah.
What about you? How's about we disclose some of your real personality?
Social media is social. As in, fully-rounded, complex human beings within a society. Readers of your profile are looking for a way to connect with you as a human being. Let's make it easy, shall we?
Nothing wrong with being on brand, but I follow the same rule I followed when I was on-camera talent: insert one fun, special skill or line that will raise an eyebrow and reflect who you are when you're not working your butt off.
For example, when creating an on-camera acting résumé, after listing all the intense theater appearances, Shakespearean experience and that one film where you had eight lines in a scene with Tommy Lee Jones, there was a section usually titled "Special Skills." This is where you'd list cool, handy stuff you happen to know how to do: speak French, roller blade, ballroom dance, cat juggling, etc. This is where it was usually advised that you add one wacky, personality-demonstrating special skill.
Personally, I always included "blood-curdling screams" and "hula-hoop champion." It's true. I'm a champion scream queen, and I can hula-hoop while reciting the Gettysburg Address. Or Hamlet's "Oh, that this too too solid flesh would melt" soliloquy; take your pick.
The point is that these special skills served three purposes:
- Gave the casting director a chuckle or an eyebrow raise
- Set the person apart from the crowd
- Gave the casting director something to ask about, a point of personal connection in a business that consists of grueling, large cattle calls
Same principle applies to composing social media profiles. Sure, do your consistent brand thing. But keep in mind people are looking for a personal connection--why not make it easier? I list that I'm a Francophile. Mike Whitmore sings the praises of Nutella. Jeff Shuey shares his passion for mountain biking. Turns out Cassie Wallender, whom I just met at North by Northwest last week, is a Lindy Hopper! (But I like her, anyway, even though she does that weird, eight-count swing thing.) Luis Antezana has the curious annotation Monkeys. Volleyball. in his Twitter bio.
You can be quirky self, even if you are also a brand. Embrace the full, wacky, complex human being that is you.