How to maintain a positive brand image on social media

Social media has established itself as an important tool for businesses to connect and engage with their audience. It provides an opportunity to show your brand's personality, values and offerings to potential customers. 

But there's a catch. You need to maintain a positive brand image on social media to make an impact and avoid any reputational harm.  Here are some stats that testify to the importance of having a solid brand image on social media: 

• 81% of consumers say that they need to trust a brand to buy from it 
• Only 31% of the consumers say that they trust most of the brands that they use 
• Consumers are more than twice as likely to buy first, stay loyal and advocate for the brands they trust 

Source: Edelman 

Now that you get the gist of why a positive brand image on social media matters, let's understand what it is. 

Understanding the significance of brand image on social media  

Brand image on social media refers to the perception and reputation of a brand as portrayed through its online presence. In other words, it’s the impression that users get based on the brand's content and engagement on social media platforms. These platforms include Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and many more. 

Social media messaging has a significant influence on how a brand is perceived by people. 

The perception takes shape when people interact with a brand on social media — they form opinions based on the brand content and its tone of voice. Often, the level of authenticity in the interactions is critical. 

These impressions go beyond the traditional elements of a brand, like its logo or messaging. They are also influenced by conversations, user-generated content and shared experiences. 

Why does a positive brand image on social media matter for businesses? 

A positive brand image on social media can truly make or break your business. Let's see why: 

Increased trust: Customers are more likely to trust a company if it has a positive social media image. This leads them to trust its services/products as well. Positive reviews, recommendations and endorsements from satisfied customers build your brand’s credibility and attract new customers. 

Improved brand loyalty: Engaging and connecting with customers on social media creates brand loyalty. Your brand can create a loyal community of followers by maintaining a positive image. These loyal customers not only buy your products but also act as brand ambassadors. This spreads positive word-of-mouth. 

Positive first impressions: A positive brand image sets you apart from your competitors and helps you stand out in a saturated market. It gives you an edge by creating a great first impression and helping you appear more authentic, caring and responsive. You ultimately attract more new customers and retain existing ones compared to brands with a negative or non-existent social media presence. 

Perception of brand values: The smallest of things, like employees wearing ID tags, can matter a lot when it comes to professionalism. Similarly, maintaining a positive image for your brand is essential to show the brand's attention to detail. 

Must Read: Essential guide for social media reputation management  

How to maintain a positive brand image on social media? 

Here are some fool-proof ways for your brand to maintain a positive brand image on social media. 

1. Authentic storytelling  

Create and share interesting stories that demonstrate your brand's values, mission and customers' interests. Craft compelling narratives that not only empathize with your customers but also touch them on a personal level, forging deep emotional connections. 

Craft compelling narratives: Create stories that resonate with your target audience, highlighting your brand's values and mission 

Develop characters: Give life to your brand by creating relatable characters that embody its personality and ethos 

Show, don't tell: Use visual content, such as images and videos, to tell your brand story in a captivating and memorable way 

Incorporate user-generated content (UGC): Encourage your audience to share their experiences and feature UGC in your storytelling  

Also Read: How to create a social media marketing strategy from scratch 

2. Consistency in brand messaging  

Make sure that your brand's messaging remains consistent across all social media platforms. This means being consistent in terms of tone of voice, visual elements and core brand values.  

Regularly review your content and ensure it aligns with your brand's objectives; consistency builds recognition and strengthens your brand image. Here are some tips to achieve consistency in your brand messaging: 

• Define your brand voice: Develop a distinct tone and style for your brand that remains consistent across all social media platforms 
• Use a brand style guide: Create a comprehensive brand style guide that outlines guidelines for visual and written content 
• Establish key messaging pillars: Identify core messages that encapsulate your brand's values and reinforce them consistently in your posts 
• Coordinate cross-channel communication: Ensure your brand messaging is synchronized across different social media platforms, maintaining a unified presence 
• Personalize interactions: Tailor your communication to match the preferences of each social media platform while maintaining a consistent voice 

 Learn More: Social media messaging: How to get it right?   

3. Audience engagement  

Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, questions and mentions. Encourage meaningful conversations, address concerns and thank customers for their support. 

Incorporate interactive elements in your social media strategy, such as polls, quizzes and contests, to encourage participation and create a sense of community. 

4. Monitoring and addressing feedback  

Monitor social media platforms for customer feedback and product reviews. Promptly respond to both positive and negative feedback, demonstrating your commitment to customer satisfaction and addressing concerns professionally. 

5. Crisis management  

A crisis can occur unexpectedly. Having a well-defined social media crisis management plan in place is essential to protect your brand image during difficult times. 

Be transparent, honest and empathetic when communicating with your audience during a crisis. Ensure you consistently keep them updated, promptly address their concerns and take full responsibility for any mistakes made. 

6. Community building  

Build a community around your brand by actively involving your audience. Encourage them to share their experiences, opinions and feedback. To manage your customer community, you must follow community moderation best practices to make the most out of it. 

Relevant Read: Why you should obsess over building a community of people who love you  

Successful brands that have cultivated a positive brand image 

Several brands have successfully leveraged their social media image to boost their business.  

Boohoo 

Despite the challenges faced by fashion retailers during the pandemic, the Boohoo Group, including PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal, thrived with a 45% increase in sales. Boohoo's success can be attributed to its effective social media strategy, which was leveraging influencer endorsements to engage a young audience on Instagram. The brand cleverly adapts its content to current trends, staying relevant and relatable. 

The Royal Academy 

The Royal Academy has successfully cultivated an engaging social media presence on platforms like X, formerly Twitter. Through the efforts of its Social and Content Editor, Adam Koszary, known for his viral tweets, the Royal Academy combines historic and high-end subjects with relatable and modern-day humor. Their fun and interactive campaigns, like the #RAdailydoodle challenge, have contributed to their growing follower base and increased relevance. 

Banza 

Banza, an innovative food company, utilized influencers to spread the word about their chickpea-based pasta. By offering free samples to journalists and social media influencers, they generated endorsements from those who tried the product. This approach helped Banza gain popularity and expand its product line across grocery stores nationwide. 

Start working on a positive brand image today! 

To sum up, maintaining a positive brand image on social media is critical for any business. You can use storytelling, develop consistent brand messaging and engage with your audience. Plus, monitor feedback and build a strong online community to drive business growth. 

If you are looking for an all-in-one solution to build your brand image on social media, try Sprinklr Social today. Its suite of advanced AI-powered tools help drive audience engagement on 30+ digital channels!