This is your opportunity to spell out precisely what people should expect if they hit the follow button. So, again, be clear. I tell people exactly what to expect when they follow me.

Tell People What They Should Expect if They Follow You

Nobody needs to know that you're a "Director of Marketing" or "Account Executive" or "Software Developer". None of those things is helpful to the reader. <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_">Alex & Books</a> is clear and to the point. He helps you "find amazing books & develop a reading habit."

What You Do and Who You Help

When you first look at someone's profile, you make an assumption about what type of person they are just by looking at their headshot.Is this the best way to judge someone? Of course not. Do we do it anyway? Absolutely. It's human nature.Headshots are meant to evoke a feeling:<ul><li>Kind</li><li>Tough</li><li>Playful</li><li>Powerful</li><li>Empathetic</li><li>Professional</li></ul>Your headshot should align with your brand.

Your Headshot Is the First Trust Builder

The very first thing people see when they hit your Twitter or LinkedIn profile is your "banner" image.This is prime real estate. Use it to achieve a specific outcome:<ul><li>Build brand awareness</li><li>Drive newsletter sign-ups</li><li>Send people to your website</li><li>Sell a digital product or service</li><li>Get them to follow you on social media</li></ul>

Use Your Banner Real Estate Wisely

If you have a clear banner and a great headshot, you're ahead of about 50% of the profiles I see on social media.But, your "tagline" is often a make-or-break moment.The goal of the tagline is three-fold:<ul><li>Tell people who you are</li><li>Tell people what you do/who you help</li><li>Tell people what they should expect if they follow you</li></ul>

Your Tagline Is the "Why", Not the "What"

If you have a smart banner, a solid headshot, and a clear tagline, you'll probably earn a lot of followers from your content.But one of the most overlooked ways to increase your chances is through showing off your expertise at a deeper level.On Twitter, you can do this with your pinned Tweet. On LinkedIn, you do this through the Featured Section of your profile.This is a great place to tell your story (pinned Tweet) or show off your newsletter or projects (featured section on LinkedIn).

Show People How You Think at A Deeper Level

To grow a meaningful audience online, it's critical that you give people a reason to follow you.One of the main reasons is that they don't make a compelling case for why someone should follow them. There is no objectively "right" way to design your social profiles.Here's a 4-step checklist below to make sure you're giving your readers a reason to hit the "follow" button:1. Banner image to achieve an outcome2. Headshot to evoke a specific type of emotion3. Tagline to clearly state what you do and who you help4. Show off your deeper expertise through pinned Tweet & featured section.