The First Thing I Look For In A Brand’s Social Media Presence
Before I ever scroll, click, or dive into a brand’s content, I pause and ask myself one question:
“Does this brand know who it is?”
Because here’s the truth: your social media presence isn’t just a highlight reel- it’s your digital identity. And the first few seconds of landing on your profile tell a bigger story than most people realize.
Whether I’m looking at a bakery in Buffalo, a boutique in Batavia, or a wellness brand trying to grow online in Orchard Park, here’s the first thing I always evaluate and why it matters so much.
🌿 1.
Clarity of Brand Voice & Visual Identity
When I land on your feed, does it feel like you or like a mix of barely-edited Canva templates and guesswork?
I’m not talking about “perfect” aesthetics. I’m talking about a clear, consistent feel:
Can I tell what kind of brand you are within seconds?
Does your tone match your product, service, or vibe?
Is your visual identity aligned, or are we switching fonts and filters every 3 posts?
👉 Why it matters: Clarity builds trust. If your feed feels confusing or disjointed, people won’t dig deeper. Your presence should feel like walking into your actual space- consistent, welcoming, and unmistakably you.
💬 2.
Are You Talking At People or To Them?
The second thing I look at: your captions and content. Not what you’re posting but how you’re saying it.
Too many brands focus on promotion, not connection. They post announcements, product shots, and one-sided updates. But they don’t invite conversation, curiosity, or even the occasional human moment.
When I see:
Questions that prompt real responses
Stories instead of just sales copy
A tone that sounds like a person, not a billboard
That’s when I know a brand is building more than just a feed… they’re building a presence.
🧠 3.
Is There Any Strategy or Just Posting to Post?
One of the biggest giveaways of a brand that needs support? A feed that feels like it’s just checking boxes.
If I scroll and see:
Posts with no captions
Random content with no clear thread
Gaps in posting or weeks with a flurry of content and then silence
It tells me there’s no underlying plan… just reaction. And that’s not the fault of the business owner (they’re busy). It’s a sign they’re in that phase where social is overwhelming and inconsistent.
My job? To take that off their plate, bring order to the chaos, and build a system that works with their voice- not in place of it.
🦊🐺 What This All Tells Me
That first look- tone, visuals, intention- tells me where a brand stands in three seconds:
Are they clear on who they are?
Do they know how to connect with their audience?
Is their content helping or hurting their presence?
From there, I know exactly how I can help: whether it’s refining their identity, building a content system, or just helping them show up consistently without the stress.
✍️ Final Thought
If you’re a small business owner in Western New York feeling unsure about your social presence- you’re not behind. You’re building.
The good news? It only takes a few shifts to start showing up in a way that feels aligned, clear, and actually reflective of your brand.
And if you’re ever wondering where to start?
Just ask: What would someone see in the first 5 seconds of landing on my profile?
That’s where the real work begins.
