What not to do when it comes to personal branding on social media

In today’s digital landscape, social media is a powerful medium for establishing and enhancing your personal brand. With over 25 million Malaysians active on social media, the digital arena is both vast and dynamic, offering immense potential—and considerable challenges. 

MDRT members share why a disciplined and strategic approach to social media is key.  

 

Balancing personal and professional 

One important lesson is to never compromise professionalism. Your social media presence should be a reflection of your professional identity. It is essential to maintain a refined and consistent tone across all online interactions, ensuring that every post reinforces your commitment to excellence.  

As Peline Toon, a seven-year MDRT member from Malaysia shares, “Social media is a powerful tool, but your authenticity is your strongest asset. Avoid gimmicks and stay true to your professional values.” This advice reminds us that mixing overly casual content with business insights can dilute the very standards MDRT members are known for.  

Toon demonstrates this authenticity by focusing her social content on sharing genuine client success stories, professional growth, and personal reflections on her career. Instead of chasing trends, she uses her platforms to offer thoughtful insights that align with her values, allowing her audience to connect with her expertise on a deeper level. 

While it is beneficial to share personal stories that resonate with your audience, oversharing personal details can alienate your audience. This delicate balance is well summarized by Lee Wan Qi, a four-year MDRT member from Malaysia, who explains, “Oversharing personal details can blur the line between professionalism and personal life. Always curate your online presence with care.” .  

Lee practices this by carefully selecting the content she shares — highlighting client testimonials, financial planning tips, commentary on the insurance industry, and community initiatives she supports, while keeping personal updates minimal and relevant to her professional brand. She ensures her channels remain focused on professional achievements and expert insights, rather than becoming a diary of everyday life. 

 

Ensuring consistency  

Consistency is another cornerstone of a strong online presence. Jerrick Eng, a five-year MDRT member from Malaysia believes, “infrequent posting or mixed messaging can lead to confusion among your audience.” It is important to develop a coherent strategy that reflects your core values and expertise. A well-planned content schedule helps reinforce your professional narrative, ensuring that your message remains impactful over time. 

Eng follows a themed content schedule where he shares financial planning tips every Monday, client success stories on Wednesdays, and professional reflections or personal development insights on Fridays. By maintaining this rhythm, he keeps his audience engaged with a balanced mix of educational and inspirational content, reinforcing both his expertise and approachability week after week. 

Engagement on social media should be thoughtful and respectful. While it is crucial to interact with your audience, engaging in negative debates or unproductive discussions can harm your professional image. Lee adds “Maintaining a courteous and professional tone in all interactions ensures that your social media presence remains an extension of your expertise.” It is important to set clear boundaries that help steer conversations in a positive direction, preserving the integrity of your brand.” 

 

Interpret analytics 

Finally, while analytics and engagement metrics provide useful insights, they should not dictate your strategy. The focus must always remain on the quality of interactions rather than the sheer number of engagements. According to Eng, “Genuine connections and thoughtful content are far more valuable than chasing transient trends or inflated numbers.” This balanced approach allows you to stay true to your professional values while continually refining your social media strategy. 

Leveraging social media for personal brand building requires a thoughtful balance between authenticity and professionalism. By avoiding pitfalls such as compromising professional standards, oversharing personal details, inconsistency in messaging, neglecting proper engagement etiquette, and misinterpreting analytics, financial advisors in Malaysia can build a digital presence that truly reflects their expertise and commitment to excellence.  

 

Contact: MDRTeditorial@teamlewis.com