How do you showcase your expertise in venture capital on social media?

Straight to the point: LinkedIn is the most powerful platform to build your VC social brand. Most of professionals are on LinkedIn, compared to Twitter and other social media platforms. There are also fewer trolls and fake accounts. It’s the perfect platform to showcase your portfolio and engage with a global network of real people. X (Twitter) is where the hype can be noticed, but to be honest, I often encounter trolls there. Medium is great for showcasing whitepapers, blogs, articles, or magazines and engaging with entities in the same niche. Meanwhile, YouTube is perfect for webinars, livestreams, video presentations, and educational materials. Identify the target audience of your VC, and you'll find the perfect platform to reach them.

Ever wondered how to turn your venture capital smarts into social media gold? Choosing the right platforms is key. For me, LinkedIn is the boardroom where I connect with peers and flaunt my portfolio wins. Twitter serves as my news ticker and soapbox, perfect for quick insights or joining the buzziest conversations. I use Medium to dive deep into the hows and whys behind my decisions, crafting articles that resonate with fellow enthusiasts. And YouTube? That's my stage for storytelling—think gripping interviews or insightful webinars. Each platform offers a unique way to broadcast your VC prowess and engage with your audience. #divineintervention #gabenfreude

Pick 1 or 2 platforms and be consistent in posting quality content - it is easier to choose a platform that is natural to you or where you find or interact with your colleagues and founders.

Platform & Content Venture Capital may seem like a complicated topic to post about on social media, as it's not inherently entertaining content. However, there are people who have adapted this topic even to platforms like TikTok. Why? Because, first of all, it's your expertise. No matter what expertise you have, you can adjust this content in a certain way. If we categorize the platforms, a professional platform like LinkedIn would be the most suitable to post about venture capital, or YouTube for expert videos, or podcasts. Though you can also share it on IG or TikTok.

Focus is the key. Choose ONE platform that 1) has the best reach to your core audience whether startup founders, other VCs, and/or Limited Partners - LPs, 2) that plays to your strengths whether writing or videos or voice, and 3) you can build into a habit so you are consistent in using the platform for showing your expertise. Depending on the answers to the three points above, you may steer yourself toward top platforms right now like LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogs (Substack, Medium, etc.). But there are also emerging platforms for VCs like Instagram or TikTok or Telegram that can be effective if that is where your key audiences are spending time.

this is the toughest part. you will feel all the copy-cat feelings and syndromes. but keep going. use AI to your advantage. (sometimes i should use some of my advice)/

Ever felt like everyone’s talking but no one’s saying anything new? That's where valuable content comes in. On social media, I mix it up with stories from my own venture capital journey—like that time a risky bet paid off handsomely, or when I had to navigate a start-up out of choppy waters. These tales not only highlight my expertise but also offer tangible lessons for my followers. I sprinkle in analyses of current trends and personal takes on market moves, always aiming to enlighten, not just impress. It's about striking a balance between sharing knowledge and sparking conversations, without turning into just another sales pitch. #divineintervention #gabenfreude

Is Dancing Involved? If you post about venture capital, it doesn't have to be boring. Dancing videos are also acceptable. It really depends on how you can process this content and adapt it to the platform. You may choose long stories on YouTube or short engaging videos with the most difficult terms from venture capital explained.

Becoming a content creator is hard, especially for VCs that often do not have a background in creating content nor have the time to do so. You need a light-weight content strategy which has 3 parts. First, you follow others in the VC and startup world that you find inspiring to both engage with comments and repost with your added thoughts. Second, you take snippets of your every day experiences such as events you participate in or photos you take of people you meet, and you create short snippets from those experience with your impressions. Third, hire a content creator / firm to create longer form & more visually creative content based on themes and topics you most care about. This should give you enough to be consistent with high-quality.

Ever been to a great party where conversations just flow? That’s the vibe I aim for on social media. It’s not just about broadcasting my venture capital insights; it’s about creating a dialogue. I engage actively by liking, commenting, and sharing posts from peers and followers, adding my spin or sparking a debate. Hosting Twitter chats or LinkedIn events allows me to delve deeper with the community, fostering real-time exchanges. I also love showcasing our collective journey—whether it's cheering on a portfolio company at a launch or discussing trends at a panel. It’s about being a vibrant part of the VC ecosystem, not just a spectator. #divineintervention #gabenfreude

Engagement! You may have 1M followers and 0 comments. It's when your community is not active. And that's not what you want. Comments and reposts are the most precious for you; that's how you can spread the word. You should pay special attention to talking to your audience to make sure you are there for them, you are real, and they can actually ask questions and get real answers!

Ever judged a book by its cover? In the digital world, your social media profile is that cover. As a venture capitalist, I craft my online persona to be as sharp and inviting as a polished elevator pitch. I start with a professional photo that says, "I mean business," paired with a headline that captures my essence—perhaps, "Venture Capitalist | Tech Innovator | Startup Mentor." I sprinkle my bio with keywords and hashtags relevant to my niche, making it easier for like-minded professionals to find me. Every achievement and testimonial has its place, showcasing my successes and expertise. And yes, a dash of personal interests adds flavor, showing I’m more than just investments and returns. It’s about creating a profile that's remembered.

If you want to be perceived as an authority in your field as a VC, you need to own your online presence. First, create a simple website with your own personal domain that includes your accomplishments and content that you are creating. Make sure you optimize around keywords that reflect how you wish to be most recognized for. Second, fill out your LinkedIn profile, which will be the first place people look to learn more about you. For LinkedIn, use high quality profile headshots and background banners, fill out your work experiences and accomplishments, and have a compelling About section that tells the story of why you are a top VC and startup influencer.

Ever wonder if your social media is hitting the mark? As a venture capitalist, I track every like, share, and comment to gauge my online influence. It's not just about counting numbers; it’s about understanding what drives engagement. By analyzing these metrics, I refine my content to resonate more deeply with my audience. Feedback and testimonials are my compass—they guide adjustments to my strategy, ensuring I stay relevant and impactful. It's a dynamic dance of adaptability and insight. #divineintervention #gabenfreude

Measurement need not be a chore when tracking the impact of your efforts to elevate your online brand. Use a combination of measurement tools geared towards you core platform(s) and outsources virtual assistants to help compile the data that you can review on a weekly and monthly basis. Also consider implementing a social media tool like Buffer or Sprout Social that can both automate social posting, but also track metrics of the posts you distribute through the tool.

Realize the building your online authority through social media is a long game. The key to success is consistency, authentic high-quality content creation, and engagement with others. Keep yourself to a posting schedule by batching content creation, scheduling posting via an automation tool, and building up the habit of gathering content ideas and posting content.