Whether we like it or not, we all have an online presence. It could be your social media or LinkedIn profiles or work-related information. Maintaining a strong online brand is just as important for you as it is for any company. Here we look at tips on developing a strong personal brand.
Google yourself
You won’t know exactly what information is available until you Google yourself. What key data is missing and what needs to be taken down? Many employers are now double checking the online reputations of potential employees. You will want to make sure there are no embarrassing photos or content from long since abandoned social media profiles or tagged posts from your friends.
Social media privacy settings
The privacy settings on social media are constantly changing, and so it’s worthwhile checking periodically that yours are correct. In this way, a post that you would have preferred to stay private won’t slip through.
Privacy settings are not entirely fool proof though, and so when posting content to social media it’s worthwhile having this question in the back of your mind: would I be happy for outsiders to see this? Exercising some judgement just in case the privacy settings fail is a sensible precaution.
Be consistent
Anytime you do anything online; you should first consider how it will contribute to your personal brand. Being consistent in your approach and the overall message is an essential aspect to perfecting your personal brand.
Promote yourself
All successful brands need to be promoted, and that includes yours. So if you write an article or start a blog make sure that you promote it through the channels in which you have a presence so that people can find and follow it. Tweet about it or post an update in LinkedIn.
In addition, guest posting on websites or blogs is a great way to develop your brand and connect with a wider target audience. Making the most of any opportunities to guest post will enhance your online brand.
Be yourself
A personal brand needs to be genuine. Don’t try and be something that you are not or you’ll soon be exposed. Your brand needs to be reflective of your personality and goals.
Nowadays many lifestyle bloggers include information about their personal day-to-day lives. This is potentially more difficult for corporate professionals where that sort of intimacy generally isn’t expected. So be mindful of your objectives and audience when considering including aspects of your personal life within your brand.
In the digital world that we all inhabit, the importance of personal branding is now inescapable. Make sure your personal brand is one that you can be proud of.