7 tips to improve your online brand
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7 tips to improving and building your online brand and presence. From a June 16 New Professionals PRSA Webinar. Arik Hanson and Lauren Fernandez co-presented.TRANSCRIPT
7 Ways to Improve Your Online Presence and BrandLauren Fernandez, Community Manager, Radian6Arik Hanson, Principal, ACH Communications
Online Branding Basics
What is an online brand anyway?
Perceptions and attitudes
The process whereby people and their careers are marked as brands.—Wikipedia
It’s all about relationships
The key ingredients of an online brand
Blog posts, tweets, Facebook posts, LinkedIn profiles, videos
“User-generated” content
Create your own “niche audience” and tribe
Two personal brands built from anotherwhat’s your inner packer/viking?
Why does it matter?
Whether you are a public spokesperson or not, you represent your company
“Company first, you second” mentality
Selective Transparency - if you show them enough, they won’t question
Google Effect
The Google EffectThe internet has a long and accurate memory
Google page one: It’s all about you
Employers will question if there is too much or too little
Imperative to work for companies you believe in
Information from 5 years ago is more easily accessible
Tip #1: Be (selectively) transparent
Share Just Enough: Not Too MuchLet your personality shine through—without sharing everything
Stay true to yourself (and your professional brand) by sharing certain information
No second guessing, if people believe they have enough information
Privacy settings = your friend
I REALLY LOVE CUPCAKES..... (On fb PAGE)But also have them with a glass of merlot (Not on FB, but no one cares)
Building RelationshipsStart relationships online—share more offline
Think about your future boss…10 years from now
You don’t need to share everything
Rule: Pretend everything you tweet is on a billboard - with your boss constantly driving by it.
Tip #2: Don’t forget about the back channel
Sharing isn’t always public
Solidify relationships through the back channel
Tools of the trade: IM, direct messages, Skype, E-mail
Opportunity to be more personal and ask more questions
Just don’t wear out your welcome
Tip #3: Meet three new people each week
Meet 3 New PeopleMake it a goal each week
1 Person: Professional Interest
1 Person: Personal Interest
1 Person: Intriguing
How to do it
Sure, I want to meet people, but how do I do it?
Set the stage by commenting/responding
Ask for introductions via Twitter
Ask for introductions via LinkedIn
Approach speakers/colleagues at events
Why does this matter?Builds a brand that has many vectors--not just focused on a professional idea
Humanizes your brand
Makes you approachable with numerous groups and interests
For example…
David Mullen plays professional matchmaker
Meeting local thought leaders and partners
Meeting online connections during business trips
Tip #4: Consisent visual brand identity
Branding 101
Consistent look and feel across platforms.
Same theme—different photos/visuals
• Example: Jason Falls (Social Media Explorer)
• Example: David Spinks (The Spinks Blog)
Tip #5: Be opinionated, not crass
Tone: Where is it?Tone: It’s what’s missing online
What you view as constructive others may view as an attack
Don’t be combative—it won’t get you anywhere
Have a take—do not suckForm well-reasoned opinions—and share
them
Don’t be a wallflower—get on the dance floor!
Don’t be afraid to make an argument
Stick to your guns and stand by your opinions
Tip #6: Take the online world offline
Networking…in real life Be courageous—build relationships from the ground up
Those you get along with vs. name recognition
Start small, but build to an offline meeting
• Ask if you can reach out via e-mail once a week
• Move to phone once you’re comfortable
Taking it to the next level4 tips to taking your relationship offline:
Do your research before the meeting
Prepare questions—just like an interview
Find one way you can help THEM! (and follow up)
Ask for 3 additional connections/people you should meet
Tip #7: Build a foundation on what YOU like
Your very own “tribe”Find your own thought leaders:
• Each individual is unique with different strengths
• My thought leaders are different than yours
• You are only as great as your community
• Your passion for one thing might not mesh - but can still build a relationship (chocolate vs. vanilla)
Don’t fake it – embrace it
Faking it won’t get you too far
Find people with similar interests and career goals
Look at mentors for the domino effect as YOUR role model
Finally…
Ask for help—most are willing to help
Learn to take risks
Stay professional—but be yourself