I've recently been invited to speak to a group about "brand management," but instead of presenting on big companies and recognizable brands like Nike, Target and Apple...it got me thinking about your personal brand. I don't think enough people consider what they're saying and the first impressions they are making online.
I've seen many a Facebook status update and tweet with TMI. By TMI I mean way too much info...too personal, too whiny, too rude - basically grounds for losing a job or a friend. Certainly unbecoming. Unfortunately, the things you do online coupled with how you present yourself "in person" become your personal brand. Everything you put out there: pictures, status updates, tweets, blogs, comments and even other people's comments become part of your personal brand.
You may think that some things are private, but when it comes down to it...is there even a difference between your personal and professional brand? Have you Googled yourself lately to see what comes up? You are a combination of the real you (the person your family, loved ones and close friends know), the professional you (your work ethic, creativity, drive) and the online you (your profiles, social resumes, blog posts, pictures, etc.) - when you put all together is it all adding up to who you really are?
If someone doesn't know you and Googles your name, are you proud of what they find or are you crossing your fingers they're not that savvy and quit searching? At the end of the day, are you making a statement about who you are or misrepresenting yourself? Have you updated or deleted information to clean up your act? How do you feel about your personal brand? Would you invest in you?
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I think that social media brought in an initial wave of oversharing- we didn't know how to handle this new and cool technology so we embraced it fully. We saturated our lives with social media.
ReplyDeleteNow we are in a resulting age where we realize how to effectively use it, and we find ourselves wanting to filter our lives more. Personal branding and privacy become more important as social media moves into the mainstream.
Great blog post- really got me thinking.
Great blog post, Ivette! I've struggled a bit with how to walk that fine line between being the real "me" and sharing too much information. My tweets, blog, Facebook status updates all project my real "persona." I try to abide by the Kindergarten rule, "If you can't say/write something nice, then don't say/write it all." Airing your dirty laundry and complaining about work, your boss, or your significant other isn't going to get you anywhere. In fact, it just looks trashy and tacky.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, just take pride in your online personal brand. It's okay to clean up your profile and ask friends politely to untag you in questionable photos. It's all part of managing your personal brand, and putting the "real"you out there.