Googling yourself: online identity

Personal branding and protecting your image/name. In today’s market, the un-informed will use google, whether it’s a potential employer, client, suitor or for simple curiosity. It is the norm to google a person.

Just like in the 18th century, your name is your identity and to use an old-fashioned word, it is your honour. Once it is smeared, it is very hard to remove the smear (regardless of the fictional or factional component of the smear). It takes time and in-fact google never forgets, although google can re-prioritise. How do you control your online Identity? 1) Shut everything down so you don’t exist and pray that google doesn’t pick up an obscure record that could be viewed out of context, or worse, you get confused for someone else with a similar name and bad hair? 2) Control what is in the public domain, by purposely feeding the online world the information you want others to see. Simply speaking, take control of your online reputation. So how can you take control? 1. Create your online resume. Does it sound narcissistic? To be honest, it is already done in some form, particularly if you have been involved in consultancies or businesses based on reputation. Once you reach a particular position your name will be out in the public domain. How about controlling it, by feeding the information you want, to avoid misinterpretation by an un-informed user. If you own the resume, you own the content and can update it. 2. Create (positive) online content. If your name is out there through either social media channels, news articles, publications, non-for-profit committees, volunteering – it will impact on your online brand. Of course, be mindful of what you place, and keep reminding yourself, the internet never forgets. 3. Be informed on search engine optimisation (SEO), but do not go over-board. Know how content is prioritised, so that you can manipulate results. Simple speaking, the more links and activity associated with your online content, the more likely it will move up the google priority ladder. 4. Consistency – you can’t expect to put your online content out there once and expect it to continue to rank at the top of search results. Regular addition of content, links, being active online is required. It’s like exercise, continual management and monitoring is required. 5. Social media sites. No question on this, control them and make sure you regularly check what you public profile looks like on facebook, twitter, linkedin, Instagram etc (privacy rules change regularly). You might lock your profiles down tightly, but there is always a fingerprint left behind. If your profile picture isn’t the image you want to project to a potential employer, relook at it and imagine it being out in the public domain. Sure sculling a pint might be funny to your friends, but to your new boss? Shortly, your online presence will replace your professional resume and future employers will judge you based on what the world sees. It takes a little bit of effort, but if you want to grow professionally, it is paramount to address your online profile. Think about it; have you ever googled a person in a professional capacity and judged them on the outcome?

#brand #onlineprofile #onlineidentity #personalbranding