Branding You

Originally posted on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140924192729-76982850-branding-you

As everyone is getting into social networking, they are creating a personal brand.

There are several important things to remember about a brand:

1. Identity
2. Reputation
3. Exposure
4. Accessibility
5. Relatability

Each of these characteristics are vital in their own way. While one may be more visible, it does not mean the characteristic is more important.

Identity

Identity is visual recognition. This includes profile pictures, descriptions, and interests. If the individual networking across platforms is looking for continuity, then he or she must show consistency. Profile pictures, descriptions, and interests should be the same across the board on various social networks.

Reputation

How an individual is perceived online holds a lot of weight in the physical world. Is the message being presented truthful? Is the message consistent? The way an individual updates statuses on their social media account matters to the connections. Are all the updates scheduled? Is there interaction or just posts? This plays into reputation because if the person behind the username is not available, then it will mar the reputation.

Exposure

This one can be tricky. The brand does not want too much exposure. For a personal brand that includes not constantly posting about family issues and not posting about work problems. Online you become what you post on your statuses. On the same note, everything should not be business. Just limit your personal and private life.

Accessibility

Being accessible is vital. Social networks are networking. Being accessible allows networking to work. Accessibility also allows others to get to know the personal brand. In order to get to know some one, there has to be communication. In order for communication to happen, there has to be availability.

Relatability

In order for people to like your personal brand, people have to be able to relate to you. Not every person that is online will like an individual or brand, and that is okay. Create your niche and connect with those that are most relatable. In time, your brand will gain more exposure.

How do you determine your identity online?

Identity, more valuable than gold

originally posted on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140911184435-76982850-identity-more-valuable-than-gold

As individuals open up various social media accounts, they are stretching their network and making connections. In a professional networking website, the identity portrayed on the profile can lead to amazing connections if people know who you are.


Connecting with those that were introduced in the job place, conventions, businesses, etc... is beneficial on many levels. However, if the profile is not completed there can be great difficulty finding the right person.


The question can then be, what is required on a profile?


If you are on a social network attempting to grow your network your profile HAS to have key information.

• Professional style head shot, not a photo from a night out on the town
• Professional name, not a cutesy username
• Brief description of industry involved in
• Past workplace information if you are on a website such as LinkedIn

These are just a few tips that many individuals on social networking websites can use. Emphasizing the professional style head shot, there are many people that will not connect unless there is a photo.


What do you deem as mandatory on social networking websites for a profile?

Do What You Love, right?

originally posted on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140807163954-76982850-do-what-you-love-right

It was a dark and stormy night, oh wait.. that belongs to Charles Schulz.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, opps... that one belongs to Charles Dickens.

An old anthem that I have held on to for the majority of my adult life has been to find a job doing what you love and everything else will fall into place.

Imagine my shock when I discovered that the old anthem I have held on to is not always true.

I love to write. Writing is a creative outlet for me and can be quite therapeutic. I am able to write in several different style and enjoy writing. I have discovered however, that my career should not be focused solely on writing.

Successful people have a hobby. They have something they enjoy doing that is not a requirement of life. That is not to say that your hobby can not supplement your career.

That said, I find it interesting with a few people I know that have hobbies closely related to their career. An accounting supervisor that relaxes with Sudoku, she still adds up those numbers. A graphic designer that does landscape photography as a hobby.

This gist of doing what you love is to have an element that you can enjoy without it being a requirement. A person may love photography and enjoy taking pictures, but once that is their career it is very possible to get burned out doing it.

Everything in life is moderation. If you want to do what you love, look for a company that will provide the career you desire and has the benefits that you need while possessing a positive work environment.