How To Be Your Best Online Self:
Tips for Creating Your Best Online Profiles and Content
by Shaun Blair, Holistic Life Coach
These days most of us have profiles on social and business networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. You may even have a YouTube channel or your own website. But do you ever wonder whether your profile is representing you well? Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your online identity.
1. Think about what you want from your online profile.
Are you hoping that someone who finds your online profile will offer you a better job? Do you want more clients at the job you have? Do you simply want to connect with other people in your industry? Your profile should reflect your reasons for being on the networking site. If you want a better job then be sure to highlight how awesome you are in your field. List your most impressive achievements that are relevant to the type of job you want. If you want more clients, then list some successes with your past and current clients. Use dollar amounts or other measured guideposts. You don't have to name names unless your clients are okay with that but do mention briefly what you were able to accomplish with them.
2. Spel Check and appropriate capitaliZation
Nothing says "I lack Attention to detial" quite like misspelling words in your own profile. This is especially important if you are an entrepreneur. Capitalize where appropriate, including Job Titles and Names of Projects that you have worked on. And for goodness sake, people, make sure each word in the name of your company is capitalized, especially if you are the owner. That is, unless you're going for the ubercool "i type in all lowercase because i'm humble in a trendy kind of way" thing.
3. What are you saying about yourself?
LinkedIn currently lists your present position from your "Experience" section along with your name and a thumbnail picture in the shortlist that people view as they browse. What do you have as your current position in your LinkedIn profile? This is not necessarily the same as your "Professional Headline" that shows up on your whole profile page. Let's say you're currently "Head Pizza Delivery Driver" but you have a nonprofit business startup that will provide healthy food options to underprivileged children. List your endeavor "Owner at Feed Us All (A Not For Profit Startup)" as your current position with placement above "Head Pizza..." so that when people are scrolling through, they can see what you're really about. After all, do you want more people to deliver pizza to or more people who are aware of your cause? Remember that the people reading your profile could support you with networking contacts and financing if they are aware of your intentions.
4. How is your picture?
If you don't have one at all, that is a cardinal sin. Most pictures are better than none at all unless you're already famous. However, the best profile picture for business networking is an executive headshot. No, the pic of you out drinking with your frat buddies cropped in close to cut out your yard of beer is not ideal. Think of a school picture but with enough time to use the little plastic comb first. Add in a nice suit or industry-appropriate attire and now you have an attractive, eye-catching profile picture. No one has to know that you took it with your iPhone in front of your one plain wall wearing your suit jacket on top & boxer briefs on the bottom.
5. Have you taken a moment to view your profile as others see it?
Taking a look at how the world sees your online profile is an important final step. In addition to browsing for typos and spelling corrections, consider to what and to whom you are linking. Do your web links support your mindset and intentions? Does your additional experience apply to your current objectives? Think of your target audience. If you want a company to take you seriously then don't link to your personal facebook page with public pictures of you holding a "hand-rolled cigarette". I'm all for personal expression but if you are hoping to score a teaching position at an Elementary School then perhaps 10 of your primary connections should not be from your weekend burlesque troupe in all their nipple-tasselled performance attire. For that matter, please be aware that facebook allows you to SELECT which photo albums are visible to whom. Review what you're sharing and make sure it represents what you want to display.
6. Video Content
Video content is increasingly used in online profiles or as part of an individual's online presence. Is your video content representative of the work that you do or want to do more of? Does it indicate to a potential client or employer that they can trust you or identify with you? Does it give a sample of your work or document your successes? If your videos accomplish none of these things, then why are they online? Sure, vids of you hanging out with your puppy are adorable but do they convince someone to hire you as a consultant? Just think about what you're posting and make sure it is a good representation of the message you really want to send to the world. Videos are a great way to show someone why they should do business with you. But be careful because videos can also show people why they shouldn't.
I hope you can put these tips to good use to present your best self online. Do you have any comments? Anything to add? Feedback is welcome. I'm wishing you lots of success, both online and off!
~Shaun
by Shaun Blair, Holistic Life Coach
These days most of us have profiles on social and business networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. You may even have a YouTube channel or your own website. But do you ever wonder whether your profile is representing you well? Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your online identity.
1. Think about what you want from your online profile.
Are you hoping that someone who finds your online profile will offer you a better job? Do you want more clients at the job you have? Do you simply want to connect with other people in your industry? Your profile should reflect your reasons for being on the networking site. If you want a better job then be sure to highlight how awesome you are in your field. List your most impressive achievements that are relevant to the type of job you want. If you want more clients, then list some successes with your past and current clients. Use dollar amounts or other measured guideposts. You don't have to name names unless your clients are okay with that but do mention briefly what you were able to accomplish with them.
2. Spel Check and appropriate capitaliZation
Nothing says "I lack Attention to detial" quite like misspelling words in your own profile. This is especially important if you are an entrepreneur. Capitalize where appropriate, including Job Titles and Names of Projects that you have worked on. And for goodness sake, people, make sure each word in the name of your company is capitalized, especially if you are the owner. That is, unless you're going for the ubercool "i type in all lowercase because i'm humble in a trendy kind of way" thing.
3. What are you saying about yourself?
LinkedIn currently lists your present position from your "Experience" section along with your name and a thumbnail picture in the shortlist that people view as they browse. What do you have as your current position in your LinkedIn profile? This is not necessarily the same as your "Professional Headline" that shows up on your whole profile page. Let's say you're currently "Head Pizza Delivery Driver" but you have a nonprofit business startup that will provide healthy food options to underprivileged children. List your endeavor "Owner at Feed Us All (A Not For Profit Startup)" as your current position with placement above "Head Pizza..." so that when people are scrolling through, they can see what you're really about. After all, do you want more people to deliver pizza to or more people who are aware of your cause? Remember that the people reading your profile could support you with networking contacts and financing if they are aware of your intentions.
4. How is your picture?
If you don't have one at all, that is a cardinal sin. Most pictures are better than none at all unless you're already famous. However, the best profile picture for business networking is an executive headshot. No, the pic of you out drinking with your frat buddies cropped in close to cut out your yard of beer is not ideal. Think of a school picture but with enough time to use the little plastic comb first. Add in a nice suit or industry-appropriate attire and now you have an attractive, eye-catching profile picture. No one has to know that you took it with your iPhone in front of your one plain wall wearing your suit jacket on top & boxer briefs on the bottom.
5. Have you taken a moment to view your profile as others see it?
Taking a look at how the world sees your online profile is an important final step. In addition to browsing for typos and spelling corrections, consider to what and to whom you are linking. Do your web links support your mindset and intentions? Does your additional experience apply to your current objectives? Think of your target audience. If you want a company to take you seriously then don't link to your personal facebook page with public pictures of you holding a "hand-rolled cigarette". I'm all for personal expression but if you are hoping to score a teaching position at an Elementary School then perhaps 10 of your primary connections should not be from your weekend burlesque troupe in all their nipple-tasselled performance attire. For that matter, please be aware that facebook allows you to SELECT which photo albums are visible to whom. Review what you're sharing and make sure it represents what you want to display.
6. Video Content
Video content is increasingly used in online profiles or as part of an individual's online presence. Is your video content representative of the work that you do or want to do more of? Does it indicate to a potential client or employer that they can trust you or identify with you? Does it give a sample of your work or document your successes? If your videos accomplish none of these things, then why are they online? Sure, vids of you hanging out with your puppy are adorable but do they convince someone to hire you as a consultant? Just think about what you're posting and make sure it is a good representation of the message you really want to send to the world. Videos are a great way to show someone why they should do business with you. But be careful because videos can also show people why they shouldn't.
I hope you can put these tips to good use to present your best self online. Do you have any comments? Anything to add? Feedback is welcome. I'm wishing you lots of success, both online and off!
~Shaun
