Whether you are an entrepreneur, run your own business or work for a company with 1000 other employees, it’s important for you to develop your own professional identity online.
The business model of getting a job when you’re 22, then working there until you retire is really not realistic anymore. Far from it! It would behoove you (yes, behoove you) to develop your independent professional brand.
Use current (and future) online tools to position yourself so others can easily see what you bring to the table. Present yourself as the expert you are, in the areas that you excel. Let people know what projects you’re involved in. This will help you to continue to move forward in building the kind of life, both professionally and personally that you wish to have.
Five things you can do to develop your own professional brand online:
Have Your Own Website
Even if you’re an employee in a sea of employees of a large company, run your own website. If you haven’t already, register your own domain name. This will only cost you around $10 a year and is well worth it. YOURNAME.COM is best, but if unavailable, find something close, or that works just as well. This is the easiest way to start setting up your individual professional brand online and raise your visibility. It will also give you the perfect vehicle to develop your brand as you continue to grow.
Not sure how to go about setting up your own website? This can be easier than you may think. Check out Creating A Great Website On A Low Budget – The Movie!
Blog
I recommend that your website is blog-driven. Your blog will give you your personal online voice to help you build your presence as an authority in your field. I can’t stress this enough. Take a look at these other posts for more insights on this topic:
- 5 Reasons Why Blog Based Sites are Sexy!
- Successful Blogging for Your Business
- Should You Have a Blog on Your Website?
Tweet
Set up a Twitter account and use it to build and develop professional connections. It’s a great way to stay actively networked with other creative movers and shakers out there.
Still don’t quite understand Twitter yet? Check out
- Twitter… huh? what? Oh, Twitter’s for kids, right?
- Twitter as a Business Tool – Followup
- 5 ways Twitter can Help You in Business
LinkedIn is far more than just your online resume. It’s that and more. As far as a place to post your experience and education, LinkedIn provides you the space and tools to dynamically present what you have to offer; projects you’re currently involved in; new projects coming up; video presentation (let them see the real you!) and more. It’s also a great resource for meeting other professionals in your field and exchange ideas.
Check out 3 Reasons You Should Be Using LinkedIn
Produce Video Starring YOU
Put video on your website. Video is the most dynamic way you can quickly show people why it would be great to have you on their team. It’s easy to create good, effective video these days. Set up your own YouTube channel. Create video blog posts.
Need ideas? Have a look at Using Video On Your Website to Promote Your Business Online and Me? A Movie Star? I Don’t Think So!
Okay, if you haven’t already done so, start developing your personal brand. I recommend this path to all of my clients. Some get it and are excited about it, others not so much.
How about you?
Have you already started developing your professional identity online? What’s some advice you could add (or disagree with)?
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