Marketing Yourself Online
You don't have a choice any more. The perception that others have of you is now formed mostly by what they find about you on the internet. For most people it can be a huge challenge to build their brand online. Here are some tips on how to best go about building your online brand.
To start with ask yourself how you would like others to perceive your brand. Many people mix up their brand with their work, or think that it is purely their professional competencies that determine their brand. There are a few more dimensions to it, like your values, and why you do what you do. This is a personal determination, and something you should spend some time on.
When you have written down your personal brand statement, spend some time and effort with social media. There are many places for social media, but know that the focus is on "social", meaning that contributions must be thought-provoking and fresh. Having old social media sites is almost as bad as not being there at all. There are of course some social media sites that should be favored over others. LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are the most commonly known, but be cautious how you employ them, and how you communicate with others.
What should you write about on social media websites? This is give some unique points of view, and write about some diverse perspectives, success stories, difficult case studies or anything where you used your professional skills. You can also write a little about yourself, like doing volunteer work, happenings in your area, or your travels. But unless you are focusing on a certain target market, steer away from controversial topics like politics, because controversy is mostly a negative brand contributor.
Along with spending time in social media, it is vitally important to build a personal website, with your name in the URL. Not only does it give you complete say over what you want to talk about (and not having to submit to the rules of the social media sites), but it makes it easier to give the website a look and feel that is quintessential you and your brand. It also enables easy online promotion, especially if your name is widely used. Your website should have a lot of content that is consistent with your area of expertise. This is one domain that should not be hard to find, and should have the type of quality content that establishes you as an expert in your specialty.
when you have established yourself and your brand on the internet with social media and your own website, the next step is to promote yourself, and drive people to your website and social media pages. By talking with others on your social media sites, but also at other places, like on blogs and in discussion forums, you will attract some interest if your comments are interesting and add value. Be careful not to self-promote in social media, it is the equivalent of doing it at a birthday party, and normally won't work, and will influence your brand negatively.
It is crucial to get going today. Your brand, like most other brands, takes time to gain recognition and become valuable, and needs consistent effort and reinforcement. Try these guidelines, and you will be known as an authority in your field with a strong brand.
