Personal Branding Basics: It’s All About Communication
When developing a personal brand, it is best to start with the basics and go from there. In this three-part blog series, I have already established two of the three personal branding basics: developing Network and managing your online reputation.
In the final post for this series, I will cover the third personal branding basic: communication.
Using communication within your network is key. Communication will strengthen the connections you have already made, as well as help you make future connections outside of your current network. Communication also helps strengthen your online reputation because it gives your personal brand more depth.
Communication, like networking, is something we already do every day. Nonetheless, there are always opportunities to further improve your communication skills.
Here are a few pointers for great communication:
General Tips and Tricks:
Always use proper grammar and double-check your spelling when communicating online. Double check the e-mails and messages you send to other people, regardless of who they are. The way you communicate via e-mail says a great deal about your professionalism. Avoid using too many exclamation points, particularly when writing to professors or professional contacts.
Don’t just be a one-way communicator. It is important for you to “give back” to your network and share others’ ideas with the rest of your network in case someone else can help or give great feedback. Equally important is responding to others who reach out to you with ideas or for advice. You never know who will swoop in to help you out in the future!
Think of communication as a tool. You have to use it the right way for it to work. Make sure you communicate your points and don’t add too much fluff. Make a case with your writing and use it to showcase your strengths. Strong writing skills are an asset that any company would want to have in a future employee.
Personal Branding Basics: Let’s Review
It’s all about networking
It’s all about managing your online reputation
It’s all about communication
Starting with the basics is the only way to develop the rest of your personal brand successfully. It is important to keep in mind that you cannot build the perfect brand overnight; it takes time to develop something great. Having patience goes a long way when it comes to developing your personal brand. Don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way and never lose sight of who you are. After all, no one is better at being you than you!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Personal Branding Basics: It’s All About Managing Your Online Reputation
Personal Branding Basics: It’s All About Managing Your Online Reputation
By: Jamie Mitcham .
This post will cover the personal branding basic: the ability to manage your reputation on the Web.
Managing your reputation is something you do every day when you are with your friends, family, teachers and professors. Depending on the person you are talking to, you may say different things or behave in slightly different ways. You want to appear cool to your friends and smart to your teachers and professors. We often do not think consciously about our shifting behaviors; it is just a natural byproduct of being around different types of people.
Managing your reputation online is just as important as managing your in-person reputation. When interacting on the Web, you are networking with all of these audiences at once. It is necessary to portray yourself in a positive light online because you never know who might be looking at your Facebook profile or Twitter page. Your online reputation is something you can- and should- take control over.
High School Students
Follow this rule: If you wouldn’t want your mom to see it, don’t post it online. When you post pictures, status updates and wall posts online they instantly become endorsed by you. When you begin filling out college applications, make sure there is nothing online that will come back to haunt you. Research shows that 61% of colleges are currently involved with social networking sites, a statistic that will surely increase with time.
College Students
Beware of anything online with your name on it. The pictures and comments you post online should be fully represented by you both personally and professionally. Sure, the toga party was a blast- but are the pictures worth losing a future internship or job over? Keep them in a safe place at home and watch for the pictures people “tag” of you on Facebook. Privacy settings are your friend across all social networks. Use them!
Other options to consider:
Profile pictures: Many times, your profile picture is the first impression people have of you. Make sure you chose a profile picture that stays true to who you are while also remaining professional.
Profile information: The information on your profile is your personal real estate to manage and call your own. Make sure you utilize the space you have to come across as interesting, professional and personable. On Twitter, make sure the bio line tells the reader the most important piece of information about you.
One Last thing…
Google yourself. Type your name into Google and conduct a search for yourself. Do you like everything you see? If not, make sure you are taking the necessary steps to change or edit the information in your control. Like I stated above, controlling your reputation online is just as important as controlling your reputation in real life.
By: Jamie Mitcham .
This post will cover the personal branding basic: the ability to manage your reputation on the Web.
Managing your reputation is something you do every day when you are with your friends, family, teachers and professors. Depending on the person you are talking to, you may say different things or behave in slightly different ways. You want to appear cool to your friends and smart to your teachers and professors. We often do not think consciously about our shifting behaviors; it is just a natural byproduct of being around different types of people.
Managing your reputation online is just as important as managing your in-person reputation. When interacting on the Web, you are networking with all of these audiences at once. It is necessary to portray yourself in a positive light online because you never know who might be looking at your Facebook profile or Twitter page. Your online reputation is something you can- and should- take control over.
High School Students
Follow this rule: If you wouldn’t want your mom to see it, don’t post it online. When you post pictures, status updates and wall posts online they instantly become endorsed by you. When you begin filling out college applications, make sure there is nothing online that will come back to haunt you. Research shows that 61% of colleges are currently involved with social networking sites, a statistic that will surely increase with time.
College Students
Beware of anything online with your name on it. The pictures and comments you post online should be fully represented by you both personally and professionally. Sure, the toga party was a blast- but are the pictures worth losing a future internship or job over? Keep them in a safe place at home and watch for the pictures people “tag” of you on Facebook. Privacy settings are your friend across all social networks. Use them!
Other options to consider:
Profile pictures: Many times, your profile picture is the first impression people have of you. Make sure you chose a profile picture that stays true to who you are while also remaining professional.
Profile information: The information on your profile is your personal real estate to manage and call your own. Make sure you utilize the space you have to come across as interesting, professional and personable. On Twitter, make sure the bio line tells the reader the most important piece of information about you.
One Last thing…
Google yourself. Type your name into Google and conduct a search for yourself. Do you like everything you see? If not, make sure you are taking the necessary steps to change or edit the information in your control. Like I stated above, controlling your reputation online is just as important as controlling your reputation in real life.
A Student Branding Success Story
On the first day of class, Amy Sheridan, a student from a previous class, spoke to my class and showed us how she had developed her brand. She shared a story of how her personal brand had helped her land a job with one of the largest employers in town. Amy wrote this quote for me to share with you:
I went in for a panel interview for a spring internship at (big company). I was brought into a large conference room and sat down in the middle of a long table. There were four people there and one person on a conference call from (big company) Las Vegas. At first the questions mostly came from the Senior recruiter across from me, but I couldn’t help but notice that the guy on the end of the conference table had his laptop open and was clicking away, not seeming to pay any attention to my responses. I thought he was getting work done, and really thought he was being rude.
Then when the interview came around to him I was even further puzzled because his questions were really specific, and he seemed to know a lot about my background that I didn’t have on my resume. At the end of the interview as we were leaving, he asked me, with a smile, “What NPR programs do you like to listen to?”
Then it dawned on me that he wasn’t working during the interview- he was reading all about me through my online accounts and my blogs! I quickly went home and sure enough, when I searched my LinkedIn account I saw that I had listed NPR among my interests. My LinkedIn account also has links to my Wordpress, Twitter and Posterous accounts. So, further checking of my Wordpress blog statistics revealed LinkedIn as a referrer to my blog. My interviewer had clicked on several of my stories, my “About Me” section, my pictures- just about everything.
I had to laugh, because after just starting my online brand, it really came in handy! I got the job by the way, and I have learned not only to clean up my resume and make sure it looks perfect before my next interview, but to make sure all of my online accounts are perfect as well!
Personal branding DOES work! Amy had been doing this less than six months when it paid off for her. It might take you less or more time, but with commitment and patience you too can begin to accumulate personal branding success stories of your own.
Be encouraged!
I went in for a panel interview for a spring internship at (big company). I was brought into a large conference room and sat down in the middle of a long table. There were four people there and one person on a conference call from (big company) Las Vegas. At first the questions mostly came from the Senior recruiter across from me, but I couldn’t help but notice that the guy on the end of the conference table had his laptop open and was clicking away, not seeming to pay any attention to my responses. I thought he was getting work done, and really thought he was being rude.
Then when the interview came around to him I was even further puzzled because his questions were really specific, and he seemed to know a lot about my background that I didn’t have on my resume. At the end of the interview as we were leaving, he asked me, with a smile, “What NPR programs do you like to listen to?”
Then it dawned on me that he wasn’t working during the interview- he was reading all about me through my online accounts and my blogs! I quickly went home and sure enough, when I searched my LinkedIn account I saw that I had listed NPR among my interests. My LinkedIn account also has links to my Wordpress, Twitter and Posterous accounts. So, further checking of my Wordpress blog statistics revealed LinkedIn as a referrer to my blog. My interviewer had clicked on several of my stories, my “About Me” section, my pictures- just about everything.
I had to laugh, because after just starting my online brand, it really came in handy! I got the job by the way, and I have learned not only to clean up my resume and make sure it looks perfect before my next interview, but to make sure all of my online accounts are perfect as well!
Personal branding DOES work! Amy had been doing this less than six months when it paid off for her. It might take you less or more time, but with commitment and patience you too can begin to accumulate personal branding success stories of your own.
Be encouraged!
Personal Branding on FACEBOOK
Facebook: Personal Branding Friend or Foe?
Much has been written about the “dangers” of Facebook for job seekers. I often feel like a broken record, reminding students to use privacy settings and be careful what they post. It is an important warning, as employers are increasingly using search engines and social networking sites to screen candidates, as Cassie Holman pointed out in her recent post.
Yet, Facebook doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom for your branding efforts. There are ways to use Facebook effectively. Let’s look at how Facebook can help instead of hurt.
1. Alumni connections
Have friends that graduated a year or two before you? As they enter the work world, they become a link from you and your career goals to the real world. Facebook is an easy way to stay in touch with people. Do not overlook your classmates – they are your future professional network.
Instead of simply leaving a wall post that says “what’s up?”, ask questions about their job search, new position or advice they have for you. Talk to them about your goals. Many recent alumni from the school where I work come back to campus to assist their employers with on-campus recruiting. It will be easier to approach an employer during on-campus events when you are greeted by a familiar face.
2. Employer and industry fan pages and groups
More and more employers are using Facebook to connect with college students. I know some students have mixed feelings about this – I still hear the “this is OUR space, not theirs” argument – but that ship has sailed. Facebook is for everyone, including your future boss and your grandmother.
Conducting industry and employer research is really important when trying to figure out which careers might be the best fit or when preparing for an interview. Employers who hire college graduates for entry-level positions are using Facebook in their efforts to reach candidates through students’ preferred mediums. Now you can learn more about a particular company, see who works there and ask questions while still playing Mafia Wars.
If industry info is what you are after, rather than a particular company, seek out groups centered around specific industries and post a question to the group or send a message to a group member to learn more (keep in mind that when you send a message to someone who is not a “friend”, they can see your profile page).
Facebook, with an estimated 350 million users, has a lot of people using the site – and many of those people work somewhere. Use Facebook to connect with professionals that can help you. In an experiment by One Day, One Job, job seekers developed Facebook ads targeted at specific employers and the people who work there to garner connections and helpful information.
3. Building a positive web presence
When searching your name online, Facebook, for many of us, usually appears pretty high in the results. Use this to your advantage by making sure your profile page is consistent with your brand. With Facebook’s privacy settings, you can make available to the general public some parts of your profile while keeping other more personal parts secure.
Consider making work and education information, extracurricular activities, some of your contact information (especially blog or LinkedIn profile websites) and/or the “About Me” section (with a nicely worded personal branding statement) available to the public. (This is a personal decision – for some, it might not safe to make public a place of employment or where you go to school.)
Go to “Account” then “Privacy Settings” to make adjustments. “Profile Information” is where you can decide which parts of your profile are viewable to the general public and “Contact Information” allows you to control which methods of contact you want people to be able to access (for example, maybe you want your website to be visible but not your cell number).
Be sure to also visit the “Search” section to adjust how your profile displays during searches and “Block List” if you there are personal safety measures you want to put into place.
Using Facebook to display positive, accurate information about your brand can be especially helpful for those with little web presence.
Connecting with alumni, employers and industry professionals and using Facebook to add to your online brand consistency are just a few ways to use Facebook for good. Has anyone used Facebook in other ways to build or add to their personal brand?
Author:
Kelly is a career advisor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she assists undergraduate business students with all aspects of their career development. Kelly received her master’s degree in Higher Education/Student Personnel Administration from New York University, and her bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison, where she majored in Political Science and Women’s Studies. Connect with Kelly on Twitter, LinkedIn or BrazenCareerist.
Much has been written about the “dangers” of Facebook for job seekers. I often feel like a broken record, reminding students to use privacy settings and be careful what they post. It is an important warning, as employers are increasingly using search engines and social networking sites to screen candidates, as Cassie Holman pointed out in her recent post.
Yet, Facebook doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom for your branding efforts. There are ways to use Facebook effectively. Let’s look at how Facebook can help instead of hurt.
1. Alumni connections
Have friends that graduated a year or two before you? As they enter the work world, they become a link from you and your career goals to the real world. Facebook is an easy way to stay in touch with people. Do not overlook your classmates – they are your future professional network.
Instead of simply leaving a wall post that says “what’s up?”, ask questions about their job search, new position or advice they have for you. Talk to them about your goals. Many recent alumni from the school where I work come back to campus to assist their employers with on-campus recruiting. It will be easier to approach an employer during on-campus events when you are greeted by a familiar face.
2. Employer and industry fan pages and groups
More and more employers are using Facebook to connect with college students. I know some students have mixed feelings about this – I still hear the “this is OUR space, not theirs” argument – but that ship has sailed. Facebook is for everyone, including your future boss and your grandmother.
Conducting industry and employer research is really important when trying to figure out which careers might be the best fit or when preparing for an interview. Employers who hire college graduates for entry-level positions are using Facebook in their efforts to reach candidates through students’ preferred mediums. Now you can learn more about a particular company, see who works there and ask questions while still playing Mafia Wars.
If industry info is what you are after, rather than a particular company, seek out groups centered around specific industries and post a question to the group or send a message to a group member to learn more (keep in mind that when you send a message to someone who is not a “friend”, they can see your profile page).
Facebook, with an estimated 350 million users, has a lot of people using the site – and many of those people work somewhere. Use Facebook to connect with professionals that can help you. In an experiment by One Day, One Job, job seekers developed Facebook ads targeted at specific employers and the people who work there to garner connections and helpful information.
3. Building a positive web presence
When searching your name online, Facebook, for many of us, usually appears pretty high in the results. Use this to your advantage by making sure your profile page is consistent with your brand. With Facebook’s privacy settings, you can make available to the general public some parts of your profile while keeping other more personal parts secure.
Consider making work and education information, extracurricular activities, some of your contact information (especially blog or LinkedIn profile websites) and/or the “About Me” section (with a nicely worded personal branding statement) available to the public. (This is a personal decision – for some, it might not safe to make public a place of employment or where you go to school.)
Go to “Account” then “Privacy Settings” to make adjustments. “Profile Information” is where you can decide which parts of your profile are viewable to the general public and “Contact Information” allows you to control which methods of contact you want people to be able to access (for example, maybe you want your website to be visible but not your cell number).
Be sure to also visit the “Search” section to adjust how your profile displays during searches and “Block List” if you there are personal safety measures you want to put into place.
Using Facebook to display positive, accurate information about your brand can be especially helpful for those with little web presence.
Connecting with alumni, employers and industry professionals and using Facebook to add to your online brand consistency are just a few ways to use Facebook for good. Has anyone used Facebook in other ways to build or add to their personal brand?
Author:
Kelly is a career advisor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she assists undergraduate business students with all aspects of their career development. Kelly received her master’s degree in Higher Education/Student Personnel Administration from New York University, and her bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison, where she majored in Political Science and Women’s Studies. Connect with Kelly on Twitter, LinkedIn or BrazenCareerist.
Student Branding
Student Branding Interview: Washington Post Education Reporter Jenna Johnson
By: Cassie Holman
The Washington Post recently launched a new blog for college students called College Overload, that offers advice, news and commentary on issues important to students. I interviewed Jenna Johnson, education reporter for the Washington Post and the voice behind the blog.
How did College Overload come to be?
We realized we weren’t really writing much about what students care about or are passionate about. Last summer we shuffled around a lot of reporters and editors and one of the new beats they wanted to add was student life and culture.
So, we launched the blog two months ago. College Overload gives advice for the career-minded, high achieving college student. However, we also want them to realize that college can be the most fun four or five years of your life. This blog is about the culture that surrounds a college student.
We cover a lot of quirky, interesting news, educational studies, tips on getting internships, studying abroad, how to get a job after college…a whole range of topics important to college students.
Do you have a national audience?
Yes, it’s intended to be, but right now it’s very heavily D.C. schools because of location.
How often do you blog?
Two or three times a week. I also accept guest submissions. People don’t want to just hear my voice; they want to hear the voices of college students.
Did you blog in college?
I was a prolific Facebook status writer, but I don’t think that counts. (laughs) A few years ago, blogging was just kind of getting going among college students. I took myself maybe a little too seriously, and didn’t want something out there that would follow me into the future. In retrospect, I really wish I had.
So you suggest that college students start a blog?
Absolutely. Most college journalists I see have a Website or a blog as part of their resume, which is very sophisticated and a great way to get your name and information out there. But I think anyone could benefit from a blog, not just a journalism major.
My advice is to make sure you have a central idea to it, be humble and continue to learn and grow from other writers.
Do you use other forms of social media? Should students?
Social media is one of the best tools students can use. There are fewer jobs, it is a tough market, tuition is going up—technology and social media allow for more networking options for students. Be creative, put yourselves out there, and embrace it.
I have a Twitter account @wpjenna. It’s a good way for me to send out my stories, and other interesting, funny or relevant information. I also have a Facebook profile and a fan page for the blog.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog or become a better writer?
The best thing you can do is just read and write a lot. The more you write, the wittier and sharper you get.
Before I even started the blog, I had a month or two to think about it. I read other blogs, such as The Paper Trail on U.S. News, The Choice on New York Times and a lot of college newspapers who have cool, innovative blogs. I also get up every morning and Google the words college and university to spur ideas.
Are there any quirky writing rituals you have?
Ha ha. Not especially. I usually write my first blog post or two in bed with my pajamas and a cup of coffee. The more comfortable I am when writing, the more comfortable my blog writing sounds. You want the tone to be fun, light-hearted, conversational.
By: Cassie Holman
The Washington Post recently launched a new blog for college students called College Overload, that offers advice, news and commentary on issues important to students. I interviewed Jenna Johnson, education reporter for the Washington Post and the voice behind the blog.
How did College Overload come to be?
We realized we weren’t really writing much about what students care about or are passionate about. Last summer we shuffled around a lot of reporters and editors and one of the new beats they wanted to add was student life and culture.
So, we launched the blog two months ago. College Overload gives advice for the career-minded, high achieving college student. However, we also want them to realize that college can be the most fun four or five years of your life. This blog is about the culture that surrounds a college student.
We cover a lot of quirky, interesting news, educational studies, tips on getting internships, studying abroad, how to get a job after college…a whole range of topics important to college students.
Do you have a national audience?
Yes, it’s intended to be, but right now it’s very heavily D.C. schools because of location.
How often do you blog?
Two or three times a week. I also accept guest submissions. People don’t want to just hear my voice; they want to hear the voices of college students.
Did you blog in college?
I was a prolific Facebook status writer, but I don’t think that counts. (laughs) A few years ago, blogging was just kind of getting going among college students. I took myself maybe a little too seriously, and didn’t want something out there that would follow me into the future. In retrospect, I really wish I had.
So you suggest that college students start a blog?
Absolutely. Most college journalists I see have a Website or a blog as part of their resume, which is very sophisticated and a great way to get your name and information out there. But I think anyone could benefit from a blog, not just a journalism major.
My advice is to make sure you have a central idea to it, be humble and continue to learn and grow from other writers.
Do you use other forms of social media? Should students?
Social media is one of the best tools students can use. There are fewer jobs, it is a tough market, tuition is going up—technology and social media allow for more networking options for students. Be creative, put yourselves out there, and embrace it.
I have a Twitter account @wpjenna. It’s a good way for me to send out my stories, and other interesting, funny or relevant information. I also have a Facebook profile and a fan page for the blog.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog or become a better writer?
The best thing you can do is just read and write a lot. The more you write, the wittier and sharper you get.
Before I even started the blog, I had a month or two to think about it. I read other blogs, such as The Paper Trail on U.S. News, The Choice on New York Times and a lot of college newspapers who have cool, innovative blogs. I also get up every morning and Google the words college and university to spur ideas.
Are there any quirky writing rituals you have?
Ha ha. Not especially. I usually write my first blog post or two in bed with my pajamas and a cup of coffee. The more comfortable I am when writing, the more comfortable my blog writing sounds. You want the tone to be fun, light-hearted, conversational.
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