Branding Yourself Online

Drexel UniversityJuly 29, 2009

What does it mean to brand yourself?

• Know yourself--what you're good at, what you want to be when you grow up, what your values are

• Make yourself visible in a positive wayo Showcase your skills o Showcase your valueso Get the attention of potential employers

•  Use Multiple Channelso  Don't rely on just LinkedIn or Facebook, etc. o Take advantage of the many social applications out there

• Build relationshipso Social software is social! It's about the people.o Respond to questions, help people out.o When possible, meet in person.

Google yourself

 

Create a hub

 

Facebook

Positive uses • Easy way to keep up with current and former classmates• These classmates can be valuable connections• Find groups related to your field• Easy to use• Popular

Negative aspects • Overwhelming environment; unfocused• Slightly younger crowd, may not find the influential people in

your field• Has a negative reputation in the corporate world

Your Facebook Profile and Settings

Profile• Profile photo--semi-professionl: have some fun, but not too

much fun• Other photos--be aware of photos that others take and tag

you in; those should be positive as well• List work and school experience• List current contact info, websites, etc.• Be aware of what the info says about you; you may wish to

leave political or religious views outSettings •  Most things should be set to Friends Only•  Leave contact info, work and school info open as widely as

you're comfortable with

Linked In: The Grownups' Facebook

Positive• Very professional site• Good way to connect with people• Good way to have a resume online• Acceptable to get introduced to people, ask about jobs, etc.• Recommendation Feature• Answers feature

 Negative• Boring (compared to Facebook)•  Little coordination with other social tools--blogs, even

Facebook• No groups to speak of

Facebook vs. LinkedIn

 

Ways to Stand Out

Facebook• Start a group related to your field or to an interest• Start a cause• Host an event for a group/cause

Linked In• Answer questions• Start or join a group

Blog/Website

Your own blog/website • Show off knowledge• Show off writing skills• Link to profiles• Build a readership• Build a reputation/expertise

 So you don't want your own site• Find a few blogs in your field--leave comments• Alternatively, join email lists or forum sites• Always leave link to profile and/or email

Setting up your own site

Blogs• Free, hosted blogs

o Blogger (owned by Google)o Wordpress.como Vox.como LiveJournal

•  Paid optionso Typepad

 Web sites (which can include blogs)• Web space can cost as little as $4.95/mo.• In many cases, you need to know very little to set up• Can install blog software, wiki and forum software and more

Using RSS & Widgets    

• Facebook/LinkedIn Widgetso Link to profile or feed status updates

• Most social sites have RSS Feedso Look for the RSS symbol 

• Use built-in Widgetso Blogger has many options

Other Ways to Promote Yourself

• Twitter• Photos• Videos• Presentations• Bookmark• Social Networks for specific fields(outside of

Facebook/LinkedIn)

Microblogging, aka Twitter

• Similar to Facebook status updates, but stand-alone site/app

• Use to post links, ask questions, etc.• Updates are searchable via the web• Connect with job postings• Connect with prominent people in field• Find apps and more at http://twitter.pbworks.com/

Other Places to Promote Yourself

• Photoso Flickr, Photobucket, SmugMugo Also via Facebook

• Videoso YouTube, Vimeo, Blip.tvo Via Facebook

•  Presentationso Slideshare.net, Slideboom

• Bookmarks o Delicious, Digg, Diigo

• Social Networkso Ning

Places with more advice   

• Brand Yourself--great place for both new graduates and seasoned job seekerso http://brand-yourself.como blog: http://blog.brand-yourself.com 

• Personal Branding Blog: Written by Dan Schwaebel, author of Me 2.0o http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/

• Garr Reynolds on Branding Yourselfo http://www.garrreynolds.com/Branding/brandyou.html

• http://www.skelliewag.org/how-to-start-or-start-over-building-your-personal-brand-877.htm