Do you need help with your online brand?
In the last few weeks and months I have had lots of calls from people wanting to know how they can get an online presence, (actually what some want to know is how people can find them online without understanding that it requires something from them).
They have recently come to realise that people can’t find them or their service/product via Google.
Others are online, but in a particular role and they want to be known in a different way or for a different skill. Or they want to be seen as leaders in their sector, but do not really have an online voice.
I understand that social media is not for everyone, but if you are a leader in your sector, it is one of the important ways that you can be recognised as such.
One client is a highly successful Dietician. She had never had a need to market her services because all of her clients came to her through word of mouth.
She was now finding that clients were still referring people to her, but that instead of jumping on the phone, they were jumping on the Internet. They would google her name and nothing. She didn’t exist.
Another client wants to raise funds for an exciting and creative business project. He is really excited about the project and so he should be. But, when he starts prospecting for investors, they are going to want to know something more about this person other than that he has a good idea. They will search for him online and find nothing.
A few that I have spoken to are wanting to stand out within their organisation, or have been told by their employer that they have a responsibility to build their personal brand.
Actually, social media can’t build you a personal brand. You need to do that, and it is a lifelong process – who you are, what you want to be known for, what your values are. How you lead, How your product is produced, how you give back within your world.
Social media can’t create that. It can lead people to you and if you do it well, their questions will be answered and they will gain an understanding of who you are and what is important to you and about you.
Social media is also the thing that can bring you undone if you are not consistent, if you make a big mistake which can be broadcast around the world, if you are not really the person you are trying to portray. We are getting savvier at identifying those who are not authentic.
Just like business does, you need to create and protect your brand. You need to live your brand, online and offline.
How can you assess your personal brand?
A few points to start off with:
- Do an online search on your name – do you come up on the first page? Page 26 or not at all?
- Do an image search on your name – Are there images there? Are they images that you would not want the world to see?
- Know your purpose – If you do not know clearly what you stand for and what you want to project, your messages will be confused. This might take some time to think about. This really is the essence of who you are
- Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Does it help people understand your values?
- Use a variety of media to give you a chance to express your personality. Do you have video, blogs, media?
- Have you gone too far? Offended, bored, boasted?
- Who are you connected with? Positive people in your sphere? Do you share others’ content?
- Are you authentic? Will people trust and believe in you?
- Are you credible? Do people trust and believe in you?
- Do you inspire?
- Are you up-to-date? Will people find current news and information on your site(s) or old, outdated information?
If you have done a check and think, I need some help with my online brand. Contact us today and we will work out a plan for you.
