Once you understand the power of your words you won’t just say anything. Once you understand the power of your thoughts you won’t just think anything. Once you understand the power of your presence you won’t just be anywhere.
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This final part of the lesson is all about bringing together the safe and open mindset you have developed to be an effective online user, then convert this into having an effective online presence.
Building a Positive Professional Online Presence Using a Range of Technologies
Your online presence is the first impression many employers, collaborators, or even universities may have of you. Building a professional online presence isn’t just about creating a LinkedIn profile (although that is important) — it involves curating all of your online interactions to reflect the best version of yourself, using a variety of tools.
Why Your Online Presence Matters:
Colleges, Universities and employers often research candidates online. They don’t just look at your resume; they might review your social media, blog posts, or any other public content you’ve shared.
- Choosing the Right Platforms:
- LinkedIn: A must for professional networking, job hunting, and showcasing your resume, achievements, and recommendations.
- Personal Website/Portfolio: Ideal for showcasing your projects, art, writing, or coding samples. Tools like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace make it easy to create professional-looking websites.
- GitHub/Dribbble/Behance: These platforms are perfect for tech, design, or creative fields to showcase work.
- Social Media (X, Instagram, TikTok): You can build a professional image here, too, by sharing industry-related content, insights, and engaging with professionals in your field.
- Professional Communication Tools:
- Email Signature: Even simple things like a professional email signature can make a difference. Include your name, contact info, and a link to your website or portfolio.
- Video Conferencing: Tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams are increasingly important. Practice good online etiquette, dress appropriately, and ensure a professional background during meetings.
- Practical Tips:
- Showcase Achievements: Highlight your academic achievements, projects, internships, or volunteer work across platforms, especially on LinkedIn and a personal website.
- Engage and Network: Follow professionals and organisations in your field, comment on posts, and share relevant articles to show that you’re engaged in the industry.
- Keep your profile up to date: Before you submit a job application somewhere specific, make sure your LinkedIn is up to date with relevant skills, and ensure your social media profiles are clean and professional. If you have a portfolio, include a link in your CV and email signature.
Task Four – Clean Up Your Social Media
Go through your online accounts and remove or hide any unprofessional content, and focus on building an online image that aligns with your future goals.
Maintaining and Showcasing a Personal Brand that Promotes Your Passions and Skills
Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world. It’s the story you tell about your skills, values, and passions. By carefully managing your personal brand, you can show people what makes you unique and valuable — both personally and professionally.
Key Concepts:
- What is Personal Branding?
- Personal branding is about curating an image that reflects your values, skills, and passions. It’s how you want others to perceive you, whether you’re building a career in tech, art, marketing, or any other field.
- Defining Your Brand:
- Identify Your Strengths: What are you good at? What makes you stand out? Is it your creative skills, leadership, problem-solving, or passion for sustainability? Highlight those skills.
- Know Your Audience: Who are you trying to reach? Employers? Collaborators? Clients? Tailor your content to resonate with them.
- Create a Consistent Message: Whether it’s on LinkedIn, your website, or social media, your message should align. Are you a tech enthusiast, an environmental advocate, or a creative thinker? Be consistent across all platforms.
- Showcasing Your Brand:
- Content Creation: Share content that reflects your interests and expertise. This can include blog posts, videos, artwork, or projects.
- Storytelling: Use platforms like LinkedIn to share personal stories or reflections on your journey. This adds a human touch to your brand and helps people connect with you.
- Visual Identity: For creatives or entrepreneurs, having a visual identity (consistent colors, fonts, logos) can help make your brand more recognizable. Even non-creatives can benefit from having a professional profile photo and clear, crisp design on their personal websites.
Practical Tips:
- Update Regularly: Keep your personal website, LinkedIn, and portfolios up to date with your latest achievements, projects, or blog posts.
- Highlight Your Passion Projects: These show your personal drive and commitment, even if they aren’t directly related to your job. They help paint a fuller picture of who you are.
- Engage with Others: Share others’ content that aligns with your brand and collaborate with peers to grow your network.
Check out our founders LinkedIn page by clicking on the image below, and decide for yourself what story this is telling? Does it line up?
What could he improve? Let him know here.
Turning a Positive Personal Brand into Offline Opportunities
Overview: Building a strong online personal brand is great, but the real power comes when you can turn that brand into tangible offline opportunities — whether that’s internships, jobs, collaborations, or speaking opportunities. Here’s how to leverage your personal brand for real-world success.
Key Concepts:
- The Link Between Online and Offline:
Employers and collaborators often look at your online presence to decide if they want to work with you. If your online brand is strong, it can open doors to interviews, projects, or networking events. - Creating Opportunities from Your Brand:
- Networking: Use your online presence to connect with people in your field. Engage with their content, ask questions, and follow up with direct messages or emails. Networking is one of the most effective ways to turn an online brand into offline opportunities.
- Building Credibility: When people see your consistent, high-quality content and interactions online, they begin to trust your expertise. This can lead to referrals or invitations to collaborate on projects.
- Freelancing and Side Projects: Once your online brand is established, you might find clients reaching out for freelance work. Even if you’re not looking for a full-time job, your brand can generate side income and build your portfolio.
- Making the Most of Offline Opportunities:
- Preparation is Key: Once you’ve secured an opportunity (whether it’s an internship, freelance gig, or networking event), make sure you’re prepared. Do your research, know the industry trends, and show up ready to contribute.
- Follow Up and Stay Connected: After an event, internship, or meeting, follow up online. This helps keep you on people’s radar and strengthens your professional relationships.
Practical Tips:
- Attend Industry Events: Whether virtual or in-person, industry events, webinars, or conferences are great ways to meet people and showcase your knowledge. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and mention your online presence.
- Promote Your Offline Work Online: If you’ve given a talk, completed an internship, or led a project, share it online. This further strengthens your brand and shows that you’re taking action on your passions.
- Be Consistent: Continue building your brand, even after you’ve secured opportunities. Success is built on long-term effort, so keep updating your portfolio, interacting with others, and sharing your journey.
GIST
- Do a profile audit: evaluate your social media profiles, identifying areas where they can improve to reflect a more professional and positive brand. Check over recent posts for anything controversial.
- Subscribe to author of Atomic Habits James Clear’s newsletter. Bite-sized, hard hitting information and motivation.
- Practice introducing yourself in a networking scenario, either virtually or in-person, and explain how your personal brand aligns with your career goals.
Want to learn more?
- Be motivated to protect yourself by recapping some stories on data breaches from the BBC.
- View the free content from Edventurous Leadership to learn more purposefully online.
- Read Greg McKeown’s book ‘Essentialism -The disciplined pursuit of less‘.