Developing Your Online Profile
Updated, and revised from an article on Digital Journal, posted November 11, 2008
Have you Googled yourself lately or perhaps checked 123People and other search engines for your name? Did you like what you saw there? Most of us are surprised the first time we do that. If what comes up in the SERP’s (Search Engine Results Pages) is important to you or to your prospective clients and employers, you might want to re-think what you’re doing online, and start taking steps to pro-actively develop your online profile.
First, you’ll want to do is think about the name you’re using online. If you’re a political junkie, or if you’re really into the dating discussion forums, for example, consider using a pseudonym for any controversial activity. You don’t necessarily want your prospective employer seeing the pictures of you on your senior trip that you have on your MySpace page, do you? And what are the chances that all of your potential clients are going to agree with and appreciate your political views? Using a pseudonym judiciously can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Next, you want to be sure that any “positive” information about you is the first thing that shows up when someone searches for your name online. This can be done by setting up accounts on respected social networking sites such as Linked-IN and Facebook. You might also want to consider “reserving” your name on other social networking sites, so that others are not able to (either maliciously, or simply because they share your name) set up accounts on those sites that will not reflect positively on you in the SERP’s.
When you’re signing up for these social networking accounts, you’ll have an opportunity to select an “avatar,” which is usually a thumbnail-sized image of you. Again, choose this wisely, and be consistent. You have a choice whether to use an actual photograph of yourself, or some other graphic that you like. Whatever you choose, be sure it reflects positively on you in light of the message you’re trying to project about yourself online. If you use something humorous, be sure it’s humor that most people understand – not, for example, some weird inside joke among your college friends.
As you go about your online activities, be sure to remember that, just as in real life, your online reputation will follow you for a very long time. Handle it with care.
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