Your Online Presence Matters

August 31, 2017

Have you updated your LinkedIn profile lately? Your online presence is a significant part of your brand. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but until recently, I probably had not even looked at mine in umpteen years.

So what made me decide to go in and revamp, repackage and reinforce the key things that matter?

I finally realized how many people visit my LinkedIn page to get information about my company and me. 

The reality is, your LinkedIn profile is the first thing individuals and businesses look for when they want to find out something about you. When they can’t locate you, it raises a red flag. For no other reason, it’s important to review and update your LinkedIn profile on a regular basis so that you can control what people see. 

Recently, I wrote a blog post for one of my clients.  Once it was completed and approved, I asked the client to share it on her LinkedIn profile to get a broader distribution.  She told me she didn’t have one. It still amazes me that many professionals don’t have a LinkedIn profile. They think it’s a pain to manage, or they don’t understand the importance of their online presence. Here’s what I recommend to those who want to get control of your online presence. 

1. Google yourself. You need to see what people see when they search for you on social networks  

1. Define your goals.  Do you want to increase credibility, attract new job opportunities, attract new clients, connect with others who share your passion or expand your network?  

1. Mold your online presence.  What is your value proposition?  What are your areas of expertise? 

1. Revise and update your profile to align with your goals. Updating your profile descriptor is very important as it is what shows up in the Google search 

1. Be active by posting and sharing information. Tell friends in your network about jobs that might interest them; share insightful articles; become a connector by introducing people in your network to each other 

1. Be careful about the information you post as everything online is permanent. Don’t post photos of yourself that you might regret later. Also, never complain about an employer or person online.  Also, be careful about accepting invitations from those you don’t know as they may be after your connections. 

Having an online presence is another way of networking, as well as strengthening your personal brand.  Managing your online presence allows you to control what companies and individuals learn about you. When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile?

“A strong brand can bring high returns, while a poor online presence can hurt your chances of reaching your goals” -Maya Demishkevich, BrandEDU.com founder