Are we really who the internet says we are?
Surely not, after all, everyone has their own unique values. thoughts, opinions relationships, passions, personal traits, relationships, friendship circles and networks. How can the internet capture all this? Reflecting on how social media works and some of the stuff you see posted online, perhaps the internet does show who we really are!
In the eyes of your community and potential customers, the internet presents your personal brand to those who discover you. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, blogs, review sites, local directories to name a few are all contributing to your digital reputation.
If what people stumble upon doesn’t credibly represent who you are, the value you add, what you’re capable of and passionate about, it’s time to take control.
To beef up your online presence try these strategies to strengthen your online personal brand:
1. Create and share valuable content with your community.
You’re an expert at what you do and have lots of information that’s valuable content to those considering your services. Share some of this knowledge with your community in targeted, specific posts relevant to issues of the moment. Providing real value for your community encourages engagement with you.
2. Demonstrate how you are different to your competitors.
Not all oranges are the same. Close inspection reveals different shapes, sizes, colour, skin, juiciness and flavour. Stand out by sharing what makes you different from your competitors. Show the value you add, your experience, the results you’ve achieved, your unique personality.
3. Let people see who you are and what you do.
Before contacting you, potential customers will have done their homework googling you to find out all about who you are, what you’ve done and what you believe in. It’s tempting to use stock photos but stock images scream stock and are easily dismissed. Your competitors may be using thre same image! Use authentic images to show the real you, actions shots to take people behind the scenes and what you’re working on. This will humanise interactions as your community will know who they are connecting with.
Having your own personal library of professional commercial images is a valuable asset to access when implementing strategies to strengthen your online personal brand. Story telling images inspire content creation. Simply add relevant words and you have a post. They also share what you do and depict what makes you different to your competitors.
If you would like to discuss how to capture story telling images to enhance your own personal brand, then call 0412 394 414 to book a free Artistic Strategy Session with me.
by John Reyment