Your Online Brand

and why your should care

Aimee Maree Forsstrom@aimee_maree

Solutions Architect Social Media Addict

Proud Geek Girl

First Some Facts

64% of HR managers think it is appropriate to look at online profiles

of candidates*

41% of HR managers claim to have rejected people as a result of their

online profile*

58% of people don’t even Google themselves, but employers and

potential customers do*

You have an online brand whether you like it or not

The results that occur when someone Googles you is a reflection on your brand

2010 report by Microsoft on American Management*

Its a new worldSo own your own namespace

Purchase your own domain

Create a LinkedIn account

Unleash a twitter account

Start a Google Plus account

Make an about.me page

Locate Social Networks specific for your needs and target audienceex. Behance.net for designers

Try out new social networks and mark out your namespace

Try not to spread yourself thin know your target audience

What are your Goals?

Know your target audience

Know and promote your strengths

Be realistic about the time you can allocate to your online brand

Avoid joining social networks just because they exist make sure it is

aimed at your target audience

Write a strategy plan if needed

Make 90% of your communication about others, or how to help others,

and save a maximum of 10% (90/10 rule Jack Humphrey)

Put yourself Online

Create your own portfolio

List work you have done, if done with a company or team give them credit

If your a student, list your projects

Write a blog and write guest blog posts

Post articles about the tech your into and the type of work you perform

Promote your own blog, tweet about your posts and mention in forums

Create a wiki or edit a wiki

Contribute on forums or irc

Report on bugs and create how-to's

Google Yourself

Do not be afraid to Google yourself

Potential Employers will Google you

Helps you to see your online brand presence as the world will see it

You can set up Google Alerts to receive email when there are new posts that

mention your name or handle

Use TwitterweetScan tweetscan.com

Use Pipl pipl.com/

Check handle and name availabilitynamechk.com

Do things in the physical world to grow and promote

your online brand

Go to Conferences

Speak at barcamp's or un-conference's

Join a user group and put your hand up to give a presentation (meetup.com)

Apply as a speaker at conferences, you may not get accepted but its like a job

interview practice makes perfect

Upload your presentations and videos to Slideshare / Vimeo / You Tube

Network, Network, Network

Some skeletons may not stay in the closet

The Internet is archived

Comments and Posts stay around

Think twice before posting

Remember that you cant control what others will say or think but you can control

how you act and react

The more people google you the more links google will make between older posts and

content, overtime your index will grow

Protect your online identity, keep up to date with social network privacy changes

Online branding is not about playing a role

So be yourself

People will recognise quickly if you’re being

someone that you’re not

Truth Speaks Volumes so lies are not needed

Organic Growth is best, it wont happen overnight

but it will happen

Questions, anyone?

Aimee Maree Forsstrom@aimee_maree