Whether you like it or not, you already have a digital footprint that you can’t fully control. People are talking about you; dissecting you; and making decisions about you every day of the week.
You don’t even have to be online to have a digital footprint – people and businesses that don’t have an active web presence are being talked about. By their customers; their clients; their past and futures. So if all this talk is going on and you’re late to the party, isn’t it already too late?
Not necessarily.
But it is time to define your digital footprint so you can at least help guide what you’d like to be found. In this first part of a series, I’m going to look at how you can define a strong footprint. Upcoming posts will look at tools you can use, how to connect strongly, how to react and converse with negative footprints, and more.
Who Are You?
There are a ton of ways for you to define your digital footprint, but let’s face it – unless you know who you are and who you want to be known as, any kind of defining could turn out worthless. If you don’t have a strong signal of you, everything else is just guesswork. So how do you make a strong you?
- Be consistent. Wherever you are online, make sure you’re not confusing anyone. While the likes of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Squidoo and other popular networking sites appeal to a different audience, that doesn’t mean you have to be completely different on them. Adapt to the community; make the conversation fit the space; but keep a sense of you while doing it. Is it a business approach you take? A more personal one? A mix of the two? Find a voice and run with that.
- Claim your space. Think of a glass of scotch or bourbon. Pour it neat and it’s a strong colour. Add water, and it’s not just the taste that’s diluted – the colour is too. Think of your digital footprint as the scotch, and networks where you’re active as the water. If possible, try and grab the same username on each profile you’re active on. If this isn’t possible, it can be better going for a derivative as opposed to numbers – so, @danny_brown on Twitter as opposed to @dannybrown18275. This will keep your name strong and prevent it from being diluted.
- Be recognizable. As much as what you say and how you say it will help define your footprint, the way you look will help define how you’re viewed. It’s true – first impressions do count. Use an avatar that states who you are – personable and fun if a personal account, business-like but approachable if a professional account. A good choice is an informal head shot or a clear, smiling face. You could use a brand icon, but why not show the human face with a small brand banner across the bottom instead? Either way, being easily recognizable on first viewing is something to aim for.
- Start walking. If you want to create any kind of footprint, digital or otherwise, you need to do one simple thing – start walking. Online, that just means start talking. Talk to people; talk with people; join discussions; post a blog comment; write a blog post (there are a few options available if you don’t like the idea of a full on blog, which I’ll look at next time). No-one will know you’re around unless you walk up and say “Hi” – so walk on up and introduce yourself. Set yourself a clear direction and start that journey; just don’t be afraid to ask for directions along the way.
These are just the early steps that you can take toward defining and identifying your digital footprint – but they’re important ones nonetheless. Get the early steps right, and the rest of the path might become just that little bit easier to navigate.
In the next post, we’ll look at what tools are available to help you plant your footprint and maintain it, and the platforms that may be more beneficial to you than others.
In the meantime, what have I missed? What would you recommend when it comes to setting up your digital footprint?
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- 10 Ways To Increase Traffic To Your Blog (Brandon Hann)
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Some good points here. I've noticed many people who don't seem to get the first one, seeming almost different people on twitter, blogs, facebook, etc. They are different mediums and do require a slightly different approach, but it is important that people see a consistent voice. And the part about using the same username is also very important, as to what to use for a username, @ShellyKramer just did an interesting blog “Twitter Rule #2 Your Handle – It Matters” that touches on a different aspect of this. Great thoughts stated simply as usual, Danny!
That does seem to be where the most “inconsistencies” appear, Roger. I've seen folks act one way on Twitter then completely the opposite on Facebook. I can understand why the choice to do so may come up, but whatever you're doing is in the public anyway – even Facebook with its privacy protection. Who knows, you may turn folk away from you who're looking for someone authentic, but view you (right or wrong) as someone who changes face at every opportunity.
I'll have to check out Shelly's post, sounds interesting.
This information is especially relevant to job seekers. The less they water down their “scotch or bourbon”, the better it is for employers to understand what they have to offer.
I spend a lot of time helping clients intergrate social networking into their job search strategy – sites like LinkedIn, Visual CV, and Twitter are wonderful tools that facilitate networking. It is amazing to see how quickly clients uncover opportunities to connect with the companies they want to learn about, and be introduced to. Clients who are often timid about cold calling, are often unafraid to answer questions on LinkedIn, start conversations, send invitations and inevitably sit down for a job interview.
Look forward to your upcoming posts on this topic. Thanks Danny.
Thanks Maureen, and you hit on an important point there – the networks are now among the first places prospective employers look to check on you. If your CV doesn't stack up to who you say you are, they'll find out soon enough. That will be one of the areas I'll be looking at (and VisualCV has been a game changer in many respects, so will definitely be looking at that).
Great post Danny! I've been obsessed with the idea that our “digital footprint” (I've been calling it our digital tail) will be following us around for some time to come and that it is essential that you do your own walking! I still think there is something for making sure you use the spaces you are in. The only thing worse than not walking your path is leaving pairs of empty shoes lying around.
Now I can see more of where your future blogging lies, Michael. Your empty shoes analogy is spot on – I know I've had to tidy out my closet more than once.
Look forward to reading your new approach – interested in your digital tail and other views, fella.
Thanks buddy! Hope I can elevate my game to a readable level… I am always tempted to tie up my user name on all sites, but I have to believe that I am really going to use the site before I lace up
Thank You Danny for your post! I have found it just accidentally and this is what I just need. Last year I started a business, I registered on Facebook and…I don't think I have enough persistence to keep blogging about me and my business. I know I have high quality products and lucrative compensation plan but too little of self-confidence. Maybe I am affraid of that dissecting process:)? Then I have found your blog which is very encouraging and gives me a guiding light what should be done.
Thanks also to <mypromotion> for your reassuring, professional comment that cyberspace is a great tool to promote any business.Thank you both!
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I fully agree with your first point on “Consistency.” This is critical element which is undervalued.
Possibly, the reason that inconsistencies exist is because time has not been spent defining what are the values and niche that a person or company wishes to be their point of difference and which they wish to own.
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I'm always happy, Danny, that you consistently put that “u” in color to hammer home that Canadian brand.
Seriously, great reminder. At times I get sick of my avatar, but then I'd have to change it on 50 sites. So, it stays (until it no longer looks like me). And I haven't had as much time lately to comment, but I'm trying to find those few minutes again each day.
Another thing to add would be to monitor your footprint, and act accordinly. Make sure no one else is creating something in your name or misinterpreting what your put out there.
Really interesting post. It's definitely interesting for me to think about being a recent grad, because I adopted some of these different media at different times in my life: Facebook was the first I signed up for, the summer before entering my freshman year of college, Twitter and LinkedIn more recently, during my Junior and Senior years, when I was thinking a lot more about the image I wanted to project to the digital world. While I did clean up my Facebook profile once it became obvious how important checking it is to prospective employers a few years ago, I've been reluctant to do more major revisions to it–almost feels like I'd be deleting my former self from the web.
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Great piece. Would love to know what you think of this: http://whatsmyonlinefootprint.com.
Blogging is a funny beast – it can be one of the most rewarding aspects of finding your feet, yet it can also be one of the hardest to maintain. It's definitely not for everyone – but there are alternatives, and hopefully the next couple of posts in the series will offer you some of them and help you a little bit more.
Agree 100%, Mark. Social media, digital footprints, interactive marketing, online communities – they all need to be approached and thought about properly. While they're much more organic than some of their offline counterparts, that doesn't mean you don't need to spend just as much time planning them out first.
Monitoring is a hugely important part, and something I'll be looking at in-depth in upcoming posts.
And good to see you back in these parts, Jen – always a pleasure!
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Great post! It helps with Google as well especially if you are looking for a full time job like me.
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Enjoyed your article Danny and can't wait for the followups. I've been doing some training on how to create a powerful digital footprint and how important it is for the job seeker as well as for a business and professional. I use a 10 step process that includes determining who you are or at least who you want to be by defining your personal or company brand. Like you reflected, 2 very simple steps like a consistent username and using the same avatar across your profiles makes an astounding difference in building a powerful brand and digital footprint. A great exercise and an effective measurement I use is to have them Google their name and print out the first two pages before they start the process. In 45-60 days after implementing the strategy I have them Google it again and compare the results.
Thanks again Danny for sharing your wonderful content!
It can definitely be a fine line to walk – you don't want to appear robotic but how much of “you” do you show? I guess it all boils back down to what your comfort level is, and then gauge how you feel that would mix in a more professional setting. Although potential employers could be a little more lenient at first, and then offer policies/guidelines once you've started, and take it from there.
Great exercise there, Patsy. It's always far easier to make a point visually or hands-on than it is just via speaking or writing about. And today's job market, and the way folks are finding jobs, simply reinforces your approach.
Interesting site – bookmarked for further reference and stats, cheers for sharing, Jordan.
I knew if I was looking for info on social branding I would find great posts for you to help!
I do have a quick question…I am starting my own local marketing and advertising specialties company called Kahan Marketing Group expanding from just representing a line of sports apparel to local high schools and colleges, to all promotional items and I have a working relationship with a website and design company.
For branding on twitter would you recommend using my name .@BarryKahan as username, or @KahanMtgGroup ?
At this point it is just me as a sole proprietor.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Interesting video, I’ve written a couple of posts directly and indirectly related to this (no advertising)here and here. I describe some of the nanoscale developments that will impact these trends.
dave tribbett´s most recent blog post …Casting an Information Shadow