It's tough to have a generic name these days. As a John Thompson or Mary Lee, you’re competing against a universe of peers for 'findability' in the digital world. I got lucky, I just have one doppelgänger named Tami Cannizzaro, so it’s pretty easy to find me on Google, LinkedIn, or Twitter. But does it really matter? Do you need to spend time on making sure you are on page one of search results rather than getting some actual work done?
Here's my thinking. As a marketer, it's important to show you understand personal branding. These days, the “digital you” is more important than ever. Here are a few easy steps to make yourself stand out and become a stand-out member of the digital community.
- Influencer Status: Take some time to think about your Twitter persona. Who are you and what are you bringing to the table? Make your profile interesting—potential followers will read it before deciding to follow you back. Done well, your Twitter profile and contribution to #Marketing, #CMO, and #Brand conversation streams will help you to be seen as a thought leader.
- The Visual You: Do yourself a favor and get a good profile photo to share across your social properties. If you think you have a “face for radio,” don’t let that stop you from adding a great visual representation. Try experimenting with different types of media —video, webcasts, interviews, or podcasts—to expand your digital footprint.
- Tribe Up: Start to engage and build your community. Followers are a great way to start — but make sure you take it to the next level and reach out to engage people on a more personal level. On line engagement platforms, like Triberr, are a great way to support fellow bloggers and build your on-line network.
Keep in mind that prior to a meeting or interview, more than 40 percent of people will search for you on Google, review your LinkedIn profile or look you up on Facebook. So whether you’re job-seeeking, working to stay relevant, or trying to meet new colleagues, a fresh digital profile is a must. Take pride in the digital you.
So very important Tami. Do it, do it now, and continue to evlove what you do and how you present yourself digitally. Be sure to provide contatc info, and let people know who you are. Be authentic… remember Real trumps Perfect everytime.
Thank you Ted! You are the master at living this by example and taking ‘The Digital You’ to the next level!
"Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind do not matter, and those who matter do not mind." ~Dr. Seuss
Great post, Tami!
Thank you to my name doppleganger & supporter!
Building your brand on LinkedIn and Twitter is important for all generations. I'm amazed at home many of the over 40 crowd seem to ignore it.
Great post, Tami! Love "Tribe Up." This really is a tribal revolution at heart. Looking forward to the chance to meet soon in NYC.
Thanks Mike!
Excellent post, Tami. In today's "URL first, IRL later" world, this is spot on!
"As a marketer, you need to understand personal branding." Well said. And too true. I attended Dorie Clark's webinar: "Reinventing You". (Video Replay) Main points:
– You are unique. There's just one 'you' in the world. Invest in "Brand YOU"
– The most successful people work hard (strategically) on building their own brand
– With social media, everyone is potentially a global brand – with worldwide reach
– Quote from Reid Hoffman's book: The Start-Up of YOU – "You are your own CMO"
– Your online footprint is your resume. Brand yourself.
These days, the first thing anyone (incl. recruiters) interested in you will do is… Google you up, down – and sideways! In that light, "the digital You is more important than ever."
Can't agree more with Ted Rubin, Master of #RonR – Keep it Real. (Real trumps Perfect everytime.) Just Be Nice. (It's nice to be important, but important to be nice.)
ps: I see your doppelganger has commented too. T'is a small (and slightly freaky) world we live in 🙂 Jokes aside… thanks Tami for all the value via your blog and Twitter.
Great points Amar. Thanks for sharing! I like te thought that with Social media, everyone is potentially a global brand with worldwide reach. Powerful indeed.
Like you, chapette, I am rather blessed with an unusual surname. For those less fortunate, do you recommend establishing a memorable moniker to trade under? For example, I have a chum who is making big waves under the name 'Digital Blonde' (Karen Fewell is her birth name – @digitalblonde on Twitter – worth a follow I dare say).
Is this a way forward, or in your view does it risk appearing unprofessional?
Great point! There is always the route of a moniker like ‘Marketing Chap’ or “Pam the Marketing Nut’ You’ll likely still need to do some personal branding around the man behind the moniker!
Great suggestions here Tami. BTW: I just finished reading Seth Godin's book, Tribes. Highly recommend it if you have not already read it.
Thank you! I have not. I”ll definitely read.
First time caller, long time fan 🙂
Thnx for mentioning Triberr, and of course, valid points made.
When Dan Cristo and I first met he told me he will buy his kid's domain names as soon as they're born. I thought that was slightly overboard 3 years ago, but now I preach the same gospel.
I was lucky to grab my own name as my domain name. There are 2 or 3 other high profile namesakes on these here interwebs, so being findable quickly and easaly is a must indeed 🙂
I'm going to a book event on Thursday. You in?
Thanks Dino! Buying your name URL? Hadn’t even thought of that one. Quite clever advice. Bidding …..!!
[…] See on http://www.digitalageofmarketing.com […]
As for "The Visual You" — there are two kinds of people on LinkedIn — those who have professional studio portraits and those who don't.
Great tips Tami! I think that most people go into the internet with out much consideration of the kind of person that they want to be perceived as. Done right, the interenet can be a great branding tool.
Great stuff Tami! BTW I instantly recognized you from @Content2Conversion. Great job integrating your Visual You into your brand! 🙂
Funny story about buying URL names. I recently learned (like this morning) that Jeff bought jenhoffman.com for me when we got married (12 years ago – gulp)! He also bought our kids' URL's when they were born. The only one he couldn't get was his own thanks to Priceline Founder Jeff Hoffman. Hence MJHoffman.com was born!
When our oldest decided to go from Charlie to Charles, Jeff frantically sought out charleshoffman.com – For a mere $400 he was able to get it. It was a good parenting lesson for us. No matter how much planning we do, we can't anticipate the curve balls our children will throw along the way. Wouldn't have it any other way. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Tami!
Jen
Thanks Jen for your comment. And thanks for sharing your story on buying URLS for your kids. Love it!