Personal Visibility – The Power of You! | A First Impression Guide & Visibility Resource

Are You a Well Kept Secret?

You’re a real talent with significant skills. You’re a good decision maker, ethical and of high character. You’re the teammate everyone wants; with a work ethic second-to-none. You’re creative, insightful, articulate and pretty darn good with the written word. Maybe you even have the “it” factor that bosses and boards look for. However, outside of your immediate circle, no one really knows much about you. Your parents taught you that humility was an important trait and you believed them, and rightfully so. You are, in fact, too humble to self-promote. As it turns out, you may be a well kept secret…

O.K., seriously, do you think those closest to you (much less your expanding network of colleagues) really know just how good you are? Do they know how much you care? How hard you work? Do they know why you shouldn’t be considered part of the vast sea-of-sameness that includes the run-of-the-mill crowd? You probably don’t want to waltz around proclaiming just “how good you are” at the top of your lungs, however, you can and should put certain tools to work on your behalf. Tools like LinkedIn, Brand Yourself, About Me and a myriad of others that promote your visibility and competency without you having to look like an arrogant self-promoter. Use these tools to tell your story around the clock and anytime someone decides they want to learn a bit more about you, you’ve got a valuable utility working on your behalf––even when you’re not paying attention. And these tools are capable of telling your story very well, particularly when they’re constructed properly. You never know when opportunity is going to come along and maximizing your visibility is both key and central to your discoverability. You deserve it, right?

This is 2014 and technology has moved so quickly (and not slowing down) that it’s left many in it’s wake and thinking that they would eventually get around to learning this or that. Are you one of them? At the sake of pointing out the obvious, if you give this technology train an inch it will take a quick foot and before you know it, you’ll be just like that “older” person you already know that just doesn’t get it. You know the one––poor thing. The point is, the tools and technology available to help you become more visible are worth the time and effort. Don’t get left behind.

Somebody’s probably looking for someone just like you! Since you occupy the big corner office at Y.O.U., there’s not a more qualified person when it comes to promoting your number one product. Be self-aware and remember a cardinal rule: Your image is shaped by what you share (and in some cases what you don’t!).

Engage, get visible and stop being such a secret!

Can You See Me Now?

The economy is recovering, digital utilities are improving and technology is dis-intermediating person-to-person intimacy, so you better have an online presence with a virtual representation of yourself or you’re carrying the equivalent of the old brick phone in a sleek iPhone world. Go ahead with that particular philosophy and see where it gets you. Visibility is key and central for your professional well-being and it’s easier than you might think! Why do it, you ask?

DISCOVERABILITY

There are so many connectivity platforms that you have no excuse. Whether it’s LinkedIn or a whole host of others you must rise above the sea-of-sameness and make yourself visible. Quit hiding in plain sight for God’s sake––intentional or otherwise. At least get your head above the fray by fine-tuning your personal profile (social resume), focusing on a couple of key words and phrases and getting a decent photograph of yourself… seriously! Don’t waste your professional visibility efforts on Facebook (a neighborhood cocktail party equivalent), engage with LinkedIn: it’s the quinessential networking and recruitment platform.

OPPORTUNITY

People are looking. Opportunities abound, particularly in this recovering economy. Between social media and crazy-good search engine functionality there are ubiquitous queries taking place and whether its employment, social or advisory, there are plenty of opportunities. Are you positioned for discoverability? Passive online recruiting for all of the above is running rampant and none of us would mind getting blind-sided with a significant career opportunity, social invite, advisory fee or start-up invite!

CREDIBILITY

In the absence of a robust online presence, people may wonder if you are incapable, uncaring or just hiding something? Maybe stuck in another decade. Right, wrong or indifferent, that’s how it gets interpreted. It doesn’t matter who you are or the quality of your background; you should have a significant online presence with a high quality virtual representation of yourself. People are looking and you have to actively broadcast your story if you want to reach beyond your immediate sphere-of-influence. With the appropriate key words, phrases and descriptors of your skill-set and talents, you stand a significant chance of making the so-called short list and getting face-to-face with a decision maker where you can do what you do best and that’s represent your number one product… YOU.

Digital media is an indispensable platform and used responsibly (read: intelligently) it can exponentially magnify your visibility. In other words, it’s your personal megaphone––so use it! It can be your agent and publicist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Put it to work for you on a full-time basis. A few hundred words can paint a perfect picture of who you are and be there on your behalf around-the-clock. Who couldn’t use that? Opportunity givers are combing the web––it’s just a more efficient way of discovery and they’re getting better and better at it.

Get off the proverbial couch and put yourself out there!

Somebody’s looking for someone just like you.

What A Bitch!

Let’s be honest, we’ve all made snap judgments about others and plenty have been made about us––that’s just the way it is. Maybe it was the shirt the person was wearing, the car they drove or just the sound of their voice. Maybe it was the way an email was worded or the tone in a voice mail. It could have been their walk, a weird hairdo or some quirky mannerism. Isn’t it funny how we can take one small thing and overlay a complete persona? We all do it. And the scary part: it often sticks and in some cases we become a broadcaster and proliferate an opinion based on our limited if not single interaction with a person. “She must be a bitch.” “I bet he’s a real asshole to work for!” “What a nerd.” All based on a snap judgment, formed in the instant, without deliberation. How many times have you thought one thing and then had an opportunity to really get to know someone only to learn just how wrong you were?

Getting to know someone adds context to who they really are. Person-to-person interaction often allows for a familiarity and nearness that reminds us of a lesson we were taught as children and yet most of us have a reasonably difficult time following: “Never judge a book by its cover“. In today’s digital environment, one that includes a new social media platform almost daily, person-to-person contact continues to give way to the efficiency of online interaction. That means your ability to add “context” to who you are is getting more difficult and that’s not going to change. As a matter of fact, it’s going to get more and more challenging and that’s why its so important that you take charge of your virtual persona, control the narrative about yourself and work diligently to add personal context for your burgeoning network of colleagues. You can influence that all important first impression, even if it is occurring online!

Count on this: If someone is scheduled to have a first meeting with you, they will likely check you out on LinkedIn, Google your name, peek at your Facebook page, glance at your Twitter posts and browse through your Instagram pictures––all in an effort to develop a little advance intel and advantage prior to the meeting. They might even enter your name into Spokeo for some additional color. In the process, they will form an opinion about you and if they’re wrong, you may have to work extra hard to recover from a bad first impression––that’s how it works!

Don’t be a victim!

Distinguish Yourself!

“A picture is worth a thousand words” refers to the notion that complex ideas can be conveyed with just a single still image. However, the notion doesn’t make reference to the conveyance being positive or negative, only complex. Complex because an image is able to convey what might otherwise require several pages of text. Having an effective around-the-clock virtual representation of yourself is critical in today’s online environment. Fortuitous, self serving and just plain smart––no matter your circumstances. Particularly if a person wants to reach beyond their intimate group of face-to-face interactions and leverage this powerful megaphone known as the internet. Here’s a fact: With the explosion of social media, people have an ever-increasing network of contacts. Intimacy is positively losing out to efficiency, both personally and professionally. Some people continue to struggle to balance their relationship with technology but we are all on an inexorable path with technology’s prowess––might as well put it to good use.

Its been said that words and pictures live in harmony. So, imagine a quality image combined with compelling words––all used as a powerful and effective representation of you; for you. Words and pictures that allow a reader to effectively negotiate their interpretations and judgment about who you are, particularly in the absence of opportunity for personal interactions. The internet allows you to reach well beyond your normal sphere-of-influence. It allows for around-the-clock, world-wide visibility. Put together properly, it allows you to separate yourself from the vast sea of online sameness in order to stand out and maximize your discoverability. The obvious goal being to create a positive influence on the reader and motivate them to want to know more.

With search engine functionality continuing to improve, you can and will be found, particularly if someone is searching specifics. However, its one thing to be found by a name search, its all together something different to be found by a skill search. And you definitely want to be identified in multiple searches. You want to show up on more than one list, particularly if someones looking for someone like you. Both offered and considered opportunities are key––its always nice to have choices and the more the better. Advantage you. Don’t give up on that! There are lots of opportunity-givers that might not yet realize you are the person they’re looking for––make it easy for them. Be the most dresssed-up digital version of yourself! Know this: it’s work-in-progress but you should make refinement a priority. It will be that important! Get ahead of it by recognizing the opportunity and making your online persona a priority. There’s no better use of technology than the promotion of your own well-being and livelihood.

It’s your story.

Make the words count.

Modesty May Be Overrated!

Are you one of those people that stand out in person but sort of blend into the vast sea of digital sameness that comprises the likes of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter? With the explosion of social media and connections being more plentiful, does anyone outside of your immediate sphere of influence really know that much about you? What type of impression does your profile leave with a first time viewer? Do you deserve a second look?

The internet has become the new first impression and for many, it could be a life changing encounter! The intimacy of person-to-person contact is losing out to the efficacy of online interaction and the ability to add “context” to who you are is more of a challenge than ever and that’s not going to change. As a matter of fact, it’s going to get even more challenging and that’s why its critical that you take charge of your virtual persona, control your narrative and work diligently to add meaningful personal context for your growing network of friends, colleagues and those potentially important but superficial relationships. You can influence that all important first impression (or second or third), even if it is occurring online! And people are looking far more than you might think––before, during and after a meeting; or just because they’re nosy!

Other than those closest to you, can someone viewing your online social or professional profile for the first time tell at a glance what makes you special? You probably don’t want to waltz around proclaiming “how good you are” at the top of your lungs, but you can and should put certain tools to work on your behalf. Tools like LinkedIn, Brand Yourself, About Me and a myriad of other utilities that can promote your personal visibility and competencies without you having to look like an arrogant self promoter. You can use these tools to tell your story around the clock and have a valuable asset working on your behalf––even when you’re not paying attention. These platforms are capable of telling your story very well, particularly when they’re constructed properly. With search engine functionality being so efficient and passive recruiting running rampant, one never knows when an opportunity is going to develop! Maximizing your visibility is both key and central to your discoverability. How sticky is your profile?

There’s no one more qualified when it comes to promoting you, than you! Be self-aware and remember the cardinal rule: Your image is shaped by what you share or don’t share in many cases. Get visible, engage and stop being such a secret––somebody might be looking for someone just like you! Remember, in today’s world of virtual relationships, its important that you bridge the gap between your offline persona and your online image.

Don’t Be So Damned Modest––Put Yourself Out There!

Are You A Plus Or Minus?

There are some people that walk into a room and the energy shifts immediately––everybody feels it. It’s positive, uplifting and invigorating. People gravitate toward them and want to associate. Conversely, there are many among us that have the opposite impact: negative, off-putting or even draining! People move away at first chance or just avoid them all together.

Its like a sixth sense we have in that we can immediately feel energy being added or subtracted as we interact with others. The funny thing is, you can look at someone’s online profile, say a LinkedIn page, and the same arithmetic becomes evident––plus or minus. Based on the construction of the profile, the reader will jump to a biased conclusion by making a snap judgment––the vibe is either good or bad. If the conclusion (read: snap judgment) is negative, that profile gets little or no attention––the reader simply moves on! Look at it this way: If you’re in a book store, you probably wouldn’t pick up a book with a crappy looking cover. And if by chance you read the summary and the wording was disjunct and incomplete, you would undoubtedly put the book down and move on to the next. You certainly wouldn’t invest the time and energy to read that particular book. Its fundamental to selling any product––Advertising 101, right?

Nowadays we live in an environment enhanced by technology and one of the many benefits is the potential reach and visibility we each have in terms of expanding our sphere-of-influence. We are no longer relegated to the limitations of person-to-person interactions in that we have the distinct advantage of online influence through multiple utilities and social media platforms. Technology that allows each of us to to be visible to anyone, anywhere, around-the-clock. Whether its a social profile on a site like Facebook or your professional resume on a networking and employment site like LinkedIn, you are visible 24/7.

Make no mistake, opportunity givers and takers are looking at and for you online––more than you might think or want to believe. As a matter of fact, we all have an expanding virtual online presence and its imperative that we are the most dressed up version of ourselves. Having a high quality, well-constructed virtual representation of yourself can be fortuitous, self serving and just plain smart––no matter your circumstances. The internet is a powerful megaphone and your online profile is like a business card, a resume, a CV, a publicist and your agent, all rolled into one.

Do the math…

Be a plus.

Are You Discoverable?

The entire professional world is lurking online––searching, parsing and taking advantage of search engine efficiencies offered by the latest technologies to help them find the right person for a myriad of opportunities––social and professional. Face-to-face interaction has mostly been relegated to some later date when one passes the first impression gauntlet in the virtual world. If When someone sees how you portray yourself online, what kind of first impression will you make?

Will they be intrigued and want to learn more about you or just yawn and move on to the next person? In today’s world, passive recruiting is rampant and opportunities are plentiful as the economy continues to improve. Employers and recruiters have better tools than ever with which to search and discover and with a pond like LinkedIn to fish in; why would they need to look anywhere else? LinkedIn is a quarter of a billion strong and growing in terms of membership and in the absence of a little forethought and planning as to your profile content, you simply blend in to the vast sea of sameness. You won’t get that all important second look, much less an offer. In today’s free-agent marketplace, online recruiting of the passive kind is your friend… you can always say no.

Search engine functionality has improved to the point that anything and everyone can be found. If your profile is constructed properly, positioned strategically and coordinated with the proper keywords and phrases, you will be found so you might want to start looking the digital equivalent of professionally polished. Passive recruiting has always been popular among search firms but the transparency caused by today’s search functionality has given worldwide access to anyone interested in performing a search. That includes the larger search firms all the way down to the one person HR department. Maybe it’s a start-up looking for advisors or a board looking for expertise. Someone, somewhere is attempting to match people with opportunities… are you discoverable? Moreover, are you presentable?

Believe it or not, people are looking at your profile and googling your name far more than you might think. Just know this: Whether its a coworker, neighbor, recruiter, boss, or friend, you never know who’s looking so be prepared and take advantage of the tools available to you. These tools can and will work on your behalf around the clock––just like having your own agent and publicist. What could be better than that?

Ask yourself this simple question: Are you positioned squarely in the path of discovery? One thing is for certain in today’s world… being visible promotes opportunities.

Don’t miss out on yours!

Personal Visibility – The Power of You!

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