Personal Visibility – The Power of You!

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!