Here at Scores Matter, we talk a lot about how managing the digital you is a pivotal part of your social and financial health. It is no secret that subscribing to our service is one of the best ways to secure that health. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make other proactive choices to manage the way you are perceived online.
Start With a Google Search
Before you embark on the journey of improving the digital you, you may want to see just how much work you have cut out for you. Start out by Googling your name (since it is definitely something you haven’t done before). It has the potential to be an eye-opening experience into the details that currently exist about you online. Are your Facebook, LinkedIn, or any other social media accounts present? Do you have photos, addresses or phone numbers that others can identify? What articles, blogs, and websites show information on you? These are some of the potential results you want to look out for because if they appear for you, they will also appear for someone else.
What happens if you do find this information during your search? Well, that’s entirely up to you. You may find that the information is fitting on how you want others to perceive you online.
Use Social Media
If you don’t have enough information for others to create perceptions about you, consider this a good thing. You have the ability to start with a (mostly) blank canvas, and you get to decide what goes on it. However, if you are one of the billions of active social media users, it isn’t too late to start making revisions on your profiles that can attribute to a stronger online identity.
Start out by joining different Social Media platforms (Facebook, Google +, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.). To some, this may feel futile for building a stronger digital you but in recent years social media has transcended the use of only connecting with people you went to high school with and is now looked at as an outlet that can show professionalism to employers and stability to banks and lenders. It is important to keep these details in mind when building your social profiles.
Show who you are (Outside of social media)
Outside of social media, it is important to be conscious of what type of content you place on the internet. Any blogs, websites, and similar content that you associate with or create can be used when creating perceptions about you. If you plan to release something online, make sure it reflects the way you want all parties to view you and not only your target audience.
This same ideology should be used when building yourself up online. You can go about this in numerous ways.
- Buy a domain in your name and use it to highlight aspects of yourself that you want potential employers to see.
- Join websites that are relevant to the identity you want to build and set up profiles in your real name.
- If you are the more creative type, look into writing articles or a personal blog that highlights your hobbies and interests.
These examples should kick-start your search results with good information. If you have a common name, this is also the best way to make sure you diversify yourself from the crowd. Additionally, in the event that you share your name with someone who may be further along in their professional career or a celebrity, there is a way around that as well. It boils down to creating a niche for yourself. Something that identifies you as you, so that people can tack it on to the end of your name when searching for you online (Ex. Brad Pitt Engineer).
Be patient
Google SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can be tricky. Any additions to your online identity won’t just happen overnight. It can take a while to build your self up in search results or through your social media profiles. Make sure you are following the tips given in our tools and tutorials to ensure that you are making the best decisions for the digital you.
Tap into the digital you at ScoresMatter today.