The Top 10 Tips for Your Online Profile

The Top 10 Tips for Your Online Profile Where have you established yourprofessional online profile? Do you have a Facebookpage? Are you on Twitter? How about Linkedin,VisualCV or Naymz? No matter where you choose to create your online profile, it is imperative that it isprofessional, contains pertinent content and shares a consistent message. Here arethe top 10 tips for your online profile: 1. What is your name? What is your company name? When creating online profiles always give careful consideration to the user name you are about to enter as it will likely be contained in the URL, which isautomatically generated.Take advantage of the option to customize yourURL whenever available toeliminateslashes, dashes or extra lettersand numbers. Be consistent with the name you choose in everyprofile.Make an effort to avoid dots and dashes and numbers. The difficulty in remembering your various user names is one problem, the other is not being foundby a potential employer or clientbecause you createdtheuser namebabs72 which did not consist of the first or last name of their search. 2. A professional photo or a company logo is required for all online profiles.Do not try to edita family photo. Available programs are great but it will never look professional.Your personal image orcompany logo are your opportunity to create a positivefirst impression.Exude professionalism, confidence andSMILE. Make it good! 3. What is your brand?Establishinga personal brand or company brand is essentialtoyour online profile andkey to successful marketing. A genuine and authentic brandwith aconsistent message will establish a significant visibility and shared recognition. Oprah, Richard Branson, Starbucks, Apple andNike are clearlyrecognized around the world. An excellent example of how not to create a brand is Tiger Woods. 4. In addition to your brand, your online profile should feature atagline. Abrand statement that sums up who you are, what differentiates you from everyone else andwhat makes you avaluable contact. Entices more customers to buy more product more often for more money or The human spirit drives everything that I do ~ Oprah 5. The more information or content you share, the more credibility you lend to your online profile. It must be professional and accurate. The content must be consistent on all online profiles andfree from any spelling or grammatical errors.Be sure tohighlight your achievements, displaycertifications, degrees, awards and include special recognition. 6.Keep your online profilesupdated. Do not let your photo, job history or education become outdated. Most online sites offer quick and easy access to update your status which should be utilized on a regular basis as many display the last date that you generated anyactivity.It will be difficult maintain the credibility ofyourprofile if it is outdated or you have not been active for the past six months. 7.Ask for testimonials!Posting testimonials on your online profileis your chance to let others brag about you. Some online sites offer secure measures which assureauthenticitybut for those that dont,be sure to add the persons full name, title and possibly a company name for validation. 8.Networking, make it personal. Online sites are all about buildingyour networkand with a simple press of a button anda forwarded canned invitation, you will find it easy toconnect with total strangers and lots of them. In order to maintain a reputable online profile, do not send thecanned message and do not connect with strangers. Include in yourinvitation,how you found them or how you know them,why you want to connect with them and most importantly, why they should connect with you.The value of networking is not in the number of connections you have but in who thoseconnections. 9. Add links in your online profileto your website, your blog andother online profiles. Take advantage of the many applications offered, usually found under settingsto add status updates from other sites,share your favourite books on Amazon, addSlideShare,post a video. 10. Share your expertise by joining groups and contributing to discussions.If youbelieve their is a needfor a group representing your industry or interestsand you willinvest the time tomonitor members and discussions, create your own!