1. Display professional pictures online (Koekemoer, 2012).
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram profile pictures should represent a professional presence. Photographs taken in a professional setting or an appropriate picture from the shoulders up is preferred. Make sure your profile picture looks authentic and other users are able to identify you based on your profile picture.
2. Get a Twitter account and use a professional account name (Taub, 2012).
First and last names make it easier for networking purposes. If that account name is already being used, first initial and last name works as well. Do not use nicknames, suggestive names, or letters with multiple numbers. It is seen as unprofessional.
3. Don't spam on Twitter (Young, 2012).
Followers are less likely to continue following a user that posts spam Tweets. Post professional Tweets to continue engaging active followers. In order to keep a strong following on Twitter, users want to see positive retweets or shares.
4. Follow people and subjects relevant to your line of work (Taub, 2012).
Followers can see who you follow. Make sure the people you are following are professionals and you are able to grow as a professional by following them. Using social media as a professional has the advantage of professional development. Following the appropriate people is important not only to your digital footprint, but also to your professional growth.
5. Use appropriate language in all social media postings (Digital Media in the Classroom, n.d.).
Even if you have a personal page on Facebook or Twitter, your name is still attached to these accounts. Make sure the language you use is appropriate for all users to read. Employers tend to shy away from people who use suggestive language or profanity in their posts. There is a time and place for everything, social media is one to be cautious of.
6. Be authentic, but professional (Koekemoer, 2012).
The information, opinions and ideas you put online are yours to own. Make sure before you post anything is it authentic to who you are as a person and a professional. While being authentic, ensure that you're also being professional. While many followers may agree with your political or religious views, some may not. Again, there is a time and place for everything. Social media is not always the best place to express your opinions.
7. Share information (Tweets, Facebook, etc) that casts you as a positive professional (Riley, 2013).
Retweets and Facebook shares are visible to your followers. Whatever you post will be a reflection of who you are as a professional. Make sure it paints a positive and professional picture.
8. Keep personal and private information private (Digital Media in the Classroom, n.d.).
Posting your personal address, phone number or photos of your home should be kept private. While followers are interested in you, they are more interested in what you bring to the table as a professional than what your home may look like.
9. Build a professional website with a specific domain name (Lowenthal & Dunlap, 2012).
This allows people to see your professional history, drives traffic to a professional location and is always there even if your professional position changes.
10. Regularly update your website (Lowenthal & Dunlap, 2012).
This coincides with strategy #9 and making sure that all information is relevant. If your professional duties and responsibilities change, it is up to you to ensure your website is updated. If employers are researching you for a possible job opportunity, you want to make sure all of your information is up to date.
Resources
Digital Media in the Classroom. 10 Things your Students Should Know About Their Digital Footprint. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/10-things-your-students-should-know-about-their-digital-footprints.
Koekemoer, Anton. (2012). Your digital footprint in a social media world [SlideShare]. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/AntonRSA/your-digital-footprint-in-a-social-media-world?ref=http://edtech.mrooms.org/mod/page/view.php?id=92503.
Lowenthal, P & Dunlap, J. (2012). International Web Presence: 10 SEO Strategies Every Academic Needs to Know. Retrieved from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2012/6/intentional-web-presence-10-seo-strategies-every-academic-needs-to-know.
Riley, L. (2013, December 26). How to Clean Up Your Digital Footprint and Your Online Identity. Retrieved from http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/cleaning-your-digital-footprint/.
Taub, A. (2012, June 7). 5 Key Things Needed to Improve Your Digital Identity. Forbes, Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/alextaub/2012/06/07/5-key-things-needed-to-improve-your-digital-identity/#1cabc3f614ef.
Young, C. (2012, August 30). 19 Twitter Tips for Newbies (or Helpful Reminders for Not-So-Newbies). MOMeo Magazine, Retrieved from http://www.momeomagazine.com/19-twitter-tips-for-newbies-or-helpful-reminders-for-not-so-newbies/.
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteGreat list of resources! I never thought about everyone being able to see who you follow on Twitter. That is a great point to only follow people and subject relevant to your line of work. This is also good to remember when retweeting and sharing information on Facebook. It is crazy to think everything that we do leaves a digital footprint. So much of peoples' lives are shared on social media and it is so important that we protect our image and reputation. Thanks for sharing your strategies!
Really good list! I included some of the same tips. I'm glad that as social media has become a bigger part of our lives there are better guidelines to follow to keep a positive and professional digital footprint. When I first started using social media I never thought much about my digital footprint, as it wasn't as big of a deal as it is now.
ReplyDeleteSpamming on Twitter is something I see all the time and it is frustrating when you're trying to look for authentic information. To contribute to the spam would not shine a positive light on a user. I know I don't want to be the person posting irrelevant information with inaccurate hashtags.
ReplyDelete