bizMe

How do you make sure your online presence tells the right story? Is personal branding the same as social branding? How do you select and maintain the right social media platforms and tools for you? Find the answers to these questions and more below in this week’s #careerchat transcript.

Each Tuesday at 12:00 pm CT, Becky Benishek (@MyPath_MP) and Amanda Gulralski (@bizMebizgal), Gen Y career expert and publisher and cofounder of bizMe.biz online magazine, host an hour-long Career Chat on Twitter (#careerchat). Joining us were Jill Perlberg, Mark Jelfs and Lesley Weiss from the MyPath team. You can learn about upcoming topics and submit your questions by following @MyPath_MP and @bizMebizgal.

Next week Tuesday, August 31, we’ll discuss MBAs and professional certifications. Hiring expert Anna Oakes, Lead Organization Development Consultant and Recruiting Manager for Manpower, will weigh in on the value of an MBA and how companies are viewing professional certifications. Investing in your career is important! Make sure you’re making the right choices.

Takeaways from the chat:
lauragainor: Personal branding is an important step in determining what voice you will have within social media.
WriterChanelle: Your personal brand is how you would like to define yourself. The social brand is how you work to define the personal brand.
LesleyMWeiss: Easy to get in trouble if you think there’s a separation between social and personal branding–it’s all you!
WomensAlly: It is also important to know how to accept failure as part of building your personal brand.
MyPath_MP: I think if you’re good at something, it comes through w/o you having to say “Look at me!!” Show it, don’t say it.
Jill_Perlberg: Ask your spouse or significant other how they explain what you do to others…It’s an eye opener.
MidwestPhoto: Be authentic, be professional. Period. That’s how you keep a good rep.
Kblennon: Online rep: Before I do anything I ask myself “Do I want this connected to my name”. Things on the internet last forever.
PaigeHolden: Listen to the people around you so that you can really engage in meaningful conversations.
3D_EXHIBITS: Everyone can always evolve & it’s important to stay consistent, yet relevant.

Resources:
From George_Krautzel:
Discussion with Ralph Wilson on Career Management in Communities
Discussion with Nic Harvard on Personal Branding and Reputation Management
From lauragainor:
#Careerchat on personal branding
From suegresham:
Hands-on experience with your personal brand & social media: Register now for Milwaukee JobCamp4!
From bizMebizgal:
Tiger Woods vs Personal Branding
Personal Branding Quiz Part 1
Personal Branding Quiz Part 2
From Jill_Perlberg/MyPath_MP:
Don’t Let the Small Stuff Erode Your Brand
What is a Personal Brand and Why Do You Need One?
How Can I Improve My Personal Brand Online?
Simple Tips For Mastering Social Media
Facebook Privacy Settings

Special thanks… To our top participants: @Kblennon, @WriterChanelle, @PaigeHolden, @MaggieMistal, @lauragainor and @MidwestPhoto.

Detailed Transcript:
August 24, 2010: Personal Branding & Social Media

Question 1: What does “personal branding” mean to you?
Jill_Perlberg: Means that when someone Googles my name that they get the info I want them to see and my persona online matches who I am.
lauragainor: Personal branding is an important step in determining what voice you will have within social media.
TECMidwest: Your Personal Brand must be focused on letting people know why you are successful at what you do.
MidwestPhoto: as a self-employed photog, “personal branding” is how I distinguish myself from the rest of the market via methods/message.
MyPath_MP: Basically you’re “on” all the time and have to be aware that what you do affects the brand of You
bizMebizgal: Your brand is how u ‘show up’ in the eyes of others. whether you create an intentional brand or not, u have1
Jill_Perlberg: It’s your online reputation. It’s the opinion a stranger would form based on what they see online
bizMebizgal: It is amazing how many people don’t understand the importance of personal branding! So incredibly key in business.
Jelfster: Just like a business, if your brand stinks, no-one will touch it with a barge pole.
Kblennon: personal branding is the universal image I am trying to give myself to stand apart and make myself unique by utilizing SM
Jill_Perlberg: Personal brand is not just for those working in social media industries. It’s for everyone!
bizMebizgal: Be in control of your personal brand, don’t let others determine what it is for you!
Kblennon: in other words your personal brand is your reputation…how others perceive you

Question 2: Social Branding vs. Personal Branding: What’s the difference? Is there one?
WriterChanelle: There is indeed. Your personal brand is how you would like to define yourself.
WriterChanelle: The social brand is how you work to define the personal brand.
Jill_Perlberg: Social branding is part of personal branding. There is so much more.
bizMebizgal: I believe there is a difference btw personal branding & social branding. they all need to tell the same story.
bizMebizgal: your brand needs to be the same in all settings. If u tell different stories in each, I am left confused on who you are.
Kblennon: no matter where you are leveraging your personal brand you have to “tell the same story”
PaigeHolden: I think personal branding and social branding are one and the same most of the time.
Jelfster: Social branding is a lot easier to do, especially for introverts, but harder to keep in check.
bizMebizgal: I agree because what happens in Vegas stays on twitter!
MyPath_MP: It sounds like social branding is where you express your personal brand. Is this correct, or too simplistic?
lauragainor: social media gives you a loud voice to represent yourself. Videos show your true self.
bizMebizgal: Do you think video is a good idea?
lauragainor: definitely. Videos open up many personal branding opportunities. Great way to represent yourself.
MidwestPhoto: re: video: can be good, as long as you understand how a one-way traffic flow might cause unforeseen problems
bizMebizgal: I make a couple videos for my site but I always make sure I am represented the way I want to be. Positive!
LesleyMWeiss: Easy to get in trouble if you think there’s a separation between social and personal branding–it’s all you!
WomensAlly: It is important to know how to communicate your personal & social brand attributes
WriterChanelle: If you’re branding yourself socially, you have a FB page, Twitter account, LinkedIn profile, etc…
MyPath_MP: I find I pay attention more to the people who are clearly experts yet don’t feel comfortable calling themselves experts!
WriterChanelle: that word scares me “expert”
MyPath_MP: It’s like setting you up for a fall. I’ve seen people more comfortable with “maven.”
MidwestPhoto: expertise will come through–in person. Online, you have to guide people to your blog/whatev w/o being braggy.
Jill_Perlberg: Social is you on display on the web. Personal is everything about you: your style, attitude,online rep,conduct @ Happy Hour
MidwestPhoto: meaning, personal-social–they’re all you–no separation between them. What you spout here, you spout there.
bizMebizgal: exactly! Not like you can say, oh that wasn’t me that was my social brand and not my personal brand.
MyPath_MP: That wasn’t me, it was my evil twin!
Jelfster: Bragging in person generally frowned upon, but acceptable, nay encouraged via social media. We all do it. I’m great!
MyPath_MP: Interesting perspective! That’s true, I think we really are encouraged to get “us” across no matter what it takes.
PaigeHolden: Hahahaha. So, bragging online is tacky? I hate those “I’m so fabulous, don’t you wish you were me?” blogs.
Kblennon: Haha good point. I guess people feel more comfortable “bragging” on social media
MidwestPhoto: they say it isn’t bragging if it’s true, right? There has to be balance in soc med ‘tween “talk about me/others”
Jill_Perlberg: Agree–we’re all experts and brilliant
bizMebizgal: I think it is easier because your followers don’t really know you. Easy to be whoever you want to be!
PaigeHolden: But modesty is far more authentic (hopefully) – and authenticity is what it’s all about.
MyPath_MP: I think if you’re good at something, it comes through without you having to say “Look at me!!” Show it, don’t say it.
Jill_Perlberg: I think that your personal interactions with people are more impt than what’s online. Everyone remembers first impressions!
Jill_Perlberg: But…make sure what’s online tells the right story. You may never get a personal interaction.
Jill_Perlberg: You’re always “on” Never know who ur sittng next to on a plane, bus, rest’rant. When I least expect it-always branding
bizMebizgal: it is sometimes harder to brand urself via the internet than in person. Huge fan of interactions in person.
MyPath_MP: People can be way different online than off.
WomensAlly: It is also important to know how to accept failure as part of building your personal brand.
Jill_Perlberg: You are who you are…Don’t pretend to be something you aren’t. It will bite you in butt, just like lying on your resume.

Question 3: What are your best practices for managing your online AND offline rep?
Kblennon: I think SM is a great first step for your personal brand but then personal interactions solidifies it
PaigeHolden: Listen to the people around you so that you can really engage in meaningful conversations.
sarahklein_PHR: Plan ahead, follow through and pay it forward (retweets, etc)
Jill_Perlberg: Ask people how they would describe you to a connection or stranger. Make sure those around you know the right you
MyPath_MP: THAT is an excellent tactic.
lauragainor: Be genuine and stay true to yourself.
WriterChanelle: Everything can be misinterpreted but *you* control what you put out there to be interpreted
Jill_Perlberg: Google URself! Simple,but true. Then define your goals and what you want to do. Make sure ur online profile tells the story
WriterChanelle: Google Alerts, RSS feeds
MidwestPhoto: Be authentic, be professional. Period. That’s how you keep a good rep.
Kblennon: online rep: before I do anything I ask myself “do I want this connected to my name”.things on the internet last forever
MyPath_MP: Brilliant. Written words last–especially on the internet. And the 2D aspect of most social media is tricky.
bizMebizgal: I try to never let pple see me w/ bad day. If I don’t feel like networking I don’t force myself. Always energetic & positive
Jelfster: Good one. Some people use it to moan, moan, moan. Negativity bad in the virtual world too!
bizMebizgal: absolutely. I am in control of what people think of me, I don’t let imagination take over!! lol.
MidwestPhoto: that’s the challenge of a personal brand–have a “bad day” on your pers time, not biz time cuz people remember
Kblennon: I hate when all ppl do is utilize SM to vent. once in awhile fine but always?! bad personal brand
bizMebizgal: I agree and then all I think about you is that you hate the world. Never happy!
thatwoman_is: Re: Sharing. Be Translucent. Not Transparent.
MaggieMistal: Mostly LinkedIn & Twitter & FB R my professional side but also share travels, fun comments just to show I’m a full person
Jill_Perlberg: Like it…need to show you are real.

Jill_Perlberg: For online–you need to identify which sites are the most impt for waht you want to do. Don’t be on FB or Twitter just bcuz
thatwoman_is: never be on any site “just because.” Go where your community or clients are. Engage and communicate where they feel comf.
LesleyMWeiss: Online reputation can be affected by more than just photos–comments, who you are friends with, things they say about you
Jill_Perlberg: Have a strategy. If ur in IT, try toolbox.com to showcase your expertise. Sales–LI, find the recipe for you.
MyPath_MP: Exactly, you have to stay on top of any #sm tool or you won’t be helping your brand at all.
bizMebizgal: All social media sites need to tell the same story of who u r Often times they depict 3 different people Leaves me wondering.
GeorgeKrautzel: Examples of professionals building reputation through participation http://bit.ly/99h73r http://bit.ly/3rCh45
Jill_Perlberg: Try Blogging, writing about what ur doing and who u are, gives someone the inside view of you–and you control it
WriterChanelle: Blogging has definitely made me focus in on what it is that I do.
Kblennon: so true. It’s actually on my to do list. Thanks for the advice!
WriterChanelle: Having to choose categories, write a bio, a title/tagline all make you think about your personal brand
Kblennon: Favor instead of ?: I created my own website to further my personal brand. Would appreciate comments: kblennon.wordpress.com

Jill_Perlberg: Offline–Have an elevator “pitch” about you. If u meet someone new..Know what you are going to say.
sarahklein_PHR: we will have info on how to write elevator pitches at job camp 4! http://bit.ly/gpzGT #jc4
MidwestPhoto: heck yes,for the elevator pitch–people’s attention shortened (thx Internet) and you need to grab attention fast
bizMebizgal: Elevator pitch needs to tell a compelling story. I need to understand what it is that you do in 7 secs.
WriterChanelle: I’m still working on shortening my elevator pitch
MyPath_MP: Maybe the key is there IS no single word to describe what #sm people do.
WriterChanelle: Which makes it so impossible for me to explain to my parents what it is that I do. LOL #sm
Jill_Perlberg: Ask your spouse or sign. other how they explain what you do to others…It’s an eye opener.
WomensAlly: it is important to get feedback from those you know best as you are developing your personal brand introduction
MyPath_MP: Ha, I’ll have to try that!
MaggieMistal: My hubby is great at describing what I do. He helps me get new clients all the time.
MyPath_MP: That’s fabulous to hear!
bizMebizgal: That is great to have a team member like that on your side.
Jill_Perlberg: I asked my hubby the other day. After 8 years 2gether you’d think he’d get it..He’s an easy one..Lawyer
MaggieMistal: Yes, it is great to have team members who are also family members

Open questions

Do you think boomers are at a disadvantage or advantage?
Jill_Perlberg: Boomers: Wide network (personal) but typically smaller online presence?
Jill_Perlberg: Thinking of my mom, she’s knows everyone in town but she’s not online much..Not sure if she needs to be though.
bizMebizgal: I think boomers definitely have the personal brand down, most are working on SM as well. Some get it, some don’t
MyPath_MP: And is there a gen split among tools like Facebook, LinkedIn…?
bizMebizgal: @thatwoman_is what do you think as a boomer that gets the SM world?
MaggieMistal: Boomers are at an advantage b/c they should know more people in a position to make decisions and hire them
Jill_Perlberg: and have the experience to back it up
WriterChanelle: Actually boomers are at a great advantage. They’re the largest online presence. NBC’s audience is skewed 40+

Should your personal brand continuously evolve, or should you stick to tried-and-true?
Jill_Perlberg: should evolve as you evolve
Jelfster: it has to evolve, especially with regard to social media as that is a medium that is still evolving itself.
buzzandrea: Continuously evolve; the more you learn about yourself, the more your brand develops – grows, changes, solidifies.
MidwestPhoto: personal brand–always changing in its strategy and tactics (sometimes quickly), but should stick to its values.
PaigeHolden: I think your personal brand evolves as you do. Slowly over time. Not one person on one day and different on another.
3D_EXHIBITS: Our team members are always evolving w/ their personal brand. It’s important for a co to take advantage of it.

Do you think a person can evolve into a completely different personal brand?
MidwestPhoto: all people evolve. As your “mission” may change, so will your brand. So, “yes”, you can become a different brand.
MyPath_MP: It would be interesting to see which of yr followers changes with your brand change!
Jill_Perlberg: Evolution. You need to find out what you’re going to be when you “grow up” then take the steps to get there.
MidwestPhoto: right, and as you “grow up”, you change–nothing is permanent, as far as personal development goes.
Jill_Perlberg: Sure True! Well need to “grow” in the right way, professionally, personally…Personal brand is all of that
bizMebizgal: My personal brand has changed a lot since I started my biz. I finally understood how important it really is.
3D_EXHIBITS: Everyone can always evolve & it’s important to stay consistent, yet relevant.

PaigeHolden: What do you do when you have many social media forums relevant to your brand. How do you keep up with them all?
MyPath_MP: Excellent Q. Might have to pick the top 3 or 4 that are actually doing something FOR you in return.
Jill_Perlberg: Depending on your work–if everything is local and you’re tied into networks, do you need 500 Twitter followers? don’t think so
Jill_Perlberg: choose wisely. just because there are 1000s to pick from, you don’t have to do them all.
bizMebizgal: I don’t let friends post pictures I delete if it conflicts. Must always be aware of what is happening around u.
Kblennon: there are features on FB that allow you to approve pics before you are officially tagged
Kblennon: of course easier said than done
MyPath_MP: here’s a quick how-to on those FB privacy settings! http://bit.ly/bJaUEz
MaggieMistal: I feel it’s important to have a presence (at least a “critical mass” following) on any social media you do
Jill_Perlberg: agree. skeleton profiles don’t help. If ur going to be on a network–do it right.
Jill_Perlberg: Also, I tie mine 2gether. My blog has FB,Twitter feeds coming in, LI profile. I can’t do more–I’d go crazy
MyPath_MP: Quality over quantity–seems to be true everywhere
bizMebizgal: U will drive urself crazy trying to keep up w/ them. Find the right fit and stick with those.
bizMebizgal: It is much like networking, not every group is going to be a right fit. Shop around and test them out.
thatwoman_is: I love the SoMe community. Yes it’s different way of sharing info & connecting but if you r you — it works just like off line.
MaggieMistal: How do you measure the ROI?
MyPath_MP: I’d say if you’re getting feedback, followers, advancing your brand–those are where you spend time. You?
MyPath_MP: And it does take time to build that. Guess it comes down to your comfort level, time, value on both sides.
MaggieMistal: For me results are one-on-one coaching referrals and radio listeners/callers into my @SIRIUSXM show
Jill_Perlberg: U have to know UR goals–what ur trying to achieve-sales,jobs,friends,then track ROI–if it’s not working, try something else.