Having a professional online presence is critical these days. Your online presence is a reflection of your professional identity. It’s a combination of all the available information about you on the Internet. This could include social media but also your personal website, portfolio, and blog. These pieces add up to make you more visible, show your expertise in your field, and help you make connections.
Potential employers (and even your current one) will be looking for you on social media and even in Google searches. But they’re not the only ones! Many of the people you meet while networking will also look you up online. Whether you’re looking for a new job or just trying to establish yourself as an expert, you need to present a polished profile online.
Build Your Online Presence in 7 Steps
- Evaluate Your Current Online Presence
Before you start adding information, check to see what already exists about you online. Check your social media profiles, blog posts, and any other online content you may have created—but don’t stop there. Google yourself and read the search results. Identify anything that could potentially harm your professional image and take steps to remove or clean it up.
- Create a Personal Brand
We’ve discussed the reasons why you should have a personal brand, and presenting a professional image is at the top of the list. Remember to show your strengths, share your values, and present your personality to the world!
- Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is the number one tool for building a professional online presence. Use a high-quality headshot and a polished cover image. Write a compelling headline that summarizes your knowledge and career goals, then expand that into a summary that tells your professional story. Under your work experience, add details like responsibilities and accomplishments. You want your LinkedIn profile to be as detailed—or even more detailed—as your resume. It’s also a great place to request recommendations from colleagues, managers, and clients. These will build your credibility and establish you as an expert.
- Consider a Personal Website or Blog
Do you have an online “home” for yourself? By creating your own website, you can share your portfolio and/or start a blog that speaks to professional topics in your industry. You also have more room to inject your personality into your online presence (while keeping it professional). You can also add contact information so that people can get in touch with you more easily.
- Don’t Forget Other Social Media
While LinkedIn is where people go to look up professional contacts, you can’t ignore your other social media profiles. For example, Facebook is often a social place where people share more personal stories and photos. Is this content in line with your professional persona? If not, make sure your privacy settings are strict to prevent unwanted visitors.
Other social media platforms can be beneficial for work-related networking. X (formerly Twitter) is a great place to follow others in your industry and participate in discussions. YouTube can provide you a place to share video content, whether shorts or more in-depth stories. Or, if you’re a writer, share your blog posts and other long-form content on Medium to get more exposure. No matter what platforms you use, make sure your profiles and activities are consistent with your personal brand.
- Join Online Communities
This is another impactful way to build your network and position yourself as a leader in your industry. Join forums or discussion groups hosted by professional associations or networking groups. You’ll have the ability to share your own knowledge and learn from like-minded people in your field. Just be sure to remain respectful if you disagree with a position someone else is taking.
- Maintain Your Online Reputation
Your online presence will evolve over time as more information becomes available. You must be vigilant about checking it regularly and making sure your content is consistent with your personal brand. To help, you can set up Google Alerts for your name to keep up with what’s being said about you online. You should also be responding to comments and messages right away and keeping your profiles updated with new accomplishments and experiences.
With time and effort, you can build a professional online presence that shows who you are and what you do in a positive light. Remember to stay consistent with your personal brand and share content that positions you as a leader in your profession.