The economy is recovering, digital utilities are improving and technology is dis-intermediating person-to-person intimacy, so you better have an online presence with a virtual representation of yourself or you're carrying the equivalent of the old brick phone in a sleek iPhone world. Go ahead with that particular philosophy and let's see where it gets you--just say'n. Visibility is key and central for your professional well-being and it's easier than you might think! Why do it, you ask?
Reason # 1 - DISCOVERABILITY
There are so many connectivity platforms that you have no excuse. Whether it's LinkedIn or a whole host of others you must rise above the sea-of-sameness and make yourself visible. Quit hiding in plain sight for God's sake--intentional or otherwise. At least get your head above the fray by fine-tuning your personal profile (social resume), focusing on a couple of key words and phrases and getting a decent photograph of yourself... seriously! Don't waste your professional visibility efforts on Facebook (neighborhood cocktail party equivalent), engage with LinkedIn, Brand Yourself, About Me, or Qnary, just to name a few of the more popular platforms. Get off the proverbial couch and put yourself out there!
Reason # 2 - OPPORTUNITY
People are looking. Opportunities abound--particularly in this recovering economy. Between social media and crazy-good search engine functionality there are ubiquitous queries taking place and whether its employment, social or advisory... there's plenty of opportunities. Are your positioned? Passive online recruiting for all of the above is running rampant and I suspect you wouldn't mind getting blind-sided with a significant career upgrade, social invite, advisory fee or start-up invite... would you???
Reason # 3 - CREDIBILITY
In the absence of a robust online presence, people may wonder if you are incapable, uncaring or just hiding something? Right, wrong or indifferent, that's how it gets interpreted. It doesn't matter who you are or the quality of your background; you should have a significant online presence with a high quality virtual representation of yourself. People are looking and whether you're a Harvard graduate, high school dropout or even if you matriculated at the pinnacle of colleges, Sam Houston State University, you have to tell your story if you want to reach beyond your immediate sphere-of-influence. You have talents, skills and specialities--things you do well, so tell your story! With the appropriate key words, phrases and descriptors of your skill-set and talents, you stand a significant chance of making the so-called short list and getting face-to-face with a decision maker where you can do what you do best and that's represent your number one product... YOU.
Digital media is an indispensable platform and used responsibly (read: intelligently) it can exponentially magnify your visibility. In other words, it's your personal megaphone--so use it! It can be your agent and publicist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Put it to work for you on a full-time basis. A few hundred words can paint a perfect picture of who you are and be there on your behalf around-the-clock. Who couldn't use that? Opportunity givers are combing the web--it's just a more efficient way of discovery and they're getting better and better at it. From the newest college grad to the Fortune 50 CEO, everyone has an online presence of some sort and as scary as it is: worldwide visibility. Just make sure yours isn't the early Sunday morning version of yourself (yikes!).
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