Key Sites to Build Your Personal Brand

So by now you may have realized I'm huge on social networking. Channel your inner internet attention whore and get a profile up on these sites stat. Millenials have something major working in our favor here. We know how to network. Personal branding is important. Make a name for yourself on the data highways, and make sure your google search results do you justice.

Facebook:

First things first, make your profile private, logout, and view it. Go over it with a fine tooth comb. What do you "like"? Any embarrassing likes left over from Highschool/college years? Make sure you change the settings on embarrassing/incriminating photos. I know the memories may be precious to you, but a future employer doesn't want to see photos of you doing keg stands at the frat party senior year. I personally don't really use Facebook to network professionally beyond making friends with my colleagues.

LinkedIn:

If you don't have LinkedIn yet there's a problem. It doesn't matter what kind of professional you are, this one is a must.

Medium:

If you publish content at all, medium is for you.

About.me:

Your address on the web where you can direct people to what matters most to you. About.me is one of the top results on google when someone searches your name so it's worth filling out a profile.

Branded.me:

This website also allows you to publish content and connect with other users, like a more long winded twitter.

A personal website:
Having a personal website for yourself is one of the best ways to rank for your name on the search engines. It doesn’t need to be robust. It can be a simple two to three page site with your resume, link to your social platforms, and a brief bio. You can always expand on the website with time. GoDaddy and other hosting sites frequently offer deals on domain names. These guys are currently offering 50 cent domains.

knowem:

It’s a tool that searches for how your name or brand is being used by others on social media, domain names and even in the USPTO trademark database.

Twitter:

There are a lot of plug-ins that allow you to auto-generate statuses and link content thru Twitter. The more you post the more people pay attention.

Google:

Google yourself and setup alerts for your name on a regular basis. Have a fairly common name? Consider using your middle initial or middle name to differentiate. Cultivating a strong personal brand is just as much about being responsive to what is being said as it is about creating intellectual property.

An additional note here is to join Google+ groups.

Additional notes:

1. Stay active

2. Create a consistent look and feel.

3. Reserve your name everywhere (even if the site isn't of use to you right now)

4. Develop a strong positioning statement. 

5. Store links of all your social media profiles in a spreadsheet.

6. Limit your areas of "expertise" to around 3 key items. 

7. Define and pursue an objective.

Maximizing your social networking potential

Ok, ladies, this one is mostly for you. Although men can be just as guilty of all the things I'm about to confront you about.

Social networking is power, and you're using it all wrong. If you put half the energy into your LinkedIn, or professional website, or even a relevant blog, that you do making sure your facebook profile picture is the best one of all the selfies you took today you'd almost definitely be further in life.

LinkedIn:

1. Sign up. Please. Do me this tiny favor. Even if you're working as a barista or a cashier. Make a profile. It's so easy. 
2. Fill in the information. This is really simple but can be time consuming. Put as much details on your profile as you can, including work experience, education, relevant associations, hobbies etc. HR people and recruiters use LinkedIn for candidate searching and they do it by key words. Make sure you put buzz words and lots of industry jargon on there. The location is very important as well, as recruiters look for potential candidates close to the client’s site first. Even if you are missing info, some is better than none, and don't be afraid of your background. THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR YOU.
3. Upload a photo. You obviously have good photos of yourself. I've seen your facebook's you have thousands of them. Pick on that you aren't wearing a birthday crown, or downing a drink in up there. Something that's mostly of your face and looks moderately professional.
4. Connect. Whore yourself out. You do it on instagram, and facebook and a million other sites that don't help you get anywhere with your career. Add your old boss. Your mom. That kid you did that project with that one time. Find people you know and add them. 
5. Get involved in groups and discussions. There has GOT to be something you care enough about to join the group on LinkedIn. Save the Whales, or Gaming, Professional Makeup... something.
6. Ask for recommendations. That business owner your dad knows who you helped with his iPhone last summer... he's probably on LinkedIn. See if he'll recommend you.
7. Stay active. If you login to LinkedIn half as much as you login to Facebook I promise someone will notice you.
8. Share relevant information. For this you have to have some kind of idea as to what you'd like to accomplish on LinkedIn whether it be professional networking or a chance at a new career. Find an article or study relevant to the field you want to move forward in and share it on LinkedIn.

Some other accounts I suggest making:

• Indeed
• Glass door
• Monster
• A blog such as this
• If you are already active in the professional world I highly recommend a 2nd Twitter and Facebook that you wouldn't mind being friends with your boss or clients on.
• A professional website won't kill you and whether it be for now or in the future GoDaddy currently has 99 cent domains so snatch one of those up.