There’s a fabulous article from Wharton on the importance of personal branding and the role of social media.
Clients, family and friends have all heard from me why I think it’s important:
1.) For most people in our evolving society, there is not a clear delineation between family, friends and business. The minute you become friends with a colleague and introduce them to friends outside the office, you’ve started the meld. How many friends or relatives have given you a business or a job lead? How many relatives or friends have you hired? (This also means it’s important to have consistent personal branding. You can’t think that your LinkedIn network won’t see your MySpace page. Be as professional as you need to be everywhere!)
2.) Life isn’t as static or stable as it used to be. My father had two main employers for his career, and now is self-employed. I’ve had multiple employers, and now run my own business. That’s just a shift from one generation to the next. Now look at at the economy. In this economic turmoil, I know several people who’ve had more than one job in the last 12 months, and many more who have struck out on their own as consultants or business owners. Using your combined networks of family, friends, and professional acquaintances is essential. Personal branding helps your family and friends understand who you are professionally. Personal branding helps potential employers or clients understand you more quickly.
The Wharton article brings up some of the fears I hear the most about social media. But some of their concerns are addressed with the new privacy tools added to social media sites. If you are just getting started, expore your privacy options. If you have established accounts, look into it–you may have more options than the last time you adjusted your settings.
However, the professors who address the fears admit that they are using social media. For them, the downside is offset by the benefits.
But don’t take it from me, the marketing executive. Read what the academics have to say.
Visionary Thinking 