When it comes to social media, there is a delicate balance between showing your personality and protecting your reputation. Great social media profiles do both flawlessly, but it’s not an easy balance beam to walk.
Let’s break it down – what aspects of your social media profile can both show your personality and protect your reputation?
- Your Profile PictureFunny picture of you with friends=PERSONALITY
Your professional headshot=REPUTATION
Great picture of you at a professional event=WINNING COMBO! - Your Short Bio or Introduction (on Facebook, Your “About Me” Section)Calling yourself a horror movie die-hard and a sucker for Italian men=PERSONALITY
A list of your work experience and a mention of your alma mater=REPUTATION
Throw in the best of both worlds. My Twitter Profile calls me an Entrepreneur, Fundraising/Marketing Guru, and somewhere in there also says I’m a “lover of wine and tequila.” That’s OK, Carer Girls. That’s OK.=WINNING COMBO! - Your Political Opinions
Posting controversial and flame-worthy rants about the election cycle and why you were ROBBED=PERSONALITY
Refusing to even list your affiliation or talk politics in the slightest=REPUTATION
Signing the occasional petition, and posting only passions, not opinions=WINNING COMBO! - Your Location
Tagging the location of every establishment on your pub crawl last weekend=PERSONALITY
Refusing to even list your city when asked=REPUTATION
Tagging yourself at professional events and your favorite restaurants, only after you’ve left and are safely home watching your belongings carefully=WINNING COMBO!
I contend that when you work, appropriately, to both show your personality and protect your reputation, what you’ll ultimately end up with is a whole lotta the big C word in your social media persona – character. Get it!
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
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