Personality vs. Reputation on Social Media

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!