My dad, Larry Welborn, has been a reporter at the Orange County Register for 40 years. For as long as he could remember, he knew he wanted to be a journalist. I asked him how he knew he wanted to become a journalist at such a young age and he gave me many of his reasons, but one of the ideas he liked most about being a journalist was that if you got your article published, you could see your name in print.
Today, everyone can see their name published across the Internet. Our times have changed and the novelty of having your name in print has worn off because now you can have your name, your picture, a video online which is now communicating to the rest of the world what you and your name are all about.
Zeb Welborn
Personal branding is one of the biggest changes that has occurred in our economy during the past decade. Before the internet, for the most part, people lived anonymously. Now, people are able to create a reputation for themselves, for better or for worse online. Personal branding is a critical component towards living a successful life in today’s economy. Learn how to make sure that people are talking about you online . . . and when they do . . . make sure they’re saying something good!
Imagine you’re applying for a new job. Your employer has a choice between two candidates. In performing his/her due diligence, your boss performs a Google search on both candidates. Candidate A has no to little information about them online; Candidate B, has continually written articles, posted YouTube videos and engaged with others on the way to developing a strong online reputation in their field. As an employer, which one is going to be more appealing to you?
It doesn’t apply just to job interviews, it applies to business relationships. If you’re a business owner, a sales representative or someone who deals with customers on a regular basis, make sure your online profile is not hindering your relationship with your customers or potential customers.
As the host of the Defining Success Podcast, I’m continually working to manage and monitor what is being said about me online and to make sure that when any customers or potential customers look me up online they will see how committed I am to my career. The Defining Success Podcast demonstrates that I’m someone who is eager to become successful and understand what it takes to make success happen. My credibility since starting the Defining Success Podcast has gone through the roof and I’m continuing to expand my efforts to increase my personal brand.
If someone does a Google search for me online they will see that I’m the host of the Defining Success Podcast, owner of Welborn Media, owner of 19th Hole Media and owner of the Tutoring Solution. They will see that I’m very passionate about success and education. If a company hires me, they know that I am going to do a great job, they know I work hard and they know I’m someone who gets things done.
A friend of mine called me last week, because someone had set up a fake Twitter profile and they were using this profile to poke fun at everything he was doing. They made him look really bad. But when you searched for his name, this fake Twitter account was the first thing that showed up. He asked what he should do and I advised him to focus on building a personal brand around the positive things you do for others. Trying to contact Twitter or any online platform to remove information posted online is difficult, time-consuming and often times doesn’t work. Your best way to beat negative comments about you online is to be proactive and make sure what’s being said about you online are the things you want people saying about you online.
When my Dad began his career as a reporter, the most recognition he could hope to get was having a byline in a story he had written. Today, videos, pictures and social media platforms can all represent who you are as a person online.
Personal branding is essential in todays day and age, and everyone should be aware of what is being said about them online.
To find out more about personal branding and how you can manage your reputation online listen to Episode 53 of the Defining Success Podcast titled, Personal Branding by Zeb Welborn.
If you’re concerned about your personal brand take the time to Google your name with potential keywords people would use to find out more information about you. Make sure your personal brand is aiding and not hindering your goals. If people are saying positive great things about you online then you’re on the right track. And if they’re not . . . then it’s time to make changes to ensure that they are.