Who I am online P2
Why does it even matter
The internet is a huge place/thing/world with endless opportunities and possibilities. Learning to exist in this space can be a daunting task. If there is one thing I remember from my ICT lessons in secondary school, it’s that once you put something on the internet, you can never truly delete it. It exists forever. This can be a scary thought, but why not think about how it can work in your favour? Let’s get into part two of who I am online and discuss why it even matters…
Why I did this exercise…and why you should to
This exercise is really just a way to objectively see what my reputation online is. What words are associated with my name, what achievements are key in my career, how have I been received online. You don’t always get to really know what people’s first impression of you is, but at least this way, you get a chance to see what impression you have left online based on the portfolio of work you have produced. You should do this first because it helps you see if you have accurately built an online presence that reflects your intentions. This could be a great affirmation that you are on track career wise — you might be doing better than you think. Secondly, if there is anything that hasn’t been mentioned, then you know what areas you need to work on. What do you need to be louder about?
Wider Reach
If you are a creative, then you should be online. You don’t have to put your face, but we do need to see your craft. I know, I know, you may love the old-fashioned way of reaching your audience live and in person — but it’s called old fashioned for a reason. It can’t be your only way to reach people given the present media landscape and the ways in which our society is online. Your audience, for whatever your creative profession is, exists online — go meet and introduce yourself to them.
That being said, a way to solidify your reach is with a mixture of the old and new. You can still have your in-person connections while growing your reach. It can be scary, especially if you’re of an older generation and are trying to exist in this modern digital age — but it’s so worth it. Instead of focusing on the risks, embrace the possibilities.
Greater visibility
Moreover, there is greater visibility to potential employers. I’ve experienced this quite a few times where I have received offers to work with companies simply because of my social media presence. I get to create content for various UAL organisations such as Insights, Saturday Club, and London College of Fashion. I was even contacted by TikTok’s sister app Lemon8, where I became an official Ambassador to promote the new app. I didn’t have all the connections or opportunities to work with brands when I started out, so I created my own opportunities by creating my own social presence — how else was I going to be seen? Make sure to curate an online brand which reflects your character, experiences, as well as aspirations. Be vocal about who you are, what you want, and what you are doing to get it. Success is on the other side of embarrassment.
I have also heard countless times that when you apply to a job, regardless of what it is, they will check your socials. This is because most times you work in a team — it doesn’t matter if you have the qualifications — they won’t hire you if they can’t get along with you. I know, that sounds really tough and judgmental, but it’s the truth! Your job is to make that work for you. Some choose to keep their accounts private — not really the best idea if you want to build an online social media portfolio — while others choose to have a second account. This way they can keep one professional and the other for friends. (I personally can’t fathom managing multiple personal accounts — I currently have three professional ones and that’s my work cut out for me 😂)
The eternal portfolio
As dramatic as it sounds, your online presence is the eternal version of your career life. Putting something online creates a sense of permanence because once it is out there, you can’t take it back. This can be great to document your journey as you progress in your career and evolve as a person too. Don’t just wait to make it before presenting yourself. This point goes hand in hand with the previous two because your audience will feel more connected with you if they believe they have seen you from the start, and future employers can keep up to date with your active efforts. I always say, you never know who’s watching online.
Disclaimer: This is called “Who I am online” for a reason. Online or social accomplishments don’t define oneself as a person. We are all multifaceted with depth, thoughts and experiences that we won’t always share. This exercise is strictly for professional use and doesn't fully encompass who I am. This is part two of a three part series so make sure to read the previous and subscribe via email below for updates on latest posts!
