Identity Online Working in – & ON – Networks

2014 Women in Business Symposium

Bonnie Stewart

@bonstewart

http://kikolani.com/becoming-accessible-social-networking-social-media.html

Networks

httphttp//www.marketingpilgrim.com/2014/01/facebook-is-the-most-visited-social-network-twitter-and-google-tied-for-3rd.html

Too Much?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/striatic/2191408271/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51764518@N02/9763729373/

Is Online Networking Worth the Work?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wageslaves/90470644

It’s a matter of perspective.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wageslaves/90470644

Making networks work for you = choices

https://www.flickr.com/photos/42386632@N00/8528725328/

Understand…. 1. your goals 2. identities + signals

(psst…it’s okay if your goals DON’T include social media)

But…Goals = Audience

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tattoodjay/4129779298/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tmesis/21126825/

Audiences = People The Internet also = People

Some are people you know...

And some are people you don't.

…some businesses connect by sharing products & expertise

some are wiser just to be sociable

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ooohoooh/1350774613/

Networks are ways of connecting

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67304318@N07/6128669668

How do I shake hands online?

Identities + Signals

Networks are not about online/offline

But there are differences.

Identity Online = Visibility

Signals Online = Reputation

Success = lather, rinse, repeat

But.

Social Media Broadcast Media

http://ezasseenontv.com/tag/as-seen-on-tv-store/

Sometimes being social = you,

signaling to the people who know you or might want to

know you.

Sometimes other people signal on your behalf.

Sometimes, that’s not so ideal.

But being social in return = creativity points

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21031300@N02/4076687726/

‘This call is being recorded”

Identity online = Public. Always take the high road.

…& do a permanent PEI shoulder check

Identity online = control over your signals

& (some of) what turns up on Google search

But that’s for the people who already know your name.

What about those who don’t?

A visible online identity can sell for you,

even in places YOU aren’t being social.

A friendly tweet

A blog

A sale.

And no one knew the artist.

Is it easy? No, it’s messy. It’s an extra hat (or three). All the time.

Don’t choose the one you think you should.

Choose the one where your business & your personality

intersect, and commit.

•  Signal what you want to be known for

•  Signal to the people you want

to be known to

Be a person & a professional too

Be reciprocal & generous

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ben_grey/4582294721/

Be a little different…but yourself.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixeltree/4998949415

Celebrate your successes (and those of others)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/maenoellefoto/2333965284

Surprise us.

The Internet is aspirational

What Will Your Signals Say?

Thank you. J @bonstewart

bstewart@upei.ca