WHO AM I ONLINE?

FACEBOOKis an archetypal social media platform and probably the first to come to mind when

someone mentions the words ‘social media’. Facebook can be a near impossible platform to inhabit with separate identities, as it readily displays so much personal

information, and, crucially, pictures.

I have always been wary of the content that I post and allow others to post on my Facebook, mainly for my own dignity. This has turned into convenient foresight as I

can offer employers an honest public profile.

TWITTERis a platform designed for brief headlines or whimsical musings. It can be a real tool in terms of networking and displaying both professional and social interests and opinions

Twitter is by nature a very personal platform, as ‘tweets’ are intended to be a tap into a thought or idea. I completely erased and shut down the Twitter account I had used for several years as I realised it wasn’t of any real value to my social or professional

life. My new Twitter account is more mature and productive.

PINTERESTis a more creative social media platform. It is aimed at those who want to be able to

collate inspiration and media, and is well known for providing recipes or tutorials. Pinterest generally doesn’t contain much directly personal content, instead giving an

impression of someone through their interests.

I mainly use Pinterest productively, with boards showcasing photography or fashion inspiration, for example. In a professionally creative capacity, Pinterest can be a useful

tool for advertising blogs or small companies.

INSTAGRAMis currently one of the most influential social media platforms. Instagram is arguably a more ‘considered’ approach to sharing, as each picture is generally well thought-out.

I enjoy photography as a hobby and Instagram provides a way for me to showcase this hobby in a social capacity. I prefer artistic to personal photos, so there is no need for

me to ‘censor’ my activity based on who may see it.

YOUTUBEis one of the most important platforms for the creation and sharing of new media. YouTube is increasingly used more than television, and its influence in the world of

visual media is rapidly increasing.

As a digital content creator, even my small YouTube account is something I can use to expand upon my online identity and share my content. It gives an impression of my

creative style, and this can be important for those who work in digital media.

FLICKRis tailored to photographers, essentially taking a more serious, productive approach to

Instagram’s image sharing. Flickr is designed to be used to showcase pictures, and those that use it share a common interest, meaning that reputation and identity is

important.

I use Flickr to complement my interest in photography and network and communicate with other people who share the same opinions and attitudes to photography. This is

one of my more curated social media outlets.

LINKEDINis arguably the most important platform for professional networking, despite often being categorised as a ‘social media’ platform. It is designed to display your most

marketable qualities, as well as your experience and interests. This makes it crucial to convey your most ‘professional’ self on LinkedIn, where it may not be necessary

elsewhere.

I have been using LinkedIn for around two years for networking and job searching, and I take pride in the fact that I am confident in the quality and maturity of my other

social network presences to the extent that I can offer them directly on my LinkedIn page as a way of learning more about me.

ABOUT.MEis a simple website that essentially allows you to curate your online presence into one easy-to-view page with a brief personal description and links to all your chosen social

media profiles.

I choose to link essentially all of my significant accounts, as they all offer a unique insight into different aspects of my personality, and I have always ensured that they are mature and responsible, but still an accurate and interesting reflection of who I

am.