Editor’s Note: This article was written by Rob Williams of Orangejack LLC for the Florida Nurses Association. You are welcome to use this article in it’s entirity for your own publication with proper attribution including a link to orangejack.com.
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It has never been easier than it is today to have a personal online presence. Websites like MySpace, Facebook, blogs, and all sorts of other social sites allow anyone to easily share and publish anything online. People are uploading videos to YouTube.com, sharing photos on Flickr.com, and finding interesting news on Digg.com.
Consider going online and joining a community of like-minded people. It can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. You can connect with your friends both locally and long distance. I’ve found that being online has not only strengthened local friendships, but also I’ve been able to reconnect with old friends, stay in touch with out of town family, and have even made some good friends with people I’ve “met” online.
However, when you venture online there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Do find one website community that you’d like to join and sign up. It’s usually free and easy. The decision of which one to join should be based on where your friends are or what you want to do. For instance, Facebook.com is great for connecting with friends. Linkedin.com is great for professional networking.
Don’t sign up for every social website or blog right away. You’ll end up spreading yourself too thin. Pick one or two and start there.
Do tell others a bit about yourself. Most sites give you an area to fill out a personal profile. Feel free to tell us what some of your interests, hobbies, and biographical information are. It is about being social and we want to get to know you.
Don’t tell us everything about yourself. There are some things that should stay offline. Ask yourself what you believe should be protected. Not everyone has the same answer. Use discretion when deciding to publish contact information like your email, phone number, and home address.
Do upload a nice photo of yourself so your friends can recognize you.
Don’t use a photo that is potentially offensive or unprofessional.
Do add value to your profile by uploading or sharing things that are interesting. Communicating virtually can actually be quite real. Social media sites are about having online conversations so participate.
Don’t post just anything online. Remember that if it is on the Internet, anyone can find it even if it is password protected. You wouldn’t want a perspective employer to see all the skeletons in your closet before an interview! Some have found it helpful to use a measuring stick before publishing anything such as “would you be okay if my kids, spouse, or parents saw this?”
Reconnect with friends and strengthen your friendships online. Reach out and meet new people on the Internet. It can be fun, rewarding, and even productive! Be yourself but use discretion. Just like in your offline practices, stay friendly and professional and you’ll go a long way!
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Orangejack LLC is an Internet consulting group based in Orlando, Florida. Started by Rob & Patricia Williams, Orangejack helps others use the Internet well through effective strategy, marketing, design and social media. Learn more at www.orangejack.com
Photo Source: davespilbrow
