If you are a business owner, and more so a small business owner, then you are the face of your company. And in the digital world that we live in, it is expected that you are going to have a digital footprint – in other words an online presence.
Nowadays, if we’re given a recommendation, most of us will put the name of the person or the company into Google to see what returns. And what we see will either spur us on to make contact with that person or move us on to look for someone else.
What’s Your Online Brand Like?
It’s worth a reminder here that people like to know who is behind the business that they are thinking of working with – and especially so, if it’s a small business. They want to feel confident that they’re making the right choice in buying from you or hiring your services. And if they can find nothing online about you, it could send up a red flag for them and that could mean losing some business.
When was the last time you Googled your own name?
As a business owner, at the very least you need to have a completed LinkedIn profile, with a public URL. Therefore, your search should at minimum, return a link to your LinkedIn profile. But what if there is nothing else? Or, what if what you find no longer represents how you wish to be seen today? Would either result worry you? Well, it should, because it could be losing you business.
Stop Hiding Yourself
One suggestion I always make to business owners is to come out from behind your brand and get in front of a camera. You don’t need to do this daily just once every so often post a photo or a video of you to your social channels. It could be a very short video announcing a new product, or a photo of you interacting with a client/at an exhibition/supporting a local cause. This allows existing clients to feel like they know you and potential ones to make a more informed decision whether to work with you or not.
By mixing up the content you’re sharing on social sites with posts showing you (and your team if you have one), it builds up a better overall picture of the company and the people behind it. It’s also helping to create an online personal brand for you in a nice easy and natural way.
Be focusing a little of your time in developing an online personal brand, you are also creating an online reputation that reflects you and your business. And we all know just how important a good online reputation is for any business.
If you would like some help with creating a better online personal brand, get in touch and let’s talk.
To your success!
Carole Smith
Online Marketing Business Coach
T: 353 85 778 56155
