How do you show your true self online?

1 Know your purpose

Before you start posting, tweeting, or blogging, you need to have a clear idea of why you are online and what you want to achieve. What is your personal brand mission, vision, and goals? Who are you trying to reach and serve? How do you want to position yourself as an expert, leader, or influencer in your field or niche? Having a purpose will help you craft your message, tone, and style, and guide your decisions on what to share and what to keep private.

2 Be consistent

One of the key elements of a strong personal brand is consistency. This means that you should have a coherent and recognizable identity across different platforms, channels, and formats. Your name, photo, bio, logo, colors, fonts, and graphics should be aligned and consistent with your brand personality and values. Your content, voice, and frequency should also match your purpose and audience expectations. Consistency will help you build trust, credibility, and loyalty among your followers and clients.

3 Be authentic

Another essential element of a successful personal brand is authenticity. This means that you should be honest, transparent, and genuine in your online presence. Don't try to copy, imitate, or fake someone else's style, voice, or story. Don't exaggerate, lie, or manipulate your achievements, skills, or opinions. Don't hide, censor, or avoid your flaws, mistakes, or challenges. Instead, be yourself, share your unique perspective and value proposition, and embrace your vulnerability and imperfection. Authenticity will help you connect, engage, and inspire your audience and peers.

4 Be creative

While consistency and authenticity are important, they don't mean that you should be boring, predictable, or repetitive in your online presence. You should also be creative, innovative, and original in how you present yourself and your content. Don't be afraid to experiment, try new things, and explore different formats, mediums, and platforms. Don't be shy to show your passion, humor, and personality. Don't be reluctant to express your opinions, insights, and feedback. Creativity will help you stand out, differentiate, and add value to your personal brand.

5 Be respectful

Finally, showing your true self online doesn't mean that you should ignore or disregard the rules, norms, and etiquette of the online world. You should be respectful, courteous, and professional in your online interactions and communications. Don't be rude, offensive, or aggressive to others. Don't spam, troll, or harass anyone. Don't plagiarize, infringe, or violate anyone's rights or privacy. Instead, be polite, friendly, and helpful to others. Be mindful, responsible, and ethical in your online behavior. Respect will help you establish, maintain, and grow your personal brand reputation and relationships.