Your Online Presence

Do we judge other people by their appearance? By the way, they dress? Do we take into account how they stand? Walk? Speak? Behave?

Is it true that we judge very fast? Yes, we have made our decision within moments.

Is it a fair concept to judge people by their outward appearance rather than their inner values? No! But anyway this is reality, and we are better off knowing this fact so that we can take care of it.

Wouldn´t it make things much easier, when our appearance would set the right expectations?

I don´t mind making jokes, but I don´t want to look like one. - Marilyn Monroe -

If you have any weaknesses regarding your appearance, communication skills or your manners, you need to improve imperatively. This is mission critical. It is hard work to change yourself, but it´s entirely worth it. Your style is your Brand!

Regardless of the industry we belong to, we sell results. People want solutions. Do you represent the outcome you are offering? Think about it!

One of the central questions you have to answer is: “What´s in it for them?” You should embody the result.

Don´t make it difficult for others to understand that you are precious and have a lot to offer, especially in a business context.

We ALWAYS present ourselves. You can dislike this truth, but it is reality anyway.

And you present and sell, your services, your products, your business deals, etc.

Create the best preconditions for your personal life, your business, and your success.Make it easy for people to understand your potential. Make a great first impression by the way you dress, behave and speak, and sustain it. You want people to take you seriously? Then impress to impact from the very first moment of contact.

Now, let´s have a specific look at the appearance of digital platforms.

Does the appearance of your accounts on social media like Facebook and LinkedIn serve your purpose?

Do your digital presences show the picture you want to display externally?

Never forget that you are the Brand, so please do yourself a favor and don´t post pictures of your food except you are in the food industry. Don´t post without sense and significance. Don´t share embarrassing situations or intimate information with the public or your 2500 so-called friends.

There are so many accounts out there on the world wide web where people do even not have a profile picture or a comic character instead. “What do these people have to hide?” And they post whatever rubbish comes to their mind.

This kind of accounts are not professional, and that´s precisely the message their potential clients, customers and business partners get. Can you afford that?

Be very careful with the picture you draw; the external world may misunderstand you. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Everything you post on Social Media impacts your Personal Brand. How do you want to be known? - Lisa Horn -

Just like any tool, the actual benefit of social media depends on how well you use it

11 Social Media Branding Strategies

1. Choose the networks that fit your demands. Look for the platforms, where you can find your clients and customers and choose the platforms that support your brand image.

2. Don´t underestimate visual branding. Work on your accounts. They need to be recognizable. You want your brand to be consistent across all channels. Use a color palette and a logo.

3. Use a professional headshot as your profile picture. Look good on your videos and the photos you post.

4. Your posts should follow a red thread. What is the core message of your business? All your posts should underline this core message. Be consistent. Select a few topics that are closely associated with your industry. Provide valuable and shareable content.

5. Use your profile as a virtual portfolio. Be authentic and consistent and find a way to connect with your audience

6. Don´t fill your profile up with anything, but be specific and relevant to lead your client or customer to a particular overall picture. You may use an elevator pitch. Create a positive image of yourself.

7. Watch and regulate your reputation carefully. Take a proactive approach to the control of your web presence. Don´t allow others to share questionable content on your profile.

8. Engage with your audience. Please never forget your kind nursery manners. Don´t gossip. Solve conflicts in a constructive way. Never discuss religion or politics in public.

9. Connect with the right people and organizations. This requires a networking strategy. And you should even consider that people are checking your contacts.

10. Avoid spelling mistakes and grammar errors. Use a grammar app.

11. Study appealing profiles or profiles of influencers to get ideas.

Videos and Photos

• Adjust your attitude – Work on a positive attitude and use powerful affirmations. You could use music to empower yourself before you do a presentation.
• Dress the way you want to be perceived – The clothing must be appropriate for the occasion and the context. We feel different depending on how we dress.
• Jewelry – Less is more. Keep it subtle and make sure your jewelry doesn´t make clank.
• Neat appearance – Look like you take care of yourself (Hair, Hands, Feet, Nails, Makeup, Facial Hair, Teeth)
• Posture – An excellent straight posture conveys self-confidence. Open body language. Your physics change your emotions and it also changes the way you are perceived.
• Gesturing – Be aware of your gestures. It´s ok to emphasize your message with your hands, but don´t exaggerate. Don´t fidget or fumble.
• Speak clearly – Speak competently and confidently making sure what you say is appropriate and relevant. Control your volume, voice tone and speed. People who talk in a calm, deep voice are taken more seriously by their audience.
• Welcome your audience and introduce yourself – it´s a great way to start a conversation and to break the tension.
• Facial Expression – allow yourself to be you. Don´t wear a mask. The person you are talking to, wants you to be authentic, open-minded and interested. Smile. Smiling is contagious, comforting and decreasing stress hormones.
• Look openly into the camera.

Internalize that you are always on stage, in normal life and online. Everything you do should be part of your strategy and build a consistent overall picture. Do things intentionally.

Trust is difficult to build but easy to lose. And trust is the foundation of every relationship in the private but also in the professional context. If you want to sell you need rapport and a good relationship.

Stand for something and own style. You are the brand. Your style is your brand.

Nadine Semlitsch-Zehe, Image Conselor, Impress2Impact