This article by Cassie Wallace is a follow-up to Why Undergrads Can’t Ignore Social Media. For more of Cassie’s digital marketing, SEO or social media work, visit her website or say hello on Twitter.
Last time, I discussed why undergrads are lacking strong online social media presences, and why they really can’t keep ignoring it.
As I wrote in the 1st article in this 2-part sequence, expanding your social media usage beyond Facebook stalking allows you to “populate the first page of search results for your name with content you control and establish yourself as someone who “gets” it to potential employers.”
“Okay, that’s great,” you’re thinking. “But what do I do?”
First, find out your Google Grade. If you haven’t done much online, it’s probably not so good. And since a majority of employers scope out applicants on Google, that’s not so good either.
So here are the 5 easiest, yet most crucial, ways to establish a stronger brand and produce better search results for your name. (Don’t believe me? Google me. I didn’t have 1 result on the first page 6 months ago.)
1. Reserve your domain name. It costs about 25 dollars a year on GoDaddy to register and host a .com. Use your full, most frequently used name. Tip: If the .com is taken, try hyphenating or buying the .net or .org.
2. Read. Keeping up on current trends in your field is crucial to knowing the best way to position your personal brand. In fact, 85% percent of your personal branding efforts should take place behind-the-scenes. Following relevant people on Twitter is an easy way to stay informed; also, sign up and familiarize yourself with Digg, use Google Reader to subscribe to and stay in touch with blogs, and stumble with StumbleUpon to unearth random yet relevant tidbits. Tip: These tools have a learning curve. Take it slow, but keep on plugging. Eventually, your Google Reader will look like a perfectly organized library of industry information.
3. Get at least 85% complete on LinkedIn. This means your current job, 2 previous positions, where you go to school, a profile summary, text in the specialties section, and a photo. The remaining 15% is awarded in increments of 5% for each of 3 recommendations that are required to become 100% complete. It can take some time to connect with people and encourage them to recommend you (and you definitely should). But, the rest you can do on your own, so there is no excuse for not doing so. Tip: If you haven’t had 2 previous internships, research positions, or other relevant experience, use a job from high school like churning out bagel sandwiches. It looks better than nothing.
4. Tweet, tweet. Ideally, your Twitter handle would be your full name. If that’s not possible, try to do some variation on it or at least something unique to you. Fill out all of the information, including providing an interesting, professional bio. Tweet about recent news in your industry, and follow others in your field. ‘Social’ize with them. You’ll be surprised with how quickly you can make connections with people on Twitter; the communication barrier between a CEO and a freshman in college is significantly lowered. Tip: That said, don’t be obnoxious. Learn, synthesize, and comment, but don’t shout opinions like a know-it-all youngin’.
5. Put something on your domain name. The sooner the better. Even if it’s a one-page, slick, professional, black & white version of your resume with your photo on the side, Google will find it.
Tip: Now that you have something solid on here, put this domain as your Twitter URL and one of your LinkedIn links (the other 2 could be your school and last internship company).
Give it a few weeks to a few months, stay active on social media networks, and check your Google Grade again. I guarantee it will improve, even if I can’t give you your money back for this free post.
Cassie Wallace is a junior at Carnegie Mellon University who specializes in social media and search engine optimization. You can find her marketing portfolio at http://cassiewallace.net, and connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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