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make a great virtual first impression by actively managing your own online identity

I strongly believe there is something like a “virtual first impression”. At least there is for me because I often seek out and find information about people and companies well before I interact with them in the “real world”. What kind of virtual first impression are you making? Does a simple vanity search (aka egosurfing) of your name result in related information that is dated or you would rather not be associated with?

It is too easy for people to find information about you and your company online. But if you are not participating in the creation of that information someone else will because it is also very easy for people to publish information online. The earlier you participate in the creation of this information the better the results.

Others like Tom Peters say “Blog As If Your Life Depended On It!” Although I don’t necessarily believe everyone should maintain a blog (it is an amazing thing if you can), I do however believe everyone should actively maintain their online identities. Don’t let the web or search engines determine what information is important about you.

Fred at A VC for example, claims to have established many virtual relationships that later turned into real relationships. He goes on to say “I have rarely sized someone up incorrectly who I consider a friend online.” Something to consider when you are doing what you do online.

Here are 3 practical techniques I use to create and maintain my online identity:

1. Use an online id claim or professional network service to maintain a credible public profile – I maintain an updated LinkedIn profile as well as a ClaimID profile with related links about me. Both services are worth considering because they are regularly indexed by search engines which means your information will end up ranking higher and more quickly on Google than a site you create yourself (without the details, you will have to just trust me). These sites are also considered trustworthy, as compared with a site you may maintain yourself. Try to avoid the sites that found your name by crawling the web for people and pressure you to complete an empty profile (I really disagree with this tactic). Of course, I also maintain profiles on other sites like Facebook and, of course, DoTheRightThing but these typically do not rank as high. Maintaining too many online profiles is a waste of time so I have picked the most valuable ones that support and communicate my personal and professional interests; the association alone can communicate a lot about you.

2. Set up a Google Alert for your name -
The Google Alert beta service notifies you by email when your name, or anything else you want to follow closely such as your competitors or company name for example, is updated online someplace. Below is a snapshot of a recent Google Alert for my name:

In this example, the alert found my name on a reunion site that I never signed up for. A great example of the unethical crawling tactic I mentioned above. Although I would not rely on these alerts 100%, they are a good passive way of keeping tabs in the web world.

3. Maintain a website or blog about you and your work -
Of course one of the best ways to communicate your personal and professional interests is by maintaining original content about you and your work. I started not too long ago myself with this post entitled “finally bringing it online” which also outlined my early hesitations. Today, I can’t believe that these silly concerns had kept me from blogging for so long.

What do you think?