Marketing Technology Blog - Latest Comments in Protecting Your Online Persona

Re: Protecting Your Online Persona

Chris Cree — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:25:31 -0000

I'm with you there, Doug. I sing along to the radio with the windows rolled up!

It's one thing for the person sitting at the stop light next to me to think I might be a little silly bellowing away. But it's quite another thing to prove that I am by rolling down the windows!

Re: Protecting Your Online Persona

Douglas Karr — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:08:13 -0000

Great feedback, Chris!

I'll respectfully disagree that having an online persona is hiding or pretending.

If I go to a meeting with a prospect, I shave and wear a suit. Everyday at work I wear khakis and shave every few days. On the way home I might crank up some metal in the car, but if I drive a client around, I'm not going to throw in AC/DC.

I also have a sarcastic wit that might put some people off at times. When I'm with colleagues or prospects, I rarely display that sense of humor because many might deem it inappropriate.

In all cases, I'm not being dishonest or hiding the real me. I'm simply showing my 'best side' or 'most appropriate side'. It's still me (trust me - I'm transparent to a fault), but it's necessary if I want to reach the widest audience and gain peoples' respect.

My point is actually something we might agree on - the world is not ready for this kind of transparency yet. I wish it were - then I could dress in khakis, not shave, and crank up some "For Those About to Rock" with my colleagues in the car.

That's not happening any time, soon, though.

Cheers!
Doug

Re: Protecting Your Online Persona

Chris Cree — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:48:24 -0000

We run a big risk of getting into trouble when we even start thinking in terms of "personas" either on or off line. The implication is that we aren't being ourselves and are intentionally hiding something or pretending to be something we aren't.

That kind of thinking can become dangerous because people have a tendency to discount consequences when they think they are anonymous.

Doug I also think you were a touch wide of the mark in one of your statements above. Add one word and I'm with you.

The last thing you want is to leave a trail, personal or business, that can [negatively] impact how your company or a prospect will perceive you.

I certainly hope that prospects will be positively impacted by my online trail. It's part of who I am and the value I bring to table.

And always I assume that Mom & a future employer will both be looking at whatever I put online. That helps me have self control and leave of the especially stupid stuff.