Your Personal Brand – 6 Things To Do Before 2012

“Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” -Tom Peters, “A Brand Called You”

Kick off 2012 by putting your best virtual foot forward and reviewing your online presence. From LinkedIn and Facebook, to Twitter and blogs, ensure you’re creating a consistent personal brand that highlights your unique talents and encourages others to build relationships with you.

Update your profile pictures  A picture helps to create and reinforce your online brand, and can help people recognize you at live events. It’s best to pick a photo that you can use across multiple sites, so steer clear of placeholders like a picture of your cat, or strange logos – use a clear photo of yourself, with a friendly smile.

Update your location  Make it easy for locals to connect with you. Use the nearest town or city that makes sense, and refrain from cutesy sayings like “planet earth.”

Update your contact information  Do you still have an old work address or cell phone listed? Are your current social networks tied to the right email address? Don’t miss out on an opportunity because someone couldn’t hunt you down.

Update your bios  Whether it’s a 160 character Twitter bio, or your blog’s “About” page, this is your critical chance to give an elevator pitch about yourself. Read through your current bios – do they clearly tell your story, what you do, or what you stand for? If you read this about someone else, would you view them as a credible source? Strive to use concise and specific wording – not only do you want people to quickly understand, but also consider how you might come up in keyword search results.

Put it all in one place  Create your own one-stop personal homepage that links to all your social connections and websites. That way, it’s like sending someone a virtual business card. Some of my favorite sites that allow you to easily create great looking personal pages include About.me, Flavors.me, and Zerply.

Expand your footprint  You probably are a member of a few main social networks, but don’t stop there. In addition to traditional blogging, there are so many ways to showcase your expertise and interests. Sites like Tumblr and Pinterest are lively communities, and make it fun to curate and share unique content. You also can set up your own YouTube or Vimeo channels, or share your Flickr or Instagram stream. Have fun and share things that inspire you with your network.

Dana Byerlee is a corporate strategist and relational marketing expert to both Fortune 500s and startups. She has worked with Ferrazzi Greenlight, and is passionate about leveraging new technology to break down barriers and build deeper connections. @LADLynn