Online Reputations

How important is it to maintain a positive impression online? Well, if you ask me, it is very important to have a positive impression online. From an online reputation, people can grasp a better understanding of who you are. In my communications class this week, we discussed personal and professional branding. Once I thought about the topic in-depth, I realized that in today's world it is highly uncommon for you to meet someone who doesn't have a brand or present themselves somehow in an online space. A personal brand is a process in which you manage the way you present yourself to others in an online space, it is a major part of how individuals perceive us. You are representing what you find unique about yourself and what you would like to be known for. Your brand can also be referred to as your online reputation, so you want to make sure that it represents your authentic self.

It is very important to be true to yourself online. On social media, we mostly share our opinions and views on topics. By being authentic, we show others that there is a real person behind the brand we represent. Once an audience or followers know that there is a real person behind the brand they become favorable of them and that builds trust. For example, my brand on this blog represents how I feel about social media as a college student and young adult. By being honest with you guys, I open the floor to more opinions and a safe place for others to share as well. I don't know about everyone else, but I like following people who are authentic and genuine, people who aren't afraid to share their opinions even in tough conversations. The online space can be judgemental, and if you're willing to share despite others being against your opinions then that's worth a follow! 

I think a personal brand should be about both your online and offline self. By maintaining both parts of you, audiences will be able to detect that there is a real person behind your brand. A personal brand is all about being true to yourself, and you cannot do so without presenting your offline self. You see, online we try to put our best selves forward or act how we think others would find likable. While doing so, we sometimes forget to show our offline selves and who we really are. As the online world continues to grow, we feel forced to become favorable and only show the parts of ourselves we find pleasant. This is why I disagree with those who say that our online reputation is our most valued possession. I cannot speak for others, but I believe that my online reputation is not my most valued possession because what others perceive of me is not as important as who I am in real life. Let's be honest, just by reading my blogs or seeing me on social media does not mean that you know me or understand who I am. Our online selves do not justify exactly who we are or how we act in the real world. It is easy to judge someone behind a screen when you have no idea who they are as a person. My most valued possession is having a good reputation in the real world, not just online. 

- VANESSA