I think of too many young girls, taking too many pictures, showing too much skin, for too many wrong reasons. And I always comment of how “proud” their parents must be, I never thought how displeased their employer, or would be employer or clients, might be.

Do you know who you are online?

Who is the online you?

If someone didn’t know you, and wanted to find out about you, what would a google search say about you?

Dan Schawbel, personal branding guru, talks about the Six Free Tools for Online Reputation Management. And though I have googled myself here and there I didn’t realize Dan’s first free online tool existed:

1. Google—Google.com/alerts
Definition: Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results based on your choice of query or topic. You can subscribe to each alert through email and RSS.
Application: Many people use their RSS readers to view these alerts,
and PR agencies use alerts to track their campaigns. You can monitor a news
story, keep current with your industry and competitors, and see who is writing
about you, all at the same time.

So you have googled yourself, you set up your alerts, now what about that Facebook page?

Check out these top ten turn-offs for employers on social networking websites from the recruitment site www.onrec.com

1. References to drug abuse
2. Extremist / intolerant views, including racism, sexism
3. Criminal activity
4. Evidence of excessive alcohol consumption
5. Inappropriate pictures, including nudity
6. Foul language
7. Links to unsuitable websites
8. Lewd jokes
9. Silly email addresses
10. Membership of pointless / silly groups

One more thing not mentioned above is your comments and your friends; are you only as good as the company you keep?

Change your settings to have your comments pre-approved before one of your “friends” posts an embarrassing or inappropriate comment on your page. And don’t let your friends be upset if you do not approve their comment, and remember that your social site persona is a direct reflection of how the online world will see you.

I would also take a look at your “friends” pages as well. I have had friend requests from people I went to high school with that I have rejected because of the content on their page. I didn’t want their questionable or sexist behavior spill over to who I am.

And that could be more than your parents that you are making so proud; it could be your clients or your employer. And it could cost you more than your job.

Who would have known the genre of social media sites would grow to be so important, not only in people’s personal lives, but in business as well?

Making and keeping business connections can be a difficult task, but the use of social media has lifted this troublesome task to an all out art form. I am amazed at how well some businesses have leaped into the realm of Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the like and are forming important relationships with their clients.

Real Estate agents, lawyers, teachers; it seems that every one is using social media to make announcements, reminders, and solicit business AND it’s free advertising. Why wouldn’t a business take advantage of it? It is so much more than instant messaging for teens or promoting your local band.

Business Week even said that “Social Media Will Change Your Business” and A Nielsen Online report says that “Social Networking and Blogs are more popular than email.”

I couldn’t imagine being in high school during this technological time, it is so different than when I was a kid, and a totally different world than when my parents were teens. And the same is true for business. Its a whole new game, and you have to be in it to win it.

I need to be more of an active participant in my social media outlets and stop riding the passive coaster I have been on for so long. So join me!

Follow me on Twitter

Add me to your Myspace

Add me to your Facebook

Connect with me on LinkedIn

What is YOUR most useful form of social media?