Cultivating your profitable online image

Wed, Jul 25th 2012, 08:17 AM

Already this year there have been a number of initiatives to develop Internet use across The Bahamas, such as those supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation and the Bank of The Bahamas e-commerce program.
Whilst the Internet is rightly considered an essential marketing tool, it has the potential to be a deadly trap for the unwary when it comes to effectively managing your personal brand within an increasingly hostile cyber world. However, with expert advice, you can avoid many of the pitfalls (friends posting drunken pictures of you on Facebook) within the social media revolution and enhance your e-business success.
In the book 'you.com', media expert Cresta Norris offers advice on how to effectively use Internet search engines as a professional research tool, find a better job, recruit staff or manage your online image using media such as LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. This is in addition to staying connected to RSS feeds, news feeds, and netvibes.
As the former head of new media content at UKTV, a joint venture between Virgin and the BBC, Morris has created and implemented successful online marketing strategies, making her ideally qualified to guide the reader through a web (world wide or otherwise) of e-commerce possibilities and opportunities.
With 'you.com' you're armed with a practical toolkit in the art of self-marketing, which I have used to identify my own top ten tips to internet success for potential Nassau Guardian www.entrepreneurs:
1. Safely managing your online identity, security and protect privacy.
2. Understand the rules of effective online networking.
3. Improve your website page ranking in search engines.
4. Build and enhance your business reputation.
5. Develop an effective blog that attracts subscribers.
6. Write an online biography, vision, and value statement.
7. Create flattering photos and professional videos.
8. Achieve cyber fame through implementing targeted goals.
9. Set up and manage a successful PR campaign.
10. Master on-line management tools to effectively target resources.
These steps are supported by case studies, including the BBC World Service and Global News, with examples of how an online image can go wrong, and valuable advice on how to put it right with a series of action points to guide you.
To conclude, 'you.com' provides a great resource for anyone who wants to develop a professional online business presence and establish a personal 'me.com' brand across the Caribbean and beyond.

o 'You.com: manage your online self for profit, image and business success' by Cresta Norris
Published by Kogan Page and available from www.Amazon.com.

o Keith Appleton JP, BA (Hons), N.Dip.M, MInstLM has extensive experience within an academic, managerial and strategic leadership role. He is a member of the UK Institute of Leadership & Management and can be contacted at KeithAppleton@Hotmail.co.uk.

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