Ah, the Internet. Like most people, I have a love-hate relationship with technology, especially the Internet. I’m not the type of person who wants their personal life published on the World Wide Web for, literally, the whole world to see, but I still like to maintain some type of a digital footprint which shows the work I’ve done, such as articles, awards, etc.
So, while I’m not documenting every aspect of my life across on the Internet, people who Google my name will surely know A.) I’m not a cyborg and B). I’m an accomplished human being. Furthermore, we live in a society that requires us to be digital citizens whether we like it or not. It’s to a point where if you aren’t on the Internet in some capacity, people wonder what are they hiding?
So, for those of you who need the Internet to get your brand noticed, but desperately crave privacy, you’re in luck because I’m right there with you. Here’s some pointers I’ve adapted to be transparent and gain exposure for my work while still maintaining the anonymity I desire.
1. Be straight up.
No more making your Facebook name your first name (or nickname), and middle name in place of your surname. You are who you are and that’s not your real name. Own your name, own your identity. If your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram has such cringe-worthy material to the point where you can’t even use your real name for fear of potential employers or colleges seeing your content, you best delete the content entirely or deactivate the profile and start from scratch. This may seem contradictory to “privacy,” but having conflicting names creates conflicting identities on the Internet and looks shady.
2. Delete any incriminating content.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but wipe that stan Twitter account into Twitter heaven or that “finsta” into Instagram oblivion. I follow a few finstas and all have one thing in common: it’s utilized as an Internet dump for petty content you don’t want your parents, teachers, or employers catching a glimpse of. Furthermore, it’s content that you posted and promoted among your followers. On a personal note, I work with a girl who was one step away from losing her job due to content she posted about coworkers on her finsta. I understand some people’s finstas are clean, but for the most part, they’re littered with profanity, personal issues, and sometimes, other people’s names. Save the finsta rants for your therapist or best friend and not the Internet.
3. Make your bio meaningful and to the point.
Way to often, Instagram “bloggers” have bios that are either a.) way too long or b.) way too short. First and foremost, include your first and last name. If you are based in a specific state or city, include your city. It is not necessary to update your location with the pin emoji each time you go on vacation. Personally, I include my name, my city (Nashville-based), and a link to my latest content. I don’t have a business account, as that would allow randos to follow me, which I don’t want. And have one short sentence about what it is you do, like “Nashville-based freelance writer for lifestyle publications,” or something of a similar format that explains who you are, what you do, and why.
4. Establish your boundaries as it pertains to what you share.
Once you have a killer bio, it’s time to adjust your privacy settings. If you are under age 18, I strongly recommend that you keep your settings on “private.” However, if you are trying to get your name out for writing, art, or something else, it makes sense to have a public account. That’s why it’s important to keep a layer of reserve between you and your followers by not making your captions **too** personal, not sharing your current location, and not sharing personal details about your life which could affect your safety or the safety of those around you.
5. Do not overshare.
I seldom write about my personal life in any of my work. Most of the time, it’s not relevant to what I’m doing, it involves people close to me who way not want their names out, and, quite frankly, it’s boring to read. Make your content across all your social media platforms about your brand and not yourself. People would be more excited to read an article you wrote about business or finance than to read a post about thoughts you shared with your friends over coffee. Make your brand about an area you have expertise in and not the inner mechanisms of your personal life, unless you want your DM’s and comments littered with questions about family members, friends, personal life, etc.
Thanks so much for reading! Let me know in the comments below if you have any other questions. Keep an eye out for my next post!
-M
