How to Audit Your Personal Brand Online

Created on 1 May, 2023 • Branding • 644 views • 4 minutes read

Building and maintaining a personal brand is very important in this day and age. Read here for tips on how to audit your persona

In today's digital age, having a strong personal brand online has become more important than ever. Whether you're looking for a new job, starting a business, or simply want to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, your online presence can make or break your success. But how do you know if your personal brand is working for you or against you? The answer is simple: audit your personal brand online.

An audit of your personal brand online can help you identify areas of strength and weakness and make adjustments to improve your online reputation. Here are some steps to follow when auditing your personal brand online:

Google Yourself

The first step in auditing your personal brand online is to Google yourself. This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people have never done this. Googling yourself will give you a good idea of what information about you is available online and how you appear in search results.

When you Google yourself, be sure to look beyond the first page of search results. Check out social media profiles, online directories, and news articles that mention you. Take note of any negative or inaccurate information appearing in search results, as this will be important to address later.

Review Your Social Media Profiles

Your social media profiles are an extension of your personal brand online, so it's important to make sure they accurately reflect who you are and what you want to be known for. Review your profiles on all the major social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and ask yourself the following questions:

• Is my profile photo professional and appropriate?
• Do my bios accurately reflect my skills, experience, and interests?
• Am I posting content that aligns with my personal brand?
• Are there any posts or comments that could be perceived as negative or unprofessional?

Make any necessary updates to your social media profiles to ensure they are consistent with your personal brand.

Check Your Privacy Settings

Privacy settings on social media platforms are constantly changing, so it's important to review them regularly. Ensure you understand what information is public and private, and adjust your settings accordingly.

For example, you may want to make your LinkedIn profile public so potential employers or clients can easily find you, but keep your Facebook profile private to protect your personal life.

Monitor Your Online Reputation

Monitoring your online reputation is an ongoing process. Set up Google Alerts for your name and any keywords associated with your personal brand, so you can be notified when new information about you appears online. You can also use tools like Social Mention or Mention to monitor social media mentions of your name or brand.

If you come across any negative or inaccurate information about yourself online, take steps to address it. This may involve contacting the website owner or social media platform to have the information removed or responding to comments or reviews in a professional manner.

Develop a Content Strategy

One of the best ways to build your personal brand online is by creating and sharing content that aligns with your personal brand. This can include blog posts, videos, podcasts, or social media updates.

When developing a content strategy, consider the following:

• Who is your target audience?
• What topics are relevant to your personal brand?
• What format(s) will you use to create and share content?
• How often will you create and share content?

Make sure your content is high-quality and adds value to your audience. Avoid posting anything that could be perceived as controversial or offensive.

Engage with Your Audience

Engaging with your audience is important to building a strong personal brand online. Respond to comments and messages promptly and professionally, and be open to feedback and criticism.

You can also engage with your audience by participating in online communities and forums related to your personal brand. Share your expertise and contribute to discussions, but be mindful of self-promotion. Building relationships with others in your industry can help you establish yourself as a thought leader and grow your personal brand.

Evaluate Your Website

If you have a personal website, evaluate it as part of your personal brand audit. Make sure the design is professional and aligns with your personal brand. Check that all links and contact information are up-to-date.

Review the content on your website to ensure it accurately reflects your personal brand and showcases your skills and experience. If you have a blog, review your posts to ensure they are high-quality and relevant to your target audience.

Get Feedback

Finally, ask for feedback from others in your industry or from friends and family. This can help you identify blind spots and areas for improvement that you may not have noticed on your own.

Consider reaching out to a mentor or coach who can provide personalized advice and guidance on improving your personal brand online.

Now You Know How to Audit Your Personal Brand Online!

In conclusion, auditing your personal brand online is an important step in establishing yourself as a thought leader and building a successful career or business.

By following these steps, you can identify areas of strength and weakness and make adjustments to improve your online reputation.

Remember that building a personal brand is an ongoing process, so keep monitoring and updating your online presence to stay relevant and successful in your field.