Internet Marketing Strategy, Jobs, LinkedIn, Member Tips, Personal Branding
Why Your Online Reputation Matters
Kim
Apr 05 2013
If it seems like everyone is present on social networks these days, it’s because they are. Today over 88% of businesses are active on social media, and 91% of adults that are online are present on social networks. But just creating a username on networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn isn’t nearly enough. If you’re looking to build up your brand online, you really have to get active on these sites, and use them to your advantage.
For those of you that think all you need is a solid resume and a decent cover letter to grow as a professional and network successfully, think again. Let’s look at the facts…
1) Everybody is online:
There are now 1 billion users on Facebook. 552 million of them are active daily.
Twitter has over 517 million followers now, and almost 7 million of them use it every day.
Of the 200+ million people on LinkedIn, over 25 million are active daily.
From 2011 to 2012, time spent on social media has increased by roughly 30 billion minutes (or 37%).
If you’re a professional trying to grow your client base, make a sale, or build up your brand as a speaker, entrepreneur, coach, or more – you have to fish where the fish are.
2) Recruiters are online too:
90% of recruiters are now searching for employees online.
In 2012, 93% of recruiters used LinkedIn to search for candidates (this number was at 87% in 2011 and 78% in 2010).
in 2012, 66% of recruiters used Facebook for their employee search (this number was at 55% in 2011 and in 2010).
In 2012, 54% of recruiters used Twitter to find employees (this number was at 47% in 2011 and 45% in 2010).
If you’re not on these networks, employers aren’t seeing you.
3) Social media can help or hurt you:
79% of hiring managers look at applicants’ info online before making a hiring decision.
70% of recruiters said they’ve rejected candidates based on something they found online.
65% of companies have successfully hired via social media.
1-in-5 employers use social networking sites to research candidates.
4) Be smart about managing your social media:
86% of employers think candidates should take at least one action to make their profiles more employer-friendly.
36% of employers think candidates should remove political and religious views from their profiles.
Top reasons employers or colleagues decide not to collaborate with someone are based on things they see online:
Concerns about lifestyle
Concerns about unsuitable photos
Inappropriate comments
Unsuitable video
5) Who is already out there taking advantage of social networks?
14.4 million job seekers used social media to find their last job.
427,000 resumes are posted on Monster every week – that’s population of Luxembourg.
61% of all Americans are open to a new job or actively looking for a new one.
6) Professionals should be active on sites like LinkedIn.
81% of LinkedIn users belong to one group.
61% use it as their primary professional networking site.
2 new users join LinkedIn every second.
Want to find new customers or make yourself known online? You better be on these networks – and be active.
7) What do people think of their online presence today?
Only 80% of people Google themselves regularly and keep tabs on their search results.
Of the people that search themselves, only 47% like what they see.
Whether you’re starting a business, trying to build up a speaking or coaching brand, searching for a new job, or just want to stand out, you need to be online. But being online isn’t enough – you have to have a solid plan for how to position yourself as an expert and well-respected professional in your industry. Need help? We thought so – check out our brand new personal brand building class! This “Launch Yourself” Personal Branding Training starts May 3rd and will show you everything you need to – sign up before spots run out!
One Reply to “Why Your Online Reputation Matters”
Great post Kim! I always say, “Recognize that anything on the internet is building your professional brand – and will help any company decide if they want you as a contributing member of the team.”
If it seems like everyone is present on social networks these days, it’s because they are. Today over 88% of businesses are active on social media, and 91% of adults that are online are present on social networks. But just creating a username on networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn isn’t nearly enough. If you’re looking to build up your brand online, you really have to get active on these sites, and use them to your advantage.
Great post Kim! I always say, “Recognize that anything on the internet is building your professional brand – and will help any company decide if they want you as a contributing member of the team.”