Sebastian Oddo speaking at Tedx on using innovation to drive piggyback rides (photo via @BePositive)
For those looking to work in the digital space, developing a strong personal brand online is a good first step in the process. More than ever before, first impressions are being made online rather than in person. So it is important to keep that in mind as you engage online and use your brand as a way to increase your credibility in the industry.
Building up your presence online gives you the opportunity to share your knowledge and passions. It can help set you up as an expert in a certain subject area and also provide networking opportunities that may open the door to future jobs.
In the second edition of a series on how to build a career in the digital space, Sebastian Oddo, the Vice President of Technology, Design and Content at Octagon, shares his thoughts on how to build your brand online and how to stand out through your posts.
Oddo believes that the best place to start is with your passions.
“There is so much content online that sometimes it feels like your post can get lost in the conveyor belt of cat, political and kid dancing videos. But there is a trick to this madness, it starts with passion,” says Oddo.
“I love posting about Technology and Innovation on my social accounts. I want to share my findings with people who follow me so they can offer their thoughts about the product or service. Because of this, I was approached to do a TEDx talk in Stamford, CT around the topic of Innovation Now. I received this opportunity solely through the relationships and networking I did online.”
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Often, it can be hard to determine how to build your presence online.
“When people ask me how they can stand out more online, I often tell them the following five things,” says Oddo.
Find a topic that you are passionate about and talk about it.
Are you interested in social media? Design? Digital marketing? The influencer space? Think about what gets you excited and talk about it on your social channels. Educate yourself and share what you learn (relevant articles, podcasts, etc.) across your social channels.
Research people who are talking about that topic and follow them.
One of the best ways to learn is to learn from others. Look up leaders in your field of interest on LinkedIn and Twitter and see what they are talking about. What are they working on right now? What new trends are they discussing? Use these thought leaders as a resource for your own education and don’t stop learning.
Create a posting schedule and stick to it.
Find a posting cadence that works best for you and hold yourself accountable. Commit to posting once a day…or three times a week. It doesn’t matter how often you post as long as you are posting consistently and authentically. Throughout the week, keep a stockpile of articles that you’ve found interesting that you can share via social
Do keep in mind that a lot of the best moments on social happen in real time so give yourself some flexibility to post outside of your regularly scheduled time slots.
Post on multiple platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram) all at once.
Just because you share something on Twitter, doesn’t mean you can’t share something on LinkedIn or Facebook, in fact, often times it is beneficial to post on multiple platforms. Of course, not all content will make sense on every platform, but push yourself to use your channels creatively as each one will reach a unique audience. As much as possible, keep your messaging and brand consistent across all of your accounts – even if the content isn’t exactly the same across channels.
Comment, reply and engage!
Remember the thought leaders you started following? Put yourself out there and engage with their content. Comment on their posts and share your thoughts. Social media is a place for sharing so take advantage of the opportunity to connect with people who you might not be able to otherwise, you never know what might happen!
“If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me! Let’s connect!” says Oddo.
You can get in touch with Sebastian Oddo on Twitter @BePositive and LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianoddo/.
