Business in the digital world.

Over the last 10 years, digital has massively altered the way we communicate and work. No big surprise there. We all know social media, Google and mobile technology have fundamentally changed the way we do business and interact with other people. The biggest surprise, however, is the way people get information and network in just the last few years.

Whether you are in a job or running your own small business, the effects are the same. Some of the best jobs opportunities and the best clients can’t be found or searched for, they have to find you. We call this a referral.

Referrals are as old as business. The difference today is that the vast majority of people will do their research on anyone recommended to them prior to making contact. That means people are Googling you regularly; whether you like it or not. It doesn’t matter if you are in the job market, wanting to start your own business or already running your own small business. The best opportunities start with a referral, and the best way to get more referrals is to have an attractive (or e-ttractive as we call it!) online brand.

How to build an e-ttractive and authentic online brand?

It’s no longer your choice to have an online brand or not. Whether it’s your Facebook or Instagram page or LinkedIn profile, we all have an online presence . The challenge is how you use it to attract the opportunities you want.

Even if you choose not to be online, that creates a brand impact about you, of being conspicuous by your absence. Are you considered ‘behind the times’ because you don’t have LinkedIn or just a social person who is not serious about business, if all you have is Facebook or Instagram? It’s all about perception and “what Google says about you” is most people's first perception of you.

Luckily what appears in Google can be controlled.

I’m sure many people would be thinking, this is all too hard! Or I don’t know much about digital so how can I manage Google? I understand. However, it’s better to manage your online brand for the benefit of your career and business, rather than leaving it to chance.

We are here to help!

For most people the starting point is to know what your online brand is right now?

To find out, simply type your name into Google and you will see what others see. Can you even be found?

What is the top link? Does it represent what you would like your potential employers or customers to see? Any photos that you would rather not be there.

Do you like what you see?

If not, don’t panic!

Below are our top 10 tips to build and manage an attractive online brand for your career success to beat the competition:

1. Ensure you can be found on Google

2. Maximise your personal SEO

3. Optimise your business presence on Google 

4. Get found for your niche

5. Build a website that performs

6. Optimise LinkedIn with great content

7. Leverage your personal social media for your career and business benefit

8. Get referrals to take the next step

9. Create a clear call to action that works

10. Leverage your brand with paid advertising

In the next 10 articles, we will cover more details of each tip to help you build an effective, e-ttractive and authentic brand for your career or business success.

If you are motivated to get to the next level, click below to access all the blogs.

Let’s have a great 2017! 

Click below to get all the 10 tips.