A Look at the Art and Science of Personal Branding

The Internet has brought us social media, and with it has come a rise in the snap judgements made about our appearance by a wider number of strangers than ever before. It’s a weird world we’re living in, and our personal brands online affect a lot more than you might think. How people perceive you online could affect your personal life, your dating life, and even your ability to get a job. So how should you present yourself online so that things go in your favor?

First, determine what your purpose is. You will want to present yourself differently for an online dating site than you would for a professional networking site, for instance. If you are working on your LinkedIn profile, make sure you have an appropriate professional photo of yourself. Squint your eyes slightly to seem more competent and shoot the photo from the shoulders up to seem more likeable. Smile with teeth to seem more likeable and use well-defined lighting to seem more competent.

How you present yourself online can affect your job prospects as well as your friendships, so take a moment to do a social media audit. Learn more about the art and science of personal branding online from this infographic!