Who are You, Online?

So, yesterday we talked about having an online presence. Are you Google-able (Good word Megan)

So now we know we can be found. We are online!

But what do you do with this new www-presence?

Your online presence is You... Online. Yes I realize how redundant that sounds but keep with me here.

Agents will Google you. Editors will Google you. Fans (do we dare to dream?) will Google you.

What do you want them to see?

Do you want them to see that drunken picture of you hugging the toilet? Remember the one you thought was so funny you had to post it to your facebook?

Do you want them to read about you ripping another author to shreds for their lack of basic writing skills? You remember that blog, right? The one you posted ages ago? Guess what, it's still searchable.

Do you want them seeing that YouTube video of you, singing "Girls just want to have fun." Yes, Karaoke is fun, just be sure that's what you want people to find when they search you out.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not saying you need to remove any and all personal and or cutsy stuff about you from your online sites.

I'm saying, think about what you have posted.

As an Author (Think of it as a business title), your name is now your brand. You are trying to sell, "you."

Ask yourself how potential Agents or Editors, or anyone in the publishing industry will view thing when they look you up. How is a future adoring fan going to feel when they look you up?

Go ahead and Google yourself real quick. (I know, I had you do this yesterday. Do it again and study what the links actualy point to.)

What are the first few links? Are they something you want the public seeing? Do those links portray you in the light you want to be seen in? Is there anything questionable in those links?

Remember, I am not telling you not to post personal stuff. You are selling yourself here so you will have to show some of "you."

Just be aware of what you are posting. Make sure that it is what you WANT others to see. Take a step back and look at yourself through strangers eyes.

Make sure you are putting the best, "You," out there.

8 comments:

Stephanie McGee said...

I googled my real name and not one result in the first 4 pages was actually me. There are a lot of people out there with my same name. Sigh.

Guess I'll publish under a great pseudonym so I can stand out from the crowd.

MeganRebekah said...

LOL @ google-able!

I did realize that although I'm google-able under Megan Rebekah, I'm not very google-able with my last name added on. I figure that will only matter if/when I actually get published, then I will need to step up that part of my google presence. Until then I'm content with just the first/middle name recognition.

Unknown said...

Great thoughts here about platform building. I'm going to have to jump on the social networking bandwagon and get my name out there. I need to be google-able or is it google-fied?

Susan R. Mills said...

Great thoughts. We definitely want agents, editors, and, yes, fans to see positive things.

Elana Johnson said...

So true--and I think the last line should be applied to life in general. We want to put our best selves out there, no matter if it's online or not. Great topic!

Deb said...

I only get one hit on my real name. I use a mock up name on Facebook where I interact with my family and friends. Personal and professional should absolutely be kept apart. Great thoughts quixotic!

Jm Diaz said...

I am the fourth on the list for the google listing... Though I'm not sure why #1 is there... I think this may be some kind of conspiracy. I blame google

Diana Paz said...

I'm with Novice Writer Anonymous. When I Google myself the first two pages are of people with my name, but who are not me. There's even another "me" blogging Spanish poetry out there, but at least I bought my domain name so that much is safe.

Gracias for the post!

About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.