Maximize Personal Branding and Networking for Professional

Development Digitally

Will Patch

Assistant Director of Admissions and Social Media Coordinator

Manchester University

Brands

What is their brand purpose?

“At McDonald's, we strive to be more than just a restaurant  - we're a first job for many,

a community partner, a model for other restaurants around the world, and a

company seeking new ways to fulfill our brand promise of Quality, Service,

Cleanliness, and Value.”

Brands

Donald Trump

Attached to luxury, power, wealth in excess.

What is a Personal Brand?

Your unique package of strengths, skills, and experiences.

A Personal Brand…

• Tells your compelling story

• Should show your authentic self

• Share your experience

• Is necessitated by anonymity of online personas

How You Portray Yourself Online Matters

Find the neutral zone

Share your accomplishments and knowledge

Don’t exaggerate

Don’t #HumbleBrag

Step 1: Know Yourself

• Know your values

• Know what you’re passionate about

• Know your strengths

Step 2: Your Story

• Step 1 was “who”

• What your vision of growth is

• Where you have been

• When - “Riding into the sunset” moment

• Why does this matter to you

Step 3: Verify

• Look over what you have and ask:

• Are my values and strengths authentic or aspirational?

• Is my story complete and compelling?

about.me

• Visual storytelling

• Personal branding site

• Aggregator

• Networking and mentoring

• Not a replacement for LinkedIn

• Use your story from Steps 1 and 2 and a photo to set up an account

• Backstory – can be filled in later, essentially your resumé

• Use the search bar to find similar interests, locations, jobs, or search by name

• Find mentors or just learn more

Networking for Professional Development

Traditional vs Digital Development

Digital

• Flexible and versatile

• Worldwide expertise

• Often free

Traditional

• Fixed

• Local and regional expertise

• Often expensive

They compliment each other!

Don’t hide behind a keyboard, but don’t ignore opportunities online either.

Active and Passive

Follow leaders in your areas of interest

Interact and ask questions

Participate in Twitter chats

Search hashtags

Suggested follows:

@iacacindy

@nacac

@Smartcolleges

@IHEadmissions

@chronicle

@insidehighered

@higheredlive

Use actively, interact with group discussions

Endorse others, but be honest

Post articles to start discussions and share ideas

Suggested groups

Chegg Social Admissions

College Admissions Experts

CollegeBound Experts

Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Higher Education Management

Live video discussions

Podcasts

Various topics throughout higher ed each week

Journals

Passive

Keep updated on new trends and research

Find job opportunities

Professional Organizations

Network

Attend conferences

Learn from other professionals

Take advantage of mentorship

Get involved on committees

Take That First Step!

Take That First Step

• Connect with people you actually know first

• You can use LinkedIn to get introduced

• AboutMe – Can’t passively follow

• Be authentic and ask for thoughts or insights

• Ask questions, and follow up

• Groups, blogs, Twitter chats, and webcasts

Discuss!

What have you found most helpful in your development and networking?