The Digital You
Your LinkedIn, your website, your tweets (or lack thereof). The internet has an opinion about you, so it’s time to shape it.
Before anyone meets you, they Google you. That's not cynicism, but that's reality. And what they find shapes every interaction that follows.
The question isn't whether you have a digital presence. You do. Even silence is a statement online. The question is whether you're curating it or letting it curate itself.
The First Impression You'll Never See
Here's the uncomfortable part: most first impressions happen without you. Someone hears your name, types it into a search bar, and forms an opinion before you've exchanged a single word.
What do they find? A polished LinkedIn profile or one that hasn't been updated since 2019? Thoughtful content or complete silence? A website that reflects who you are, or maybe even nothing at all?
Absence isn't neutral online. It says something. Usually, it says you haven't thought about this. And that's not the message you want to send.
Platform Strategy (Or: You Can't Be Everywhere)
The biggest mistake people make is trying to be on every platform. LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, a blog, a podcast, a newsletter… It's exhausting just thinking about it.
Here's a better approach: pick one or two platforms where your audience actually lives, and do them well. Consistent presence on one platform beats sporadic presence on five.
Ask yourself: Where do the people I want to reach spend their time? That's where you should be. Ignore the rest without guilt.
Content Isn't King—Context Is
Everyone says "create content." But content without purpose is just noise. And there's plenty of noise already.
Before you post anything, ask: What does this contribute? Does it teach something? Start a conversation? Demonstrate expertise? Reveal personality?
The best digital presences feel intentional. Every piece of content fits into a larger picture of who this person is and what they stand for. Randomness might get occasional engagement, but it won't build a brand.
The Audit You Need To Do
Open an incognito browser window. Google yourself. Click through the first page of results.
Now, honestly: If you were meeting yourself for the first time based on these results, what would you think? Would you be impressed? Intrigued? Indifferent?
The gap between what you see and what you want people to see should be your sign of a roadmap. Close it deliberately, one piece at a time.
