December 6, 2009

IT Professionals and Personal Branding

This weekend, I spent sometime updating my web site. In order to get some fresh ideas, I took a look at many of the personal branding sites that are online. One observation is that the vast majority of personal branding sites belong to freelancers, authors, and real estate professionals. Web developers were clearly in the lead when it comes to promoting their work. Obviously, they have the Internet where their work can easily be found and promoted. For many of us not having a visual representation can be challenge but one that can be overcome.

Missing from the personal branding bandwagon was individual information technology professionals that work within our enterprises. I suppose folks don't feel the need to create their online persona or has the utilization of LinkedIn or Facebook made us lazy. The Web 2.0 tools are great but they can't replace your own online environment. I discussed this need in my book (Trademark 2.0) but I realize that most folks don't see the need or have the skills to make a professional web environment. That is until this current recession. With unemployment breaking 10% with a real unemployment or underemployment figure ate 20%, I wonder if any of those out of work technology professionals are rethinking that strategy. Last year was not a good year for me in the development of my brand and I hope to rectify that in 2010. I made the same mistake that so many information technology professionals make; we assume the organization will take care of us. Unfortunately, those days have passed and your career is up to you. My advice is to develop your self internally as well as externally. If you have the skills, get online and start building your own brand.

Posted by Todd at December 6, 2009 7:39 PM

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