Are you a profile Clone??
There has been a flood of new people jumping into the twitter and social media space in the last few months. The weird thing is, that it seems to be a bunch of profile clones with different avatars, or no avatars at all. Why am I writing about this? Everyone is sick of twitter right? The fact remains that Twitter is becoming one of the most powerful communications channels on the planet. If you seek to have any activity there, I think it starts with your Profile.
Why is the profile important? I’ll let Twitter tell you.
Hannechr @KeithBurtis I agree the profile is really important, personally I don’t follow anyone who doesn’t have one #Fail
BizCoachDeb @KeithBurtis for the mere fact that in a snapshot, it will give people an idea of who you are. A filter, I suppose.
MicaR @KeithBurtis One reason: Worthwhile having profiles on soc.sites for search value. Someone Googles you and there you are, top of the list.
heykim @KeithBurtis i would imagine.. because it allows you to see important info about a person or co. that isnt in the tweets necessarily…
JimLittlefield @KeithBurtis I use the profile information to determine who to follow or not. No profile = no follow.
jmilles @KeithBurtis If you want followers, you need a profile. If you don’t want followers, leave it blank.
I think Jim Milles in that last tweet summed it up quite nicely huh?
How do you differentiate?
Like I said in the opening paragraph, the social media space is starting to look a lot like the Attack of the Clones. If I wanted to be attacked by clones, I would just read @JCHutchins book 7th son! Now thats fun! However, looking through a bunch of new followers every day who’s bio all look the same is not fun. My advice to anyone who is going to write a profile in any social network is to describe YOU. Don’t describe your job, self-proclaim yourself or make claims of a guru. Instead tell people a bit about yourself. Include your job or title if you wish, but I want to know you! What makes you an individual? What are you passionate about? What makes you different from every other SEO, PR, Marketing,Coach, Guru out there???? The cliches are getting lame.
Unique Profiles!
Marina Martin – A Type-A working on my goal to drink a Guinness in every country. I recruit filmmakers and help companies create affordable, high-ROI videos for the long-tail.
Saul Colt – Mayor of Twitter, Smartest Man in the World (and Head of Magic @ FreshBooks)
Kevin Lim – Cyberculturalist // Social Cyborg // Videoblogger // PhD candidate in Communication
Gloria Bell – Lovingly finding my way through the world. While helping Indies and Freelancers run their business better.
How do you differentiate yourself? Do you have a cool social media profile? Share it with us!
Keith Burtis is a social media and digital marketing professional. If you or your company are looking to REV THE ENGINE on your digital efforts contact Keith today! Specialties include: Blog design/Integration, Custom Facebook Pages, Social, Digital and Interactive Content strategies.
Comments
Keith,
This is good food for thought. I’m glad we were able to having an exchange about it today on Twitter and I’m happy to get more insight into what you’re thoughts were on this. It really makes me want to think more about what I put into my social media profiles. Although I like most of them how they are, one can always seek to review their efforts.
Thanks!
Kimberly
@jkvirtualoffice
I loath getting a connection, only to find a page with no profile – I liken it to meeting someone with a blank stare and nothing more. Not useful, not someone I really want to associate with. What are they? Mystical, special, too busy? Yeah. No. Engage and we will engage you.
Keith,
Another good lesson learned. Can’t believe the number of folks that follow me and when I check out their profile there is nothing that stands out, if there is anything. Heck, that’s right up there with having the profile link be one that points back to that profile.
I don’t follow folks with no profile or circular links and even more so if all it says is MLM, Making money online, etc.
Also, the word ‘f*ck’ tends to drive me away.
Thanks for the mention, Keith!
You are SO right about the importance of writing a unique and compelling profile. On Twitter we’ve only for 160 characters, and I see tons of people fill that space with fluff like “social media user.” Really? Do you also email and use the telephone? *rolls eyes* You’ve got to use that space to make yourself memorable.