I am not a good housekeeper. In fact, getting a dog was the best thing that ever happened to our kitchen floor.
However, I do have an active fantasy life about being a fine housekeeper and, as in any good fantasy, I am thrilled by richly drawn characters. The star of my housekeeping fantasy is The Swiffer®.
Lean styling, no need for a power outlet, and a sexy little swivel to get the job done.
Occasionally, that’s what your online presence needs, too, because, admit it, a few corners of your online kitchen have got, well, hairballs.
It’s time to swiffer your online presence. We’re not talking about redesigning your whole website; just a quick fluff of the main ways that people are likely to find you. And it won’t take much more time than swiffering your kitchen. Ready?
First, Google yourself.
Put your name in quotes to get the most accurate results. Are those results as shiny as you would like? Are you surprised by what appeared?
Now that Facebook is indexing more things into Google by default, you may be less comfortable with what is visible to the whole world. This doesn’t mean you need to abandon Facebook; just take a few minutes to smooth out your privacy settings. When you are logged into Facebook, click “Settings” then “Privacy Settings” on the drop-down menu. Choose who you really want to see your information in your various profile settings. I prefer the “Only Friends” setting. “Friends of Friends” is pretty darned broad in the extended world online.
On the “Search” section of the Privacy Settings, you can set your Facebook search results and your “Public Search” results – this means Google! I decided that I do want to be found within Facebook but I’ve turned off public search for now.
Next, take a quick swipe at your social networking profiles.
What are your most active social networks? Which ones showed up in that Google search? Did some show up that you don’t intend to use anymore and could delete?
Assuming you’re on the Big Three, sign onto Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and just peek at your profiles on each. Do you have profile info that is current and relevant? Do you have a consistent, recognizable photo? Have you deleted things like your birth year on Facebook to minimize your risk of identity theft?
I hadn’t been as active on LinkedIn lately and was mortified at how much my profile looked like something that rolled under the fridge a year ago. It took a little scrubbing but the results are much more appetizing.
Lastly, set up Google Alerts.
You can activate this brilliant tool in just seconds to help you monitor your name, your brand and any other terms that interest you – with the results automatically delivered via email! Melanie Nelson has written a very clear description on Blogher about how to set up your Google alerts.
Crushed cereal debris…poof! Dusty corners…poof! Give yourself 15 minutes for a little online swiffering. You’ll be amazed by how much more effective your online presence can be with just a quick swipe now and then.
Do you have other ideas or questions about freshening your online presence?
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Excellent post. I will do just that. I have blocked certain people who had been in my life for having access to my facebook account and I have blocked it so friends of friends cannot see what I write. I just don’t need the poison in my life. No I am not a goody two shoes or a prude, I am just older and wiser now is all.
I just did a search and I am pleased with what I found. Thank you again for your words of wisdom.
I was forewarned about Facebook changing it’s ‘availibility’ prior to the dead line so changed my settings first. This is a good tool to make sure you have the privacy you want.