Managing Online Identities with a Personal

Landing Page

Heather Martyn

User Experience Librarian

Darien Library

November 15, 2010

Online Identity Management

“Online identity management (OIM) also known as online image management or online personal branding or personal reputation management (PRM) is a set of methods for generating a distinguished Web presence of a person on the Internet.

That presence could be reflected in any kind of content that refers to the person, including news, participation in blogs and forums, personal web sites, social media presence, pictures, video, etc.”

(Marcus, Machilek & Schütz 2006)(Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_identity_management)

• In a 2009 Survey, 45% of hiring managers reported using social networks to vet job candidates.

• Even if you’re not in the job market, checking your online image can help protect your reputation and identity.

(Careerbuilder: http://bit.ly/a6PZk6)

“They say first impressions last a lifetime and increasingly those impressions are made online.

Prospective employers Google you.

Ditto the cute guy you met at the gym.

Your landlord can check out your Facebookfriends as easily as your cousin in Kansas City.

The bad news is that the Internet has made it nearly impossible to hide your past.

The good news is that you can use it to craft your future.”

Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/01/manage-online-reputation-technology-identity.html

Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information -- 53 percent

Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs -- 44 percent

Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients -- 35 percent

Candidate showed poor communication skills --29 percent

Candidate made discriminatory comments --26 percent

Candidate lied about qualifications -- 24 percent

Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer -- 20 percent

(CareerBuilder: http://bit.ly/a6PZk6)

Why Employers Disregard Candidates After Screening Online:

(CareerBuilder Survey 2009)

(New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/fashion/07indiscretions.html)

Step 1: Clean Up & Protect

However:

You can use privacy settings on different social networking sites to protect the information you really want to be limited to your nearest and dearest.

Nothing posted online is private.

Things to Consider:

• Privacy settings on your social networks

• Limit who can see photos of you or ask friends not to “tag” your name in potentially embarrassing photos or comments

• Add public content that reflects the “you” you want people to meet for the first time

Step 2: Get Control of Your Identity

• Be open and available with your public information

• Distinguish yourself from the other people with your name

• Create an authentic online identity

Personal Landing Pages

• A website that collects your online identities

• Like an online business card

• Consolidates all the “yous” on the web into one easy to find place

• A way to have an online presence without creating a full website

Benefits

• Lets people know who you are- your work, your interests, your life

• Establishes a place where people can find the “real” you, rather than the other Jane or John Smiths out there

• Establishes credibility and authenticity

How to Choose:

• What services can you link to?– What services do I need?

• What features are offered?

• Does it fit my lifestyle?

• Is it easy to use?

Card.lyPros:

• Easy, elegant design,

• “card.ly/johnsmith” is not a silly url

• lots of networks available

Cons:

• No premium features, no custom domain

Flavors.me

Pros:

• Easy, partially customizable design,

• premium available (custom domain),

• RSS feeds supported

Cons:

• Flavors.me/johnsmithmight be a silly url,

• not as many networks supported

Chi.mpPros:• Free .mp domain

(www.heather.mp)• Can update

directly to site• Easy to use

Cons:• Not as

customizable

ClaimId.comPros: • Will work with any website

or page that you would like to claim

• Easy to use

Cons: • Very basic layout

Sites:

• Flavors.me• Card.ly • ClaimID.com• Dooid.com• Magnetize.com• Chi.mp• Unhub.com

References

• Marcus, Bernd; Machilek, Franz; Schütz, Astrid (2006). "Personality in cyberspace: Personal web sites as media for personality expressions and impressions". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 90 (6): 1014–1031.

• CareerBuilder “More Employers Screening Candidates via Social Networking Sites” http://bit.ly/a6PZk6

• Forbes: “Managing Your Online Identity” http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/01/manage-online-reputation-technology-identity.html

• Lifehacker: “Five Best Personal Landing Pages”: http://lifehacker.com/5534456/five-best-personal-landing-pages

• New York Times: “The Facebook Skeletons Come Out” Nov 5 2010: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/fashion/07indiscretions.html

• Lifehacker: “Establish and Maintain Your Online Identity” http://lifehacker.com/5531465/establish-and-maintain-your-online-identity

FlickrPhotos:

• Mags3737: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mag3737/1914076277/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Featured Sites:

http://www.caseyis.me/#_

http://flavors.me/heatherlyb

http://stefanbielau.com/

http://dooid.com/educast

http://dooid.com/laura

http://mugquo.mp/