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?
image credit: nguarracino
Is your online presence energizing you or overwhelming you? Laurie Foley is an online presence coach who helps people and organizations thrive online. With more than 25 years of technology experience and 15 years as an entrepreneur, she is a resourceful and intuitive guide for those who want to flourish in a rapidly changing environment. 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Identity theft? Never even THOUGHT of that! And I thought I was being authentic to let people know I’m almost 40! Thanks Laurie!!
Dani Webb´s last blog ..Life Coaching is Living the Questions. An Exercise in Finding Your Why.
YAY! Great to know that I’m on the ball with every one of them
Love the photo privacy settings on Facebook. For those who don’t know about that, you can create groups of people and limit your album visibility. Some can be just for family, some for everyone BUT family, some just for close friends etc. When you’ve got heaps of social media friends and want to connect with them without sharing pictures of family etc, I highly suggest using these tools.
Also, with the new privacy settings I’ve found that many people’s profiles have become more visible than earlier (people whose profiles were private suddenly had profiles that friends of friends could see, including their pictures and wall! SCARY)
So it really pays to go into the settings even if you think your profile is only friends to make sure it wasn’t changed.
Using the same picture online for all soc-med sites is a good idea, as is regularly checking feedburner links to sites like blogcatalog etc (that’s how I found out my blog posts weren’t being updating across all boards yikes)
Great post Laurie! Tia @TiaSparkles
Coach T.I.A´s last blog ..Revolutionary Idea That Will Blow Your Mind!
Good advice and a nice metaphor, that’s the kind of post I like
David Cohen´s last blog ..ACS Young Professionals – Personal Branding Talk
@Dani – You’re ALWAYS authentic!
@Tia – You are so right. FB keeps changing their policies. Good to check now and then.
@David – Who do you think inspired me, oh Master of Metaphor?!
I personally subscribe to LOTS of social networking sites — most of which I haven’t looked at since first subscribing. As someone in the midst of “swiffering” your posts offers great reminders and solid information to remind me to remind my team of just the right things. Very kewl, Laurie! THANKS!
Wendy Y. Bailey l Group Coaching Mastery´s last blog ..What is a Shopping Cart?
Yayyyy Laurie … once again, really great advice coupled with your brilliant and creative wit (profile looked like something that rolled under the fridge …). And btw I really enjoy swiffering!
@WendyY – Your quick reminders are one of your superpowers. So actionable; I like that.
@Susan – Swiffer Rules.
Laurie Foley´s last blog ..Do You Need to Swiffer Your Online Presence?