Online Identity on HIMYM
Online Identity is a social identity that we establish in online communities and websites. Now in this day and age, it's possible for a stranger to check out on our history, accomplishment and profile online if we have one. So, why do people really choose online identities? There's an old saying "on the internet, no one knows you're a dog" statement which says that the internet is unstable and everyone can pretend to be anyone.
Those days are over?
At the moment however, the days where people were allowed to be dogs appears to be coming to a close, as the internet market is more mature. Major social networking websites are keen for users to use their real identity and more people only willing to have online interactions supported by authentic identity. Furthermore, the increasing advantage of having a legit online identity also encourage people to use their real profile. Some of the advantages are:
Reputation
Developing a strong online identity confirms your credibility, once people you work with knows you are credible they put their trust on you . This benefits both your online and offline reputation
Expansion
A strong online identity lays the foundation for you to grow your network connections, once your name is a ll over the internet (for a good reason) it's easier for you to expand your reach
Job Opportunities
The arrival of LinkedIn increase the importance of your online identity credibility, by April 2012 71% of college graduates in the USA found work through LinkedIn, showing just how effective and persuasive social media can be.
LinkedIn has changed how people develop their online identity
Yes, having an online identity still have it's critics, but so far it looks promising and there are more advantages that we can discuss. You can't access all these opportunities by being a dog, only when you are legit and credible then people will start to take you for their consideration.
So what do you guys think, is having an online identity important? Does anyone have any experience on how your online identity helps you?
For people who hired a person to work before, do you prefer a person with an online profile so you can check them before hand, or the traditional background check during the interview? thus, do you prefer Mystery or History?
Splendid Iqbal! Online identity is so important just like name. Imagine how people could know you more without knowing your name? In real life, knowing someone's name is the beginning to know more about that person. Then, the next important step in any online business is to build their reputation using their own 'names'.
ReplyDeleteWhat about "multiple" online identities? For example, a professional one and a "fun" one, the two never meeting or overlapping?
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
As a matter of fact, I happen to have multiple online identities. And I try to make sure none of them are ever overlapping, while keeping my professional online identity as "clean" as possible. :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway great post Iqbal! I agree that having an online identity is indeed advantageous, as long as one knows the boundaries. History is great, but certain things are best kept a Mystery. :)
Thank you for the comments.
ReplyDeleteyes wags it's possible to have multiple online identities, there is no wrong in that
however as anonymous said it's important to "manage" them and try to make sure the identities are not overlapping, setting a high privacy setting in a Facebook for example.
We have to make sure we manage the accounts so that we only allow what we want other people to see such as future employers, to keep our image professional and reliable to keep our opportunities open
Thank you (:
Nowadays some people in social media have more than two online identity, one is real, the other is just for fun or maybe to prank people. Its really interesting on seeing this phenomenon happening = ]
ReplyDelete