Who are you?

It’s the age old question, and in the online world, it’s one that is asked more often than just about anything else. When you put your unique perspective of the world online, you inject your thoughts and ideas into other people’s worlds. Conversation ensues. It’s amazing to think that these connections are being made, millions of them every day, between people who may otherwise have never had the opportunity to come together.

But who are you?

When you fall into my online field of view for the first time, the first thing I do is click on your profile. What I see at this point is critical, because it puts you in one of two categories. Let’s use Twitter as an example. If I click your Twitter profile and see a one line description and no links, then to me, you’re just that person I know from Twitter. But if I see a description that actually describes what you’re about, and a link to your blog, web site, podcast, or whatever, then you go from being that person on Twitter, to being a blogger that’s passionate about dogs. Or a graphic designer with a keen sense of colour and form. Or a guy that really digs Stephen King novels.

It doesn’t matter what you’re using social media tools for. You could be looking for work, or drumming up new business opportunities. You could be just looking to socialize and meet new people. You could just be curious.

But if you’re going to use social media, do yourself and the people you’re hoping to meet a big favour. Tell us who you are. Give us something to explore about you. Build a body of work that reflects your goals, dreams, business, desires, or passions and put it out here for the world to see.

Don’t just be “that person from Twitter”.

I want to know who you are.

[photo by Demi Brooke]