This is an archived blog from when I ran Conscious Public Relations Inc. from 2008-2018. Excuse the potential outdated-ness!
I’ve been inspired just in the last 24 hours to talk about how we are in an interesting era of transparency when it comes to identity and being online.
Last night I had the honour of attending an all-star panel of experts on using “Social Media for Social Good.” Hosted by the COPIA Meetup Group, I absorbed a lot of the discussion on how to build an online community using social media, and what to do when you have that network. The interesting thing is that when you want to use that network to “activate” a campaign for good, it’s still hard to say whether that message with resonate with them. But, if you follow the unwritten rules of being authentic, transparent, and engaged in conversation with those you’re connected with, the likelihood of real action and change increases.
Marc Smith of #30DayAdventures said something to the effect of “If you’re an asshole online, you most likely are in person.” And went on to say that that person is probably not someone he would want to be connected with.
Kaare Long of a Cue Consulting wrote an awesome blog last Friday about “Business Self Esteem” and how your business may suffer if you yourself aren’t being authentic.
It’s so timely that these issues have come up not only because I am now venturing into Social Media Management and trying to be the voice for businesses that are unable to connect with their audiences authentically on social media, but also because my business identity has morphed over the last year or so. Conscious PR is becoming a much stronger brand that reflects not only the values my business has, but that I have as a person. This has led to another big decision that I’ve made in the last week or so, which will unfold as the year goes on.
The panel last night was all unanimous in that – like in traditional media and public relations – you can’t hide online. Everything you post and do online forms your identity and has consequences that may come back to you in positive or negative ways. I haven’t thought consciously about everything I’ve posted – and have certainly had to apologize to someone online for something I said – but I am realizing more and more how much my true voice is getting out there. Whether or not people resonate with it, I know that it is a mirror of myself online, and hopefully that is being received positively.
