How To Build An Online Presence – For University Graduates

Building an online presence is something that’s becoming increasingly important. Technology and the internet are growing to be integral parts of our lives. With this, we must learn how to build an online presence. Otherwise, we’ll get left behind.

If you even want a chance of being hired, having an online presence will help you stand out. In this post, I’m going to cover several tips to help you build and improve your online presence.

How To Build An Online Presence Tip 1 – Become An ‘Expert’

Becoming an expert in your chosen field is one of the best things you can do to increase your employability. When I say becoming an expert, I don’t mean spending 10,000 hours to learn and develop your knowledge.

Becoming an expert means having some form of proof to your knowledge. It’s to show the world that you know what you’re talking about.

If you’re a photographer, this could be having an established Instagram account. It could be running a YouTube channel sharing photography tips. You might run a weekly blog with a rundown of the best photography gear for beginners. Have something to evidence your knowledge. This works wonders for your hiring potential.

For Example:

Think about it. Imagine you’re an employer choosing between two candidates for the position of software developer.

Candidate A runs a weekly coding tips blog. Once a week, they provide in-depth guides on unique areas of software development. They also run a YouTube channel to provide more practical insights.

Candidate B has a degree in software development and a background in web design. But, they have no online presence.

Who would you choose? If you’re anything like most employers, Candidate A seems the better option.

That example should help you understand the importance of an online presence. But, how do you actually become an ‘expert’?

Tip 2 – Consider Your Strengths and Interests

By considering these two things, you can prepare yourself for the long run. Doing this helps you to understand the type of content you’d most like to create. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, it’s unlikely that you’ll stick at it for an extended period of time.

There isn’t much point in attempting to build an online presence then giving up when you get bored of it. That defeats the purpose and shows that you don’t have persistence or determination. Be in it for the long run.

First, think about where your skills lie. Are you good at writing? How natural is it for you to use technology? What are your design skills like? This will give you an idea of the type of content you can create. Writers are good for blogs, techies for YouTube, and designers for the visual medium.

You may have found doing media enjoyable at school. If photography has always been an interest of yours, and it’s easy for you to be creative, try YouTube.

A passion for music and audio might be natural to you. Here, a podcast would be a good choice. You might love to read books, so a blog is your best option.

The important thing is to experiment. If you’re unsure, play around! Test lots of platforms and see which comes naturally to you. The obvious choice will also be the most enjoyable.

Now, pick the topic that is most relevant to your career or area of work. Create regular content surrounding that topic on your chosen platform. Boom! You’re now an ‘expert’.

Tip 3 – Commit To A Creation Schedule

For the best results, you must commit to posting and creating regular content. This could be several times a week, once a week, or even once a month – but it has to be regular.

When deciding on a schedule, consider how long each piece of content will be. Writing a 2000-word blog post several times a week is a big commitment. You’ll lose interest and energy quickly, not to mention the time that would take.

Likewise, if you are only posting a 3-minute video every month, you won’t seem very credible. Find a good balance between how often and how much to create. You’ll soon be on the way to having a strong online presence!

Tip 4 – Don’t Do It Just To Get Hired

Your only purpose for building an online presence shouldn’t be to get hired. Although that’s useful and is generally the main aim, if that’s your only reasoning, you’ll quickly lose interest. Pick a niche and an interest that excites you, then create for the consumer. There’s always the possibility that your online presence can develop into a side-business. From there, into a full-time source of income!

Unsure Where To Begin?

Here are a few platforms and options that you can play around with:

• Starting a Blog
• Running a YouTube channel
• Starting a Podcast
• Writing eBooks (short or long)
• Creating a personal website
• Running professional Social Media accounts
• Starting an online forum or group
  • Running a social media group, such as on Facebook or LinkedIn
  • Running a subreddit
  • Owning a dedicated forum site within your niche

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