Case Study #2

What does a well-branded digital presence look like?

1. Tina Su - thinksimplenow.com

Tina's site is all about how to better one's self. She presents a good example of a well branded digital presence throughout her site and is quite convincing in her manner. Her name is not in the site domain name but I think the reason is due to the fact that the website is not about her, but more about what she is trying to accomplish. Her site comes up first on google when typing in the search terms too which is great! She also has a photo of herself on the homepage which makes it welcoming and shows her viewers that she is a friendly person. The site has advertisements and allows it to be liked on FaceBook and twitter so you know that her site is out there.

2. Trisha Torrey - everypatientsadvocate.com

Trisha's site is about advocating for patients dealing with medical problems. Right away there is a welcoming photo of herself on the homepage and an about page as well. Their are ads and links for other websites, as well as being able to be liked on Facebook, so you know that her site is out there. She has blogs and links to other websites, as well as a way to get ahold of her on a "contact" page. When you search her name, as well as patient advocating, she is the first 5 results that show up on google which is great!

3. Jason O'neill - pencilbugs.com

Jason's site is about becoming a teen entrepreneur and presents tips and links on how he got started and how you can get started as well. Their is an "about" page but the site focuses more on his invention of the pencil bugs rather than him personally (in my opinion)--unfortunately no photo on the homepage of himself. But it is well-branded because he has advertisements, articles about his invention including one on Forbes magazine, and he is also likable on FaceBook and Twitter. 

4. Johnny - johnnyjet.com

Johnny's site is clearly more commercial than personal but does have an extended "about" page where he tells an interesting back-story. The one thing I noticed right away was that I wasn't sure what his last name is? Johnny Jet? Sounds to commercially friendly to be a real name, well, last name anyways. Other than that, he has plenty of photos and videos upon his travels and seems like a happy, well-off dude, that has found his passion in life. He has links to other sites as well as expedia.com for comparing flight prices, kudos! He is also likable on a number of web sites. Great job Johnny!

Linkedin

Linkedin is more of a site for social resumes. Seems like people go on their to create an online basic profile of themselves where they brag about their degrees, life accomplishments, and qualifications. The sites seem kind of bland but I suppose they meet the goal of a well-branded citizen. Again, they are very boring though. I looked at Thomas Clifford and Paul Copcutt and they were both damn near the same thing! Lame!

5 Criteria to be a well-branded college student:

1. Appear to be friendly and professional - when someone is looking for help on a subject, or more specifically, a person, when they find that person they want to know if this is the type of person they are looking for. Of course the terms of which they are needed DO matter. But, most of the time a friendly and professional person is preferred.

2. Get your name out there - the more your name is used in your website, especially in the site name, the more likely you are to be found. Especially when it comes to SEO's, your name in the search terms does matter, not always depending on your credentials and site affiliations, but the more your name is used, the more you will most likely be found.

3. Political/Religious views - unless your website or blog is focusing on the matter, leave these views out of it. Imposing your views on others is not the best thing to do. If you are the opposite views of them that could leave to potential problems. 

4. Site links - only give links to other websites that are related to what you are trying to convey in your own website. So try to leave out a link to your ACTUAL FaceBook page and create a separate FaceBook page that is more professional and is centered upon your website focus. This is appropriate so that employers don't see a bunch of photos of you being wasted out on the town.

5. Security - assure your site viewer that any information transferred will be secured and not leaked to other forms of advertising, employer websites, etc.. Visitors feel better knowing that their identities will be safe in your hands.

My well-branded digital presence

The only thing that I need to work on is mainly my professionalism. It is clear, especially once you see my Wix site, that I am friendly, outgoing, and like to have fun. But, as you will see, my home page is filled with pictures of me and friends drinking/having a good time, which is not the best from an employers aspect. Though, I did that because I wanted to have fun with the project and have it be interesting looking and fun, while completing the terms of the assignment. If the assignment was to create a well-branded digital presence in which I would use to be potentially hired by someone, I most certainly would have taken a different approach to my Wix site (in fact, I still might choose to do so in case my site is viewable somehow by future employers).