“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself…”
-George Bernard Show
All of our lives we have been told by our parents, peers, and role models to “be yourself.” When we were younger I remember Dr. Seuss books advising us that “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” However, I feel as if I am safe to say that being “ourselves” is not quite good enough for today. When we all began to enter the online world, through sites such as MySpace and Facebook, we designed our profiles in a particular way to reflect to all how we desired to be perceived. We edit, Photoshop, and are very selective with what kinds of photos and information we let others see about us. Through these seemingly harmless procedures we are taking part of a form of “branding” ourselves online. Through what we allow to be seen of us we are “…defining the face, voice, and personality of a brand in socialized media…” (Brian Solis Engage).
Similar to representing ourselves online, is the process for establishing an online presence and defining our brand’s persona. Inventing a persona for a, somewhat, inanimate company is quite the challenge because online profiles present lots about you and your brand. We do not wish for our own identity to get in the way of the brand’s persona. This profile paints a picture as to what our brand portrays. In an online world where less is more, it is difficult to reveal our corporate soul and personality. Where do we even begin to start crafting the persona of a brand? Thankfully, Brian Solis, author of “Engage” presented readers with a “Brand Reflection Cycle” for those of us who would like assistance in establishing an online identity.
Through reading the steps in assessment of the brand’s journey, I believe that discovery, definition, and direction are three of the most important aspects of the model we are presented with. We need to discover, define what our purpose and mission is, and then we will receive our direction.
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