I was inspired this morning when reading a CNN Special Report by Pete Cashmore on Privacy is dead, and social media holds the smoking gun. In an excerpt from the article he says “But what about the cost of not sharing? In the online realm, that might mean you simply don’t exist.”

Unfortunately, he is right about this. You will probably still exist on some level, someone could possible Google your name and find your phone number or were someone else might have mentioned your name. Better yet, another person with your same name might show up. I don’t know about you, but when someone Google’s my name I want to be in the running to pop up, vs. who knows might show up with my name, but they may represent something I wouldn’t want to be associated with. Just a thought for you to consider . . .

Pete Cashmore also says “We’re living at a time when attention is the new currency: With hundreds of TV channels, billions of Web sites, podcasts, radio shows, music downloads and social networking, our attention is more fragmented than ever before.”

Why You Should Use Social Media

Which is why we must regularly go to Google and other social applications and see who is out there (1) using our identity and (2) talking about us. We can’t defend ourself if we don’t know what they’re saying.

“Those who insert themselves into as many channels as possible look set to capture the most value. They’ll be the richest, the most successful, the most connected, capable and influential among us. We’re all publishers now, and the more we publish, the more valuable connections we’ll make” is the statement he made that really triggered this blog post for me.

This is exactly why I have designed my Standard Social Media Package, which focuses on the major Social Networking sites that everyone is currently using.  I have other packages I customize for my clients, but I always keep in mind that branding is my major objective.  I want my clients name to be recognized when someone hears it and I want them to think that person is really smart and shares great informaton.  I need to learn more about them.

My advice to you to stay up with the times is:

• Follow others that use and study social media via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (and any other social network you like).
• Attend social media events when your schedule permits
• Network with social media people
• Retweet the expert’s post so they want to read more about  you

I have one other thing to add:  If you want to secure your social networking reputation across all the platforms I would recommend you go to NameChk.com and reserve your username on the Social Networking Platforms before someone else gets it and isn’t as honorable as you are when using it. (A special thanks to @AJ_Wood for teaching #DFWSM Meetup about NameChk.com)

Please leave your comments on this post and any added thoughts.