10 strategies to develop a positive digital footprint.

1. Managing Digital Footprints:
10 Strategies to create a positive Web presence
by: Katelyn Miller (Conner)

2. Take the Electronic Part of Your Life
Seriously!
• It’s not all just fun and games! Whether we
believe it or not, the things we do online are here
to stay.
• Our digital history plays a role in our everyday
lives.
• According to Ryan Cordel (2012), we must “Take
the electronic part of your life seriously.”
• Cordel Ryan. (2012, October 03). [Web blog message]. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/creating-and-
maintaining-a-professional-presence-online-a-roundup-and-reflection/43030

3. Create a Professional Website Using
Your Own Identity
• If you want to create a positive digital presence, people need
to know who you are!
• Even if it’s only updated periodically, creating a digital “home”
that showcases your professional self is valuable in
establishing a positive digital presence.
• “The bottom line is that scholars who want to be seen as
thought leaders in their discipline need to be intentional
about how, when, and what shows up when someone uses a
search engine like Google to search on their name or area(s)
of research.” (Lowenthal & Dunlap, 2012)
• Lowenthal, P., & Dunlap, J. (2012, June 06). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/intentional-web-presence-10-seo-strategies-every-academic-needs-know

4. Create and Maintain a Professional
Blog
• A professional blog provides a place to connect and network
with other professionals, while boosting your digital presence.
• Be selective about the Blogs you follow and promote.
• “Whether you update it daily, weekly, or just monthly, a blog
can provide an easy place to share with others (and especially
Google and other search engines) what you have been up to”
(Lowenthal & Dunlap, 2012)
• Lowenthal, P., & Dunlap, J. (2012, June 06). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/intentional-web-presence-10-seo-strategies-every-academic-needs-know

5. Stay Alert! Set up Google Alerts
• Google Alerts allows you to be notified immediately
when new content is added with your name
attached.
• “This will help you stay on top of new results
whether or not they hit the first page of search
results.” (McGinnis, 2012)
• McGinnis, S. (2012, August 23). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://spinsucks.com/communication/online-reputation-management-a-how-to-guide/

6. Brand Yourself!

7. Brand Yourself!
• Do you want to be Coca-Cola or Marlboro?
• Create a “brand” for yourself in the digital world.
• Create positive profiles on each of the 4 big social
media locations- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and
Google+
• McGinnis (2012), calls these “positive assets”.
• McGinnis, S. (2012, August 23). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://spinsucks.com/communication/online-reputation-management-a-how-to-guide/

8. Don’t Forget About Media!
• “Don’t forget about images and video when creating assets.
Both major search engines offer blended search results, often
including images and video in the first or second page of
search results. Make sure you are creating images and video
titled, tagged, and uploaded with your name.”
(McGinnis, 2012)
• Create profiles on Flickr, SlideShare, YouTube, and Vimeo. Use
each service periodically to positively brand yourself with
images and video.
• McGinnis, S. (2012, August 23). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://spinsucks.com/communication/online-reputation-management-a-how-to-guide/

9. Build a Professional Learning Network
(PLN)
• Strengthen your positive brand by building a strong
PLN
• “Personal learning networks are a great way for
educators to get connected with learning
opportunities, access professional development
resources, and to build camaraderie with other
education professionals” (Teach Thought Staff, 2012)
• Not just for educators- for all professionals!
• Teach Thought Staff. (2012, September 09). 8 ideas, 10 guides, and 17 tools for a better professional learning
network. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/social-media/8-ideas-10-guides-and-17-tools-for-a-
better-professional-learning-network/

10. Share, Share, Share!
• Share resources, research, blogs, etc.-
anything to promote your positive presence!
• Share via blog, website, PLN, social media
• Strategically tag and attach your name
Teach Thought Staff. (2012, September 09). 8 ideas, 10 guides, and 17 tools for a better professional learning network.
Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/social-media/8-ideas-10-guides-and-17-tools-for-a-better-professional-
learning-network/

11. Be Thoughtful
• There is NO delete button in the digital world! Think
twice (and once more) before you post.
• “…although the information you put out on the Web may seem
insignificant today, you have to ask the question of whether it will be
insignificant tomorrow, or in five years when you need to apply for college
or seek new employment. Additionally, you have to ask yourself whether
you're just leaving more junk for the next generation to clean up.”
(Davis, 2009)
• Davis, L. (2009, January 25). The unforeseen consequences of the social web. Retrieved from
http://readwrite.com/2009/01/25/social_web_unforeseen_consequences

12. Set a Good Example
• It’s up to us to be role models for young users as they
form their own digital footprints.
• Teachers, parents, and professionals should set the
expectation for creating a positive digital presence!
• “These new realities demand that we prepare
students to be educated, sophisticated owners of
online spaces” (Richardson)
• Richardson, W. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-
leadership/nov08/vol66/num03/Footprints-in-the-Digital-Age.aspx

13. Resources
Cordel Ryan. (2012, October 03). [Web blog message]. Retrieved from
http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/creating-and-maintaining-a-professional-presence-
online-a-roundup-and-reflection/43030
Davis, L. (2009, January 25). The unforeseen consequences of the social web. Retrieved from
http://readwrite.com/2009/01/25/social_web_unforeseen_consequences
Lowenthal, P., & Dunlap, J. (2012, June 06). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/intentional-web-presence-10-seo-strategies-every-
academic-needs-know
McGinnis, S. (2012, August 23). [Web blog message]. Retrieved from
http://spinsucks.com/communication/online-reputation-management-a-how-to-guide/
Richardson, W. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-
leadership/nov08/vol66/num03/Footprints-in-the-Digital-Age.aspx
Teach Thought Staff. (2012, September 09). 8 ideas, 10 guides, and 17 tools for a better
professional learning network. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/social-
media/8-ideas-10-guides-and-17-tools-for-a-better-professional-learning-network/