This is the presentation I gave at the 2011 Australian College of Midwives conference in Sydney about online identity. This presentation includes tips on how to develop a professional online identity.

1. Online identity. Why we should care, and how we can develop a professional midwifery online identity Sarah Stewart 2011 http://www.flickr.com/photos/96763131@N00/3642098619

3. Why is there such concern, especially from professional midwifery bodies & employers?

4. Unprofessional behaviour that reflects poorly on the profession http://www.flickr.com/photos/44073171@N00/27416248

5. May breach professional standards and ethics http://www.flickr.com/photos/48819968@N00/2926150908

6. May breach patient confidentiality http://www.flickr.com/photos/62472560@N00/4679740934

7. Putting ourselves at risk of litigation http://www.flickr.com/photos/83049159@N00/2298671281

8. Breaking the law http://www.flickr.com/photos/11051496@N00/3156829076

9. Cannot bury out head in the sand and ignore the issue... have to be proactive http://www.flickr.com/photos/15102741@N00/221839613

10. 1. M idwives are setting up business http://www.flickr.com/photos/48819968@N00/12647639

11. Vital to think about “branding” and how you “sell” yourself online http://www.flickr.com/photos/49968232@N00/5868717929

12. 2. You will be “googled” http://www.flickr.com/photos/25064547@N06/2568436053

13. 3. You may already have an online identity without realising it http://www.flickr.com/photos/40780016@N02/3914728401

14. Much better off to take control of your online identity than have others define it for you

15. 6 ways to build an online reputation

16. Decide how you want to be perceived online http://midwifethinking.com

17. Invest time http://www.flickr.com/photos/7264550@N03/3362637206

18. Be consistent http://www.flickr.com/photos/45842803@N00/3399410617

19. Be authentic http://www.flickr.com/photos/7487149@N03/519690623

20. Always respond to people http://www.flickr.com/photos/44373968@N00/2565606353

21. Get out and about and make relationships http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503019876@N01/1824234195

22. 7 ways to protect your online identity

23. Create a profile

24. Think before you post http://www.flickr.com/photos/21745851@N00/3342002083

25. Do not talk about patients/clients/colleagues unless you have their specific permission http://www.flickr.com/photos/16043897@N00/2590521839

26. Talk in generalities about clinical practice http://www.flickr.com/photos/26667277@N00/329532783

27. Check your security setting in Facebook etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/27590002@N04/4660452869

28. Google yourself http://www.flickr.com/photos/16441028@N00/2226178289

29. If in doubt...DON'T! http://www.flickr.com/photos/61436699@N00/1208632794

31. Presentation is available: http://www.slideshare.net/sarahs [email_address] http://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com Twitter: SarahStewart Skype: sarah.m.stewart