Yes, yes. It’s about the right noise. We know that. But how bad is the wrong noise?

Blow your own trumpet on tune

LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, Facebook: personal branding has never been so easy – or expected. But, the converse applies; damaging your personal brand is just as easy. Social media is now offering you countless ways to screw it up.

Our NoJoShmo team found a great article in Fortune magazine, written by Vickie Elmer (21 11 11), which offered four neat tips to keep your brand from going sour:

• Honor Honesty
  Your reputation involves friends, followers, colleagues and bosses trusting you. So, don’t inflate your resume in any way, says Hannah Samuel. The consequences are just too high, and often irreversible.

• No Boosterism
  Make sure your message or comment on a blog post adds to the conversation, says Don Schawbel, author of Me2.0. He also warns against leaving a trail of digital identities, logos and urls.

• Stay in the Moment
  If you’re at a corporate event, contribute and engage. Put your YouTube video and half-written tweet away. As Mercedes-Benz’s Steve Cannon says, you might get a real-life opportunity instead of an online one.

• Nix Negativity
  Instead of criticising people and ideas – presenting yourself as biting and perhaps difficult – be an expert. Coach Rita Ashley suggests finding three online communities to share ideas, information and reviews about your interests and industry.

• Be Consistent
  Lida Citroen, author of Reputation 360, explains that a dead blog or a brand image that swings from 1% to 99% is damaging to brand staying power. Know your core beliefs and target audience before you start. Then, communicate consistently.