Managing Your Online Presence Like Royalty

Eleven million views in less than 45 minutes, and 104 million people saw the video uploaded by the Prince and Princess of Wales on the 22nd of March. It wasn’t any old video message but a very poignant moment in Royal history. Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo99et8tYf8

It was also a masterclass in managing your brand — simple, powerful and impressive. The Princess of Wales video had no music or razzmatazz. She was seated on a simple, non-descriptive bench and was open, honest, and vulnerable.

The Princess of Wales took a leaf out of King Charles III’s book to tell the world she’d been diagnosed with cancer too. King Charles took an unprecedented step and told the public about his cancer diagnosis in late 2023.

Both Senior Royals made history because such health matters would have been previously kept secret. In today’s transparent world, very few things remain hidden. Both have helped others find their voice, too, which means more people will seek help if they feel they’ve noticed something unusual in their daily healthcare routine.

Finding Your Voice

The Royals have become a firm feature on social media. They’ve also appreciated the importance of moving with the times. They’ve used their platform to craft a brand they want, not the one created for them by Spin Doctors. Subsequently, they’ve protected their brand from being hijacked by popular opinion or demand.

Despite the hysteria surrounding the absence of the Princess of Wales in previous weeks, which she may or may not have been aware of what was said about her, she didn’t show it. Whilst the keyboard warriors went into overdrive with their merciless drivel and unkindness, the Princess of Wales demonstrated dignity, courage, honesty and transparency — all the critical ingredients needed to manage one’s brand in a transparent world.

Protect Your Brand

Your online brand is your virtual calling card. You don’t need to be a Royal, celebrity or influencer to protect your brand online. You don’t need to wear your heart on your sleeve and reveal your inner deep thoughts. However, it’s important to understand how to navigate the world of transparency. Why? What goes online STAYS online.

Why should you care what people say about you online? No one wants to feel humiliated, hurt or betrayed by something they’ve said or done in the past, significantly if it impacts others. Sadly, we see how things can go disastrously wrong if the wrong information gets into the wrong hands.

This is when The Princess of Wales shows quiet leadership. Instead of letting others dictate the narrative and then play defence. She wrote her narrative and took back control.

Reputation in Tatters

Warren Buffett once said, “It takes decades to build a reputation and seconds to destroy it”. It could potentially cost you your career, reputation and legacy. As was the recent case of the BP CEO having to step down in 2023 because of his private life, which wasn’t conducive to a Global CEO. I wonder how he feels about his legacy now.

People can search for you online in seconds; like it or not, they judge based on what they see. It impacts the way they connect or communicate with you, especially when it comes to business. They’re far more likely to call you out on social media or Google, and minor issues can snowball into something humongous quickly.

The Future of Online Branding

In the coming years, online branding will evolve to incorporate even more personalised and direct engagements with audiences. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will play a significant role in helping individuals and companies tailor their messages to different audience groups.

We’re also likely to see Virtual and augmented reality offering new avenues for interactive and immersive branding experiences. As a result, the boundaries between personal and professional online spaces become blurred.

Now is an exciting time to jump onto your Online Brand journey because it will represent what you do professionally and who you are. Those who don’t will play catch up or get left behind.

Parting Comments

Having an online presence isn’t just about crafting a polished image and building a genuine connection with your audience. We saw this with the Princess of Wales last week, highlighting the importance of online presence in controlling one’s brand and narrative.

In everyday life, having a strong online presence can help you stand out and attract better opportunities. You can use it to reflect who you are, showcase your expertise, achievements, and personal values on LinkedIn platforms and maintain a professional image that aligns with your career goals.

It’s also an opportunity to excel while creating your online space in the digital world where your voice matters and your legacy shines bright.

Thank you for your attention.

Follow me for more valuable tips.

Pervin

linktr.ee/AimHighLtd