At Blank Label we’re all about self-expression and we specialize in giving all of you guys the tools you need to become inspired. Whether it’s in using your creativity to design your own custom men's dress shirts, or to inspire passion for expression itself, we want to ignite your creative side. And why do we think this expression is important?? Well think about it this way…social media is all about self-expression. And since social media is the new wave in communication you should optimize the way you are presenting yourself on the web.
courtesy of one cool diagram thing from ivan walsh
Here are 5 simple ways to be sure that you are expressing your own label:
1) First you have to figure out what you have to say. This can take a lot of thinking because there are a million things that people want others to know about themselves. There may be one thing you would want to express to your employer and another thing you want to express to your peers. However, you need to decide what is most important to you. Make two lists of roles you fill in life: Writer, Traveler, Explorer, or Musician….and a list of things you are passionate about: Cooking, Fashion, Design, or Modern Literature (the more specific the better). Once you have explored and defined yourself then you can realize what you want to express to others.
2) Next you should optimize your appearance (hint- This doesn’t mean your face). This means figure out where are represented online- your facebook, twitter, blog, flickr accounts. Go to each of these sites and make sure they are expressing who you are. On twitter you can follow authors if you enjoy writing, personalize your backgrounds to express your passions, or even tweet about things that are interesting you in some of the roles that you play. In your blog you can focus on things you are passionate about. The more specific you are the more others can realize who you are which can help you create valuable connections with people working on similar things in their life.
3) Explore your interests. Now that you know who you are, you should be doing more to look into your passions. You won’t believe some of the things you can find other people doing that you might be able to connect with. View other photographer’s albums on flickr if you enjoy taking pictures. Follow politicians on Twitter to see different projects they are working on. Research blogs of young fashion designers it in order to see how they are succeeding or what connections they may have in the fashion industry. All of this exploration will help you build your network and inspire you to make great things out of things you love to do or learn about.
4) Look for opportunities to reach out online and build your personal label. When you find someone doing something cool that interests you contact them by email (whatever you are comfortable with). Tell them who you are, why you think what they’re doing is great and maybe ask them a question that might help or inspire you. Hey if they make it in life, you’ll have made a very valuable connection just by reaching out. And no matter what, you’ll still gain some valuable information either way.
5) Cement your personal label. Do something bold like creating a simple personal website, starting your own blog or even just synchronizing all of your social media sites. From all of your exploration of your interests you should have a good idea of what others are doing out there in your fields of interest. Don’t simply copy their websites or blogs, make it all your own and have fun with it. Whichever path you take just make sure you constantly update any information you have online to make your personal label express what you’re all about. This will give you the best optimization of your online expression.
This post was for our co-creation blog by Danielle Bentz.
