The Three Essential Components Of A Business Profile

Your online business profile goes a long way in establishing credibility if it is setup correctly. A profile has several purposes and depending on how you present yourself, it also determines the ways in which you interact with others on the Internet. While chat room profiles mainly serve the need to be heard, a profile on a popular site like Facebook can be your online stage. For your very own show.

The nature of playful profiles

You might have noticed that these type of sites evoke the more playful sides of our nature. When we think Facebook, YouTube or any of the other high trafficked social networking sites, we usually assimilate them with having fun, kicking off the heels, hanging loose. While our profiles on these sites help others to identify who we are, they are often created with the one thing in mind – to connect with others, based on a common interest.

So what’s the difference, profile is profile

Actually, no it isn’t. If you run your own business, your online profile becomes something more engaging. It can be the difference between success or failure.

A business profile is your first point of contact with prospective clients on the web. Since online businesses work on a digital platform, we don’t have the luxuries of opening a physical shop where people come and go.

To effectively showcase who we are, what we can do and what we have done to make us qualified for the job is part of the three essential components of a business profile.

1.) Tell the world who you are

Before you give away your whole life’s data, think long and hard about what it is you want the world to know about you. Remember, on the Internet there are no second changes. Once your information has been published it is very hard (if all possible) to get it erased.

Think – who are your prospective clients? What type of services, products do you offer and what would you want them to know about you as a person, business owner, expert.

Bloggers use their about pages to tell their readers a little bit about themselves, freelancers use a portfolio site and others use widgets, social media, etc. to do the same.

If you want people to connect with you and see you as the dedicated business owner you are, it is your responsibility to convey this message correctly.

An absolute must is to use a photograph in my eyes. Photos add that extra sense of personality to a profile, don’t you think? When we see a person’s face, it is much easier to build a sense of trust with them, opposed to doing business with a faceless person.

2.) So what is it you do again?

Naturally, your profile should also contain your current business details. If you are a freelancer designing websites, tell the world. Don’t have others guess what it is you are doing. This is what a profile is intended for.

If you will, it acts a bit like a pre-sell to your services. Business profiles should also read attractively. Snazzy. Dazzle your prospective clients with your words.

3.) Don’t forget your past

Business owners who position themselves as experts in their field need to back this up with their experience. Letting people know why you are qualified to do what you currently do is another important link in the trust building process.

Like the photograph, your experience will serve to establish trust.

Connecting the dots

A business profile doesn’t need to be huge. If you make it interesting enough, it will become a powerful ally to bring new consistent business to you.

If you currently feel your business could do with some extra zing, you might need to give your profile a bit of a make-over. It’s never too late to upgrade and dust off that digital dust.

Written by Monika Mundell from Monika Mundell
Posted on July 11th, 2008 and filed under Blogging
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