Comments on: Online Image vs. Offline Image: Are You One in the Same…and is That a Good Thing?

By: Michelle Kafka

Michelle Kafka — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:18:31 +0000

I am the same online as I am offline.

By: Violetz

Violetz — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:25:05 +0000

When I started to work from home, I did not know where to stand. My dilemma was concerning the fact that I wanted to have an excellent relationship with my clients. To be on the safe side, I have chosen to remain as if I was in an external office.
That attitude gave me the chance to create professional as well as motivating colleagues- to-colleague’s friendships’. My preference is to keep my “home world” private. A reasonable distance helps me to build a sense of separation once I walk away from my desk.

By: Joynicole

Joynicole — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:14:18 +0000

I recently met with someone I’d written for pretty regularly over the past 2 years. He was always cordial and humorous via email and our chats but when we sat down for coffee I realized…’I don’t like this guy.’ He was brash and as dry as the coffee grounds we were drinking from. After the conversation I realized editing is a real plus for some people, even if it means their IM’ing isn’t so instant.

By: T.W. Anderson

T.W. Anderson — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:06:23 +0000

Hmm. A tough question

I would like to think I am one and the same between my online and offline presences, but the fact of the matter is, I am far more “professional” in my online dealings than I am with people in real life. Everyone is. You moderate your language around children, prospective clients, and business clientele. You don’t curse around them, you don’t fart or burp, and you make sure to always put your best foot forward.

Once you are alone with your spouse and your pets, you can wear what you want, swear when you want, wear sweatpants and pink bunny slippers, drink margaritas at 10 in the morning, smoke a doobie every now and again, blame the gas on your dog, and “relax”.

All joking aside…the professional “me” is much different than the “real” me. It’s not taxing for me to differentiate between the two, it’s just a natural change. You are professional with one group of people, and casual with another. I don’t talk about my wife’s period with a client, but I might with my sister.

One thing I pride myself on is transparency. I keep my pictures updated on Twitter and my website, and I keep my bio updated. The way I see it, my website is my “interview” with a potential client. It gives them a chance to see who I am, where I’ve worked, how I act, and otherwise. If we have a phone interview I am courteous and professional, because that’s just good business. I don’t burp while I’m on the phone with a client, and I don’t drop f-bombs. Now, if it’s a friend, and we’re kicking back some beers while grilling up some steaks…there’s just a natural distinction between the two.

By: Elle

Elle — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:57:59 +0000

I have two different personas — the “public” me (writer on environmental and social issues, author, journalist) and the “closeted” me (betrayed wife). I created my betrayedwivesclub web site in order to help others going through the agony of betrayal…but since my children and many friends of ours don’t know, I chose to create a pseudonym. The writing is “me” and the experience is very intimately me, but I don’t use my real name. It feels strange since much of writing over the year has always been very personal and I’m constantly being asked by people whether I have a new book in the works (I do…Betrayed Wives Club book)…and I have to hem and haw. However, best I can do at this point… What are others’ thoughts? Am I shortchanging others (or myself) by not coming out? Or protecting privacy? Or both?

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:23:11 +0000

I’m the same online and offline. My motto is “…what you see is what you get?” Creating two different images sounds exhausting. When people meet me, they are surprised that I look (been told I look better in person) like my picture. Some people use pictures from the prom or college– they don’t look like they did when they were 17 or 22.

Most psychologists believe we all wear “masks” to cover up who we really, truly are in order to protect ourselves from being hurt. They are right, it’s human nature to protect oneself from harm.

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By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:28:06 +0000

I’m the same. I censor myself in the same ways online and offline. I’m probably funnier in person, though….

By: stephanerd

stephanerd — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:51:28 +0000

While I wouldn’t say that I’ve actively created a different persona online, I would concede that who I am online and off is different in some ways. Though it’s not because of anything I do on purpose.

Rather, I’m shy, and actually take medication for social anxiety, and I suppose that I originally became interested in the writerly life because of this anxiety. When I’m writing, I find that I can speak with much more confidence and humor, effectively transforming myself into the type of person I always wished I could be IRL.

Of course, the most important aspects of me are the same: my honesty, my openness, my interests…I wouldn’t say that I’m being false in any way.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:51:03 +0000

I am the same person online and off. It would take too much energy to create a whole different persona, I think.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:27:49 +0000

I am the same person online and off. In fact, I counsel my marketing clients to always be true to themselves. The reason? People can smell a phony a mile away. Some people may be really good at hiding their image, but it catches up over time.

I also counsel people to be the same persona on all social networking sites. You can’t be one person on Facebook, one on Twitter and another on My Space. It confuses people who want to get to know you.

Online or off, be who you are. If you are who you are, you’ll attract the right business to you.

By: Davud

Davud — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:13:34 +0000

No, my online and offline “image” are fairly different. This difference has made me worn out though. I don’t recommend trying to create a persona for your online interactions.

The differences center around my introvert/extrovert nature as well as my thoughts, ideas and goals.

I would say that I filter myself much more online, but I am also more of an extrovert online.