Post by Jeff Brunelle. Find him on Twitter.
Google my name and you’ll instantly find a lot of information about me. My Facebook profile is private, but you’ll have quick access to Twitter, LinkedIn and my tumblelog. That’s okay with me – I don’t have much to hide. In fact, when you search my name, I’d much rather have my personal information come up than lack an established web presence, or risk being confused with someone who has a similar name. By being available on many networks, I allow for more opportunities for my name to be connected to true information about me and what I’m involved in.
Maybe that sounds egotistical, but I honestly don’t see it that way. Considering my line of work, my interests, and my lifelong goals, I know I need to have a great online presence. Without one, I wouldn’t reach the opportunities I want or need to succeed. With one, I’m simply being transparent and openly showing people what I’m all about if they care to inquire. No harm done.
Enter Google.
Google is now a verb. Everybody does it. I think it’s fair to say that if you don’t use Google at least once daily, you probably don’t spend a ton of time online. Maybe when you are online, you use other means for search. That is fine, but just keep in mind that it’s okay to conform when it comes to using Google. After all, Google is the most popular search engine in the world and they just unleashed a powerful new feature: Google Profiles.
“A Google Profile is simply how you represent yourself on Google products — it lets you tell others a bit more about who you are and what you’re all about. You control what goes into your Google Profile, sharing as much (or as little) as you’d like.”
According to Adam Ostrow over at Mashable, this is big. Basically, if you set up a Google Profile and someone googles your name, your profile will pop up along with the rest of the search results. Rather than making people search through all the results all they have to do is click your profile link and get to know you according to Google. What makes this valuable? Well, within your Google Profile, you can link to your blog, photos and all your other social profiles. You get to completely control what others see.
In my mind, building a Google Profile is beneficial in two basic ways:
1) You get a universal spot to put your name and links, where everyone who searches for you will see it. This becomes very valuable when you’re on the job hunt or trying to join a selective group.
2) You’re leaving your mark and letting others know you’re on the map, you’re alive and you’re up with the times. Everyone should have an online presence, and now you will. People will be able to Google you and instantly find something of value.
If you haven’t already, make sure you go create a Google Profile. It’s really easy to do and will only take a few minutes. If you need an example to run off of, here is mine.
Make sure you verify your email account with Google (this can be done beneath the profile information area). Then, to make your profile available in search results all you have to do is check the box next to “Display my full name so I can be found in search.” After that, your profile will show up every time someone searches your name. Do it now, you’ll thank me later. 
Questions? Drop me a line in the comments section!
