Are you an online Jekyll and Hyde ?

One of the things I love about networking – and working – online is that I don’t have to get dressed up every day! So far I’ve resisted the lure of the webcam and video Skype, but I know it won’t be long before I have to feel the fear and face the camera!

You see, by nature I’m an introvert so networking online, writing blog posts, ezines and articles suit me very well. Going out to network face to face can be quite a challenge, although I usually enjoy the event once I get there.

I’ve read about many bloggers and internet marketers who own up to being introverted too, although it’s often hard to guess from their online behaviour. Perhaps the ‘visual anonymity’ gives them confidence? Anyway, they usually settle down and let their true personalities show through in their writing after a while.

On the other hand, some people let their online personalities run riot! It’s almost as if they want to become someone else, perhaps to adopt characteristics they wish they had in real life. While this can be great fun for a while, it’s hard to maintain over a longer period.

What they forget is that those they connect with online are genuinely interested in getting to know the person behind the photo or avatar. But how can they, if that person is always putting on an act or pretending to be someone they’re not?

In the past few years I’ve connected with literally hundreds of people through the different social networks, and the contacts I’ve gone on to form stronger relationships with are those who aren’t afraid to occasionally show they aren’t perfect. That isn’t to say they don’t behave in a professional manner because they do, it’s just they aren’t afraid to be honest – and to be themselves.

So if you’re a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde character, and you’d like to connect at a deeper level with your online contacts, isn’t it time to let the world see the real you?