(The Branding Journey)

 

 

I get asked a lot about where we should tell our bosses about our dabbling online, and about our side gigs.

(keep in mind: a side gig almost always translates into an ‘online brand’ these days, even if it’s just your ‘voice’ online)

 

As a healthcare social media consultant, I’ve personally grown a far-reaching brand, and have experience in this matter.

 

 

(follow my personal brand and experiences here)

 

 

So should we tell our employers about our side gigs/business?

 

 

 

 

My two-cents are as follows:

Where the growth of a social media brand is concerned:

I usually recommend my clients have an honest and transparent discussion with their employer.

It is not only the right thing to do, but speaks volumes of your professionalism when you treat your current ‘bosses’ with the respect of letting them know (whether or not they’ll like it).

 

“Where personal branding is concerned, I usually recommend my clients have an honest and transparent discussion with their employer.”

 

You can then work out various kinks with them (for example, those issues that may not sit well with them), and in this way, you walk away confident that you’ve been transparent, and not perceived to be ‘hiding’ anything.

 

 

 

I do also think it’s important to ensure that what you create is YOUR venture, and to always keep this in mind as you step forward. Employers could, for example, seem as if they want nothing to do with your brand but then claim stake in ownership once a certain level of success has been reached.

I’ve seen this play our in real life and by big name employers.

To my physician colleagues especially, make sure you’re protected legally, and on paper. When push comes to shove and a disagreement takes place, you will unfortunately be the ‘little fish’ swimming in a big pond, and surrounded by sharks. You want to come out alive. Pun intended.

 

To my #physician colleagues especially, make sure ur protected legally, & on paper. When push comes to shove & disagreement takes place, u will unfortunately be the 'little fish' swimming in a big pond, & surrounded by sharks.… Click To Tweet

 

This realistic possibility simply means you should brace yourself and be ready, for the “just in case”. It doesn’t, however, mean that you shouldn’t dole out the respect.

Your employer will, in fact, likely appreciate knowing what you’re up to. And many times kick things up a few notches by highlighting just how useful YOUR brand can be for THEM. And besides, letting them in on your project and aspirations can certainly set a precedence for mutual respect. It’s a win-win.

 

 

“Letting an employer in on your project and aspirations can certainly set a precedence for mutual respect. It’s a win-win.”

 

 

 

 

Remember one last thing.

 

At the end of the day, even if you represent your employer in your day job, your online brand can be curated as your own. That may mean that you cannot work on that brand during employer hours, but those are just some of the specifics to dive into when actually strategizing through building your brand (part of online strategy of creating content).

 

 

 

 

The important thing is to establish your ability to take that brand with you, wherever you go. You created it, you worked to nurture it, so make sure to protect it!

 

On #branding as an individual #physician: the important thing is to establish your ability to take that #brand with you, wherever you go. You created it, u worked to nurture it, so make sure to protect it! #medtwitter #SoMeDocs Click To Tweet

 

Remember to reach out if you need personalized help on growing an effective, and successful, social media brand!