Who are You?

     There was a time when, unless you were a public figure, you didn't have to worry about your image.

     You probably didn't even have one.

     Now, in the age of social media, everyone has something of a public image.

     That was the subject of a session at Excellence in Journalism 15, the nation Society of Professional Journalists convention.
  
      Social media is a tool to reinforce the idea of what a writer does.  Before social media, we only told the story of what we did everyday on special occasions, like Thanksgiving,when Nona was asking when we'd meet a nice Italian boy. Now, we can post about it every day.

       Which is a challenge to say the least.

        Most of us aren't used to writing about ourselves. We write about other people, about events, about issues. Perhaps an analysis here and there, an editorial, a column (the precursor of blogs).

        So, it's culture shock.
  
        I understand why it's important, but it still feels weird. To say the least.

       And, I understand why branding is particularly important for freelancers.  Our fields of expertise used to be the main thing. The writer's identity was deliberately suppressed.

       Now, people look for you on social media.

       I remember arguing against a head shot on my first column. Today, head shots are everywhere.

       It is probably a good idea to use the same one on each social media, but I find that boring. Actually, I often used by Facebook profile photo to express a mood.

     Currently, it's a shot of an Atlantic City psychic storefront, an homage to my Madame Marie Halloween costume that I wear to hand out candy to trick or treaters at my church.

      Previoulsy, it was a heron on Lake Hopatcong because Lake Hopatcong is home.

      Often, I default back to a shot of me with my idol, Pete Hamill, not only to provoke jealousy among my friends who also idolize him. But, partly.

     On LinkedIn, my head shot is one taken by my older daughter in my kitchen. Yes, LinkedIn is often dismissed, but, it's still the premier exchange for people in the business world. And, like it or not, journalism is a business.

      On Twitter, it's one taken by the wife of a high school friend at a luncheon.

      I did get a free professional headshot after a free makeover at EiJ15.  A friend told me I rocked the Marlo Thomas look, but I think I'll pass on using the shot.

     As far as the words that describe me, I stick to the facts in my profile.

     Well, ok, Facebook gives you choices of a question to answer and I chose (naturally) "if you encounter an alien visiting earth, how will you know the conversation is over?"
 
     I mean, that just begs for the answer:  "When he lights a cigarette."

     I am from New Jersey, after all.

     As far as what I post, it's pretty sparing.

     I abide by the adage, "Facebook is the people you went to high school with.  Twitter is the people you wish you went to high school with."

      I rarely post on either, and I do compartmentalize.

     Facebook is where I check in with old friends. Sometimes I answer comments, but I don't fall victim to political discussions.  I found out pretty early on that people were serious about things I assumed they were joking about.

     I mean, who knew there was something called an "urban dictionary?" Vernacular is the language of the people, so, if it's not your vernacular, why would you be interested in knowing the word? Yeah, that assumption taught me to be careful.

     Of course, I post these blogs on Facebook and Twitter. I also post my stories, mentioning something about them when necessary.

     My Twitter handle is @ReporterJane2.  Not that I'm the second ReporterJane. Anyone who knows me knows that's an homage to Derek Jeter. But the handle is straightforward, which is essential. It's also lasting. Whatever I write about, I'm still ReporterJane.

   Which is comforting in this crazy world.