UX and Your Online Presence: 3 Strategies for Digital Success

User experience (UX) is a multidisciplinary concept that often refers to web, but more expansively can refer to any human focused strategy that shapes pleasurable journeys between product and user.

Consider yourself as your main product and your industry as your user. These three strategies can help you build your online presence, by breaking down the ‘why’, ‘what’, and ‘how’ of UX and connecting them with your online presence:

But First…

In order to achieve digital domination, consider conducting in-depth research on yourself and your user/industry. Consider your own tone of voice, aims, passions, projects, or what you stand for. Consider your audiences, who are they, who is looking for you, where are they located, and what you would hope they would take away from their experience with you.

1. Create a working portfolio.

The why of UX: motivations and values.

A portfolio can take many forms; from websites, flipbooks or interactive PDF’s and presentations and are a good way to showcase your skills and passion in your field. Put your best foot forward by updating your very BEST projects into your portfolio as you move along your career. You may start with your strongest piece of work first and cover all bases highlighting your best and most relevant skills. Here’s a checklist of ways you can build the best online portfolio:

• Draft a simple wire frame (relevant to your platform – web or digital document).
• Map out what your audiences will see first, where your audiences will progress to and what you want them to discover about you as they navigate your portfolio.
• Format contents or menus, headers, footers, blurbs, and imagery.
• Use high quality imagery. Be visual.
• Ensure your content has white space and breathing room.
• Make sure your text and imagery are legible.
• Deconstruct your projects by showing detailed thought processes and project resolutions.
• Maintain a consistent tone of voice.
• Be confident with your headers, descriptions, and details.

These visual and interactive ques bring your work and presence into a user-focused experience.

Check out these portfolio goals for inspiration!

• Jack Watkins
• BryBry
• Architect Portfolio by Unihumble

2. Package yourself.

The ‘what’ of UX: features and functions.

Packaging will assist in gradually expanding your online presence in the face of your industry and across a variety of social channels. Packing yourself refers to how you are identified by your users and networks. A consistent image online can promote authenticity, structure and a clear voice. Create pleasant and niche experiences by developing a suite of branding design. Consider the following:

• Create a logo of your name. Use your logo as your unique stamp.
  • Stamp your CV
  • Stamp your letterheads
  • Stamp your portfolios
• Format an email signature. Add:
  • A message of thanks
  • Your name
  • Your contact: phone, email, website/portfolio link
  • Your professional social channels.
  • An innovative image banner.

This will add a lasting impression on all your communications including when you are sending your CV to an employer, thanking a panel for their interview time, reaching out to a new network, and more!

• Refine your profile picture. Use a professional high quality image to include on all your social channels (get creative and industry relevant!).
• Fill in the gaps:
  • Upload consistent background images or cover banners
  • Consider a colour scheme
  • Use a consistent tone of voice.

Your package is a touchpoint and encourages unique interactions with you online. Stand out from the crowd and create a sense of interest around you! Here are some great examples: Cargobot and 18 Is You

3. Build a hype around you.

The ‘how’ of UX: accessibility and aesthetics.

Enhance your online presence by…wait for it…getting online. You may want to be seen by your industry, so come out of the shadows by hopping onto LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the leading platform for professionals and networks to get in touch with you. Being active and up-to-date on LinkedIn can grow your professional network and show like-minded individuals that you are accessible and approachable to them.

Again, be consistent with aesthetics and upload a profile picture (individuals with a profile image are 14 times more likely to be viewed). Create a personal experience by developing an engaging biography and outlining all your experiences, achievements, and skills.

Finally, highlight your passions and openness for continual communication by posting your projects and articles on your site keeping your industry up-to-date with you and your projects. Aim to create a web of activity around yourself by commenting, liking and sharing, as well as engaging in professional conversations with your networks.

Check out this UTS Careers resource on how to keep up on LinkedIn.

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash