About this course: Though the concept of personal branding isn't new, questions remain about how to create one and, more importantly, what it means to maintain and inhabit that brand. Learners will: o Understand both what personal branding means and what it means to inhabit their brand o Establish themselves on at least three social media platforms o Create a mission statement for their personal brand o Build a board of directors for their brand o Become familiar with the basics of digital security and reputation management o Create a system for on-going brand maintenance Join instructor Kimberley R. Barker as she provides a warm, supportive atmosphere in which learners are encouraged to intensively explore themselves in order to create a personal brand that authentically and effectively communicates their values and professional gifts. Together we will build a strong community in which to provide encouragement and feedback, and support each other as learners pursue their goal of successful brand creation.
Created by: University of Virginia
Taught by: Kimberley Barker, MLIS, Manager for Technology Education & Computing
Claude Moore Health Sciences Library
| Commitment | 3-5 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction
Hello and welcome!
1 video, 3 readings
- Video: Introduction
- Reading: MOOC Learning Objectives
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself
- Reading: Tweet me!
- Reading: My participation in the course
An Overview of Personal Branding
The goal of this module is to help you gain an understanding of the basic purpose, benefits, and responsibilities of branding, and to begin the process of defining your values, gifts, and goals. If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch: Kimberley@virginia.edu; @KR_Barker (Twitter).
3 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Personal Branding: Why bother?
- Reading: An Overview of the History of Personal Branding
- Reading: "Personal Branding is a Leadership Requirement, Not a Self-Promotion Campaign"
- Video: How Personal Should Your Brand Be?
- Reading: Does the whole idea of self-promotion feel wrong?
- Discussion Prompt: What is your perception of Personal Branding now?
- Video: Why the Myers-Briggs (and similar) assessment
- Reading: Assignment: Discovering your Myers-Briggs Personality Type
- Discussion Prompt: Assignment: Report your Meyers-Briggs type
Graded: Why Branding? It's the same question each time, but the answer options are all different! For each question, there is only one correct answer.
WEEK 2
Building your Brand's Infrastructure
Like any other construction project, infrastructure is absolutely key to the successful creation of your brand. In this module, we'll discuss key elements including authenticity, your mission statement, and why you should incorporate your photo into your brand.
6 videos, 3 readings
- Video: The Heart of Authenticity: Choosing Your Three Cornerstone Words
- Discussion Prompt: Assignment: Identify those 3 little words
- Video: The Importance of Authenticity
- Video: Brand Authenticity & Your Photo
- Reading: Tips for Looking Your Best in Photos
- Video: Revisiting your Three Words & Other Infrastructure
- Video: Your Mission Statement
- Reading: Background Reading on Mission Statements
- Discussion Prompt: Assignment: Share your mission statement!
- Video: Choosing your Board of Directors
- Reading: How to Choose the Members of Your Board of Directors
WEEK 3
Establishing Your Brand's Digital Home: A Guide to Claiming Your Parts of the Web
Your Brand & Social Media. When it comes to social media platforms, you have lots of choices. At the end of this lesson, you will have identified three platforms that best fit your brand. Questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch: Kimberley@virginia.edu; KR_Barker@virginia.edu
4 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Choosing the Best Social Media Platforms for Your Brand
- Reading: A Look at Social Media Platforms
- Video: A Bit About Twitter
- Video: Twitter Walk-Through
- Reading: Mashable's Twitter Guidebook
- Video: Choosing free vs. paid digital real estate
WEEK 4
Creating your Brand's Maintenance Plan
This module focuses on the pros and cons (and nuts and bolts) of creating a maintenance plan for your brand.
2 videos
- Video: Why You Should Create an Update Schedule for Social Media
- Video: To Automate or Not to Automate!
WEEK 5
Your Online Identity: How reputation and digital privacy affect your Brand.
4 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Reputation management: what is it, and why does it matter?
- Reading: The Reputation Economy: Managing Your Online Identity in the Age of Google
- Video: How to Create an Alert in a Search Engine
- Video: A Bit About Mistakes
- Reading: Reply All podcast episodes
- Video: The Highlights of Digital Privacy- and love for Brooks Hall
- Reading: Creating Strong Passwords
- Reading: Assignment: Impress us!
- Discussion Prompt: What was the most valuable exercise?
- Discussion Prompt: What assignment was the least helpful?
Graded: Quiz: Reputation Management
Graded: Quiz on Digital Privacy
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
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Creators
University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
Ratings and Reviews
Great course! I really loved the enthusiasm and goofyness of Kimberley; she really made the content come alive.
The course let's you think about who you want to be and how you want to brand yourself. Very helpful tips and tricks to accomplish this!
Thanks
I am satisfied with the course but, it was short. Maybe, it can adds more lessons and activities.
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Excellent course on a relatively unknown and often underestimated topic of personal branding. I highly recommend it whatever your discipline.