Youflix — A Twitter Chat

Recently, on a Saturday evening at 5:30 PM, 10 screens and expert minds opened up with one common goal- Youflix.

A high speed, intense Twitter Chat, that would help you stream your digital brand across channels. The first of many with an important theme — Why and How Should Women Build Their Digital Presence

In a world gone WFH, with everything switching to screens, it’s even more important now to build your digital presence.

In a collaboration with Lean-inwomen@work, we launched our twitter chat. At the end of the thrilling 30 minutes, we had so much to learn and a lot more to talk about.

You would think that a large group of diverse, versatile people would have different takes on this question. But it comes as no surprise that all the answers, though worded differently, had a common message.

Ruchi Angrish(@RuchiAngrish): In a post Covid world the role of social media has definitely changed in building a digital brand — now we ALL need to use it to build our presence — we can’t stay aloof from building our personal brand — it’s like a new resume.

Kiran Manral(@KiranManral): Yes, we are even more dependent on the online space to be visible given that offline is increasingly unavailable.

Neeraja Ganesh(@neeraja_ganesh): Digital media is and will be a big enhancer of our personal brand as long as we are authentic. The world is watching and listening to how we present our best self. This can make or mar our personal brand.

Gautam Ghosh(@GautamGhosh): Yes it has changed! Since we are only connecting with people online, it has become MORE important. Because now we cannot network in real life :)

Manish Sinha(@unkomn_thots): Same role as before — a platform for storytelling, giving voice to everyone. It’s just that post the pandemic everything just became more urgent and accelerated

Shilpi Singh(@buzshilpi): From Good to Do, now, it’s Essential to Do. The Canvas of Digital Media has become the Mainstream communication channel.

Monica Jasuja(@jasuja): Using social media as an enabler to amplify your brilliance is now a necessity more than ever where physical interactions including for hiring have been entirely replaced by online therefore removing barriers yet creating challenges to stand out.

Pallavi Varma(@morallygreydesi): In some ways yes. The competition scene has become varied with all players suddenly descending on this field. But in a lot of ways it has remained the same — just with tighter competition and more eyes of the world.

Saikat Saha(@saikatsaha): Yes! We have become more deliberate about our brand building. For example this tweet chat provides as much access & visibility to a novice to make a compelling point of view as much as it does to an expert.

This is where it started getting fun. The millennials started chipping in too. With multiple answers, the true essence of a digital brand came out.

Gautam: It’s the answer to “What do people think you are great at doing? Would they automatically take your name when someone asks them for a person in your area of expertise?”

Kiran: When the domain expertise comes through in the online persona, when the messaging is consistent across platforms and there is credibility associated with the persona.

Neeraja: It helps to communicate a unique identity and clear value to potential employers or clients. Simply put, Personal branding is one’s story. It is who you are, what you stand for, the values you embrace, and the way in which you express those values. Just as a company’s brand helps to communicate its value to customers and stand out from the competition, a personal brand does the same for individuals.

Abhijit Bhaduri(@AbhijitBhaduri): When strangers trust you to do something because everyone says you are the best person to do this.

Manish: When people don’t have a problem identifying You or Your Story. When across digital channels, you have a similar Narrative. You have a Powerful Personal Brand, when you stand out and shine amidst all the noise and information overload

Ruchi: A powerful personal digital brand is how you promote yourself. It is a unique combination of skills, personality, experience you want your followers to see. It is telling of your story

Subhiksha(@subhixo): It’s like they say — your brand is what people talk about when you aren’t in the room. 1. Is your brand worth talking about when you aren’t around? 2. If it is, are they saying good things? Work backwards but build forwards

Monica: Clout is what people speak about you when you’re not in the room — digital guru, consultant@ashoklalla says this about having a #personalbrand and on social where you can be anyone you want! It’s the single most powerful advice that has stayed with me

Shilpi: The 3 I’s — Inspire, Influence, Impact. When you are a voice that inspires, influences and creates the desired impact, you have a powerful brand. When people follow you to know your opinion.

Saikat: One that positions the ‘value’, the ‘values’ & the ‘valuation’ of the person. And does so in a manner that people want to be closely associated with it.

Kiran: Digital dissolves geographical boundaries, offers access, platforming, showcases. Digital also helps you build your tribe beyond your existing circles.

Neeraja: Social media has given women a platform, a network of allies and a public presence that can’t as easily be silenced. Like with the #MeToo hashtag, a chorus of voices shared experiences of harassment and assault by famous men and, in much larger numbers, men who are not.

Abhijit: Because digital is what gives you efficiency and scale that traditional media cannot match.

Shilpi: Digital media offers an equal platform. It has an infinite reach

Ruchi: Digital media has made a level playing field for all especially for Women now to raise their voice , share their expertise and empower others. Now anyone can build their brand and show what they stand for.

Manish: It’s the World’s Biggest Network to Build Your Brand and Voice Relatively easy to enter. A little difficult to build. Personal Brands have different facets. Digital Media allows all facets to flourish. Twitter — share your thinking; Instagram share your stories

Monica: Social Media is a free tool of enormous reach and proportion to — learn, develop and build your abilities. Keeping this in mind, using Digital Media judiciously and to your advantage is a life skill we must all possess in the #NewNormal

Pallavi: The digital world is a different playing field which offers a voice in a way that the real world doesn’t. While in real bias exists in responses — it at least gives a shot at an equal start which can make a WORLD of difference

The age old question and a lot of different answers. All of which boiled down to the same essence. Now we know why you need a digital brand but HOW do you build it so it actually makes a difference?

Ruchi: To prioritize time for Digital media — start connecting with peers and industry though leaders , make connections, provide more value in the conversations- in building a personal brand your goal is to stand out with authenticity and integrity

Gautam: Be very very mindful of what you give your attention to. Attention is currency today. Keep away from trends and people who trigger your anger or irritation. Focus on positivity. Always keep your focus on “why” you are using it.

Manish: There is no defined playbook here. You have to operate on instinct. Start by following people you love.
Then start engaging with them.
Then your thoughts will start shaping.
Start sharing.
Then be consistent.
If it starts getting boring, start afresh

Neeraja: Prioritize Tasks and Allocate Time on a daily basis, including sending out that tweet. Be Selective with Social Media, based on the topic and the audience you wish to reach

Shilpi: If it’s important, you will find the time. If you are new to the medium, you should do it first thing in the morning. Creating a Calendar is a good idea.

Kiran: For me it has always been about conversations rather than strategies. Kick start conversations, jump into conversations. Be flexible rather than planned.

Abhijit: Tweet as often as you eat

Monica: Prioritize to be on social media consistently instead of big Burra and troughs of hyper and inactivity. That’s the easiest advice therefore making it the most difficult to follow

Pallavi: You can’t treat it like a second option, a back up. You have to respect its power and give it importance the way you would offline marketing — that’s when you will realize how vital it can be.

Subhiksha: Digital media CANNOT be an afterthought. It needs to be a part and parcel of your day and not a one time thing. The first step is to change your mindset and make it a priority. Everything else will fall into place

We could all do with a little bit of help. Even if it comes to streaming your own personal brand across different digital platforms.

Basudhara(@basuyarra): It needs a combination. Professional guidance and assistance is definitely great to build a strong personal brand. But it is a PERSONAL brand, so it needs a personal touch as well.

Pallavi: Both. It’s a matter of how much time you have to give, your familiarity and skill set. Seeking professional help is NOT a bad thing. Social media can be alienating and if you can find a compass, grab it I’d say

Manish: If you a natural storyteller, keep it DIY, for as long as you can If you aren’t one, have a budget for storytelling

Neeraja: Gender norms presume that women should be agreeable, warm, and nurturing, and when they violate these norms, on social media, like on any other platform, they incur a lot of unfavorable response.

Ruchi: I think we may or may not need professional help in building our personal brand on social media — that depends who u are trying to reach — is it other thought leaders, or recruiters or pitching your portfolio to a client

Kiran: Ah well we could all do with professional help, men or women. Although I do feel the accounts that are most fun to follow are the ones not handled by social media teams.

Gautam: Some are very natural at it — the ones we see active across these platforms And there are so many others who have read about horror stories in the media and therefore keep away. I think they could do with some coaching and training

Avanti Parulekar(@avantiparulekar): Not everyone is able to navigate through social media and digital platforms. Some guidance, directions and help are good to have. This is gender agnostic

Monica: Everyone needs help. However women doubt themselves more than other genders. Therefore differentiating between having a voice and bragging keeps us quiet and behind our own insecurities from shining bright. That needs help

Two seemed too few things when the answers started pouring in. But we know we’ve bookmarked all these suggestions because they’re puregold.

Manish:

1. Understanding people is just as important as understanding digital platforms
2. If you want to understand how to amplify your voice on digital platform, make sure you understand how you amplify outside of digital; the rules are the same

Neeraja: Speak up, like you would, anywhere else. Call out what you do not agree with. Put forth your demands, like for example — an equal work and home culture

Meenu(@mintz05): In my humble view, tech is an incidental tool.. we must think like we are interacting with real people on the platform..but I do agree the dynamics of tech in amplifying our voice as well as give us unprecedented reach in real time

Ruchi: Be original & authentic- your voice is a reflection of you are- don’t ever create a false image of yourself- your life is a roller coaster full of ups & downs. Your story need not be a positive rosy picture always . Share your failures too

Subhiksha: This is a personal note to myself too:

1. Consistency is KEY
2. Keep it real. Use your OWN voice. Don’t borrow someone else’s
3. Engage, interact and grow. Don’t do it all alone

Anu Meera(@AnuMeera2024):

1. Find , build and nurture your tribe — people ,organizations, NGO’S, media, peers -who speak your language — align with your values. Support them, celebrate their wins. And you all grow together

2. Discover the magic of #TwitterChat

Shilpi: Be Present for Yourself and Others. It’s a platform for engagement — Engage & Be Authentic

Abhijit: Use it as a place to learn from people who you would never meet #irl Social media is all about the power of #weaklinks

Pallavi:

1. Don’t apologize for taking space. Ever. You can be loud as loud as you want.

2. Know that your consumers are your roots — they will help you grow. Nurture them.

With that our twitter chat came to an end…or did it?

We realized at the end of our half an hour chat that 30 minutes just wasn’t enough. The conversations kept flowing into the night with everyone dropping in valuable comments and suggestions.

This is when we realized, this cannot just be a one time chat. This has to be an ongoing conversation. Tell the person next to you and your friends. Show them the power of social media and help them build their digital brand. The why’s and how’s are all in one neat summary. The only thing left to do is to execute.

This twitter chat was brought to you by Lean-inwomen@work and Studio4.