Interesting comments.
I think my biggest problem is that I'm not G-rated.
And if I try to act that way online, it is probably going to seem inauthentic to most people. And it is definitely going to seem inauthentic to me.
Look, I drink (a little), gamble (a small amount), and cuss (too much). I'm opinionated. Stubborn. Occasionally crude. I'm fascinated by the strange (like giant squid) and the un-hip (like the American Civil War).
I like to hear myself talk.
Should I have an online persona that reflects these things?
And if I do, is it possible that the business will suffer? (My immediate thought: "Guess that depends on the business." Hmmm....)
And yes, I have some unambiguously positive points in my favor: highly-educated, started several small businesses, civic-minded, happily-married, ex-military, often funny, occasionally charming.
But I'm not worried about *that* stuff.
In the last week I've: attended a breastfeeding class (I'm a guy!); worked on a new real world business plan ; yelled at the History Channel for even suggesting that deep-sea frozen methane gas bubbles were responsible for the Bermuda Triangle; prepared for a short talk I'm giving about entrepreneurship tonight; and toasted Senator Jesse Helms death.
That's who I am. And that's who I want to be online. And I have to admit, I have my doubts about whether that's good for business.
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