“Critique My Profile”: I’m giving away free advice!

by Marian Schembari on June 12, 2010

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure you sign up for my FREE newsletter. Get free consulting and all sorts of goodies delivered straight to your inbox. (It’ll be awesome.)

Over the past month I’ve been getting more and more emails from people requesting that I critique or evaluate their social media profiles. Now, this has kind of been my job for the past year – helping authors and friends and companies expand their online presence – but that always involves implementation, months of work and commitment like you wouldn’t believe. Some of you simply want personalized tips and tasks you can do RIGHT NOW that are going to help you grow.

As one request said, “There is always room for expansion. You mention being able to help people do better with social media and I’d like to know if you see any area where I could do something different that might be more effective.”

Rachel Vincent commented on my Twitter post asking if there was “a service where a human being who is really solid with Twitter would look at Twitter profiles and tell people: ‘Hey this is how you are coming across’. Kind of like the services that evaluate resumes and let people know how they are coming across there.”

Genius, I tell you! And I don’t know anyone else who’s doing it and I don’t know why I didn’t think of this myself. Enter “Critique My Profile”. (I was gonna call it Pimp My Profile, but that was taken. Le sigh.)

So Here’s How It Works

1.   In the comment section, post your Twitter handle.

That’s all I need, but you can ask anything you want about how to grow your presence, tweak your bio, modify your tweets… The sky’s the limit and I am open to any and all questions.

2.  Then I post a weekly video critiquing different profiles.

This is where the fun part comes in! Every week I’ll post a short video critiquing a different Twitter account. Keep in mind the tone of my blog: this is how I’ll be “on tape”. If you’re nervous about being torn to shreds, don’t worry, I’m not that bitchy… But I AM no-nonsense and this is a Bullshit Free Zone. So if you can’t take a decent criticism, don’t leave your info.

That being said, I hope that doesn’t scare you away. If you’re smart enough to be using Twitter, but feel like you’re not using it to the best of your ability, I know I can help. So get over yourself a little and take the plunge. In order to get the most out of social media you need to be willing to put yourself out there. If you’re scared to do it here you shouldn’t be doing it at all… And I honestly do want to help you kick some social media ass.

That’s it!

Doesn’t matter if you’re a brand-new Twitter user or you’ve been tweeting for a year. There is always room for growth and having a fresh pair of eyes look at how you’re presenting yourself can be ridiculously beneficial for your brand, business, whatever.

**It would, however, be helpful if I knew your goals. A truly great Twitter bio makes it blatantly obvious what you do or what you want to be doing. If you think your Twitter profile isn’t as up-to-date as it should be, let me know in the comments how I can best help you.

***And if you would be so kind to RT this, that would be reeeaaaalllly helpful. I want to reach as many people as possible with this, so spread the word!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
  • Amber Garner

    Let me have it. @amberlgarner. I'd love your feedback!

  • http://twitter.com/paulocamposink/status/18709842284 Paulo Campos

    More social media: @marianschembari regularly critiques Twitter profiles. http://ow.ly/2cwcb

  • Marian Schembari

    You guys should sign up for this TONIGHT. Trust me, okay? Big announcement tomorrow for those who submit their usernames: http://ow.ly/2ghGy

  • http://twitter.com/kemari/status/19513059897 Kemari

    RT @MarianSchembari: You should sign up for this TONIGHT. Big announcement tomorrow for those who submit their usernames: http://ow.ly/2ghGy

  • Melissa Breau

    RT @marianschembari: You guys should sign up for this TONIGHT. Trust me, okay? Big announcement tomorrow for those who submit their usernames: http://ow.ly/2ghGy

  • http://twitter.com/melissabreau/status/19513257790 Melissa Breau

    I trust the lady RT @MarianSchembari u should sign up 4 this TONIGHT. Trust me ok? Big announcement tomorrow: http://ow.ly/2ghGy

  • http://twitter.com/marianschembari/status/19513265163 Marian Schembari

    You should leave a comment with your username to be critiqued TONIGHT. Trust me, okay? http://ow.ly/2ghTN

  • http://twitter.com/MarianSchembari/status/19513265163 Megan Cassidy

    RT @MarianSchembari: You should leave a comment with your username to be critiqued TONIGHT. Trust me, okay? http://ow.ly/2ghTN

  • http://waliqfactory.com/ Guisela Farge

    Ok. Marian,
    I'm ready :)
    My username: @gfargejurado
    If you want to know more about the people who we want to engage, please it will be nice of you to have a look in here:
    http://www.waliqfactory.com/about/

    Thanks,

    Cool post by the way!. I like the experiment :)

  • Antonia Harler

    :) @antwizzel – Give it to me! :)

  • Jerry zurek

    @jerryzurek I'm a journalism professor who teaches students to use social media, but how do I know if I am a good model? After all i'm about 10 times older than my college students.

  • http://megancassidy.wordpress.com/ Megan Cassidy

    Hey, I'm @MeganCassidy. Have at it! I'm just looking to get my ideas out there and yammer on about how the Red Sox are falling apart.

  • tanushri

    hey marian, @dramaqueen82 is me. for starters, i know that's a terribly unprofessional username. i mean numbers, right? what else? educate me!

    reasons for using twitter? apart from loving the medium, the people, the story-telling potential… i've been a digital writer and book editor for a while now, but soon heading to england to do my master's in digital publishing and just want to keep my name/expertise out there.

    thanks!

  • http://www.workinonmyfitness.com Susan Jane

    @SusanJaneC is my twitter username! I definitely want to improve my Twitter presence, so this would help a lot if I were critiqued. Thanks!

  • http://www.devacoaching.com Sandi Amorim

    Holy crap this is good timing Marian!
    I just wrote a post about taking on challenges in life, so I guess it's time to walk my talk ;-)
    You can find me at @devacoach, ready and willing to hear what you've got to say!

  • http://twitter.com/MarianSchembari/status/19513265163 Sunny Jo Gardner

    RT @MarianSchembari: You should leave a comment with your username to be critiqued TONIGHT. Trust me, okay? http://ow.ly/2ghTN

  • http://www.Table41Cookbook.com Sunny Jo Gardner

    @Table41Cookbook I can't think of anyone else more qualified or honest to tell it like it is.

    I follow lots of folks via lists because honestly, to “follow” them in my mainstream, I get lost with all the tweets. I think some folks may feel slighted when they follow me and I don't directly follow them, and then I notice they don't follow anymore. It's not my intent to offend anyone, but really, if I were to follow 1000 people, I would go into a tweet coma. Maybe I'm just too organized, I don't know. If you have another suggestion, I”m willing to listen.

    I would also value any other considerations you are willing to offer with regard to my presence online.

    Thanks for taking the time to do such a selfless act for others and help out some of us newbies.

  • Guisela Farge

    "Critique My Profile": I'm giving away free advice! http://bit.ly/97olY1 ( via @marianschembari )

  • http://www.inkyclean.com/soapbox_blog/ Natalia M Sylvester

    Just wondering, if we already left our username about a month ago, does that still count, or is this secret surprise just for whomever leaves their username tonight? Hmm…to be safe: @inkyclean :)

  • EC

    What Natalia M Sylvester said. :-) And also to be safe: @EC_Sheedy

    Thanks, I've already learned a lot from the other “episodes.”

    EC

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Nope, you're still in the running! I'm just announcing a crazy offer today and wanted to make sure everyone that was interested left their username here first :) Thanks again for posting!

  • Financial Samurai

    How about @FinancialSamura

    No (i) i know already as it didn't fit and when we started, it's what we went with.

    Looking for ways to improve as someone who does not tweet from 7:30am-6:30pm during the weekdays, and after 10am on weekends since I work and don't have a PDA.

    thnx

  • http://aspiringwriterworld.blogspot.com Gabriela Lessa

    @gabilessa
    Wondering how to gather more followers in the publishing world and how to use twitter to get people to check my blog.

  • Vini

    hey.. :-)

    Just wanna know about mine.. @vini88
    Also, wondering if you critique blogs too.. :-)

  • sharita

    Wow, what an opportunity.
    @sharita21

    What I would like to know
    - first impression
    - should I mention other (personal information) about myself. Becaus I’m looking for a job as marketeer I mentioned my want, abilities, blog and portfolio, email adress.

    For improvement are my photo and backgrond. I’m working at the photo. About the background. Have any tips?
    I’ve read that the tweets should be at ratio 1:10 (professional – personal/social).

    Love to hear from you.

    Sharita

  • sharita

    Oh forgot something. I would also like to attract more relevant followers and potential employers.
    @sharita21

    Thank you

  • http://twitter.com/Yakezie The Yakezie

    Did she never reply to you?

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    By “she” do you mean me? Because everyone that comments is put on a list. As you can see a lot of people submitted their usernames so it’s taking some time to get to everyone. Hope you understand!

  • http://twitter.com/Yakezie The Yakezie

    Yep, I meant you Marian. Thanks for responding. I noticed Financial Samurai’s comment was posted 3 weeks ago. No worries. Just wondering. Thnx.

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Great, Sharita! You’ve been added to the list :)

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Hey Vini! I DO critique blogs, but not for free on my blog. Feel free to email me if you want to find out more about the service: maschembari (at) gmail (dot) com

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Hey Sharita, I just had a look at your profile and unfortunately I’m unable to critique profiles that aren’t in English. Sorry!

  • sharita

    Hey Marian, I understand. But, I still have question for you. I’m searching for a marketing job. Should I write a job pitch in my bio (without any space of who I am), should I write down who I am or should I make a combination (searching for job and who I am).

    I don’t use the space in the sidebar. Should I use this for my job pitch?

    Is it possible to answer this questions without looking at my twitter conversations in Dutch?

    I want to thank you for your tremendous advice to others. I also learn from that. So will keep on follow you.

    Due to one of your advices I got to follow more marketers (International and Dutch).

    • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

      I’m sorry, Sharita, I’m not sure I fully understand what you mean. When using Twitter to look for a job you should always mention your skills in your bio AND “who you are”. A mix of both is very important or else you look either boring of unprofessional. That said, your current bio “Marketer available” sounds a little desperate but also isn’t clear enough. What kind of marketer are you? I’d also remove the link in your bio and use that space to talk about what you do, your skills, what kind of job you’re looking for, etc. Take that portfolio link and put it elsewhere – that’s what the link section is for!

      For more information, I’d consider the Pajama Job Hunt: http://marianlibrarian.com/pajama-job-search/

  • http://twitter.com/DustBunnyMafia Dust Bunny Mafia

    This is really awesome!
    @DustBunnyMafia

    The account is designed for graphic design/corporate branding. The website is officially launching in December and until then I am trying to build up a reputation on Twitter, FB, etc. I’m trying to convey two things: 1) Graphic design and marketing services; 2) The Dust Bunny Mafia characters like a web-comic.

    What I would like to know
    - first impression
    - what I should do to legitimately gain followers (ones that are interested and I can actually interact with)

    Love to see what you come up with.

  • http://twitter.com/coriemichele corie

    Hi Marian!

    I’m not sure if you are still critiquing twitter profiles, but if you are it would be really meaningful to get your opinion.  When I started on Twitter it was for no other reason than to meet and possibly network with interesting people that I would not have the opportunity to meet in my daily life.

    Since then I have gone back to school and now not only use it for my original personal networking but possibly meeting people in industries that I want to work in. 

    Thank you so much for offering your time to help :)

    @coriemichele

    • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

      Thanks for your comment, Corie! I haven’t done the critiques in a while, but good to know there’s still some interest. Who knows, I might bring it back….

  • http://twitter.com/coriemichele/status/117596171626754048 corie

    RT @MarianSchembari: "Critique My Profile": I'm giving away free advice! http://t.co/dHOSDcn6

Previous post:

Next post: