When you think of brands, soft drinks and trainers (or even education publications) are more likely to come to mind than schools. Or indeed individuals within those schools.

However, a recent #edchat asked whether personal branding was coming of age thanks to social media and, if so, how educators could brand themselves - as well as teaching their students to do the same.

“Branding is proactive,” @casehighprinc noted. “It allows you to tell your story before someone else does.”

However, that story can be longer-lasting than students may realise. @RobSahliAP stressed the importance of teaching young people that their online life could come back to haunt them: “Social media has the habit of sticking around. What you share is a part of your brand.”

And @iNorrish reminded everyone that employers can very easily find information beyond what is presented in a CV. “You will be googled. Protect your reputation by curating the person you want to be known as,” he said.

Meanwhile, @tkraz emphasised that teachers have two audiences to consider when it comes to branding: “Classroom persona has always been a teacher’s `brand’. Social media is an external brand that is not always the same.”

Sarah Cunnane

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