Try This: 12 Ways to Update Your Digital Footprint

For most teachers I know, life zooms by, filled with students, parents, meetings, grades, reports, reviews, and thinking. There are few breaks to update, fix, and maintain the tech tools that allow us to pursue our trade— including our online presence.

But if we don’t, we are left wondering why our blog doesn’t attract visitors; why our social media doesn’t generate activity; and why we aren’t being contacted for networking. Here’s a short list of items that you can do quickly: 

1. Update your online profiles. What do your blog, social media, and professional groups say about you? Have you changed focus? Switched jobs? Are you adding new publications or accomplishments? Is your contact information current? Ideally, you would do this once a quarter, but aim for once a year at a minimum.
2. Clean up your social media stream. Delete pictures and comments you no longer find relevant, or make them private. If you have active social media, employers will check it out. Be sure it accurately reflects who you are.
3. Publish content frequently and consistently. Keeping your page fresh and current is a must for search engines to prioritize your content.
4. Add copyright protections. Include a note in the sidebar, attach it to each post, or do both (see mine at askatechteacher.com). If you don’t, readers may erroneously think they are free to use and reproduce the content as they see fit. They’re wrong, but make that clear.
5. Use images and videos. Data overwhelmingly shows that images and videos draw in readers. This is also an effective way to attract new readers.
6. Update old blog posts. Start with the most-visited posts and work your way down (in case you run out of time). Update old links and references. Consider freshening images or banners.
7. Check individual post tags and categories. Reorganize options so they authentically group your writing.
8. Check your website’s sidebar. Look for outdated widgets and links. Include new pieces that add utility. Move pieces around to give an updated look. The current thinking is less is more. Consider putting awards, personal learning network (PLN) groups, and memberships on separate pages noted in your menu bar.
9. Check if your website pages are still relevant. Could some be nested under other pages to save space or make them easier to find? While you’re at it, update pages that are visited less frequently.
10. Look at your blog on a smartphone and tablet. Does it display properly? If not, consider switching to a responsive web design that auto-adjusts for a variety of digital devices. Visit your hosting platform’s support section for instructions.
11. Unsubscribe from lists you no longer have an interest in.
12. Update venues where you sell books (if you’re a teacher-author), such as your Amazon Author page, Teachers Pay Teachers, Google Play, BarnesandNoble.com, and others.