Is it Possible to Build a Web Presence Without LinkedIn or Facebook?

This is an internal debate I’ve been wrestling with for some time now. Personally, I feel the benefits of being on and an active part of a social network far out way those of not being on one.  You may be saying to yourself, who the hell isn’t on Facebook?  I pondered that same question myself which is what led me to this.

I started thinking about friends that I have that weren’t on any social networks.  The number was a bit of a surprise, but what was even more interesting was the people that weren’t on Facebook or had a “light” LinkedIn profile were probably some of the smartest and well educated people that I know.  I don’t know if there’s a correlation, but it does beg the question can you build a meaningful web presence without being on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook?

We’ve done our fare share to carry the torch for why you should be on a social network, but what if you just don’t feel like being bothered with it?

Here are some other ways you can have a positive impact and make a name for yourself online.

Do a podcast

A podcast is basically an online radio show.  Creating one may be a little difficult, but you can probably hire someone to take care of the technical aspects of putting it together and you can focus on the content.  The best podcasts are entertaining and informative, and no longer than 30 minutes.

Create a presentation and put it on Slideshare.net

If you’re a powerpoint wizard and have compelling presentations that you’d be open to sharing, you can put them on Slideshare.  Slideshare gets great SEO results which guarantees that you’ll have plenty of eyes on your work.  If you have a personal web page, be sure to include that and any other contact information in your presentation.

Participate in job search forums

Forums are old school, but many still exist and provide tons of value.  This is a great way to participate in conversations, showcase your knowledge, skills and make new contacts.  If you are unaware of any forums, just do a quick search for forums related to your industry.  Once you find one, spend a few days getting a feel for the forum and the topics being discussed before jumping in the pool head first.

Digg it or Reddit

Digg is a one of several popular social bookmarking sites on the interwebs.  Reddit happens to be my personal favorite, but they all more or less operate the same way. What you share can be picked up and shared by others that have similar interests as you.  You can share interesting articles and blog posts that are relevant to your industry.

Most social bookmarking sites allow you to create a profile where you can link to a personal web page.  If you are looking for work, or a professional in transition don’t be afraid to mention this.  This isn’t the time to be shy.

As the saying goes birds of a feather flock together which is why most professionals are on LinkedIn, However, if you’re one of those rare birds that cringes at the thought of logging on to Facebook, these are great alternatives to help you build a professional web presence devoid of traditional social networks.