What can faculty do for their online presence that isn’t social media? Here’s 19 ways to be intentional about your digital footprint for professors and researchers.

I was at a workshop about personal safety if you are giving a book talk in a public space. Many worry that “social media is necessary.” That can feel dangerous for people have something to share, whether it’s their book, research, or the thing they need to give voice to online.

I wanted to expand this post because social media isn’t the only way to have an online presence. There are ways to be intentional about how we show up in online spaces that academics, scientists, and researchers might not have considered before. 

This is not to say that social media isn’t a great avenue – I personally love social media.

While you don’t have to be on social media, it’s a great way to share your research. I find that even if you don’t really post on social media, having a profile and being able to connect with people in your field has been beneficial for academics.

You can lurk on social media and still enjoy it. I don’t judge you on how you show up online, but if you feel like social media isn’t for you? Do you want to grow your online presence beyond social media? I wanted you to feel like you have options. Because you do. 

So, what can you do for your online presence beyond social media? Here are 19 ways for academics to consider:

1. Bio – Think of your bio as an opportunity to bring people back to how you currently engage with people online  Your bio ends up in so many places, especially places academics don’t anticipate ending up online. For example, your conference presentation bio may end up online for years to come.
2. Faculty profile / Researcher profile  – When you can update your faculty profile, it helps people who want to connect with you (including your students, colleagues, and people in the media who may want to interview you). 
3. Websites  – Personal academic websites and research lab websites are an invitation for people to engage with your research in a deeper and clearer way. 
4. Substack / LinkedIn Newsletter / Email Newsletter  –  When you want to communicate with people on a regular basis, there is opportunities for people to subscribe to what you choose to share. 
5. Video / YouTube  – You don’t have to start a YouTube series to have video be a mode for you to share your research. Whether you create your own channel or collaborate on videos about your research, this has potential to reach people around the world. 
6. Data Viz  – When you design data visualizations for your peer reviewed articles, create a version for yourself that can be shared on your website or social media. Or, that can be part of a press release, media feature, or interview. 
7. Graphic design, comics, and illustrations  – People remember things better when they experience it visually, even if you don’t have artistic skills or want to develop that skillset. You can work with science artists or other creative people to envision a visual representation of your research. 
8. Slides and presentations  – Some slides you’ve created to share your talk or presentation would make great social media graphics, or could be used as an infographic in another context. There is also the opportunity for you to record your presentation or otherwise share your slides online. 
9. Op-ed Writing, public writing  – When your research is communicated with a wider audience, it has the potential to affect people’s choices and advocacy in their local communities. If you’re open to writing with a general audience in mind, this one may be for you. 
10. TED Talks / Public speaking  – When you’re open to sharing your thoughts with a wider audience, public speaking that’s recorded on video or shared online has the potential to reach people for years to come. 
11. Fundraising / advocating for the importance of research funding  – PhD students and other researchers have used online fundraising platforms and crowdfunding to advocate for their research, which often includes sharing their story and potentially making a video and social media content about their research mission. Your online presence supports your fundraising activities.
12. Sharing your online presence in person – The best time to talk about your online presence is when you’re with people in person, and you can facilitate connecting with them with even more easy with “old school paper things” that help bring people to your online presence too (e.g. business card, handout, grantwriting, nomination, or application). Share the link and a QR code.
13. Online events and class visits  – Whether you’re invited to speak with a class via zoom, or are presenting at a conference online, there are opportunities to connect with people through your online presence after the event ends.  
14. Podcasts  – They can be done together in collaboration or on your own. Your podcast is an audio space for you to start a conversation.
15. Blogs  – If writing is your go-to mode of communication, blogging is a great long-term way to reach your audience and can help people find you through the topics you’re writing about online. 
16. Interviews & fireside chats – You’re used to giving conference talks, but there’s also potential to create something with lightness and ease, like when you’re being interviewed. 
17. Documentaries  – When professors, researchers, and scientists can be the face of a story that reaches more people because of its medium (like documentaries), people get more informed information.
18. Collaboration and partnerships  – When people can better envision how they can engage with your research, it invites more aligned relationships with people who find you online.
19. Media quotes, mentions, and features  – Even when you’re not seeking them, your online presence has the potential to attract journalists and other people who want to share your work.

None of these ideas are things you have to commit to week after week or even be consistent at. No, not even podcast or blogs.

Is an online presence something you want for yourself now as an academic? It’s okay if you read all 19 of these ideas and are still like, nope, not for me. At least not now.

I’m Jennifer van Alstyne. Since 2018, I’ve supported professors and researchers to be confident showing up online. The journey isn’t linear for most of them when it comes to their digital presence. And it’s okay if being on a documentary is a dream you have that you aren’t sure how to get to. Or if you’ve always wanted a podcast, but the reality of that feels distant right now. Write it down anyway.

Make a checklist of each online presence idea you’re curious about. Is there one place you’d like to start? Let me know what you think. Send me a DM on social media @HigherEdPR.

If you’re ready to get started shaping how you show up online, there are resources to help you here on The Social Academic blog.