Seth Godin has done it again. Seth has written a great post (which all of his are) about personal branding and the effects that the Internet can have on your career... good or not so good. Check it out at. And while there, sign up to receive his posts directly to your email. Like you should with mine as well... if you haven't already (little plug):

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/02/personal-branding-in-the-age-of-google.html#trackback

I'd like to add that when it comes to personal branding, every impression and point of contact that someone has with you, (again, good or not so good), contributes to their impression of you.

Imagine these scenarios:

A potential employer calls your cell phone to set up an interview, gets your voicemail, and hears, "Yo, Digitty-Dog! T-man here. You gots my ears and throat. Wait for the chka, chka, chka, audible and drop some knowledge on me! Peace out!" Yeah, well you can kiss that chka, chka, chka opportunity good bye! OR...  

A potential employer calls and has to wait until the 15-minute chorus and guitar solo to Metallica's Sanitarium is finished before the beep. The same guy that just ordered the latest Andrea Bocelli CD. AND...

It's not just voicemails that can add to or detract from your brand. What might an employer think if the e-mail address on your resume is: 2Sexxy4U12345@yahoo.com or PartyTillIPuke0987@gmail.com?

My point (those of you that know me, know that I always have a point)? If you wouldn't want your grand-ma-ma to hear your voicemail or your pastor to see your e-mail address, then chances are that you probably wouldn't want a potential employer to either. Have your social e-mail address for your friends, but create a separate one for your career!