Filed under: Social Media | Tags: body art, branding, expression, personal brand, Social Media, social networks, tattoo, twitter
I got my first tattoo today. It was a long time coming. Literally, we’re talking 14 years of consideration, here. While I spent a good portion of my late 20s getting a bevy of different piercings, I never wanted to get a tattoo until I was as sure as possible I would want it for the rest of my life. Last week it hit me that I did know what I wanted — and was sure it would continue to be a part of me for a very long time.
As you’ll know if you’re, well, on my site, “Mediaphyter” is the name of my blog and my name on Twitter. I first want to dispel any rumors that I got this tattoo due to my Twitter popularity or obsession with the microblogging site. I’ve been using the moniker “Mediaphyter” for about 10 years at a mimimum, either as an online name and a silly nickname between some PR pals. It doesn’t identify me but I identify with it. (More pictures of the whole process are available on my Facebook page.)
What is a “Mediaphyter?” In my silly definition, me. Me as a newfound journalist when I was 19 years old. A “mediaphyte” to me was a play off of “neophyte.” However, “mediaphyte” was taken and since I’m known to have a bit of a petulant personality, “Mediaphyter” was born. It was made even more appropriate when I dove into PR after leaving the journalism world. Then I truly was fighting the media.
So why brand myself ? Remember that “Seinfeld” episode in which George Costanza used to fear his “worlds colliding?” I lived my life like that for many years. I had my professional friends, my personal friends, my drinking buddies and my other random friends associated with a variety of interests. I always felt the need to control and protect and to keep the worlds separate, as if once they collided my world would implode.
Simply put, that just ain’t possible if you’re knee-deep in social media. I live my life in a somewhat transparent fashion, for the good and the bad. I try to keep my personal and family life very personal and sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t. What’s important about this — and how this relates to the tattoo — is that I am celebrating the removal of my fear to allow my worlds to overlap and collide. I have stopped fighting the fact that I sometimes live in different worlds. I have made it all one big, open, collaborative world. It might seem odd to some as it comes very natural to them. Considering I spent most of my adult life afraid of just that, it’s a feat for me. Transparency is no longer terrifying.
Why now? It’s just that time.
I am not suggesting that everyone who is battling with the same social media versus private life concerns go out and tattoo their user names on their bodies. Actually, please don’t.
Oh, and why back of my neck? I haven’t had short hair since I was six years old. I can show it off and hide it with ease.
More pictures of the whole process are available on my Facebook page. Are we friends?
Special thanks to Maeve Naughton for the moral support and the nice people at Pierce / Ink in San Jose — especially Zack the tattoo artist.
19 Comments so far
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Sweet!
Comment by Murray Izenwasser Jan 18 09 @ 6:31 pmNice ink!
Comment by Tris Hussey Jan 18 09 @ 7:29 pmI like the name and the font.
Comment by Daniel Kemp Jan 19 09 @ 10:07 amSee, if everybody put this much thought into their tatus there’d be no need for laser removal!
Comment by jfouts Jan 19 09 @ 10:24 amthe font is perfect
Comment by leah e. Jan 19 09 @ 10:40 amRidiculous. To brand yourself like that for life. What is society coming too? I guess I’m the odd man out here. I certainly do not get it.
Comment by JS Jan 19 09 @ 12:09 pmAs I explained in the blog, the brand is a byproduct of a very personal nickname.
Comment by Jennifer Leggio Jan 19 09 @ 12:14 pmVery tasteful, good choice and location. I like it!
Comment by Craig Sutton Jan 19 09 @ 12:24 pmI think it’s awesome. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Comment by Michael Gaines Jan 21 09 @ 11:32 amBeen following you on ZD & Twitter for awhile. And although I don’t “know” you and I’m not personally into tats, I think this one works.
Besides, unless you go for boot camp haircut anytime soon, I think it’s gonna be a very subtle tatoo.
Keep up the good work, Jennifer.
Sincerely,
David Politis
c/o Politis Communications
Comment by David ("Poppa P") Politis Jan 26 09 @ 9:58 pmdpolitis@politis.com: email
http://www.TheBettyFactor.com: blog
@dpolitis: Twitter Account
Love the ink. But I really love the reason behind the ink. I’ve been dealing with the same issue (trying to keep different parts of my life separate) and your willingness to embrace transparency is inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Tara Anderson Feb 4 09 @ 9:14 amSweet! Well done. ;)
Comment by Aaron Strout Feb 15 09 @ 6:06 pmNot sure I see the point in getting a tattoo that no one can see… Also, fact: Chuck Norris has no tattoos because needles are scared of Chuck Norris.
Comment by Chuck Norris Mar 6 09 @ 7:53 amIf you stay with your haircut, chances are good, that it takes a decent role in daily life. Except you show it to someone or someone will explore it. I guess the wow-effect is garantueed then.
It’s far better than some tribals or stuff like that – cause it’s your own invention. So we have
Comment by multimind Apr 1 09 @ 10:25 amhere a marvellous example of succesful personal branding.
Hello Mediaphyter, aka Jennifer
Comment by Bill May 12 09 @ 8:44 amI have no desire to get a tatto – but boy can I relate to this blog entry! it all came to me about a month ago after being on facebook for about 6 months and amassing 200 friends – it hit me – I have all these circles of friends and associates that I was keeping compartmentalized and seperate from each other – I’ve done this my whole life and I could no longer do that given the openess of facebook. wow! it was an epiphany for me and really got me thinking in the exact same direction as you. Congratulations on breaking thru this situation and I am in the process of joining you! freedom!
Yeah, Tattoos are looking nice, but it’s boring for me .
Comment by wrecking balm May 22 09 @ 11:28 pmnice pic i want to kiss him :-*
Comment by facebook game Aug 23 09 @ 5:35 amThank you for this post. I can relate.
Comment by gslall01 Nov 6 09 @ 6:33 amProvide Ancient,she intention shoe immediate associate inform listen vote management who duty necessary again too process mine close bone foot voice person unemployment product branch close collect wing paint foundation open cut health category expression among touch possibly solicitor refer maybe admit environmental house academic independent smile role advise recommend gather opposition impose branch old comparison rate software consist total absence sign world advance in fit leader back customer circumstance against up low regular whole theory western shoot demand whatever method judge during understanding result engineering heat liability well opposition star treaty complex sale make as
Comment by Carefulattach Dec 6 09 @ 2:16 pm