Hey Work Fun Nation,

You saw that viral Kiss Cam video? The one breaking everyone's feeds?

Of course you have hehe.

Eto ako nga yung late.

Anyway, in the remote case you didn't know yet, , Coldplay was playing in Boston last Wednesday. Kiss Cam pans the crowd.

Lands on a couple getting cozy.

The guy is Andy Byron, CEO of a 1.3 billion dollar company called Astronomer. The woman? His Head of HR, Kristin Cabot.

While everyone else in the stadium gets really excited that they're on the kiss cam but when they spot the camera, they're like.. "huli ka balbon!".

Instant panic. Girl covers her face, guy dives down to get out of the frame.

But the damage is already done.

The internet simply did what it does best. It went absolutely wild.

And it got me thinking.

As freelancers, we think we're invisible. Work from home kasi tayo.

Hiddene behind our screens.

So we'd be forgiven to think na our personal life stays personal, right?

Nope. Not always.

Your reputation is like that friend who follows you everywhere. Even to the bathroom.

I learned this lesson the funny way. Buti na lang hindi hard way. Whew!

Just last month ito, I was on my way home from the National Prompt Design Challenge. (which we placed among the Top 10 finalists, ahem)

Was too sleepy and tired on the road, so I decided to get some coffee and donuts para magising while driving.

Someone snapped a photo.

Sent it to me kinabukasan.

Haha, thankfully there were no negative consequences, but that it made me painfully aware of two things.

One, that these things really happen pala talaga.

And two, I need to go back to the gym na and lose weight haha. Tama na donuts. huhu

This also taught me something crucial.

We freelancers are always performing. Whether we like it or not.

Our drunk Facebook posts? Clients can scroll through them.

Our weekend Instagram stories? Prospects can see them.

This was the reply of one of the biggest course creators in Australia after I sent her a cold message weeks before:

She actually watched my videos OMGee. She must've liked what she saw because she invited me on her podcast. (Buti na lang wala na yung emo phase ko, hahaha)

And yes, she became a client soon after. Thank goodness talaga she didn't scroll too far back haha.

Every digital breadcrumb shapes how people see our brand.

So hear are a few lessons from that The Kiss Cam video:

How Things Look Beats How Things Are

Doesn't matter if you did nothing wrong. If it looks messy to clients, it is messy. Sa viral video though the story was super juicy and caught in the act sila sa cheating.

One Slip Kills Years of Work

Spent three years building trust? One weird moment erases it all.

Keep Business Lines Clear

Professional relationships need boundaries. With clients. With partners. With everyone who pays you. Also don't be having affairs AND going to a very public concert, why don't you? haha

Look, we're human. We mess up. We have lives outside work.

But when you're building a rep as a premium freelancer, you think like a CEO.

Because that's what you are now.

Every email, every call, every random social post reflects your business.

The real question: Would this make my best client question my judgment?

If the answer makes you squirm, time to adjust.

Here's your homework this week:

Stalk yourself online. Check your social media like you're a nosy client. Look at your recent posts, comments, photos.

Ask: "If my dream client saw this, would they trust me more or less?"

Less? Fix it. Now.

I'm not saying we should all be just stiff robots and not have any personalities left. It's okay to post personal stuff, that's part of being a real business after all. Pero less posting sana tayo ng mga cringe stuff.

Yes, you can ask chatgpt now kung cringe nga ba yung post mo.

That's why I don't rant as much these days, and if I do rant it's on behalf of my audience or to defend them. I stopped being political online na din.

I used to be way more outspoken in that front. Mellow yellow na me dyan.

Your reputation is your freelancing superpower.

Guard it like your bank account depends on it.

Because it does.

What's one thing you need to clean up in your online presence? Reply and tell me. No judgment here.

Keep it professional,

Shoden "Feeling Mejo Sikat In My Small Niche" San

P.S. update: the CEO has resigned from his post on Saturday, and HR chief most likely will be removed as well.

Because how can you have someone in HR who is having an affair with the CEO imposing or making disciplinary decisions over any other employees.

That's simply ridiculous.

wala lang, extra chika lang. ^_^

🎉 Pst. Don't Keep Me A Secret. refer this newsletter to your freelancer friends. This REALLY REALLY helps me a lot, thanks! Or if you're done referring and you just want to buy me some coffee, I won't stop you.