Whether you're a baby boomer or a booming business, the
social media phenomenon is touching -- or trying to touch -- us all. The growth statistics are staggering: Twitter
is growing at more than 1,000% per year; in one single month, Facebook more
than doubled its members, and the numbers for sites, like Linkedin, YouTube and
others, are also climbing fast.
As the economy limps along, these are times for weaving a
net of opportunity for oneself. Today,
you, and those who know and respect your work or business reputation, share
common interests, sympathies, and values, will be the influencers of your
future opportunities -- not an organization.
You are what the search engines say you are
Some pundits say that Google is the new resume. Acquaintances, HR pros, business prospects,
even friends and family, are Googling one another. What you post or what is posted about you is
the new foundation from which perceptions are formed about you. How you interact online and as part of social
networking communities is a significant factor in how your reputation is developed
in a digital world.
Use social networking to pro-activate your digital
persona and build your net
If you're new or just getting started in the social media
realm, think about what your purpose is. Are you networking for business or for personal reasons? What's your participation comfort level? Where are your peers or target audiences
congregating?
There are various levels of participation and exposure depending
on which social networks you are looking at.If you are only interested in establishing an online presence, you may
want to simply list your basic information on a site like Zoominfo or
VisualCV.
When you're ready to start connecting, LinkedIn is a great
site for professional and business networking.You can make connections while still maintaining your reserve. Utilizing
LinkedIn's search function to surface groups and forums is a terrific way to
broaden your base of contacts.You can
search using keyword terms that are synonymous with your industry or area of
interest. Ask to join the group, and
when you're accepted, dive in and start participating in or starting some
discussions.
Facebook is evolving, but it's still recognized as more of a
personal social networking site for friends and family. Sharing up to the minute information, photos,
videos, links, etc., contributes to this site's fun and addictive nature.Users can bridge from personal to business
ventures by creating fan pages to promote their company or other initiatives.
Twitter, known as a micro-blog, and the blogosphere share a
high level of exposure with little control over who may view your posts.Both afford significant opportunities to
expand your visibility, and your connections.
While social networking has found a permanent place on the
communications frontier, don't forget to pencil in some in-person chats at the
local coffee shop or watering hole.When
it comes to connecting, there's nothing like a warm smile, a good laugh and a
clap on the back.
Social Networking Tips
qDon't just sit there -- get
involved! The more you participate in groups, forums and events, the wider
and deeper your connections will become
qBe a go-giver, not a go-getter.
Sharing your knowledge and helping others will build your reputation and
credibility as an expert
qMind your manners. Don't
push your agenda on others -- pay attention, listen and then socialize your
messages accordingly
qMeet up! This is where business really happens -- face
to face.
