using social media for as 1

Social media in your professional life: Networking & Profile RaisingJessica Holloway Swift, Careers Network

Outcomes of session• Understand how LinkedIn can:

– Be used to raise your profile– Be used for networking– Profile raising via other blogging

platforms• Learn how Twitter can

– Be used for networking – Promote your personal brand

• Raising profile through blogs & posts

Personal objectives/ questions

My 3 social media identities• Personal – Facebook/ Snapchat

– Nothing is 100% private • Public – Twitter/ Instagram• Professional – LinkedIn

What does the next image mean to you?

What do we mean by personal brand?

Simple tips to your online brand • Determine how you want to be

perceived– Where are you an expert?– You are not a Mars bar – be authentic &

human• Audit your digital footprint

– Google yourself • Create value in your online presence• Share content with a purpose

Networking basics• Organisation & planning• Find the right people• Asking the right questions• Stay in touch without asking for

anything (at first)• Be generous – give as much as take• Be enthusiastic and reliable

Social media helps you find and maintain you networks and promote your personal brand

LinkedIn

LinkedIn profile tipsPhoto – headshot

Headline – not just job title but who you are

A bit about yourself in a professional context Media rich files to

make yourself stand out

Networking LinkedIn – finding your networks• Reviving old friendships – school,

university, past jobs• Meeting face to face vs online• Mutual connections• Interest groups• Advanced search/ alumni tool

Alumni tool

Advanced search tool

Networking LinkedIn – making connections• Send a personalised

message• Post on groups • Ask for an introduction• Send LinkedIn requests

when you meet people at events

LinkedIn – staying in touch• Liking, sharing, commenting,

posting on groups• Endorsements &

recommendations• Send personalised messages

on work anniversaries/ promotions

• Relationship management tool – LinkedIn’s best kept secret

LinkedIn Posts

• Raising profile• Increases profile views• Demonstrates expertise• Opens conversations

Blogging/ writing posts

Benefits to you• Professional development• Expand on areas of interest• Strengthen your personal brand• Reflect on topics of interest• Expands networks• Opens opportunities

Successful blog writing• Personal experience to demonstrate

key points• Interesting and relevant topics• Humour/ empathy to connect with the

reader• Photographs and images to break up

text• Links to further resources

Different platforms• LinkedIn• Wordpress / Blogger• Tumblr (Twitter/blogging crossover)• Choose what works for your purpose

& brand

Twitter & Instagram

Twitter overview• Short text (140 characters)• Images get more engagement • Public space but be authentic• #hashtags for events/ livetweeting /

shared interests• Build relationships with

followers/people you follow

Instagram overview• More like a visual Twitter• Image/ video sharing

social network• Hashtags to discover

images• Many people use it for

personal use but can use professionally

Making connections • Following• Mentioning• Using hashtags• Direct messaging

Giving to your networks• Help with queries• Like/ retweet interesting tweets• Sharing interesting articles

Risks vs potential

Use common sense

Any further questions