Business, Social Networking•
on February 23rd, 2010•
Networking is important for business and organizations. Personal brand aficionados also point out the value for the individual as well. The blending of online and offline contacts in a social network is key to good networking.
LinkedIn, the niche business networking social network site, focuses on building detailed and valuable profiles, connections, and groups to help collaboration and increase the level of communication.
Here are three tips to help you and your organization to get the most out of LinkedIn:
- Connect with the people you know – use the import contacts feature to quickly find out who you know that already has a LinkedIn profile, and optionally invite those that don’t.
- Make sure your profile is filled out in detail and accurate – Write a short power statement to place in the Summary on your profile and catch people’s attention. Remember that the key words on your profile help you get found in the People search feature, which is used frequently.
- Join industry or professional groups - Find a group of your interest; alumni, organization, industry focus. Join, and participate in the conversations, read through the news articles that are shared, and submit anything you find interesting.
Using LinkedIn as a resource and guide to your online professional social networking will help you leverage a powerful, well-connected network of individuals, companies, clients and prospects to maximize your value.
Social Networking•
on February 23rd, 2010•
Please consider taking this short poll. Mark Mathson will be presenting two workshops in March on Internet marketing strategies, and is trying to gather some statistics on the usage of social networking. Granted there are many great resources out there with other information, it would be great to have your input!
Vote on the poll below. (Click this link here to vote if you do not see the embedded poll)
Social Networking•
on November 18th, 2009•
Can you quantify your social media and networking efforts? Yes? No? Maybe? There isn’t a right or wrong answer.
There are those who have tried, tested, and proven that social networking works for them. It may be the core of their leads and referrals, or at least significant enough where could answer the above question with a big yes. Others, not so much, kind of a meh, still trying to figure it out, don’t have the time and are hoping so. Of course, there are always, and some legitimately, a big stinkin’ no. This could be for any imaginable reason, maybe it truly does not work for them, and there is a chance they flubbed their efforts.
Is social networking making you money? This question posed, in a recent article by Martha Retallick, makes a clear point that if you aren’t out there networking with your target market, whether this be online or offline, then you are essentially wasting your time. Taking time away from where you could be allocating to potentially a better target. Are you getting leads from peers or colleagues? Is your business thriving because of the time spent networking online with an old acquaintance? As an insightful commenter stated, “I don’t put all of my eggs in one basket.”
Social networking and media can be important components of an organizations and individuals overall branding and marketing strategy. Income is necessary, and critical, to keep business and life going, observe where your energy is being spent, use time wisely, leverage the contacts you make and be useful to others, and social networking will work, in a profitable way.
(Photo credit: Cayusa)
