Comet Branding - Branding | PR | Social Media

Social Media Cheat Sheet for the Career Professional

Guest blog post written by Laura Gainor for myFootpath.

For all personal social media platforms it’s important to keep your name and unique URLs consistent throughout. Whether you’re just starting out in social media or you are looking to kick-up your engagement, determine your personal branding name and start building up your credibility.

To help you determine which social media platforms would be most beneficial for you, I have put together a brief cheat sheet that goes through a few key points for each social media platform. It’s important you don’t attempt to use every social media platform out there, but set your goals and use the platforms that will help you achieve those.

Blog

- A personal blog is a necessity to have to build your personal brand. This is the social hub to house all of your content and the perfect place to represent yourself.
– Determine your voice and what topics you’re going to blog about. Keep your content relevant and don’t jump all over the place.
– Publish content frequently. A blog isn’t worth much if you don’t publish content on a regular basis.  It shows dedication.

LinkedIn

- Update your personal profile to ensure your professional experience is up-to-date with a brief summary pointing out your strengths and capabilities.
– Utilize applications to optimize your personal profile by sharing SlideShare presentations and videos, business travel plans with TripIt, network through Event pages and embed your WordPress blog feed directly within your personal profile.
– Focus on a few industry-related groups and engage with other professionals through discussions. You don’t want to try to keep up with too many groups.
– Connect with others and expand your professional network. Set goals to connect with 2-3 new people each week.

Twitter

- Determine your social media voice. Keep your message consistent.
– Engage in conversations. Don’t just yell, have discussions and interact. Build relationships that will soon turn into professional LinkedIn connections.
– Find and follow people and businesses that you want to learn more about and engage with.

Facebook

- Keep your personal profile professional. Browse through your photo albums and videos to ensure there are no any images you posted years ago that you don’t want seen today.
– Share content from your personal or company blog and get feedback from your friends. Increase traffic to your sites.

SlideShare

- SlideShare is the perfect platform to show your professional knowledge and upload your professional and personal resume presentations.
– Browse other people’s presentations. What are they talking about? Are they on Twitter to have further discussions on their presentation topics?

YouTube / Vimeo

- Whether you’re a pro at editing videos or just want to have a voice, updating your personal video sharing account is a way to introduce yourself to people without having to meet them in person.
– Videos allow you to show your true, genuine self. Have a voice.

Out of all these social media platforms, it’s very important to set goals for yourself and determine how you’re going to use each platform. Don’t just jump in without a plan. What are you trying to say? Who are you trying to reach? Know your audience and continue developing your personal brand.

Social media content will live with you and help you continue your career. Always Google yourself and track the results of your personal brand.

What are some ways you have started to optimize your social media profiles and develop your personal brand? What has worked for you to have your skills and knowledge noticed by your current boss or a potential employer?

Tags: personal branding, social media