Facebook is one of the most popular social media sites on the Internet. It keeps families connected over long distances while helping businesses and professionals connect to potential clients or employers.
However, it takes more than handing out your personal profile to others in order to secure this professional network. As Facebook can help you develop strong ties, it can also be detrimental to your career if used incorrectly.
1. Profile Page
Facebook allows users to create a free business page and is connected to your account. When you’re marketing yourself as a professional, it should be this page that is used. Keep the two aspects of your life separated by posting personal comments on your personal profile and professional posts on your business page. You’re trying to establish a network of contacts, not building your friends list.
2. Regular Updates
Keep the updates on your professional page regular. Those that may be able to help you advance in your career might be watching and reading. It can also help strengthen your reputation as an expert if others find your content insightful and informative. The more active you’re seen on social media, the greater are your chances of making a professional connection.
3. Mention Other Professionals
Facebook allows people to mention others in a post according to their profile name, which can get their attention as the system will advise him or her of the message. This can be a great method to instigate a conversation with others that may be able to help you. While many of these individuals may simply ignore the post, others will look closer at who you are and may become interested in your talents.
4. Groups
Many people will join various Facebook groups in order to become a part of a collection of like-minded individuals. These are used to converse about anything related to the group’s topic. If you can’t find a group that is relevant to your career, you can always create one and invite others to join.
5. Full Profile
Filling out all pertinent information on your professional page makes you seem real. In an age where empty social profiles are often related to scams, this information can be valuable to demonstrate you are real while promoting interest in your abilities. Even the right profile images can make a difference when it comes to someone hitting that “like” button on your professional business page.
Takeaway
People such as Charles Phillips in New York Times admit how having connections in the business world can help secure amazing opportunities. Knowing the right people at just the right time can open doors you didn’t even realize existed. Market yourself in social media today; you never know what will happen in your business tomorrow.
Image Credit: Sean MacEntee
