Networking 101 - Social Media Dos and Don'ts

Posted by in Career Advice


When you are looking for a new job in Sales, networking is one of the key ways to get noticed by the companies you want to work for. But, before you start posting away on social networking sites, there are some keys that you may want to keep in mind to make sure that you are presenting your best self each and every time you post something.
 
Here are some of the most important social media dos and don'ts:
 
Do

 

  • Keep your accounts current – Even if you can't update every day, you should try to update your accounts at least 3 times a week. When someone looks at your account, you want them to see that you are engaged and involved with your network. If it looks as though you abandoned your account, it could cause them to think that you aren't dedicated.
  • Share articles and blog posts with the people in your industry - Try to make sure that they will be topics that your network will find useful.
  • Promote yourself - Talk about your accomplishments, share articles you have written and mention challenges your have dealt with in the past.
  • Join conversations – If your peers are talking about certain topics, feel free to chime in. By participating, you can easily become friends with people you wouldn't have met in any other way.
  • Keep in mind that it is a public forum – This has proven to be the downfall of many people. Always remember that your posts are public, so don't mention topics that you don't want the whole world to see.
 
Don't
 
  • Don't overshare – Don't share too much personal information. This means information like your phone number or address, but also, don't share too much about your private life.
  • Don't post too much – You want to update frequently, but not to the point that you are annoying your followers. Keep in mind that many people receive updates on their smartphones, so if you are tweeting every few minutes, you may be really irritating them.
  • Don't forget to proofread – It is important not to make careless mistakes when you post. Odds are there is bound to be a mistake that slips through, but since your text is often your first impression, make it a good one.
 
Social media was designed to be fun and a way to connect with others. Even when you are networking, try not to lose sight of that. Have fun and enjoy exchanging ideas with people who are in your field, in your industry or whose opinion you are interested in. You may make some new friends and you most certainly will learn something along the way!
 
 
Are there any other social media dos or don'ts that you think I left out? Let me know in the comments.
 
 
 
Are you looking for a job in Sales? Be sure to visit SalesHeads.
 
 
 
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for SalesHeadsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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