With the changes brought by COVID-19 and the countless technological advancements, the networking realm has drastically changed.
Long gone are the days when people could only network in the office, seminars, events, and such. With social media, you can now network anytime, anywhere. In addition, it gives you the ability to customize your profile to make a stronger first impression.
Using social media for leisurely fun is one thing, but networking is a completely different thing. However, trust us, it’s definitely not as daunting as you think it is.
In this post, we will be sharing five things you can do to more effectively network on social media.
1. Personalize Your Profile
Making a good first impression is just as important online as it is in person. With that said, take advantage of the tools on social media to personalize your profile.
Consider using a profile picture that showcases not only your face but also your personality. However, it may be a good idea to refrain from using pictures of you partying as that may not be the best impression to make on future mentors or employers.
In your bio, consider having a catchy statement that would draw mindless scrollers into your account. Furthermore, with the link function, feel free to link your LinkedIn profile or even a work portfolio.
2. Be Aware of What You Post
When networking on social media, show people that you have valuable things to offer by regularly posting. However, remember, it’s always quality over quantity.
On your social media account, post things that interest you and can provoke discussion with others. You don’t need to use big words in your caption or type out an essay, but just make sure it reflects who you are as a person, and it will capture the right attention.
3. Avoid Hard Selling
Going along with the previous point, when you’re posting or doing anything on social media, avoid hard selling. Yes, you want to get yourself out there and connect with the right people, but you certainly don’t want to seem desperate and possibly appear to be a show-off.
Instead, strive to take a story-telling approach because who doesn’t love listening to stories? Telling a story and gradually painting a picture for your audience will draw them in and retain their interest for a longer period.
4. Follow People Who Inspire You
Ever heard the quote, “we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with”? Although you may not be friends with everyone you follow on social media, who you follow says a lot about the person you are.
Follow people who genuinely inspire you. Not only will this make your feed more uplifting, but it will also prompt the algorithm to show you more of that type of content.
5. Engage With Others
One of the best ways to get noticed and to have enlightening conversations is by engaging on social media.
If you see a post that piques your interest, don’t just like it, comment with your insights. It can be daunting to do so at first especially if you don’t know the person who made the post but that’s how great connections are created.
Conclusion
Although social media often has a bad reputation, without a doubt, it is an incredible tool that can do so much. Therefore, take advantage of it and use it to improve both your personal and professional life.
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