Rise Above the Sea of Names (Social Media for Creative Professionals)

Now more than in the past, we have many ways to communicate and make vital connections. Social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter provide access to people who were once nearly impossible to reach. However, the aforementioned resources on hand must be navigated strategically. Often, Twitters and the constant flow of information into our smart devices, tablets, and computers can feel like information overload. We should use social media wisely.

Social media should be used to brand yourself, your company, and your products or services. With the increasing availability of high speed Internet, it is essential to keep your audience updated on your professional activities; otherwise, you can easily get lost in the sea of names. Many organizations offer social media management services; however, you can manage your updates yourself. You can set up your smart phone/tablet to feed information to LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter and even post directly to your blog. The key to posting information on social media sites is to make sure the content is relevant. People will likely read information from a source they deem reliable with new and interesting information. However, if a person or brand develops a reputation for posting outdated, inaccurate, insignificant material, people will be likely to instantly disregard all of those posts. You should avoid being irrelevant at all costs because in a situation in which you need to provide a pertinent bit of information you do not want to be seen as the boy who cried wolf.

The way to stay relevant is by doing your research in your field/industry. Look for information on trends and factors that lead to major changes in your area of interest. You do not have to be first; you only have to be fast. For example, if you receive a tweet about a new regulation that will forever change your industry, you should re-tweet this information instantly and share the information on your LinkedIn page and on Facebook. If you follow all of the steps mentioned is this paragraph, you will eventually become the go-to person for industry news. It is good idea to be viewed as a person in the know.

Once you have established yourself as a reliable source of information, it is time to build your network. Word of mouth adverting is still one of the best ways to market a brand, a product, or a service. The reason why word of mouth remains a powerful marketing tool is because it is timeless. People are likely to buy a product/service or accept advice from someone they trust. It is sometimes scary to try something new for the first time. If there is evidence from a reliable source that it is safe or beneficial to try, people will do so.

You should build your network by connecting with people with whom your existing network is already connected. There are many ways of connecting to people who might be important to your career success. LinkedIn is a great way to make useful connections. You should make it a goal to look through your LinkedIn connections and see whether anyone in your network could introduce you to someone with whom you would like to be connected.

Avoid information overload by scanning your updates for information about four times a day. It is a good idea to set aside time out of your day for social media; it is vital not to allow social media to consume your entire day. Live your life and succeed by using social media as a tool instead of a vice. Equip yourself with the proper social media strategy, and you will rise above the sea of names.