3 Ways to Use Social Media to Network
I saw a post from Mindset Therapy that really got my wheels turning
Don’t use social media less. Use it more intentionally…
So many productivity tips and gurus focus on social media as something that distracts from our goals. But in a world where we continue to spend more and more time isolated and behind a screen, let’s not knock the opportunity to create meaningful connections in the most appropriately socially distanced way we can.
I’m sharing these tips during quarantine, but using social media to network is a helpful tool whether or not you’re socializing in person.
Here’s 3 ways to use social media to up your professional game:
Hashtags: Check out hashtags that interest you professionally and start conversations around those topics. #HRTips or #DigitalMarketing or #TimeBlocking or #PythonProgramming whatever it is that’s relevant to you professionally. You’ll instantly expand your circle. Twitter and Instagram both allow you to follow hashtags so you can keep up with it more easily.
Facebook Groups: You can browse by category, near you, etc. and Facebook will even suggest groups based on your activity. You may have groups you’ve been in since college and don’t remember (I just found a handful of them from my MBA while writing this blog) or groups that you regularly participate in. Either way, these groups are additional outlets for you to connect with new people. Just make sure your Facebook profile (and picture) is networking ready :)
Free Content: Social media is chock-full of free tips and tricks, resources, guidebooks, how-to videos, the list is absolutely endless! If there’s something you want to learn, search for it, and dive in! Want to up your project management skills? Improve your design work? And when you get this free content and you like it, reach out to the people who provide it. Thank them. Tell them about how valuable their information is and how much you appreciate it. Strike up a conversation. Maybe they have some advice to help you further your development and career?
BONUS: LinkedIn, because I see it as social media adjacent, but I just can’t talk about networking online without including it! Connect with people you know. Connect with people who do jobs that interest you. Connect with people at your dream company. Build those relationships!
