Getting Hired with Social Media

As my 'dream job' hunt continues, I've been reading a lot of articles online explaining how to utilize social media to get you hired.

I read an article on 5 ways Twitter can get you hired and found it very interesting but still lacking. As someone relatively new to Twitter and although I believe I'm following the right people, isn't it about them following me? I have leveraged my own branded message in my profile description and am hoping this might push me in the right direction...up.

The explanation of #hastags is a great idea and I do plan to use this more in the future. If you're in the same spot as me, check out the article for some great ideas.

Knowing Twitter is a big deal, it's safe to assume Facebook can be utilized in a similar way. In 5 Ways Facebook Can Get You Hired I think the most important idea is the status update but then again, how much is too much? With all these businesses and marketers joining Facebook, isn't the whole point of it being lost? As I tell my students in my Social Media for Business Course, don't try to broadcast your message all the time else you will be despised and disregarded by the online community. The idea is to be social, affiliate marketing is fine but use it sparingly...I'm learning to take my own advice.

Personally, I'm finding Linkedin to be a fantastic resource. Not only are there some great job postings, the discussions are a great way to ask questions and get answers to any number of PR related questions. Right now, my favourite is HAPPO - Help a PR Pro Out. Check it out!

I've applied to a number of jobs over the past few weeks, a few of which could be insanely fantastic but still the fateful question remains...when's my interview date??

Good things going on!

Well this is a very good week indeed!

One week before Christmas and my man, Josh, gets a half-time contact job! YAY! Pretty much set until the end of the school year in June.

I am also loooving my job! Getting my course content all set up, finalizing and sending out my print materials and starting on the news release. Hopefully, I get lots of people signed up for my class (Social networking for small businesses in February and individuals in March). I have so much flexibility and feel confident I've created a great class and am very excited to get going!

Sign-up every one in Brant County! Connect online, share, grow, explore...just sign up for my class! :)

Social Media Marketing- Best practices for new users

I consider myself to be a pretty tech-savvy person who picks up new software, programs and applications with ease.

These past two weeks I've been diving (head first) into the realm of social media from a business-use perspective and WOW! Not only are there a zillion different programs like Facebook, Twitter, Digg and LinkedIn but there is a wide range of tools, like Hootsuite, to help you manage your different social media accounts.

B2C and B2B marketing has never been more interesting then in this technological age. The ease and precision of finding what you want, following who you want and sharing that with everyone you've ever met is all possible at the click of a button.

With all this technology and multiple social accounts, how can businesses possibly know what to do? For small businesses this is a huge learning curve all the way from using a computer to building an online profile and presence. Below I've listed some information about social media best practices so you can reach your target market, engage them and grow together:

Research and build a 'social media road map' including your audience, objectives, strategy, tactics, tools/technology and metrics.

Successful online social media practices involve listening, engaging and participation. The old 'you listen, we'll talk' is dead.

Commit resources and time to be successful - You cannot build your profile over night. Developing a strong and trustworthy online presence takes time and commitment.

Be transparent and relevant - No one wants to hear about your 'dog walk' last night or what you ate for breakfast. Give people useful, relevant and trustworthy information they can use and will want to pass on to friends and fellow businesses.

Encourage participation and co-creation- Social media is an online conversation so get in there! Participate! Answer forum questions and ask question back. Let people know you're important in your industry and give them a reason to share.