The Dos and Don’ts of Social Media

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It’s hard to imagine a world without social media. Thanks to Facebook, I’m able to see that [insert name] and [insert name] are now “in a relationship.” A few weeks later, I’m notified when [insert name] and [insert name] are “no longer in a relationship.” Thanks to Twitter, I’m able to keep up with breaking news, such as [insert Twitter handle] isn’t happy about having to pay $5 for WiFi at the airport. What would I do without this knowledge?

Alright, maybe you sensed a little sarcasm there. You’ll have to excuse me for not really caring about a new relationship or that someone just finished eating dinner. I wouldn’t categorize either as breaking news, would you? Don’t let me fool you, though. I’m a member of both social media sites. While I think there are a lot of status updates and tweets that I could do without, there’s no denying that social media is valuable if used correctly.

Any idea what I’m talking about? If not, read ahead.

Self-promotion

Facebook is no longer just a site where family and friends can interact with one another. The photos and posts you publish on Facebook can be seen by more than just those who you meant to share them with. In fact, it’s common practice today for employers to research the Facebook profiles of job candidates. All it takes is one ill-advised post or inappropriate picture for you to lose any chance you had of getting hired.

Now that you know how to negatively promote yourself on Facebook, did you know that there are also ways you can positively promote yourself? For instance, say you have a personal blog and you’re looking for a job as a blogger. Anytime you post a new blog, share it with your friends on Facebook (if the content is appropriate). This will get you in the routine of writing blogs while also helping you develop an audience.

It doesn’t end there. You can also use your Facebook to create a professional profile about yourself. Use the “About Me” section to give anyone that comes across your page a general idea of what you do well, along with any interests or hobbies that tie into your professional goals.

Interaction

At its simplest form, this is why Facebook was created. It allows friends and family from all over the world to communicate with each other by chatting, posting pictures, and through status updates. If not overly used, it’s a great way to stay in touch. However, some people just don’t understand that posting in moderation is generally better than posting 15 different times throughout the day. Keep in mind I’m strictly talking about Facebook when it comes to limiting posts. Is it really necessary to post that you just finished walking your dog or that it’s 4 a.m. and you can’t sleep? How about all those people who post pictures of food they cooked on Instagram? I’ll answer that with an emphatic “NO.”

Staying up-to-date with businesses

I’ve already mentioned that social media is a good way to promote yourself. Businesses also take advantage of this by allowing fans and followers to stay current with promotions and recent news. It’s a fun way for businesses to create and maintain relationships with customers while the customers benefit as well.

How do you take advantage of the opportunities that social media provides? Let us know in the comments section below!