That is set-up a Facebook, twitter and blog accounts, and create a website as well as “really” update my Linkedin profile? Well for me it was because of a few things;
1. To prepare me for the job hunt
2. Get more in-depth working knowledge of Social Media and how it can work
3. To express myself and show my knowledge
4. Create a much larger web footprint and
5.Present a professional image along with a little personal image to perspective employers.
Funny thing is, I did all this about 4 months ago and at the beginning those in the know were telling me most people (job hunting) do not have a personal website with their work experience (resume detail stuff), or a Linkedin account. Seems odd considering today’s job market, but what they do have is a Facebook account displaying their exploits from their off hours. Most job hunters don’t seem to realize or care about their professional image at all. One problem! Employers care! This is why they type your name in the Google search field to see who you are. Is it no wonder you are not getting employers calling you?
Well never fear because today you will get a list of 10 ways to utilize Social Media to land that next job. For more details on how to accomplish each to the “10 Way” go to http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/2010/04/get-job-business-jobs-graduate-jobs.html
This is great little article to help you do the right thing.
So let us list out the 10 ways so you can get on your way:
1. Set-up multiple accounts – this means keeping your private life separate from you professional image.
2. Use the Privacy settings in Facebook etc. - to hide your dirty laundry from the world
3. Be very very very careful what you say – never ever put yourself in a situation you cannot really talk yourself out of. Think “American Political Correctness” and you should be just fine
4. Promoting you and your knowledge – If your current boss is too stupid to listen to you, then release your expertise onto the world of the internet
5. Spamming is a no no no no thing to do – do you like to get bombarded with stuff you really care nothing about? Think of all the stuff that comes through your e-Mail and do the opposite
6. Follow the right folks – Paris Hilton may have a seemingly fun life, but what intelligently has she ever said?
7. Join your industry, professional interest focused groups – this is a great place to have your ear to the ground on current trends and also see job postings
8. Perform a job search on your specific industry or discipline on specific associated sites – sorry you will probably not find a job for bull fighting on a PETA specific site
9. Make a video resume – Oh boy this may be scary and this is one I just have not done yet, as this is a new trend and not top of my list to get done just yet
10. Measure how you are doing – Yep, we just cannot get away from metrics, but this is very good to do as it will help you focus on the tactics which work best for you. Time is a limited resource.
All of the above is a great starting point for the 21st century job hunter and for those also employed. Why for those still employed? Well, many people do not get the opportunity or know how too really self promote. Creating an on-line Professional Social Media Presence (PSMP) is a great way to do this and linking with your management staff will help keep them informed about you. Also, people are curious and it is very probable your bosses etc. will Google you at some point during the year.
Good luck in creating a PWF (Personal Web Footprint) and landing your next opportunity.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wow - you mean - really!
What an epiphany! Social Media is about people connecting?? I'm confused. I thought Social Media was about selling my products to people and not just selling myself (ideas, comments, opinions etc.) Hum....well no wonder the first word is "Social". Thus meaning sites such as facebook, MySpace, Twitter etc. were developed to connect people on a social level. Wow isn't that what the whole meaning of "Social" is. You know social gatherings, social societies, socials, etc. It is where you and I gather to meet and exchange conversation.
Check out http://www.theoutsourcingcompany.com/blog/social-media-marketing/what-social-media-marketing-gurus-dont-want-you-to-know/ for a "Hit The Nail On The Head" article.
The whole definition of "social" has been lost by some peddlers of wares and services. This is why people are having such a hard time ( right now ) trying to determine if Social Media is successful in reaching customers. They forget it is about the first word in the description "SOCIAL" . Social sites were developed "for people to connect" and thereafter businesses decided they wanted to get in on the action, but then get frustrated when things don't happen as they do with traditional marketing/advertising.
Think of it this way - Social = wedding = lots of people = equals happiness = opportunity to pitch people right. BUT is this really the place to pitch your "things"? Now it might be if you are a caterer, dress maker, church, assembly hall, band etc.. Of course this means very discrete peddling.
Point is – there is a time and place to peddle your things and you have to be very very careful in understanding your boundaries. Understand the setting! Understand a business is an outsider. People do not want to be marketed to at a social event. But it can be done.
Now I could be way off base here, but an argument could be made that Social Media Marketing is a bit like subliminal messaging. You want to entice people to seek out your “things”, by utilizing sleight of hand, thoughtful suggestions, around the back door conversations, etc. Crazy thought I know.
Point is, Social Media is about people connecting on a social level. Businesses in their haste to sell more seem to forget this and want to find an immediate ROI. Thus the whole discussion of “is Social Media really working” comes into play. Yes, of course Social Media is really working – just look at the number of people who utilize social sites. It is the business side of Social Media that is struggling right now and eventually things will evolve to show a positive business ROI. Of course this means patients.
Check out http://www.theoutsourcingcompany.com/blog/social-media-marketing/what-social-media-marketing-gurus-dont-want-you-to-know/ for a "Hit The Nail On The Head" article.
The whole definition of "social" has been lost by some peddlers of wares and services. This is why people are having such a hard time ( right now ) trying to determine if Social Media is successful in reaching customers. They forget it is about the first word in the description "SOCIAL" . Social sites were developed "for people to connect" and thereafter businesses decided they wanted to get in on the action, but then get frustrated when things don't happen as they do with traditional marketing/advertising.
Think of it this way - Social = wedding = lots of people = equals happiness = opportunity to pitch people right. BUT is this really the place to pitch your "things"? Now it might be if you are a caterer, dress maker, church, assembly hall, band etc.. Of course this means very discrete peddling.
Point is – there is a time and place to peddle your things and you have to be very very careful in understanding your boundaries. Understand the setting! Understand a business is an outsider. People do not want to be marketed to at a social event. But it can be done.
Now I could be way off base here, but an argument could be made that Social Media Marketing is a bit like subliminal messaging. You want to entice people to seek out your “things”, by utilizing sleight of hand, thoughtful suggestions, around the back door conversations, etc. Crazy thought I know.
Point is, Social Media is about people connecting on a social level. Businesses in their haste to sell more seem to forget this and want to find an immediate ROI. Thus the whole discussion of “is Social Media really working” comes into play. Yes, of course Social Media is really working – just look at the number of people who utilize social sites. It is the business side of Social Media that is struggling right now and eventually things will evolve to show a positive business ROI. Of course this means patients.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
IT WORKS! --??
Yes, you have read the headline correctly - "IT WORKS!" What I am I speaking of? Social Media Marketing of course. Well this is what a new study suggests (http://bit.ly/bW1Ywb).
I do how ever have a bone to pick. A comment to provide etc.
The numbers look great “60% of Facebook fans and 79% of Twitter followers are more likely to recommend those brands since becoming a fan or follower.” Not only that, but an “impressive 51% of Facebook fans and 67% of Twitter followers are more likely to buy the brands they follow or are a fan of.”
Now reality - why the heck would I or anyone else become a follower of a brand and then not recommend it or buy it when possible. Why would someone waste their time looking up how to follow a brand if they were not already a fan of that particular brand. Even if these folks did not follow a brand on a Social Media site they would probably still recommend or buy the brand per the percentages above. Reason - because they made an emotional tie through prior history that drove them to want to follow in the first place. For example; I own a Canon G9 and have owned other Canon cameras. Because I made an emotional investment into research, paying a significant amount and usage I have a bias. So yes, I will more than likely recommend Canon first, but here is the kicker - I have also made positive comments on other brands - Nokia, Sony, Lieca etc., but my preference is Canon. So would my attitude change just because I follow Canon on Facebook? Probably not.
We want so much to brand Social Media Marketing a success and the reality is, it is when it comes to attacking socialites and increasing brand awareness. It is yet to translate into significant (traceable) increased sales. Yes, someone may twitter "hey found a cheap pair of Levi jeans at JCP", "WOW I found a great new coffee @ Starbucks - Mocha Cherry Coco Lux" or "Awesome new Hyundai on the road". At this point tweets have not been tracked and tied back to a business's sales to make a correlational relationship hypothesis. Once we can say – “On this date a significant amount of tweets/chatter was taking place on Mocha Cherry Coco Lux and Starbucks was able to deduce sale increases of X% on that particular date for this particular coffee across this particular area of the country”. Or when a message is put on Facebook about a Starbucks promotion – sales for that promotion show a significant increase in line with non-Social Media Marketing promotions. Once a bottom line result is established then we can say Social Media Marketing is a success story.
For now we need to temper our excitement for Social Media Marketing. I do however believe it will be successful, but I also believe the current formats (Facebook etc. ) will change quite a bit before success can be determined. I also do not believe twitter will survive in its current format. It is a fad and like most fads, will die.
I do how ever have a bone to pick. A comment to provide etc.
The numbers look great “60% of Facebook fans and 79% of Twitter followers are more likely to recommend those brands since becoming a fan or follower.” Not only that, but an “impressive 51% of Facebook fans and 67% of Twitter followers are more likely to buy the brands they follow or are a fan of.”
Now reality - why the heck would I or anyone else become a follower of a brand and then not recommend it or buy it when possible. Why would someone waste their time looking up how to follow a brand if they were not already a fan of that particular brand. Even if these folks did not follow a brand on a Social Media site they would probably still recommend or buy the brand per the percentages above. Reason - because they made an emotional tie through prior history that drove them to want to follow in the first place. For example; I own a Canon G9 and have owned other Canon cameras. Because I made an emotional investment into research, paying a significant amount and usage I have a bias. So yes, I will more than likely recommend Canon first, but here is the kicker - I have also made positive comments on other brands - Nokia, Sony, Lieca etc., but my preference is Canon. So would my attitude change just because I follow Canon on Facebook? Probably not.
We want so much to brand Social Media Marketing a success and the reality is, it is when it comes to attacking socialites and increasing brand awareness. It is yet to translate into significant (traceable) increased sales. Yes, someone may twitter "hey found a cheap pair of Levi jeans at JCP", "WOW I found a great new coffee @ Starbucks - Mocha Cherry Coco Lux" or "Awesome new Hyundai on the road". At this point tweets have not been tracked and tied back to a business's sales to make a correlational relationship hypothesis. Once we can say – “On this date a significant amount of tweets/chatter was taking place on Mocha Cherry Coco Lux and Starbucks was able to deduce sale increases of X% on that particular date for this particular coffee across this particular area of the country”. Or when a message is put on Facebook about a Starbucks promotion – sales for that promotion show a significant increase in line with non-Social Media Marketing promotions. Once a bottom line result is established then we can say Social Media Marketing is a success story.
For now we need to temper our excitement for Social Media Marketing. I do however believe it will be successful, but I also believe the current formats (Facebook etc. ) will change quite a bit before success can be determined. I also do not believe twitter will survive in its current format. It is a fad and like most fads, will die.
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