What are the first 3 websites that pop up when you Google “Jason Jacobus”?
1. LinkedIn
2. Facebook
3. Twitter
That being said, if we recognize that these social media platforms are the face of our online presence…what do they say about us?
Too many times I hear stories from employers, customers, and other professionals that have second-guessed working with an individual because their “personally created” online presence did not communicate a positive message. Did you catch that part in the last sentence? PERSONALLY CREATED!!! How are we letting something that WE MANAGE get between us an our goals. I think that question has a two different answers…
1. Lack of Awareness
I have had the opportunity to speak on this topic a number of times…both to corporate clients and collegiate audiences. Every time I have presented on social media best practices, I will share with the audience the unfortunate regularity of people missing out on opportunities due to their “Social Media Impression”. Their immediate response is to look at me like a calf looks at a new gate (you Texans know what I’m talking about). The benefit if this information is that it guides individuals from shock…to introspection! That is where we progress to #2…
2. Lack of Knowledge
Once we have come to recognize the impact that our online presence can have on our professional success then we must create a plan of action. The first time I processed through this I did not have much guidance so I just plowed through it on my own. After completing the process I decided to share my simple, yet effective, strategies with others. Here is the process I used…
1. Go through each of your social media sites (profiles, pictures, posts, articles, groups, etc) and ask yourself…”is this what I want my customers, boss, employees, etc to see?”
2. Email links to your sites out to a list of people you respect and ask for their feedback. “Friends, I just wanted to send you a few links to my social media profiles. I have been processing through them and want to make sure that they are communicating a positive personal message. Would you mind telling me what you think when you go through the following sites. Thoughts a suggestions are encouraged.”
3. Locate a few people (on various social media sites) that are well-respected in your industry and process through their sites. What are they doing, writing, or communicating that you feel may be beneficial for you to do?
It is not all bad!
I know that there are a number of things to evaluate when using these systems but when used correctly, they can be incredibly beneficial. Just the other day I posted an article on my blog and few hours after posting I received an email from the National Sales Director for one of the largest communications companies in the country. She wanted to inquire about our capacity to do corporate sales training for their team. In her email she informed me that she had received the article in an email from the father of a buddy I went to college with. I contacted this friend of mine and he said that another one of our friends had encouraged him to read it. Did you follow that?
My Blog
—->
Friend
—–>
Friend
—–>
Friend’s Father
—–>
Friend of Father (National Sales Director)
And all of this progressed in just a few short hours!
Today’s Lesson
With the proper attention and a strategic plan, social media systems can be one of the most powerful business tools that we have access to. If you have any questions or thoughts on this topic, please feel free to contact me at Jason@aplayersonline.com.
Jason Jacobus
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