While you probably have read many tips on how to get the most out of social networking, here are some highlights from a list of what you should not do as compiled by Lisa Barone, co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer at Outspoken Media, Inc. that have applicability for job seekers.
Creating profiles everywhere.You may want to establish your domain name everywhere, but you don’t want to set up shop on every social network on the Web. Instead, research the various sites and select the ones that will provide the most benefit. Find out where your audience is. This will help you focus your efforts rather than dilute them by trying to be active on too many sites.
Not completing your profile.Once you decide which sites you’re going to join, you need to commit and genuinely become part of that network. That means completely filling out your user profile. Doing so helps you attract like-minded members, but it also shows people that you’re engaged. Gain easy trust points by customizing your profile – add a photo, provide links to your website, etc. Tell and show people who you are and give them a reason to connect with you.
Fake friending.Don’t follow or connect with everyone you can find or with everyone who friends or follows you first. Think quality over quantity. Seek out people who will be most vocal about you, then, try to help them. Social media becomes powerful by building real relationships. Fake friends won’t do anything for you. It’s perfectly acceptable to be choosy when establishing online relationships.
Using the same strategy on every site.LinkedIn is not Facebook. Twitter is not LinkedIn. Every social networking site is different and you need to create a different strategy for each site you decide to engage in — one that is customized to that site’s specific rules and code of conduct. Trying to run a one-size-fits-all approach will limit your ability to be successful anywhere.
