Networking Through Social Media
As many of you know, technology is constantly advancing and making life easier. The covid-19 pandemic has led to an inevitable surge in the use of technology. Many of us began working from home, shopping from home, schooling from home, and starting businesses from home.
What is networking you ask? Networking is the exchange of information amongst people with a common interest in the field of work.
How can Networking help you? It can strengthen your business, help you get fresh ideas, advance your career, open up new job opportunities, gain more knowledge, build confidence and get constructive criticism to better your work. Networking not only helps you with your business but in your personal life. You learn to better communicate and build bonds with people. The most recommended platforms that you can network on are Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
How do you network through social media?:
Build A Platform
It's important to consistently post content on your social media account. Consistency is Key! What you post should represent you and your field of work. It should also be engaging to the people you are trying to attract. Things you can post include short clips of your work (Instagram reels, TikToks, and time-lapse videos). You can also post images of your work and surveys that engage with viewers. Good images or videos definitely increase engagement, and they help promote your brand to customers. They can also attract the attention of people quickly swiping through their feed. Visual content is much more captivating and engaging than long-form blogs and articles.
Quality is Important
Although it's important to stay consistent, make sure your content is clean and professional. Posting rushed and tacky content may turn viewers away. It can also diminish your chances of networking with beneficial people in your field. Also, it’s not about how many connections you have, it's about how good the connections you have are. The deeper your connections are the more you can grow. You need to be strategic and connect with the right people who can advocate for you. Once you prove you are a valuable member of their network this can lead to them introducing you to their strong connections too.
Practice Good Etiquette
When building a network, communication plays a big role. You have to be professional and proper when responding to people. The way you talk to others can make or break your chances of building a strong network. Good communication has more to do with how you listen rather than how you talk. If you listen to what people say and ask the right questions, whoever you're talking to will continue to feed you knowledge. Listening is also important because you can grow from what you take in. Make use of constructive criticism to improve your work.