Okay, I get it. You're busy in your job and don't have time to use social media. It's not relevant to your work. Someone else in the company does it so you don't have to.
Those are all good reasons not to do it. But here are 3 reasons why you, personally, should be using social media:
1. Learn From Others
Once upon a time, social media was just for sharing what you are doing ("I'm having a latte!"). But then LinkedIn came along and Facebook changed. Now people are sharing all sorts of significant professional information on social media.
So, not only does social media provide great learning opportunities, but it also lets you know what's trending in your industry.
2. Position Yourself or Your Company as a Thought Leader
It's all about the brand these days, whether it's your personal brand or company brand. And social media is a great way to shape how people feel about you or your company.
By consistently sharing timely, relevant content with your connections/followers/friends, you will create awareness about your expertise and build trust. And if some of that content is being produced by your company, all the better.
3. Connect With Clients, Prospects
My guess is that many of your clients/customers and prospective clients/customers are using social media. Select "Advanced" from the LinkedIn menu at the top and search for specific titles, and you'll see what I mean. So, why not connect with them on social media, too?
Which Social Media Sites to Use
There are hundreds of social media sites, but only a handful that are useful for professionals in the healthcare and design industry. For doing the three things I suggested above, the best ones are LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Others you might consider are SlideShare and Google+. Here's a great description of the Top 25 Social Networking Sites People Are Using.
My advice is to pick one or two, spend a little time building your profile, and then start posting things. And don't mix personal with business.
If you want to tweet personal things, create a personal Twitter account that's separate from your business account. If you have already have a Facebook account where you've connected with personal friends and family, create a Facebook page or group for professional use.
Also please don't post personal updates on LinkedIn! It truly is a professional networking site.
Have More Questions?
Contact me or comment in the box below.
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