1. How to network and market yourself using online tools
New Professionals Conference 2009
Jo Alcock
University of Wolverhampton
jo@joeyanne.co.uk
www.joeyanne.co.uk
www.twitter.com/joeyanne

2. Overview of presentation
Created using Wordle
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New Professionals Conference 2009
3. Benefits of professional networking
Professional networks can be used to:
Get expert advice
Exchange ideas
Get a second opinion
Obtain a reality check
Test new ideas
Gain moral support
Engage in collaborative problem solving
(Ramsey, 2004)
Also to market yourself and your skills to other professionals (e.g. potential employers, co-workers)
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4. Online professional networking
Blogging and social networking now more common online activities than e-mail in UK
(Nielsen Online, 2009)
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New Professionals Conference 2009
5. Online networking - blogging
Used to share resources, experiences or views, report on new services/ideas, or as a reflective tool.
Networking by subscribing to blogs and conversation in comment strings
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New Professionals Conference 2009
6. Online networking - microblogging
Short updates
Similar to blogging
Networking through conversation with other professionals
Conference back channel (Reinhardt et al., 2009) and extend event participation
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New Professionals Conference 2009
7. Online networking - social networks
Profile with career info, interests, updates of activities
Networking via friends/contacts to build online network
Groups to encourage conversation and sharingideas and resources
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New Professionals Conference 2009
8. My experiences reading blogs
RSS Reader (Google)
www.google.com/reader
Insight into the profession
Keep up-to-date with new developments
Currently read over 150 library related blogs, plus others for general interest
Provides professional role models
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New Professionals Conference 2009
9. My experiences writing blogs
JoeyanneLibraryanne
www.joeyanne.co.uk
Established in 2007
Use to record thoughts about the profession, study progress and share ideas
Integrated into reflection time
Currently 199subscribers
Interestingconversation in blog comments
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New Professionals Conference 2009
10. My experiences - microblogging
joeyanne on Twitter
www.twitter.com/joeyanne
Joined in Dec 2007
More useful with larger network
Currently 420 followers; following 298
Gives insight into professional and personal lives of others
Valuable for conferences and events
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New Professionals Conference 2009
11. My experiences social networking
Jo Alcock on Facebook
www.facebook.com/joanne.alcock
Member since 2006
Blog and Twitter integrated into profile
Member of a number of professional groups incl. Librarians and Facebook
Grouped friends so that I canview information professionals separately
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New Professionals Conference 2009
12. Tips for online professional networking
Build a brand identity
Think about the purpose of each of your accounts
Decide on a professional/personal balance
Link your online identities
Find people to follow to get the best use from each tool
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New Professionals Conference 2009
13. Tips for online professional networking
Use the tools regularly, even if only for short updates
Integrate the tools into your routine
Engage with your followers/readers/friends
Dont become too wrapped up in the tools themselves; give new things a go
Most of all enjoy!
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New Professionals Conference 2009
14. Conclusion
[t]he main feature of a good network is that it is mutually beneficial
(NACM Communications Dept., 2006)
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New Professionals Conference 2009
15. Thank you for listening
Jo Alcock
University of Wolverhampton
jo@joeyanne.co.uk
www.joeyanne.co.uk
www.twitter.com/joeyanne