new professionals - build your network using social media
DESCRIPTION
Professional networking is an important part of any career, but is particularly important at the beginning of a career to develop knowledge and build contacts within the profession. With the development and growth of social media and Web 2.0 technologies, professional networking can be achieved virtually as well as physically. As a keen blogger and microblogger since 2007, I hope to share my experiences and some useful tips on building an online professional network. The session will begin with an introduction to social media, followed by practical examples of how blogging and microblogging can be used to build and expand your professional network and bring opportunities for development. The second part of the workshop will be more practical in nature, promoting sharing of useful resources and contacts as well as tips for how to get the most out of social media. The focus of the session is for new professionals as I will discuss my own experiences as a new professional, but anyone is welcome to attend.TRANSCRIPT
New professionals: Build your network using
social media
Jo Alcock University of Wolverhampton
[email protected] www.joeyanne.co.uk
@joeyanne
CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Overview of presentation
Created using Wordle
2CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Social media
• Blogging and social networking more common online activities than e-mail in UK
(Nielsen Online, 2009)
Blogging
Microblogging
Social networking
3CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Social media - blogging
• Like an online diary – from term web log
• Used to share resources, experiences or views, report on new services/ideas, or as a reflective tool
4CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Social media - microblogging
• Short updates – up to 140 characters
• Similar purpose to blogging
• Facilitates conversation
5CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Social media - social networking
• Profile with career info, interests, updates of activities
• Groups to encourage conversation and sharing ideas and resources
6CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Benefits of professional networking?
7
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 market yourself and your skills to others (e.g. potential employers, co-workers)
8CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Social media + Professional networking =
9CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Joeyanne Libraryanne blog
Joeyanne Libraryanne
www.joeyanne.co.uk
• Started in June 2007
• Currently 426 subscribers
• Record thoughts, share experiences and ideas
• Interesting conversation in blog comments 10
CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Finding blogs to follow
• UK Library Blogs wiki
• UK Library Blogs custom search engine
• New professionals bloggers bundle
• Snowball effect• Other social
networks 11CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
@joeyanne on Twitter
@joeyanne
www.twitter.com/joeyanne
• Joined in Dec 2007
• 944 followers; following 810
• Insight into professional and personal lives
• Valuable for conferences/events 12
CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Finding people to follow on Twitter
• UK Librarians list on TweepML
• Exploit other’s contacts
• Search for keywords or hashtags
• Use Twitter’s lists e.g. @joeyanne/exeter10@joeyanne/npc2010
13CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
14
Promoting your accounts – top tips
• Add your accounts to relevant lists and directories
• Include links in your email signature• Add to business card (or create
networking card)• Link your accounts• Engage in conversation• Keep content fresh and unique• Share your passion!
You Your network
Conclusion
“[t]he main feature of a good network is that it is mutually beneficial”
(NACM Communications Dept., 2006)
15CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
Question time
CoFHE/UC&R Joint Conference 2010
16
http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/223839049/
Thank you
Jo [email protected] www.joeyanne.co.uk
@joeyanne
Presentation available at www.slideshare.net/joeyanne
and www.joeyanne.co.uk/presentations