How to Use Social Media in Your Career and Business

Social media is making its way into the hearts of many brands and businesses today. What used to be termed  “a time-waster” and “a distraction” now helps many enterprises in growing Twitter followers, Instagram followers, and Facebook too, to boost their online presence. 

As the days go by, social media keeps proving to be a resourceful tool in facilitating business operations and plays a huge role in building a functional career in any field. With billions of people on these platforms, social media has given businesses the opportunity to reach out to a larger audience at a go. And for people who need to build their career, it allows them to connect with other professionals and possible employers from anywhere in the world.

That said, in this article, we’ll be discussing the best ways to integrate social media into your career and business to give you a better shot at growing and becoming successful at what you do.

Seven Ways to Make the Best out of Social Media and Grow Your Career

If you thought social networking was just for fun and a time-wasting activity, think again. Social media has become an essential part of how people communicate, and is often a critical part of the workflow in various sectors of business and life, from companies to government agencies. So there are several ways in which social media can help your career. Here are 7 ways to make the most of social media and make your career more successful.

Create a Professional Profile

Give your profile a professional look that shows visitors what you stand for. If you already have an existing profile, you might need to make some changes. And for new profiles, getting it right saves you the stress of having to update it frequently.

The first thing you’d have to do is include a display picture of your brand or business name, or a well-edited photo of yourself, depending on the products or services you intend to offer.

Next, write a short, yet comprehensive detail of what your brand or business stands for in your bio. Ensure that it highlights your best skills and each description is free of grammatical error. This will help people in need of your services locate you more quickly with the help of the algorithmic system of the social media platform in use.

Showcase your expertise

Job hunting gets easier with social media. Employers and jobseekers will always find a common ground on social media, especially if they’re the right match. To save yourself the trouble of having lengthy conversations or having a potential business partner, employer, or customer overlook your talent, you need to put it on display.

There are unique features on social media platforms that allow you to include a link to your portfolio, a link to other professional accounts, or simply upload images of your products or services where applicable. This way, prospects can review your skill and expertise before formally reaching out.

Engage in online job platforms

Online job platforms usually contain vital information on how to build your career and offer value. They also keep you updated on the latest job trends. By becoming a part of these platforms, you can gain access to knowledge that’ll help take your business or brand to the next level.

On some occasions, you could find recruiters and investors that may be interested in your products or services, which may eventually prompt them to work with you.

Connect with the community

No man is an island, especially when it comes to business. With social media, you can connect with like-minds and other individuals or businesses in the same industry as yours. These experts will give you insights into the corporate world and the trends that would influence your decision-making and action plan.

When doing this, try not to limit your connection activities to just your geographical location. As a matter of fact, it is better to connect with both local and international communities if you want your brand or business to go global. Connecting with international communities acts as a form of effective self-advertisement, as partners and investors from these geographical locations find it easier to hear about your brand or business and partner with you when the demand for it arises.

Be valuable to the community

Social media platforms require interaction. Try not to be the passive member that only receives information, but the active member that gives information too. With your profile, share your opinions, resources, and observations that could be of interest to other brands and businesses in the community too. By doing so, you’re building a reputation for yourself and adding value to the community. 

Measure results

Results are proof that your efforts are effective. Since you’re utilizing social media to build your reputation online, you should seek results over a specific period. For instance, you can google your brand or business to see the results the search engine brings. You can also try this on other social media platforms, or set a notification that alerts you when your name is mentioned.

Stay consistent

Do not leave your profile dormant for even a day. Ensure that you’re actively engaging in tweets or trends that align with your business and its community. Keep your profile updated by adding new skills and recent projects you have completed. Consistency will help you achieve more growth than you desire.

Conclusion

Social media is a powerful and resourceful tool. Every business or brand will find its target audience on social media platforms, as numerous people visit these platforms every day. With the right plan, dedication, and consistency, social media could be the perfect force to skyrocket your career and business.