Using Social Media in a Professional Capacity

Hopping on social media in a professional capacity can be a scary endeavor, but it certainly doesn’t have to be. There are ways to present yourself and your “brand” as a well-put-together individual with a lot to offer the working world. Here are a few ways to approach social media as a business professional.

Create Content Pillars

Figure out what it is that you would like to do on social media and what your personal employee brand looks like. Maybe you want it to be a bit personal, but also tying into a niche you’d like to get more involved in. Create “pillars,” or similar content themes, to follow and sprinkle them into your content postings. Your postings should have a common thread to ensure they follow a pathway that you want to create. Your audience will be attracted to your theme and continue to follow and engage with your content.

Keywords and Hashtags

On sites like LinkedIn and Twitter, keywords are huge for attracting audiences. You can hashtag (#) any keywords in your posts and anyone searching for that word could come across your content. Make sure your content is worth reading and you could have a viral social post with the right keyword strategy.

Tell a Story

What makes you different from literally millions of other social media users out there? Tell your story, share your opinions, and inform people of insights you have gathered and what you have learned through your experiences. Most importantly—stay professional. 

Recognize that potential employers will see all of your photos, political rants, religious views, etc. you present on public platforms. If you don’t want to share this in (and to) the workplace, don’t post it.  This is how you succeed in the world of social media. You must stand out—but in a positive way.

Using Social Media Professionally Is Just the Start

nextSource is an innovative, woman-led enterprise with a focus on advancing the way the world connects (and engages) with talent. Connect with us and learn more about how to present yourself in the workplace and in other professional environments, both on- and offline.