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How to Clean Up Your Online Presence

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These days, everyone who is anyone is online. The big virtual space that we know as the World Wide Web is so deeply embedded into our daily culture and routine that nearly everything we do can somehow be related to the Internet. So it’s only natural that when it comes to career building and job seeking, your online presence will play a role. Chances are, if you discovered a job posting online and applied there, more than likely, when that hiring authority receives your resume, they will type your name into Google, Facebook or LinkedIn and do their own research. The last thing you want is for that to hurt your chances at landing a position you really wanted.

Cleaning up your online presence is something that should be done every so often. Here’s a few methods that may help streamline the process.

  • Make it a monthly goal. Pick a date, whether it be the first of the month or the very last day, and mark it in your calendar for the remainder of the calendar year.
  • Regulate every post. Always keep the thought in the back of your mind that your coworkers and potential future hiring managers may one day see what you are posting. Ask yourself how you would feel if you saw the same photograph or article on another coworker’s profile. What thoughts would immediately come to mind?
  • Enhance your privacy settings. Before sharing that photo on Facebook, choose the audience that you want to see it. During your monthly cleanup sessions, double check your account privacy settings for each of your social media accounts to make sure they are the way you want them to be.
  • Don’t be fooled. Privacy settings are great, but don’t let them fool you into thinking that you are safe to post anything. Proceed with caution knowing that what you post, can, in some way or another, be seen by anyone. Anything is possible in the incredibly interconnected world of social media.

Networking is important, don’t get us wrong! Who you know can sometimes be just as important as what you know. We are big believers in social media and the power that it holds to connect us all. We’re telling you to go for it, network like crazy, but monitoring your online presence and regulating the content which you are sharing with the world is very important in preserving your identity.

How to Grow Your Business With LinkedIn

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Since its launch in 2003, LinkedIn’s growth has skyrocketed, with over 400 million users worldwide. But LinkedIn isn’t like all the other social media platforms out there. It’s not where we go to post our latest vacation photos or to reconnect with an old friend, but rather where we go to connect with colleagues and to scout out potential job opportunities. LinkedIn is all about professional networking, and it’s one of the best tools out there.

Growth for your business can mean many things. You may be looking to grow your team by hiring a new employee or maybe you’re aiming to build a greater following on your LinkedIn company page. Whatever your goal, LinkedIn is a tool that should not be ignored. With a little practice and commitment, it can become one of your best means of professional networking. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Complete your profile or company page. To the best of your ability, make sure your LinkedIn profile and LinkedIn company page are completely filled out. It may take a little extra time and effort initially, but in the long run, you will see results. People come to LinkedIn to learn information, and you have to offer it if you want to stay in the lead. It’s important to also post a profile photo or a company logo. No one will want to follow you if they don’t know who you are. Plus, plain text on a page is always a little bit boring.

2. Join groups. LinkedIn groups are a place for professionals in the same industry or with similar interests to share content, have conversations and meet new contacts. Whatever type of group you’re looking for, it’s almost certain to exist. If it doesn’t, start your own! It’s just one more way to get your name out there.

3. Post strong content and post it often. People need a reason to follow you and your business. If your LinkedIn account is simply sitting stagnant with zero activity, your followers will slowly dwindle. Seek out or create fresh content and post it often. We post daily, but if that doesn’t work for you, find a timely routine that will.

4. Give to get. In order to reap the benefits, it takes a little bit of giving back. By taking part in conversations and applauding the accomplishments of others, you are giving. Eventually, it’ll come back around.

5. Have patience. Just like any social media platform, you can’t build an army of honest and loyal followers overnight. It takes time, consistency, and, most of all, patience. But don’t give up! Schedule LinkedIn networking into your daily calendar just as you would any other appointment. Even if it’s just 15 minutes! A little bit every day goes a long way.

LinkedIn can be your new best friend. It’s time to take advantage of it for all you can.