Ask An Expert - Using Social Media in your Business and Career, presented by LinkedIn

Summary

In this episode of 'Get Connected,' LinkedIn’s career expert Nicole Williams discusses the power of social media for career and business growth. She highlights the importance of authenticity in building relationships and marketing effectively. Social media allows professionals to connect globally, share valuable content, and engage without being overly salesy. Nicole also advises on managing multiple platforms and staying true to your brand, offering practical tips for leveraging social media to its fullest potential. The key takeaway: success lies in being human, authentic, and strategic in your social media presence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social media is an essential tool for building relationships and connections authentically.
• 😀 Social media allows for easy and authentic connections with people across the globe, which was difficult 10 years ago.
• 😀 Social media marketing is most effective when you focus on sharing valuable information and building relationships, not just pitching products.
• 😀 The key to success on social media is knowing yourself and understanding your audience.
• 😀 Being authentic and true to yourself on social media is more effective than using scripted or sales-driven content.
• 😀 Overcoming the feeling of being overwhelmed with social media requires focus on one or two platforms that align best with your goals.
• 😀 To avoid coming off as too 'salesy' on social media, balance promotional posts with genuine, useful content.
• 😀 The effectiveness of social media marketing depends on how actively you engage with your audience and offer value, not just self-promotion.
• 😀 New social media platforms are emerging daily, so it’s important to focus on platforms that feel most natural and relevant to you and your business.
• 😀 Social media is powerful when you add a personal, human touch to interactions, such as personalized connection requests on LinkedIn.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the transcript?

The main topic of the transcript revolves around the use of social media for business and career purposes, offering tips and insights on how to effectively use platforms for building relationships and marketing.

How does Morgan B. describe her role at Scholastic?

Morgan B. is the Director of Social Media and Internal Communications at Scholastic, overseeing more than 50 social media accounts and managing the company’s corporate accounts, blending writing with brand voice representation.

What is one of the main challenges businesses face on social media, according to the transcript?

One of the main challenges businesses face is staying on top of social media and not coming off as too salesy while trying to connect authentically with their audience.

What is a key strategy for building effective relationships on social media?

A key strategy is building relationships based on authenticity, and using social media as a tool for genuine connection rather than just self-promotion.

What is the benefit of social media connections compared to 10 years ago?

Social media has made it much easier to connect with people globally, including potential mentors, which was much more difficult a decade ago.

Why does Morgan B. believe social media marketing is effective?

Morgan B. believes social media marketing is effective when businesses share valuable content and not just sales pitches, thus engaging authentically with their audience and building connections.

What does Morgan B. suggest for handling the overwhelming nature of social media updates?

Morgan B. suggests becoming proficient with one platform first and focusing on platforms that feel natural and comfortable for you, whether that’s Twitter, YouTube, or another tool.

How can businesses avoid coming off as too salesy on social media?

To avoid being too salesy, businesses should mix sales pitches with authentic content, offering value or helpful information that resonates with the audience.

What is the key to making meaningful social media connections?

The key to making meaningful connections on social media is to be human, authentic, and to engage personally with others, such as writing tailored connection requests on LinkedIn.

How does social media help businesses in terms of marketing and growth?

Social media helps businesses by enabling them to not just pitch their product, but to engage with a broader community, share valuable content, and form genuine connections that lead to stronger brand loyalty.