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Networking & Social Media

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Lesson: Social Media Tips & Tricks

5 minute read
When using social media networks to enhance your online presence, it’s vital to use the proper channels for their specified reasons.
While there’s a benefit to joining any and all networks, you wouldn’t necessarily want to grow your professional network on Snapchat. And you probably don’t need to share pictures of your food on LinkedIn.
Knowing how to effectively use each social network can help you grow your audience, and potentially lead to new relationships and contacts in the design industry.

Proper Etiquette

Navigating the waters of social media can be treacherous, but it’s important to stay level-headed and consistent over time. While you might be able to delete a post later, there’s always a chance someone will find the skeletons in your social media closet.
Many hiring managers use social media as a way to discover more about candidates. For this reason, before beginning the job search, you need to ensure your networks are free of any content that might cause a hiring manager to think twice about employing you. Before applying for jobs, go through each of your social media profiles, and remove any content you’re not sure about.
As well as looking at content, take a moment to reflect on how you use social media, and any behaviors you might consider changing now that you are building a professional profile. You don’t need to lose your originality or personality just to get a job. But, for example, if you’re planning on using Twitter to gain professional contacts, don’t tweet things that could be offensive to others.
When considering what content to post where, keep in mind these simple dos and don’ts:

Don’ts

Don’t fill your social networks with spammy links that aren’t relevant
Don’t post explicit content that makes you seem unprofessional
Don’t like explicit content, as people can view your likes on many platforms
Don’t engage in ill-tempered arguments or be demeaning to others
Don’t degrade the work of others in your conversations
Don’t post work that isn’t yours and claim that it is
Don’t spam hiring managers and other designers just to try and get their attention

Do’s

Do share relevant content with your networks that can be seen as educational
Do post content and status updates that suit the platform
Do engage in civil and respectful conversations that can be productive
Do celebrate your own work as well as the work of others you admire
Do engage with potential hiring managers and ask to begin a professional relationship
Do challenge others’ opinions without demeaning their views
When considering content or links to publish on a social network, always ask yourself these questions:
Am I using the appropriate platform for this post?
Am I being clear and consistent with my voice?
Am I showing my personality in a professional and positive light?
Ensure that whatever you share has value before posting it. Also, beware of oversharing on any platform. Similarly, avoid long period of inactivity, particularly if you’re actively trying to engage others.

Platforms

Let’s take a look at how you can use each social media platform to its best effect.

Twitter

Follow other designers to see more content, and get insight into people’s work and routines
Share links to your projects
Post relevant work or design industry content
Engage in civil discussions with other designers

Dribbble

Follow designers you admire
Comment on posts with friendly criticism or positive remarks
Share your work
Like other designers’ work

LinkedIn

Share links to your projects
Post relevant work or design industry content
Connect with others you may be interested in working with, for, or being a part of their network

Facebook

While this platform is more personal-oriented, you can still share relevant work and celebrate new jobs

Behance

Share your work and showcase project stories in depth
Follow designers you admire
Comment on posts with friendly criticism or positive remarks

Instagram

Share your work
Follow other people you admire or feel inspired by
Comment on posts with positive remarks
Like other people’s posts
While there are many other social networks to consider, these are essential to help build your connections and possibly gain a following based on the work and content you share. Always remember to keep your conversations and engagement with others respectful.
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