Your favorite social media platforms have plenty of things in common. Providing value, dialogue and connection opportunities are key, using these strategies:
- Authenticity
- Beginning and encouraging conversations
- Building trust, relationships and loyalty
- Addressing concerns & responding quickly, publicly and politely
- Using your manners – showing gratitude to supporters
- Providing value to fans, friends and connections
This begs the question: how can you tailor your profile differently for each of these platforms? Let’s use the image of ‘dressing for success’…you know, different styles of dress for different types of business:
- Business: Professional business attire for a day at the office.
- Business Casual: Less formal, like ‘three-button, polo professional’.
- Business Cocktail: Relaxed, yet tailored, with a bit of sophisticated edge
Now let’s apply this image to the Big Three:
LinkedIn – Business
This is where your virtual resume lives and quite possibly the first time a potential employer or client sees you. Let your professionalism shine, along with your knowledge and experience. LI is a great place to flex your industry expertise. On LinkedIn, these aren’t your friends, they are your business acquaintances and can influence your future.
Business Casual – Facebook
More relaxed than LinkedIn, you still don’t want your clients catching you with a lamp shade on your head. This environment is more fun – quizzes, charming or funny status updates, photos and contests encourage fans/friends to make comments, answer questions and share your business with their friends. It’s a company picnic and neighborhood block party rolled into one. Have a good time, palm a few business cards, but never forget kids are present.
Business Cocktail – Twitter
Relaxed but still tailored, you’ve got enough swagger to give Bond a run for his money. This is the first impression venue – you’ve got 140 characters to complete your assignment or face destruction. Make sure you use those characters wisely. Your handshake is firm and your smile unforgettable. Dazzle them, working the room, collecting cards and making contacts all night long. Twitter is the cocktail party that never closes.
