Take a look at any breakdown of social media stats and it’s clear (insert Beyoncé’s “Run the Worldâ€), women’s usage outpaces men’s on all social networking sites except for Twitter, according to a 2013 Pew Internet report. Given our influence across the social landscape, power women have a real opportunity to leverage social media to take their brand to the next level.
Black Enterprise has tapped social media expert S. Lynn Cooper to provide tips for taking your stellar real-world reputation and packaging it in the digital space during our 9th Annual Women of Power Summit. In addition to serving as Chief Social Officer at her company, Socially Ahead, Cooper regularly contributes her insights to BlackEnterprise.com, and has been featured on MSNBC, CBS News, Huffington Post, Bloomberg, Redbook and American Express Open Forum, among many other online outlets.
If you’re a power woman, chances are you’re utilizing professional social media site LinkedIn. Here, Cooper provides her tips to enhancing your LinkedIn strategy:
Keep In Touch
LinkedIn is not a database, it’s a social network. To really maximize it, be aware that it’s a two-way communication venue. Keep in mind that while you are perusing other people’s profiles and groups, they’re checking out yours as well. Once you have established a connection on LinkedIn, keep it fresh. Make a note to send messages directly to a set of individuals at least every 90 days. If they need someone with your expertise, you want them to think of you and not someone else. Use your status updates to provide useful information to those in your industry.
Become the Resource
Strive to continuously learn about your niche industry, target audience and trends. The more you know, the more you can share and help others. When you share your knowledge with your connections, they realize you are a provider they can trust with their business.
Share those insights in your on-and-offline conversations, and also consider sending clients tidbits of information as you find them online. For example, your organization compiled client case studies, consider posting them on LinkedIn via Slideshare and tag specific individuals you know will benefit from your report.
For more of Cooper’s pointers, click here
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! Join us for the landmark 10th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2—4, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, one-of-a-kind executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now! https://blackenterprise.com/wps