You've heard that using social networking groups is a "must do" for business and personal reasons. So where do you start? These quick tips and resources will help you get started: Twitter: A free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. Do: Post messages with useful information and resources that position you as an expert in a specific field. Don't: Use Twitter to list trivial information like what you are eating for dinner or what you are wearing. People who follow you are looking for your expertise, ideas, and thoughts. LinkedIn: A business-oriented social networking site used mainly for professional networking. Do: Create a professional profile and invite business colleagues and clients. It is a great way to keep your information organized and updated. Don't: Invite people to link with you if you don't have a connection with them. If you heard of a person or met someone through a friend, write a personalized message in the invitation letting the person know why you want to be connected and how it may benefit him or her. Facebook: A popular social networking website where users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. Do: Connect with friends and colleagues but be careful about what you post. Remember that everything posted (including pictures of yourself on spring break in 1982) and can be retrieved online. Forever. If you haven't heard about Wayback Machine, type it into Google and learn how the site tracks and stores website content from 1996 of almost everything posted online, even when you think you have deleted it! Don't: Assume that Facebook can substitute for a professional site like LinkedIn. Some clients and prospects want to keep the relationship professional rather than personal. Inviting them can cause unnecessary discomforts. Remember, just because it is called "social" networking, doesn't mean you let professional manners and standards go out the window. 2009 Jessika M. Ferm & J.Ferm, LLC Jessika M. Ferm is a writer, coach, speaker, and consultant on leadership, management, and business topics and is known for her "no frills no fluff" approach to sharing information. She is the President of J.Ferm, LLC, an international leadership consulting firm and is the trusted adviser to leaders and managers ranging from Fortune 100 companies to start ups. For more information or to sign up for the free "Leading Edge" newsletter, visit: http://www.jferm.com/ To connect with Jessika on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessikaferm
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