2014 A&WMA Leadership Training Academy

Networking through Social Media

P r e s e n t e d By:

Diane Freeman Associate, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Ltd.

Agenda

1.0 What is Social Media and why is it important?

2.0 How can you use it?

3.0 Social Media outlets/channels 3.1 Twitter 3.2 LinkedIn 3.3 Facebook 3.4 Youtube 3.5 Blogging 4.0 Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media 5.0 Questions

1.0 What is Social Media?

… “means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks” –Wikipedia

Photo source: socialmediainbusiness.com

1.0 Why is Social Media important?

“Resistance to change and lack of social media understanding among senior leaders is stifling innovation and transparency in UK organisations, says research by CIPD” – HRM online “CEOs who use social media are growing their businesses, attracting lifelong customers, generating exposure for their companies and closing new deals. As customers become more social media savvy, so must company leaders” – Josh James, CEO of Domo “A&WMA YPAC is working on its own social media strategy, with the aim of expanding and refining the way that the various Web-based platforms can help fulfill its mission” – EM-yp Perspective – Robin Devillers

1.0 Why is Social Media Important?

• It is the way of “now” not the future or the past, but now • People are forging strong business and personal relationships through social media • Job recruitment is actively tied to social media

Source: http://bootcampdigital.com/about/why-social media/

2.0 How can you use it?

• Build Section/Chapter Awareness • Be viewed as an Industry Leader • Showcase Section/Chapter Events • Volunteer Recruitment Engagement • Network with other members • Increase traffic to Section/Chapter website

3.1 Twitter

What is Twitter?

“An online social networking service and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140 characters, known as "tweets"” – Wikipedia

3.1 Twitter – A New Language

• Text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to the author’s subscribers known as “followers” • Handle – refers to your username which always prefixed with a @ symbol Example: @dianelfreeman • Hashtags – a word or phrase prefixed with a # (which groups messages together) – can search for topics using hashtags Example: #ACE2013, #engineering,

3.1 Twitter – How can you use it?

Twitter Tactics: • Showcase Section/Chapter Events services and achievements • Industry-related notifications • Volunteer Recruitment Engagement • event happenings and achievements • Increase visibility at conferences • Build relationships and Network

3.1 Twitter – How can you use it?

• Create a professional Twitter handle (example @DianeLFreeman or @a&wmaOntSection) • Choose people/companies to follow • Track conversations • Search and retweet some trending hashtags (Example: #engineering; #emergencymanagement; #OilandGas)

3.1 Twitter – How can YOU use it?

• Tweet at people!

• Use Conference “hashtags” to tweet and retweet your involvement (example #AMO2013; #AHMP2013) • Contribute to and retweet Tweets • Tweet interesting facts about A&WMA and our industry

3.2 LinkedIn

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a professional networking website geared towards companies and industry professionals looking to make new business contacts or keep in touch with previous co-workers, affiliates and clients.

3.2 LinkedIn – How can you use it?

• Largest professional network with over 238 million members - huge recruitment tool • Allows Sections and Chapters to showcase events and achievements • Build A&WMA Brand Awareness • Stay connected (with employees and industry professionals) • Post local news articles

3.2 LinkedIn – How can YOU use it?

• As an A&WMA Volunteef Be sure your profile showcases your accomplishments, skills and connection to A&WMA • A place to market yourself, connect with co-workers, find former colleagues, and link-up with like-minded people • Keep profile up-to-date • Keep images professional • Connect with other industry professionals • Join A&WMA Linked in Group

3.3 Facebook

What is Facebook?

Facebook is a website that enables groups and individuals to develop social networks with other groups and individuals in order to share information and communicate with each other.

3.3 Facebook – How can you use it?

• Invite people to be your “friend” • “Like” others and share comments on posts, pictures • Share good news information about work and family • link your status to other social media sites such as Twitter • Provide encouragement and kind comments on the status of other friends and employees

3.4 Youtube

What is Youtube?

Youtube is a video sharing website that enables individuals and groups to easily upload and share video with viewers around the world. You can create customized “channels” with unique content which others can “subscribe” to.

3.4 Youtube – How can you use it?

• Stay connected to what’s going on in the industry • Subscribe to clients and competitors to see what they are talking about • Share videos you think are of interest

3.5 Blog

“…The word blog is a short form of “web log“. That means a blog is a website/ journal or a dairy which is indented to present/publish information/person al ideas regularly…” Techgainer.com

Photo Source: Techgainer.com

3.5 Blog – How can you Use it

• Setting up can be free • Write about things you are passionate about • Link Blog articles to your other social media sites • Show passion in writing • Tweet out link to new blog • Include photos • Link blog in Facebook • Keep writing weekly if possible

3.5 Blog – User Tips

• Some Free Blog Sites: • Blogger.com

• Wordpress.com

• Tumblr.com

• LiveJournal.com

• Xanga.com

4.0 Do’s of Social Media…

• DO maintain your accounts. Update frequently • DO share articles, videos, blog posts and other useful content • DO promote yourself. Share your accomplishments • DO engage your peers, both current and future

Photo source: theibisnetworkblog.com

Source: Debra Donston-Miller covers work-life issues and difficult job-search situations for TheLadders.com

4.0 Do’s of Social Media…

• DO remember whom you are "talking" to. On Facebook, for example, you are sharing information with everyone that you have added as a friend. On Twitter you are sharing information with everyone… period. Twitter is a public network • DO understand your privacy settings • DO make sure you are interacting in trusted communities

Photo source: cyberchatter.com.au

Source: Debra Donston-Miller covers work-life issues and difficult job-search situations for TheLadders.com

4.0 Don’ts of Social Media…

Remember everything is public and traceable. DON’T vent your frustrations, bully, use foul language or post information you do not want people to see.

“It’s easy to forget the public nature of the internet – your boss doesn’t follow you on Twitter, so who cares if you tweet a message of hate, or a casual threat? … public messages mean anyone could see them, including bosses.

Most people seem to be unaware that, on the internet, once said, you can never take it back.” – HRM Online

Photo source: designandpromote.com

4.0 Don’ts of Social Media…

• DON'T share too much information (TMI), especially information of a personal nature • DON'T neglect to proofread your social media posts as carefully as you would your resume • DON'T forget that people may have a different sense of humor

Photo source: soshable.com

Source: Debra Donston-Miller covers work-life issues and difficult job-search situations for TheLadders.com

5.0 Questions

Diane Freeman, P.Eng., FEC Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Ltd.

651 Colby Drive Waterloo, ON Canada N2V 1C2 Tel: 519-884-0510 Email:[email protected]

Twitter:@dianelfreeman Blog: dianelfreeman.wordpress.com