Getting Ahead using Social Media
Social media as an emerging premier communication tool can be a phenomenal way to get ahead professionally. However, at its core, it is a personal communication tool. The only difference between standing at a bus stop and saying something or wearing a t-shirt with a photo from last night's party on it is that you can't actually physically see the instantaneous reaction of the people seeing the message that you are communicating. You also can't fully control who sees that message.
Sure, there are securities and permissions but ultimately, if you lock something down too much you might as well sit in a dark soundproof, air-tight vault. Nobody will hear you and that is the besides the point. Further, the current direction, as taken by Google for instance, is the ultimate transparency. You have to be careful what you say anywhere, and using any alias, because it is all being stored and cross-referenced and, well, you'd better be willing to stand by anything you say for ... eternity. What gets into the cloud, stays in the cloud, and you'll never be able to delete it fully.
Now that the don'ts are covered, here are some great dos:
Social media is about getting a chance to connect with people that you either don't know but want to know or staying in touch with people whom you don't get a chance to see often enough. It is also, at its heart, a great way to find out who those people find interesting and important. At work, this is invaluable.
It opens up the possibility of getting inside your bosses', their management, and your co-workers' inner circles without being inappropriate. It also allows you to showcase, without bragging, outside activities that make you look like you've got all the qualities that they are looking for in the person they are most likely to promote.
Take for instance that your personal style at work is to show up, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, never staying late or engaging in water-cooler conversation, etc. For you, work is work, and you know that gossip will work against you. But, that alienates you from your co-workers and now they think you are not a team player.
But, if you know what social media your coworkers are on and post updates regarding all the kids sports teams that you coach and the Meals On Wheels commitment, etc., all of a sudden people may realize that you leave work at 5 because you are rushing off for humanitarian reasons, not because you are selfish and a loner.
Next, social media allows those co-workers and bosses to share with things that you wouldn't even know how to ask about (i.e. favorite hockey team, favorite color, pet peeves, favorite games, music, books). These are things that people connect with on a personal level and if you show up with or decorate your desk with strategically placed hints of things that connect with the people that you really have nothing to say to, all of a sudden you are somebody that understands and does not threaten them. It is oh so much better than trying to join in a conversation that you were not invited.
Social media is also effective at staying current on topics from a variety of sources. If you know who your superiors, clients, and co-workers, follow on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc., you can either follow them yourself or to be a bit less obvious of it simply make sure to look up what those people or organizations are putting out there.
Finally, social media is about branding. People and organizations who have mastered it know that they have to pick a message and communicate consistently and unwaveringly from that talk track. Ultimately, those are the outlets that carry clout as people begin to see them as shining beacons of information and distribution.
So for every person who dismisses Twitter because they say they don't care what Jane Clark had for breakfast today you have to realize that they haven't been online lately. The world has changed. People have realized that social media is not for immediate rewards tool for somebody looking to make money. It is a communication tool just like any other form of advertising. It's simply more affordable and therefore has more potential to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
Just be careful not to get sucked in. It really is a huge time waster, as well.
