How to create a social media profile with positive impact.

Career opportunities potentially quadruple when individuals decide to use social media for business. Done properly, you can easily increase your “lines open” to connect to people, projects, jobs, service needs and more. The Internet has a magical way of making our worlds much smaller.

Through the social media platforms available, we have the ability to make meaningful links with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people we otherwise never would have met. This, to me, is a gift, a tool for expanding my reach, leveraging potential prospects, sharing my experience for good and gaining momentum for success. Do I take this lightly? No way!

Millions of people have access to your social media presence so they can learn about what you do, where your passions lie and how you might have just what is needed to make their business better or their life easier or more fulfilling.

More often than not, their first impression of you is going to be a profile on Twitter, LinkedIn, About.Me, Facebook, Google+, etc. You have one chance to show that you are worthy of more time. It is imperative that your profiles are dressed for success. Create your profile with the same attention to detail and intensity as if you were about to appear on the cover of Forbes magazine! It sounds like a big responsibility, doesn’t it? That’s because, if you respect social media for the potential it has to bring to you and your business, it is a big responsibility.

You should be shooting for a super-positive impact with your profile. You certainly don’t want to leave visitors with a poor perception of you or the business you represent. Once a visitor clicks on a link to view your profile, you have only a few seconds to intrigue them enough to invest a few moments of their valuable time learning more about your services and capabilities. The following is a list of quick tips to use as a reference when creating your profile.

Always remember to be nothing less than:

1. Professional—This is business, so mind your p’s and q’s, please.
2. Authentic—Be who YOU are. Your personality should shine through.
3. Thoughtful—Put time and energy into how you describe yourself and business.
4. Accurate—Don’t say you do x, when you really do y.
5. Engaging—Encourage people to connect with you. If you don’t want to connect, don’t be present on social media.

Pay very close attention to:

Profile Image

• In most cases, don’t use a selfie. I say “in most cases” because I have actually seen a couple of selfies that look professional, friendly and fit the subject’s industry. This is a rare instance, though, so proceed with caution.
• Make sure the image is sharp and in focus. If it looks like it was taken with a digital camera from the 1990s, then it’s not good enough to be a visual representation of you.
• Consider hiring a professional photographer. This is my preference for business profiles. (Using a professional photographer does NOT necessarily equate to you wearing a suit and tie. Your profile image should be indicative of the industry you are in.) A good photographer is totally worth the investment if it is your intention to use social media to further your career. Choose your photographer wisely, and make sure they understand you want your personality to shine through. Karen Hacker and Jenny Wheat are great photographers in the Kansas City area.
• Save the shots of the six-pack abs and the awesome biceps for your personal Facebook page. I appreciate a healthy and fit body as much as anyone, but there is a time and a place. Fully clothed is best for your business profile image.
• Smile! Show your personality, and don’t be afraid to look happy. No frowning, please. Happiness and energy are magnetic, so let the warmth of your smile be present. 

Descriptions

• Thoughtfully choose your words when writing your profile descriptions. This content should not be thrown together “just to get something posted.” Plan on spending an hour or two. First, research other profiles, and take note of what you like and dislike about them. Then strategically and creatively write your own profile description.
• Write in your voice. The content should be a showcase of your passion for your work and expertise.
• Accurately describe your services and career assets. Try to use bullets when doing this. People like to scan information. Bullets are a great way to set important information apart for easy access.
• Always remember, less is more. Even though someone is interested in your profile, it doesn’t mean they will take the time to read a full autobiography.
• Check, double-check and then triple-check for grammatical errors. Typos and grammar mistakes on live profiles tend to stand out like big red stop signs. 

Contact Information

• If you’re trying to expand your social or business sphere, make sure you include contact information via a business phone number or email address.
• It’s always good to include links to other social media profiles. Each platform has a unique approach, and including additional access will give more insight to your personality, work style and capabilities. With any luck, you’ll create more interest on the part of the visitor.

If you intend to use your social media as an extension of yourself in the career world, then it’s important to apply an ample amount of polish. A poorly written and presented profile can lose you the chance at a job, project or very important connection just as easily as a well-written and well-presented profile can gain you the same.

Focus on the gain. Shine on!