Freshen Up Your Social Media

Autumn is here and before you realize it, the new year will be here! Now is a great time to update your social media profiles and freshen them up for 2019.

Each social media platform could have its own blog because there is so much to talk about. Today I just want to focus on LinkedIn.

If something happened and you lost your employment, would your LinkedIn profile be ready to go and get you the job you want? Is your information current? Do you keep adding to your connections? Was your photo taken within the last two years? Did you add all your accomplishments or any new skills you learned?

If you answered no to any of these questions, it is time to freshen up that profile. I know you are thinking it is too much work, too much time, and you don’t want the hassle. But what if you lost your job today? With everything you would need to focus on tomorrow such as signing up for unemployment, working on your resume, recalculating your budget, start calling your connections, why add updating your LinkedIn to your to do list?

The best way to keep your profile updated is to look at it monthly and add new things as they occur. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1.   Make sure you have an updated professional looking picture

2.   Add your current job and responsibilities

3.   Change your heading to something catchy such as experienced ____ or proven ______

4.   Keep adding connections and follow up with the important ones whenever you receive a notification that they have a work anniversary, birthday, or new status

5.   Continuously add your new skills and any achievements

These five things should not take very long, and your profile will be ready for 2019. Don’t forget to look at other profiles in any associations you belong to and your other social media platforms. A few minutes today will save you time in the future.

Don’t forget to check out my limited time free online masterclass: Present like a Pro: Keep your Audience Engaged from Start to Finish. Visit my website for details and to register at https://www.dgtrainingsolutionsinc.com

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

YouTube – Empowering Women TV Show:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkS-fsSVzGlE5SI_yg3I8ZAGn3GB4DglO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Blog:  http://DGTrainingsolutionsinc.blogspot.com

Smile, You're on YouTube!

Back in 1947 there was a radio show called “The Candid Microphone”. Never heard of it? I have never heard of it either until I did some research recently. This radio show led to a television show most of you have heard of Candid Camera.  The original Candid Camera debuted on television in 1948 and was on until the 1970’s. It even made other appearances through the years with different hosts.

If you never watched Candid Camera, I can describe the show for you. Something would happen to a person (an intentional prank usually), the person would be shocked or embarrassed. After the audience would laugh, the host would say the famous words, “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera”, then the person who was embarrassed would laugh and know it was a joke.

If you think about the premise of the show, someone doing something funny, recording it, and showing it later to get laughs, does this sound familiar? Hello, this is YouTube, the Candid Camera of today!

While many of us have watched or recorded a YouTube video, we can probably agree they can be a time waster. Once you start watching the baby doing something silly or the dogs opening the front door, you find that they are entertaining and you end up watching a few more.  Everyday people can become a celebrity overnight when a YouTube video goes viral. Suddenly, they are an internet sensation.

Can YouTube help your business? Absolutely! You can record short videos about your business, training videos, or speeches. Once you have the material, you can create your very own YouTube channel, and upload the material. Unlike Facebook where it becomes difficult to find a video you once recorded, everything is listed on your YouTube channel. Viewers can like, share and post comments on your videos. If they like your videos, viewers can subscribe to your channel to get notifications of your new material.

If you are giving a presentation or doing a webinar, why not record it and add it to your channel? YouTube is the second most popular social media platform behind Facebook. This can be a great addition to your social media marketing plan.

Lights, Camera, Action!

 
Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Blog:  http://DGTrainingsolutionsinc.blogspot.com

Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/DG-Training-Solutions-Professional-Development-Meetup/


 

 

 

How Large is Your Digital Footprint?

We have all heard - be careful what you put on the internet.  It is there forever and could potentially harm you or your reputation. But is not having a digital footprint harmful to you professionally?

As someone self-employed, I have very little funds in my marketing budget and carefully examine how to allocate those funds.  I try to maximize all opportunities available to me:  my website, business Facebook page, LinkedIn, Twitter, and all of my professional organization profiles.  I belong to a number of professional organizations and have quite a few profiles to manage.  I didn't spend too much time on their content, who would really look anyway?  Why take the time to put all that effort into my profiles and keep updating them?  Boy was I wrong.  I will say it again, I was wrong! In the past year I have made an effort to redo all of those profiles.  Did it make a difference?  I will let you be the judge if it is worth your time and effort by giving you a few examples of my experience. 

I belong to a Women's Business Organization that has almost 400 members.  One day I received an email from the editor for the newsletter of this particular organization asking if she could print two of my blogs in the newsletter.  She thought the two blogs had great information the members would enjoy reading. I asked how she found me.  She was looking through the Member Directory, came across my name, clicked on my profile and clicked the link to my website.  Then from my website home page, she spent time reading my blogs.  I was excited, this was free advertising for my business that was going to 400 women without me doing anything extra. 

Four months later the same editor contacted me again and asked if she could print another blog in the newsletter. All this because I kept my profile updated. 

A few weeks ago I was on a business trip and received an email from a company in California, they were looking for someone to fill in and give two presentations the next week in Pittsburgh (which is where I live).  They found my information off of one of my profiles in a Pittsburgh training organization website. From that profile, they went to my website and hired me on the spot to complete the presentations.  Now I have another new client!

These opportunities came out of the blue all because I have updated information on my profiles and people were able to see my abilities, past experiences and skills.

Isn't it time to increase your digital footprint?

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President
DG Training Solutions, Inc.
Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com
Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc
LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Facebook Does Not = LinkedIn

I'm sure most of you have seen the graphic that states Facebook is not LinkedIn.  So what is the big deal?   Why can't you use the same posts for both social media platforms?

If you continue to use the same posts, you may end up losing some of your LinkedIn connections. I myself have un-connected with some connections on LinkedIn because of this situation.  If you are in the habit of doing this...take a moment and consider the following:

Facebook is for social activity with your friends, family, co-workers, etc.  In this case, I am referring to a regular Facebook account, not a business page. 

Facebook can be where you vent that you hated the series finale of Mad Men.  You can friend your high school chums or college buddies.  You can post that you think the Pittsburgh Pirates are in a slump because of pitching or the referee in last week's Steeler game must have had his eyes closed during that touchdown.   You can post your vacation pictures, your child's birthday party, where you are meeting your friends for drinks, or even pictures of your dog dressed up for Halloween. 

By comparison, LinkedIn is a more professional site.  You connect  (notice I didn't say Friend) with your business acquaintances, clients, or recruiters.  LinkedIn should be treated as a professional environment.  There are groups you can join about anything professional you can think of, in addition to job leads and networking opportunities.  You can even follow a specific company if you have an interest in them or want to someday work there.

You can brag about any new certifications, education or accolades you may have received.  There is a section to list all of your skills and qualifications.  You can even list that you are in a career transition if you are recently unemployed.

By the examples I listed, did you notice the difference between Facebook and LinkedIn?  They are definitely not equal.  If you can't discuss it with your boss, co-workers or mention it in an interview, it should not be on LinkedIn.

A word of caution...potential employers will look at an applicant's social media sites.  Including Facebook, so be careful what you post.


Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise


Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com



Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com



Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng



Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc



LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

 

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

(portions taken from October 4, 2011 post)

If you have not sent a tweet or even set up an account on Twitter....what are you waiting for?  Several people have asked me:  What is it?  Why should I use it?  How do I get started?

Twitter is one of several social media platforms available today.  Once you set up your profile, you can start off slow by following others who send "tweets:.  Who should you follow?  You can follow just about anyone or any organization.  You can follow your favorite celebrity, athlete, politician or almost anything else.  If you have never used Twitter and are apprehensive, once you select whom you are going to follow, just take a look at their tweets and you will see how different it is from Facebook or LinkedIn.  You only have 140 characters (including spaces and punctuation) to use in your tweet, so abbreviations are important and acceptable.  Once you start seeing how others tweet, you will want to get started and send out your own tweet.

What should you tweet?  Anything you think people will want to know.  Are you attending something special you want others to know about, do you want to send out a message to all your followers at once (such as your updated blog) or are you looking for new employment opportunities?  Whatever you have to say, the people following your tweets will want to know. 

Okay, ready to get started?  Here is the link:  https://twitter.com now just click on the link and create your own account.  I forgot to tell you the best part...it is free!  If you want to add someone to your following list to get started, feel free to follow my tweets @deniseanng. 

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!!

Denise


Denise Ann Galloni, Owner and President
DG Training Solutions, Inc. 

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni