What do you do if you want to leverage social media platforms for networking in Marketing Operations?

Deciding on goals can be fun. Some people find it stressful, but it's important to figure out what you really want to achieve. Goals aren't just something you pick randomly. You need to understand why you're choosing a particular goal for yourself and your team. This should feel like an enjoyable process, not a stressful one.

Having a definitive plan is great, but you don't want to spend too much time planning either. In theory, planning sounds great, but nothing will happen if you don't take action. You can make plans and strategise, but algorithms, consumer preferences and trends change overnight. Understanding that social media is dynamic is key and going in without a plan is fine also.

Know what you want to achieve and keep it real. While being ambitious is great, setting realistic goals and attaching timelines to them is what drives focus and direction within the team. Put a timeline to motivate the team to stay focused with a clear direction. Develop a short, mid, and long-term marketing plan with clearly defined success metrics. Delegate it to team members and make them accountable for it. Keep track of the team's progress with regular checkpoints. You should also keep an open mindset and be flexible for changes based on feedback, results, and the broader company's sales & marketing goals.

To leverage social media platforms for networking in marketing operations, engage actively in industry-related groups and discussions, connect with professionals in your field, and share valuable insights and resources to foster meaningful connections and collaborations within the marketing community.

What do you want to achieve? Identify your specific goals for using social media. These could include: Finding new job opportunities: Connect with recruiters, hiring managers, and other professionals in marketing operations. Learning and staying informed: Follow industry thought leaders, publications, and conferences to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices. Building brand awareness: Showcase your expertise and position yourself as a leader in the field. Finding collaboration opportunities: Connect with other marketing operations professionals on potential projects or initiatives. Set SMART goals: Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Choose and focus on one platform. Too many times we want to build everything all at once at the same time. Don’t. Be selective focus on one platform until you grow enough to open another one. LinkedIn is great for thought leadership and it’s writing based which means you may also do well on Twitter, Quora, Reddit, Threads- but the audience may be different. If you are amazing with Instagram you may do really well turning an image post into a text OR may do better on YouTube, and other visual platforms.

Focus on quality over quantity. Don't spread yourself too thin. Research and choose the platforms where your target audience is most active. Consider these popular options: LinkedIn: The go-to platform for professional networking. Join relevant groups, participate in discussions, and connect with other marketing operations professionals. Twitter: Excellent for real-time industry updates, news sharing, and engaging in conversations with hashtags. Facebook: Can be a good platform for joining industry groups or following company pages. Industry-specific platforms: Explore niche platforms catering to marketing operations professionals (e.g., MarketingProfs, Social Media Today).

You should never approach growing social media on your own and you shouldn't do everything manually. Cross-promotion is key, especially when you're starting out, you never know which platform will favour your content. Different platforms takeoff at different times as well. Having a good team and using appropriate and approved tools to manage your social media accounts is paramount. Having said that, make sure your messaging changes as you change platform. Being more professional and value-driven on linkedIn will give you better results than approaching it with a "tiktok mindset" ??

Best way to build a strong corporate network is through participating in events. Don't miss opportunities to do that in early part of your career. To standout in events as a thought leader, leverage social media. Many events host active social handles on LinkedIn and Twitter. They are buzzing with activities and have focus of right audience. Engage with these handles and build thought leadership. Techies love Reddit, Twitter. Marketer love LinkedIn, Twitter, Quora.

Know your desired audience: who you want to connect with, where they interact online, what topics interest them, and what they value. If you are just getting started, it's okay! Look at competitors' profiles to see where they are active. Value quality over quantity. Consider how much resources and effort you can dedicate to each platform. It's better to stay focused on 1-or-2 platforms than spreading yourself too thin. You can always expand later. While handles like LinkedIn and Twitter are popular, be open to go beyond the obvious and try industry-specific platforms that are relevant to your business.

Don't just post promotional content. Provide valuable insights, share interesting articles, and participate in discussions. Be yourself and express your personality. People connect with genuine individuals. Respond to comments and messages promptly. This shows you're engaged and interested in building relationships.

This is very true. Nothing can beat authenticity. As of right now, the AI tools are not yet good enough to simulate a human and therefore you should focus on your authentic voice which is unique to you and stay away from false and manufactured replies. The people you engage with will appreciate you for it.

Stay true to yourself. Show genuine interest in others. Instead of making your engagement like a sales pitch, engage in conversations naturally. Share personal stories and listen what others have to say. Real connections build trust and relationships, and this will lead to better opportunities down the road. You should also avoid over-relying on AI and technology. Keep your critical thinking and creativity sharp by using them as tools to support—not replace. Trust in your own judgment and skills!

Actively engage with your social media network by liking, commenting, and sharing their posts. Congratulate them on achievements, offer support and encouragement, and participate in conversations to strengthen your relationships.

Position yourself as a thought leader. Share your knowledge and experience through blog posts, articles, or even short social media posts. Offer insightful comments on industry discussions. Show that you have a deep understanding of marketing operations concepts. Participate in Q&A sessions or host your own live chats. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and connect with others who may need your guidance.

Content is key. Establish yourself as a thought leader in your field by sharing helpful insights, best practices, and expertise. Offer actionable advice to your audience through blogs, social media posts, whitepapers, e-books, webinars, and live sessions. Sharing real-life success stories or data-backed reports that highlight your company's achievements can further establish you as a trusted expert in your industry.

Online marketplaces for freelancers and job boards: Temporary and contract marketing jobs are frequently listed on websites such as Indeed, Facebook, LinkedIn and Upwork. Platforms for Freelance Marketing: We can create profiles and submit proposals for marketing operations-related services on websites like the company Fiverr and Freelancer. Become a member of associations or online forums devoted to marketing, where professionals can debate career possibilities and industry trends. Cold-Reaching: Consider addressing a targeted email expressing our interest in contract or temporary work opportunities to organizations we are interested in working for. change our message to emphasis in marketing operations.

Video content is the absolute best way to do this right now. By speaking to the camera, your audience can relate to you and see if you truly understand what you are talking about. Those that seek to be experts, should be able to show their expertise on camera.

Share relevant and valuable content on your social media profiles to demonstrate your expertise and provide value to your network. This could include articles, blog posts, infographics, case studies, or industry news and updates related to marketing operations.

As the saying goes "What gets measured, gets managed" It's incredibly helpful to use data provided by social media platforms to adjust your strategy. From experience, you should try a bunch of different things over a set amount of time, after you found your winning content ideas, that's when you double down on them.

Track key metrics: Analyze engagement rates, follower growth, and click-through rates on your content. Use social media analytics tools: These tools can provide valuable insights into your audience and the effectiveness of your efforts. Regularly assess your goals: See if you're making progress towards achieving them. Adapt your strategy based on your findings.

Pay attention to review your social media strategy to ensure that it remains aligned with your overarching business goals. Stay grounded in business facts and leverage data to drive your content strategy, On the quantitative side: Monitor key indicators like engagement rates, lead generation, and conversions to measure the tangible impact of your content efforts on business outcomes. Also pay attention to qualitative factors: Audience feedback, comments, and sentiment analysis to understand the deeper impact of customer perceptions and brand reputation.

Participate in LinkedIn groups, Facebook Groups, or other online communities focused on marketing operations, digital marketing, or related topics. Engage in discussions, share insights, ask questions, and offer advice to establish yourself as a knowledgeable and helpful member of the community.

Identify key people: Research and connect with industry influencers, hiring managers at target companies, or other professionals in your niche. Join relevant groups and communities: Participate in discussions and actively engage with other members. Attend online events and webinars: This is a great way to meet new people and learn from industry experts. Don't be afraid to reach out directly: Craft personalized messages to people you'd like to connect with. Be respectful and offer value upfront.