Here's how you can foster professional relationships using social media.

Optimizing your social media profiles is crucial for fostering professional relationships. Ensure they reflect your expertise and interests clearly, especially on LinkedIn. Keeping profiles up-to-date and polished establishes trust and credibility, making a positive first impression on potential connections.

It wasn't until I had to start hunting for a new job that I realized how prolific having a social media profile truly is. That got me to research what was happening on LinkedIn, how people were "selling" themselves and reaching the masses. Take the time to invest in yourself. Get a good photo taken of yourself, update that bio and skills that you have accumulated throughout the years and make sure you let your accomplishments speak for themselves.

Optimize your social media profiles for a polished and professional first impression. Use a clear, professional photo and a concise bio highlighting your expertise and interests. On LinkedIn, focus on showcasing leadership skills and career accomplishments. Write a compelling headline and detailed summary, emphasizing your achievements and professional goals. Regularly update your profiles with new roles, skills, and insights to stay visible. Maintain consistency across all platforms to reflect your professional brand. This helps establish trust and credibility in your industry.

Regular engagement on social media is key for nurturing professional relationships. Sharing industry insights and engaging with peers' posts sparks meaningful conversations and showcases your active involvement in current trends. By providing valuable content and participating in discussions, you demonstrate expertise and openness to collaboration, fostering connections with potential partners

Get to know those people whom you can trust and learn from the most. It really comes down to this key point. Engaging regularly is important. For more engagement take the conversation off-line through zoom, in person or email. Make an effort to add value to others and be willing to learn from others. Trust for me is the key.

Look at fostering relationships as being part of a team. Team players stand by each other, support for each other and respect each other. Be willing to be transparent and vulnerable and know that each person brings a unique perspective to the conversation. It is a great way to grow and learn.

A lot of things have changed, but one thing that hasn't change is the need to keep hustling and growing. Never settle or get complacent, regardless of how comfortable you are in your career. One of the ways I've expanded my professional reach was by searching for people in my industry on LinkedIn, and friending anyone who seemed interesting or relevant. Even if there was no potential for employment or immediate benefits, I still reached out and cultivated my network. I liked and reposted their content, promoted their wins, and created a positive connection. Don't just focus on immediate benefits and give-and-take. Remember to plant seeds now, because they will usually pay off later, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

Using social media can be great, but it can also be detrimental. Tread carefully with social media, and remember to keep your personal social media for personal reasons while simultaneously maintaining a professional social media that stays professional. A lot of unnecessary things stem from the blurred lines that sometimes happen when people combine their personal and professional online presences.