How do you leverage social media and digital tools to expand your leadership network and community?

1 Choose your platforms wisely

Not all social media platforms are created equal when it comes to professional networking and learning. You need to consider your goals, your audience, and your preferences before you decide where to invest your time and energy. For example, Twitter is a popular choice for educators who want to join conversations, follow hashtags, and access resources. LinkedIn is more suited for building your profile, showcasing your achievements, and finding career opportunities. Facebook and Instagram can be useful for sharing stories, photos, and videos of your work and learning. And YouTube and podcasts can be great sources of inspiration and information.

3 Engage with others authentically

Creating and curating content is not enough to build a strong network and community. You also need to engage with others authentically and consistently. You can do this by commenting, liking, sharing, and retweeting other people's content, as well as responding to their comments and feedback on yours. You can also join groups, forums, chats, and communities that align with your interests, goals, and values. And you can initiate and participate in conversations, discussions, and debates that challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and deepen your understanding.

4 Seek and offer mentorship and support

Another way to leverage social media and digital tools to expand your leadership network and community is to seek and offer mentorship and support. You can use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook to find and connect with mentors who can guide you, advise you, and inspire you. You can also use platforms like Edmodo, Teachable, or Udemy to enroll in courses, webinars, or workshops that can enhance your skills, knowledge, and competencies. And you can use platforms like Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet to form or join peer groups, masterminds, or coaching circles that can provide you with feedback, accountability, and encouragement.

5 Maintain your digital presence and reputation

Finally, you need to maintain your digital presence and reputation as an educational leader. This means that you need to be mindful of what you post, how you post, and who you post to. You need to be respectful, professional, and ethical in your online interactions. You need to protect your privacy, security, and identity online. And you need to update your profile, portfolio, and resume regularly to reflect your achievements, growth, and goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?