How can you use social media to maintain professional relationships?

Choose the right platform. And that platform is LinkedIn. Unless you are a YouTuber. In which case it's YouTube. And also LinkedIn.

Post consistently on LinkedIn. It's not a place to waste time, be distracted or play. LinkedIn is career & business oriented and is taken more seriously than other networks. Engage potential connections by offering value. Unsolicited sales pitches are seen as a nuisance. Offer expertise that solves common problems of your target audience. Nurturing connections here can enhance your career, open doors you want to walk through & get connected to the dream company you want to work for. Career building, professional development, success and wealth are common conversations here. Tell your story. Let potential connections see the authentic you. Now you’re creating trust, connection, familiarity & respect and people will want to connect with you.

Platform...understand where to take your content, when and how. Algorithm is not a myth, if you understand how platfroms work using analytics your content will fly. There is a reason every account has analytics.

Choose LinkedIn. People are not on TT to maintain professional relationships, period. Make it a routine and habit to check and maintain your LinkedIn presence.

Networking in business requires clear goals, presence on relevant platforms such as LinkedIn, authenticity and building trust. Offer mutual support, maintain relationships regularly and diversify your network for different perspectives. Respect boundaries, be present at events and use opportunities to make new contacts. Continually investing in authentic relationships will enable long-term benefits and professional success. And never expect anything from your network. It takes lots of time and trust to build the bridges… In the end, it's give and take and should be less take!

Optimizing your profile has nothing to do with MAINTAINING professional relationships. Being relevant and communicating things of value is what keeps connections alive. You don't need a resume, you need to demonstrate value and respect. Take time to acknowledge others' insights more than a "like." Actually write something encouraging or how the shared information helped you or inspired you to do something specific. Those are the people others want around. Just don't dominate someone else's feed.

Optimizing your profile is not necessarily the top thing most people think of when it comes to maintaining professional relationships. While it doesn't have much to do with maintaining those connections, there is still value in keeping your profile up-to-date. An optimized profile will let those previous relationships know and what you're up to in new roles when they click your profile. More important than an optimized profile is continued, meaningful engagement with your connections.

Things to keep in mind about engaging others - People don't always share the same opinion - Some can be disrespectful - Engage to learn not just win arguments - Engagement helps in understanding how each platform works

Don't just drop a "??????" on someone's post and call it a day. What an underwhelming copy/paste comment. Reply to people's stories. Share their recent projects on yours. Interact with that poll they just posted. Comment on that Short they shared. DM the people that inspire you. Social media should be social - interact with the people you follow!

To actively listen to your colleagues on social media, immerse yourself in the conversations that matter to them. Follow their posts, comment with genuine curiosity, and use direct messages to delve deeper into their thoughts. By engaging thoughtfully and showing authentic interest, you build a connection that goes beyond the platform, creating a more personable and meaningful professional relationship.

One thing that is super important to building and maintaining professional relationships on social media is to celebrate other's wins and keep HYPING others. Genuine happiness about someone's wins will make you very likable and this will help you build deeper, long-lasting relationships with people.

Remember to protect your privacy and identity. Do not give out any personal information that could be used to compromise your security and privacy or that of others.

In my professional journey, I've found that sharing valuable and insightful content positions you as a thought leader within your industry. Whether it's through writing articles, creating thought-provoking posts, or sharing relevant news, providing valuable content not only showcases your expertise but also fosters meaningful discussions. For instance, I consistently share thought leadership articles on LinkedIn, diving into industry trends and offering my perspective. This not only adds substance to my profile but also initiates conversations that strengthen professional relationships.

To maintain professional relationships via social media, it's essential to: Regularly Engage: Like, comment, and share relevant content from your network to stay visible and engaged. Professional Content Sharing: Share industry insights, articles, and your professional achievements to showcase expertise. Personalized Interactions: Send personalized messages or comments to maintain a direct connection. Networking Opportunities: Join groups or follow hashtags relevant to your industry to connect with like-minded professionals. Consistency: Regularly update your profile and post content to maintain a consistent presence. Respect Boundaries: Keep interactions professional, respecting privacy and boundaries.