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Creating Social Networking Profiles That Stand Out

One of the most basic but most important pieces of your social networking presence is having an effective profile.  Not only is it a snapshot into who you are and what it is you do, it's usually the first impression others will have of you.  Here are some ways to make your profile work for you and get you noticed--without boring people to tears.

Use a real photo of yourself. On certain sites you occasionally see people using their brand logo as their picture or avatar but I advise against this.  You want others to relate to you as a real person, especially if they are thinking of hiring or buying from you!  In most cases, that is something you just can't convey through a graphic.  (Unless maybe you re Coca-Cola!)

By all means, use a professional photo if possible.  If not, you should choose one that is of you alone--with all due respect to your family and pets.  If you are using social sites to even remotely drum up business, you need to appear professional as far your main photo goes.

Location, location, location. Include at the very least your state, province or town.  Even though it is the world wide web, you never know when local opportunities will pop up.  Make it easy for others to seek you out.

Have a well thought-out bio. Your bio is what people will be looking to in order to get the essence of what you are all about.  You can include a succinct version of your "elevator pitch" here as long as you avoid sounding too sales-y.  When you read it back to yourself you should be able to get a feel for how it comes off.  Adjust accordingly.  Write it with an emphasis on how you provide value to others.

Include all of your relevant links. You want to give people an easy way to find out more about you.  Plus, there's no one who doesn't want more web traffic, right?  The amount of space you are allotted for this varies from site to site, but definitely include your website and/or blog as well as the profile URLs of any other social networking sites you are active on.

Use your full name if possible. Depending on the site, you may or may not have room to fit your whole name.  Also, if your name is common, it may have already been taken, such as on a site like Twitter.  In the case of my full name, I went with my first name and last initial on Twitter because they don't allow enough characters for both words to fit.   I am satisfied with that, however, because people are still able to associate it closely with my full name.

Personal tidbits are not a bad thing. Don't be shy, there is a reason it's called social networking!  Some people are reticent about exposing anything about themselves outside of their business persona.  However, part of what draws others to you is your authentic self.  You may have a snazzy professional profile photo, but posting pictures here and there of your latest vacation won't do any harm.  In fact, it could be great for business.

Fill out your background completely. Part of what helps others find you is the information that you fill out about your education, interests, past employment and groups and associations you belong to.  This is especially true on a site like LinkedIn.  Keep your information up to date so that opportunities can easily find you.

The most important takeaway? Ensure your presence is consistent across all networks.  This not only strengthens your personal brand, but helps to establish credibility as well. Plus, to make it even easier on yourself, keep a document on your computer with all of your profile information.  That way you can just copy and paste it when needed.

Now get out there and network!

About the Author

Christine Gallagher, MLS, MSIS, founder of CommunicateValue.com, teaches solopreneurs and small business how to boost their business and their profits by using online marketing and social media tools to communicate effectively and authentically. For F.R.E.E. tips on how to build profitable relationships, leverage technology and create your own successful online business, visit http://CommunicateValue.com

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