Expanding My Networking Circle with Google+
I’ve spent much of the day setting up my Facebook page, which I started in April, and my profile on Google+. I’m sure there’s more work to be done while I figure things out. One of the most important parts is going to be linking them all together. And, the most important part will be to use each one in a way that is beneficial.
To be beneficial, these social networking tools need to:
- Give me visibility as a freelance writer. This means I need to make sure I’m coming up in searches
- Encourage other professionals to join my circle or like my page. This is important for a couple of reasons. I want the networking opportunities which will provide me with the chance to build relationships, learn and share and gain visibility. Let’s face it, the more people we know, and especially the ‘bigger’ ones lend credibility to our website, twitter feed, whatever.
- Share my materials. It’s about more than a good design or large number of followers. Content is important. I have to write interesting material, in a timely fashion, that is smart, well written and relevant. These professional venues are not the place to discuss my pedicures or the number of shoes I own. I’ve separated out my personal FB page and will strive to keep the 2 sides of me distinct.
- Provide me with a platform for self-promotion. I can use these various sites to showcase recent work and talk about ways I can help clients. That means a reliable, steady flow of information for people to read. It means showing off, connecting, offering a smattering of my skills and
- Giving helpful advice, materials and insight to fellow writers. When we ‘give’ rather than take or stand back and brag, we are showing ourselves to be professinal and courteous. There’s a fine line between giving away our ‘work’ for free and offering supportive information.
I’ve been rather lackadaisical about writing of late. That has to change if I’m going to attract new clients and stay competitive. As I begin to send out new query letters I have more ‘to show’ prospective clients. And, since some of my work is all about marketing and social media it makes sense to be playing along.
Are you on Google+ yet?
I’ve ‘liked’ your page already – considered Google+ but not quite convinced about it. Afraid it will be just one more time-sucker! Let me know what you think about it.
I know you did, thanks! As for Google+, we’ll see. I can already tell that one nice thing will be the ability to control who gets my posts. And, already a few writers I enjoy reading, who I consider experts, have invited me in….so that’s great. The key will be for me to effectively manage all of these tools!
I got invited into this a couple of weeks ago. I really like it. Wish they would go ahead & open it up to everybody. Am so tired of FB & this seems to be really cool. My only gripe about it is that some of the things you have to do from a pc & some are only from the phone app. Since I moved to the lake a little while ago…have no internet at home yet so my phone is my only way to get on. I think it’s picking up though.
I hadn’t realized you couldn’t get complete access from phone. At the moment I’m only using my computer to do Google+. I think it will continue to change and offer more options as this testing phase continues. What I’m finding is a wider range of connections than I had with Facebook, where I was only interacting on a personal, rather than professional level.