STEPHEN R. BARNARD
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Just Be You: Tips for Professional Networking in the Digital Age

2/19/2016

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I was recently asked to speak at a workshop about managing professional identities.  I don't claim to be an "expert" on this topic, but I've certainly learned a lot about it in recent years--both a scholar and an agent of the digital world.  So, I created a brief list of tips, with a specific emphasis on social media and personal websites.  I hope they're helpful.  And of course, please share your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter. 
 
  • Be active
    • Don't spread yourself too thin
    • Pick a few outlets and keep them updated
      • Sites that are updated too infrequently may lose traction or even reflect negatively
  • Be present
    • Don't be afraid to interact and reply
    • Engage in conference "backchannels"
      • You'd be surprised at how much can come out of these conversations
    • Connect in person when you can
  • Be consistent 
    • What is your site/account for?
      • Make a decision and make it right (i.e. follow through)
  • Be adaptable
    • It's okay to change your mind, or your focus, as long as you come by it honestly
  • Be (somewhat) strategic
    • Build and manage your own "personal brand" (I'm not sure I like this phrase, but there's a lot of truth to it)
      • It's not just about advertising; Networks are built on interaction
    • Know your audience
      • Disciplinary colleagues, public, students, media, etc.
        • It may be difficult to serve more than a few at once
  • Be engaging
    • Find communities to join
    • Link early and often
    • Don't be afraid to "think out loud"
      • This is (part of) what's so interesting about public scholarship
  • Be valuable
    • Define an audience and serve some function(s)
      • Curating is good, but don't just share others' posts
 
  • Be an advocate for yourself
    • Think about how you can amplify your work
      • Share, "pin," and/or promote
      • use appropriate #hashtags and/or @mentions 
        • I have posts that earned over 10,000 impressions (even though my network of followers is little more than 1,000) simply because it was "retweeted" (shared) by larger gatekeepers
  • Be aware
    • Know the limits of your platform(s)
      • How public?
      • How anonymous?
      • How contextual?
      • How ephemeral?
        • Each of these will influence how your posts are received
  • Be you
    • Project your identity as you see it
    • A little humility goes a long way, but don't be afraid of a little self-promotion
  • Be prepared to respond to backlash
    • Public scholarship has it's downsides, especially if your work or identity operates on the margins
    • Be respectful, especially if you disagree
    • But, beware of feeding the trolls
    • Knowing your platform and having a response plan can help minimize stress and unwanted publicity
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