10 Questions You Should Always Ask at an Interview

by Kristy-Lee Johnston, Footprint Recruitment.

Whilst interviews are by no means the only screening tool available when considering potential new hires, they still form an important part of the selection process and for most companies are still the screening and selection tool of choice.

So how do you get the most from your interviews and ensure that despite the unreliability they can be fraught with, they generate the information you need before appointing your next hire?

Make sure that some of the key information which is vital to the success of the future placement is not missed.

By incorporating the following 10 questions into your interview, in combination with your other questions regarding skills, availability and organisational fit, you will make sure that some of the key information which is vital to the success of the future placement is not missed:

1. Why did you apply for this position? Seems simple but it will give you great insight into the motivations of the individual and the real reasons they have applied for the role.

2. What salary and benefits are you looking for in your next role? Finding this information out before you disclose what you are offering is so important! Many applicants will accept a lower than expected salary only to try and negotiate higher within their first few months on the job. In addition if your target is well below theirs, they will be more likely to continue seeking a better paying role and accept yours as a stop gap. Conversely they may be seeking less than you were prepared to offer and you may be able to secure a fantastic new hire for a little less than you expected.

3. Why did you leave your last role (and all previous roles)? By asking this question for every single position on their resume you get a great insight into their motivations for moving between previous roles, and can assess whether this may be an issue for you.

4. If I was to ask your previous managers to describe you at work what would they say? The best thing about this question is that you can check the truth of their responses through your reference checks.

5. What was the best job you ever had and why? This question allows you to explore what they really like in their role and workplace.

6. Which was your lest favourite role and why? Conversely this will highlight things that may be problematic for them in your role.

7. What happened during this time? By identifying time gaps in resumes and questioning them you may uncover hidden, but very important information that an applicant would not have otherwise disclosed.

8. What do you know about our company? Understanding how much research they have done displays their true level of interest and enthusiasm.

9. What are the 3 most important things for you in the company you are going to join and/or the position you are going to take on? This again provides you with insights into their desires and motivations. Despite all the benefits you may be able to offer, if your role and company do not offer the key elements they are seeking in a role, the employment relationship may never work.

10. What questions do you have for me? Giving applicants chances to ask questions of you about the role and the company gives them a chance to confirm their interest and suitability for the role, which in the end will also help you to make the right decision.

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Kristy-Lee Johnston - Footprint Recruitment Kristy-Lee Johnston is the Director of Footprint Recruitment, a Central Coast based Recruitment and HR agency which is run by locals, for locals. Kristy’s background includes 10 years in Recruitment, as well as 10+ years in a broad range of other customer facing sectors. She possesses Post Graduate qualifications in Psychology, as well as a Masters in Human Resource Management. Kristy is passionate about bringing something unique to the recruitment sector in her local area and wants to see all businesses make the most successful staffing decisions they can. Phone: 02 4367 5500 Email: kristy@footprintrecruitment.com.au Website: www.footprintrecruitment.com.au Twitter: www.twitter.com/footprintcc Facebook: www.facebook.com/footprintrecruitment LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/kristyleejohnston Member Profile: See Kristy’s Member Profile

Let your passion drive your actions this year

How do you bring your passion to work, and keep it there? We spend a lot of time in our businesses. For many it’s our primary focus. But what do you do when the passion leaves? How do you bring your passion to your work and keep it there? Janet Bray Attwood, author of The New York Times bestseller - the Passion Test shares strategies in this interview.

I read Janet’s book - The Passion Test - two years ago and the ‘test’ is a way to keep me on track with keeping passion in my business and my life. It’s a simple but powerful process that you can use to ensure that your actions are driven by your passion and that you make each day alive with what you love.

In this interview we discuss:

- Why clarity about your passion helps you create exactly what you want
- The role of passion in team engagement
- Why connection to your passion is an important ingredient to business and personal success

Enjoy this interview with Janet Attwood.

Join the Australian Businesswomen’s Network community to get monthly podcasts with inspiring businesswomen.

My Top 9 iPhone Social Media Applications for 2009

There are probably a dozen iphone apps that I use regularly. Some are standard and functional e.g. Google Maps (a humdinger when I get lost in the city or need to get directions while overseas), Voicememo (often used to record messages to remind myself to do things) and the weather application.

While I have some fun apps e.g. Shazam (song recognition) and  Check Please (for calculating tips when travelling in the US), most of the apps I use enhance or enable my social media activity.

The applications allow me to post to my blog (and respond to comments), tweet, check my web stats, record an audio blog, instant message my contacts, create a video and post it with one click, add photos to my social networks - to name just a few options.

Here are 9 of my favourite social media related apps. They are not in order. All are in the itunes Applications store but I have included below links to the developers websites. Most apps are free, but a couple have a small (and worthwhile) fee.

Audioboo

This is an iphone audioblogging application. You record a message (up to 5 mins) and host it on the Audioboo site with the click of an icon. You can then use the embed code in blog posts or in statuses on Twitter and Facebook. Here’s a post where I’ve used the AudioBoo app during our 30 Days of Social Media program.

Analytics

The free version is sufficient for me to be able to check the traffic on our blog and website easily.

Tweetie

While I also have TweetDeck and Twitterific, Tweetie is the one that I find easiest to use to track Twitter conversations and add tweets.

What’s App

This is very cool. What’s App is an iphone to iphone messenger without text/SMS costs.

Gorillacam

Just started using this app. Adds great functionality to your iphone camera. Paparazzi (3shot) option, self-timer, time lapse as well as a ‘press anywhere’ option overcomes some of the frustrations of using an iphone camera. Team it with a Gorillapod (a mini tripod for your iphone) and you have a pretty cool camera.

Facebook

You’ve probably got this if you’re on Facebook. It’s improved and easy to use to update status and stay up with news. Could use a little more functionality.

Dragon Dictation

This app provides voice recognition on your iphone. You can record and translate sound and then send to mail or txt. Great for quick memos.  [I have to share this as it made for a good laugh. When I was first using it I was speaking slowly saying "This is Suzi". The translation was coming up as "This is Crazy"… so I guess it needs a little practise to get it working write (or a feined US accent may help)].

Animoto

Select from pics on your iphone, choose a soundtrack from Animoto’s library and click a button - and you have a professional customised video, for free. Fun for holidays and capturing special moments.

FaceMic for Facebook

This is a new one for me and was recommended by Facebook maven Mari Smith. It allows me to record a message and post it to a friend’s Facebook page. Great for birthday messages.

BONUS - CAUSE IT’S WORTH MENTIONING!

CrushIt

You may have heard of Gary Vaynerchuck of Wine Library TV fame.The story goes that he turned a $5 million dollar business into a $50 million and has created fame and fortune online through his video blog. His book - Crush It - has been created as an app that is a vook (a video book). At the start of each chapter you get to see and hear Gary and then you can read the book Kindle-style within the app. It’s a great way for any author to deliver their content and I can see applications for many educators and content creators.

As I said earlier, these are just a few of the tools that help me manage and create social media content and which allow me to keep up with the conversations that I choose to be a part of - while I’m ‘on the go’. (Of course that is today… apps are being created so quickly some of these may be replaced by newer/better ones… in which case I’ll be sure to post any new discoveries.)

Got a great iphone app to share? I’d love to hear about it.

Best wishes,

Suzi

My Top 5 Books for 2009

When you see the list of my top five books for 2009 you’re bound to notice a pattern. I’ve had a bit of a one-track-mind this year. Most of 2009 I studied online communities, technology and social media.

I don’t know exactly how many books I’ve read this year, but many of them have been on similar subjects. I immersed myself in podcasts (more on that in a few days), courses (both online and live) and especially books — as I endeavoured to learn and implement as much as possible about the changing online landscape. My goal: To master the ability to connect and work with my online community of business women - and to use what I learn as I implement the new information to pass on to the community skills and tools that they can use to run their businesses better.

Now… for the list.  If you’re working on building an online community, want to better communicate within your social networks, want practical ways to build your social capital, then I recommend these titles.

I’ve included Amazon links below so you can read up further on the books. Dear Australian Readers: Don’t write to tell me I should order from Aussie retailers - I’m yet to find Aussie bookstores that satisfy my book needs, who delivery quickly and inexpensively and who have the books that I need, when I need them.

The Whuffie Factor - Tara Hunt

After hearing Tara Hunt speak at the South by South West festival in Austin I ordered this book (which was released in July). It’s about how to build your social capital. The author offers a no-nonsense guild to how what grows and what diminishes your online reputation and how to educate and empower your connection. (Here’s a post I wrote about this book when it was first released.)

Trust Agents - Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation and Earn Trust - Chris Brogan and Julien Smith

This one is terrific. The authors describe trust and the most important currency today. I’ve listed to the audio book (which is read by both authors) and am yet to devour the printed version. How to build trust, maintain a good reputation, build relationships online, what breaks trust and what empowers trust.

Free - the Future of a RadicalPrice - Chris Anderson

In the digital marketplace, the most effective price is no price at all, argues Anderson (The Long Tail). Great examples of companies using ‘free’ to build big businesses. The concept can be a hard one to accept and to see the application in you own business, even harder BUT get it and you can transform an industry and your business.

Crowdsourcing - Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business - Jeff Howe

How is collaboration (and the ease by which you can crowdsource using socialmedia) changing the face of business and product/business development? How to harness the power of the crowd. Great examples.

Facebook for Dummies - Leah Pearlman and Carolyn Abram

I love the “Dummies” books. I’ve purchased a number of the social media/tech titles (including ones on Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, SEO, You Tube, Blogging) because they are easy to follow and the authors walk you through many aspects of using social media tools or both business and personal outcomes. In this one you’ll learn how to optimise your profile, promote your business, create a business page - it touches the main aspects you need to master to get results with Facebook.

140 Characters: A style guide for the short form - Dom Sagolla

I haven’t yet finished this one but it’s definitely already worthy of being on this list. As relevant for status updates in Facebook and LinkedIn, the book covers basic grammar, creating your own style, writing for best effect using Twitter and other short-form vehicles.

If you have any book recommendations you’d like to share, I’d be happy to hear from you.

AUDIO VS PRINT BOOKS

I’ve been an audio book listener of a couple of years, but more so this year partly because I don’t want to wait (I can start the book now - I don’t need to wait to get the physical copy) and partly because of convenience (I can consume the material when I’m walking or driving).

These days I buy most books in both audio and printed version. The audio gets listened to pretty quickly. The printed version ends up more like a workbook with highlights, post-it notes stuck through it and as an easy to follow reference for implementation of the principles contained in the book.

To Kindle or Not to Kindle?

I haven’t bought a Kindle yet. I have the iphone app version of it and may get one (but I’m yet to be convinced of the extra benefits…. Right now I’m using my iphone to read/listen to the vook Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk (get the vook in the Apple Apps store). The iphone is plenty big enough for me to read on. Also, with the Apple tablet (hopefully) not too far away, I’ll be interested to see if that creeps into the same territory as Kindle.

Best wishes,

Suzi

Additional Resources

Tara Hunt on Twitter

Chris Brogan on Twitter

Chris Anderson on Twitter

South by South West Festival (I’m going. Hope you’ll be there too.)

Free tool to get your business going from Good to Great

In his business bestseller Good to Great, Jim Collins recommends you start a “Stop Doing” list.

“Those who built the good-to-great companies… made as much use of ’stop doing’ lists as ‘to do’ lists. They displayed a remarkable discipline to unplug all sorts of extraneous junk.” he explains.

A SMALL GIFT TO HELP YOU DETERMINE YOUR TODOs and DONT’s

We’ve put together an easy-to-use 2010 Action Plan which itemises things to Stop, Start and Continue in 2010. Just print out and use to make your list of To Dos and To Dont’s!

What to Start
What are you ready to create and make a start on?
What products and services? What behaviours and ways of being?What activities?

What to Stop
What is not working? What is draining your energy and not producing what you want? Better to cut off a loser and ride a winner. There’s limitless options available to you at any point, so decide what is not worth your time and energy and Stop.

What to Continue
What is ‘growing legs’ but needs more attention? What did you try this year and have success with? Can you do more of it in the new year?

We’ve used this system her are the Australian Businesswomen’s Network to determine what projects, products and programs we should start, continue and stop. It’s a very simple concept, but it works to focus energy.

I hope you’ll enjoy using it.

Suzi

Corporate Gift Ideas from our Members! Discounts and bonuses.

It’s that time of year. Time to shop for gifts to say thanks and show your appreciationto those who have supported you this year.

We are committed to making things easier for you in business - and this year we decided to also make it easy for you to buy gifts for Christmas. We asked our partners and members just like you to put together some specials for you for Christmas

Here is a fantastic list of 42 Christmas offers and specials from member-to-member. Save on active wear, marketing services, web design, cupcakes, children’s books, makeup, paper products, even fashion styling. You save AND you help another woman in business and fellow member. See all the specials here and Happy Shopping!

Not a member? Join now and save.

Your 30 Day Social Media Plan - #30DSM - Day 30: 30 Days of Social Media

It’s Day 30 of 30 Days of Social Media. We’ve covered a lot of ground over the last month and yet it feels like it would be easy to go for another 30 days of tips and strategies on how to put social media to work for your business.

Today, however, let’s take a look at how we can start to implement some strategy into your social media activity.

Your 30 Day Social Media Plan

Execution and implementation is the key to being successful with any new body of knowledge. No point knowing new stuff and then not doing anything with it. (As a serial student of business I am guilty of learning, learning and more learning. The magic seems to happen when I actually use and share what I have learned.)

I believe that if we focus on ONE area for a whole month, we’ll do better than splitting our energies across the myriad of areas. (Ok, you can sneak two or three areas of focus into your plan, but I suggest you consider putting together a 30 day plan for one area to start.)

Over the last 30 days we’ve looked at:

• Wikis
• Twitter strategies
• Facebook Pages
• Online Networking
• RSS (Real Simple Syndication)
• Promoting events through social media
• Generating Leads
• Podcasting
• Using Video and YouTube
• Managing Your Online brand
• and a whole lot more…

So, what ONE area would you like to focus further on for the next month?

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YOUR 30 DAY SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN FOR [INSERT YOUR FOCUS AREA HERE]

Here are three steps to take to create a one-page plan for this area:

Step 1:

Choose an area of Social Media to focus on for the next month.

Step 2:

Set your goals and objectives for this area. (Hint: Stay big picture and set some measurable goals that we can look back at in 30 days and celebrate the achievement of.)

Step 3:

Determine what three actions can you take

• tomorrow
• next week
• over 30 days

to get closer to the achievement of your goals for this area of social media.

EXAMPLE

AREA: Facebook Page for My Business

GOALS:

1. Set up a Facebook page by (date)
2. Get a vanity URL
3. Add photos and a video
4. Post at least once a week to the page

2. Have 100 fans for the page by the end of the month

3. Integrate my Facebook Page strategy into my business strategy

ACTIONS

Week 1:

• Post twice to the Notes section:
  • post link to one relevant article
  • post link to one relevant event
• Advertise/promote the page on my email, on  my website, in a newsletter, through Twitter and other social networks

etc.

Take action. Do it now. Set you goals and schedule the activities that you’ll complete to get to these goals.

Thanks for taking part in 30 Days of Social Media.

Write and tell me what you plan to focus on. I’d love to hear from you and be a part of your journey.

Until then,

Suzi

(I owe thanks to many people for their support with this free program. I’ll write more on that tomorrow!)

How to promote your event through social media – a DIY Guide in three easy steps! #30DSM - Day 29: 30 Days of Social Media

Organising an event at the best of times can be a chore. However with the growing appeal of social networking sites this often arduous task can be made a little easier. Brooke Simmons of Pursuit Communications illustrates the steps to promote your event through social networking sites in today’s 30 Days of Social Media lesson.

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How to promote your event through social media – a DIY Guide in three easy steps!

by Brooke Simmons

Firstly, you will have to decide if it’s relevant to promote your event through social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc. If it’s a “soft” product launch - there’s no point in telling the world about it – wait until all the “wrinkles” have been ironed out and then invite the masses. The same can be said for a VIP event: the last thing any organiser needs is a mass of people turning up at an event, which is intended for a select group of people.

Equally there’s no point in organising an event where members of the general public are invited to attend and there are very few people aware of the event in the first place!  If you don’t promote it properly, how will anyone be expected to know?

Cue the social networking site.

These sites offer a range of solutions to track, interact and ultimately control any event you wish to promote.

If you believe there’s an opportunity to promote your event via a social networking site you will firstly need to understand “your audience”.

1. DECIDE which mix of social media outlets will be suitable for your launch. To do this, think about the networks you keep in all of your social media outlets. LinkedIn is often associated with past-colleagues and current client contacts. Facebook is, for many people, a combination of friends and Twitter can often be a combination of these two. So use your best judgement on which outlet or outlets you’ll use and stick to them. (I recommend using no more than two outlets for promoting any activity – I’ll come to this in a moment.)

Once you have decided on which outlet(s) you’ll use for your event, make sure you use the social networking site sensibly.

2. REMEMBER it’s a social networking site not a place where you can bombard everyone with invitations, reminders and messages about the event. Just with fashion, less is more. What you believe to be a “friendly second, third or fourth reminder” can be interpreted by others as spam.

Once you offer the initial invitation allow people a chance to respond by the specified RSVP date, answer any questions that may be asked in the meantime and only follow up after the RSVP deadline, ensuring you leave enough time between the RSVP date and the event itself to allow for extra details to be added. These could include additional background material, late confirmation of special celebrity guests – that kind of thing. I suggest allowing an additional day for following up RSVPs from a social networking site; some people aren’t as vigilant checking their social networking accounts as they are with their e-mails.

3.  The most important tip I’ll offer is to use THE TOOLS that are available for each social networking site.  Some suggestions are:

• Link a post about the event to your Linkedin page from your blog – a majority of times you’ll be able to do this through a widget. A cross pollination such as this can often encourage people who may not have regularly visited your blog to do so and vice versa.  A blog entry also allows you to enter more details about your event and give potential attendees a chance to comment on the event.
• Create an event on Facebook: if you choose, this will allow your attendees to post their images, comments and topics about the event all on one tidy page.
• Create a “hashtag”  on Twitter for your event so those attending who are Twitter users can comment about the event, track back previous tweets and see what others are tweeting all by searching for a simple “hashtag”. For example for a client event that I have coming up I’ll be using the “hashtag” #ToniaTodmanRoses and #Bluminlaunch. If you’re still confused this site offers a great explanation.
• Consider looking at Eventbrite for use on social networking sites: it’s easy to use and the site walks you through the whole process.
• For those people who may not be able to attend due to geographic location, why not consider creating a webcast of the event or inviting people to attend via Skype.

Ultimately use common sense when it comes to organising an event and promoting through social networking site. Don’t create more work for yourself than is needed and use the power of social networking sites to your advantage.

Good luck!

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Brooke Simmons - Pursuit Communications

Brooke Simmons has over four years experience within the public relations arena and over ten years experience in the media, most recently she has worked on the following clients - Events by Olivia, Gosford City Council, Talk’N Tours, I Hate Cinderella, Wet Ones, Sassi Sam,  SBNG – Small Business Networking Group Central Coast NSW, Sam’s Beer, Blumin’ & Tonia Todman Roses, Brands on Sale Campbelltown, United Airlines, Lenovo Australian Olympic Torch Relay, Radisson Resort Fiji, Lufthansa Airlines, REED Constructions Australia, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Autodesk - Australia, Glass Onion Website Design and OZtion Online Auction Site.

In addition to her public relations capabilities Brooke has held the title of Managing Editor for Manchester Unity’s member magazine U Magazine from December 2006 –April 2008.

Prior to her foray in the public relations arena, Brooke has held other roles within the media industry. Previously working at; Silverspan Marketing, Nova 969 FM and Regional Radio Bureau - now known as Regional Radio Works.  As a result Brooke is well versed on the many facets of the media and also holds a great number of media contacts.

She is contactable at the following email address and phone number;
E: brooke@pursuitcommunications.com.au, P: +61 (0) 407 780 710

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TODAY’S TASK

Got an event coming up? Post it on one of your social networks today.

Until tomorrow,

Suzi

Do you make these Top 11 mistakes with your social media? #30DSM - Day 28: 30 Days of Social Media

Social media can be seriously profitable for your business. “It’s the secret low cost marketing weapon used by the leading entrepreneurs. But, it can go horribly wrong if you make these mistakes…” explains today’s 30 Days of Social Media contributor, Meredith Collins. She identifies 11 mistakes that you don’t want to make.

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Mistake #1. Trying to sell something. Although it might seem counter intuitive, if you try to pitch something too soon you are bound for disaster. Social Media is like a big party. You wouldn’t walk into a party and start selling everyone your products. You would spend time to make friends and get to know people. You would share some things about yourself and have conversations with people who were on your wavelength.  Social Media is relationship and referral marketing amplified – so use this as a PR machine, not a straight sales tool.

Mistake #2. Lack of consistency. If you decide to use Social Media then commit consistent time to the process of using it.  Dependent upon your strategy, you may need to ”tweet” daily or ”blog”/”post” every few days or weekly.  Whatever the strategy, consistency is key and you must devise a plan and stick to it.  Your target market needs consistency and reliability – your commitment and visibility speaks volumes about your business.

Mistake #3. Wrong place wrong market. Choose your social media sites well.  Be strategic about which sites you use and where your target market is looking.  A local business may not be using the same social media as a specialised, niche or global business.  This is not about throwing balls in the air and hoping they will land correctly – it is a powerful relationship marketing tool.

Mistake #4. Joining too many Social Sites. I always say to clients ”don’t do four sites badly – you are better off doing one really well”.  Be strategic about which sites you use, add value and manage them well.  The big sites are LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Plaxo and Wordpress, and depending upon your business, article marketing might be very effective.

Mistake #5 Failing to ’add value’ for your market. Value for your target market is the rule in Social Media – and ”surprising value” is the way to go.  Social media is all about relationships and positioning yourself as an expert – so put more value in your posts, articles, audio (podcast) files, videos and recommendations and offer surprising value – enough value that your target market remembers you and wants to engage with you.

Mistake #6 Focusing on promotion over content. This ties in with Mistake #5 – if you don’t push out good content, there is no perceived value.  Promotion can come later and even disguised as content when you have a market who wants what you have got.  ”Do” Social Media well and the money will come.

Mistake #7 Making contentious or argumentative statements. Contentious statements may attract attention, but they may also lose your audience. Condescending or argumentative topics are unlikely to work in the long term.  Just think of that argumentative person in the office…. don’t go there.

Mistake #8 Taking instead of giving. Remember Social Media is about relationships first.  Give value, give suggestions, give value, give advice, give ideas, give news give possibilities, give gratitude and do not take relentlessly.  One of my biggest joint ventures came after some “giving”. GIVE = Give Influence Very Easily – give first and you will never be second.

Mistake #9 Not joining groups. The premise of Web2.0 and Social Media is community – sharing and expertise.  Be seen within groups that are of interest, add value to you and to which you can add value for others.  Position yourself and share your expertise.  No one ever made it to the top being a Lone Ranger and contribution and mixing is important if you want to make it in Social Media.

Mistake #10 Don’t shun face to face events. Face to face networking is still a significant way to connect and the connection can continue online.  Others are far more likely to recommend you, continue to network online and follow you in the Social Media spaces, once they have met you.  You will learn from others, expand your own circle and be able to offer significant value to those with whom you come in contact. This is where we add some value for you.

Mistake #11 Having incomplete Social Media profiles. You cannot maximise your work opportunities with an incomplete Resume.  Neither can you maximise your connections, potential client interest or business opportunities with incomplete profiles.  Ensure that your profiles are complete and get to the point and offer information your market wants.  Enlist the help of experts to get you set up correctly in the first instance.  Create the best impression you can.

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Meredith Collins is the founder of Video Social Marketing, an organisation which specialises in teaching business owners and entrepreneurs how to leverage the awesome power of video and social media for your business. For more great articles, resources, tips and training programs on Social Media for Business go to www.videosocialmarketing.net

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TODAY’S TASK

Are you making any of these mistakes? Which one(s)? How will you change your strategy as a result of identifying these mistakes?

Until tomorrow,

Suzi

The 4 Ps of Online Networking #30DSM - Day 27: 30 Days of Social Media

Maximise your online connections, build relationships with purpose and make the most of online networking with The 4 Ps of Online Networking from today’s 30 Days of Social Media guest contributor - Iggy Pintado, author of Connection Generation.

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The 4 Ps of Online Networking

by Iggy Pintado

A question I get asked quiet often is that with my variety of presences on online networks like Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter and the large number of followers I have on these platforms, how do I find the time and energy to put into it. My answer invariably goes back to the basics of online networking, which I call the 4 P’s. These are: PURPOSE, PROFILE, PARTICIPATION and PERSISTENCE.

First, there’s PURPOSE. Before I even think about logging on each day I reflect on why I’m doing all this. For me, it’s about expanding my network by reconnecting with family, friends and former and current colleagues, introducing myself to people with interesting profiles around Australia and in other countries and identifying groups with shared interests. Once I’d establish my connections base, it was about sharing information, ideas and concepts.To achieve this, I decided early on to be an Open Networker. This meant accepting invitations from other people who I didn’t directly know but whose profiles were consistent with my shared interests. It’s been said that the internet is either a time saver or a time waster. Clearly understanding what you want to get out of it determines your focus and how much time you spend on online networking.

Then there’s PROFILE. Once you sign up to an online network, you’re well on the way to creating your own personal brand on the web. This is a unique opportunity to present yourself online by the one person who knows you best – you. By building and posting a compelling profile, you provide others with the ability to find you and attract other users who want to know you, potentially utilise your skills, sell you something you might value, just establish a connection or even offer you a job. So take the time to develop a profile that best represents you, including a photo, your key achievements and your competencies.

Thirdly, there’s PARTICIPATION. Online networking is social and is like attending a party or business function. You could choose to sit in a corner all night and then complain how bad it was. Once you’ve got your profile up, be a participant - not a wallflower. The same social principles as a party apply - introduce yourself to others, start a conversation, share your thoughts, join a group discussion, ask questions or play a silly game. Do something that shows that you’re actively involved in the network and that you want to be there.

Finally, there’s PERSISTENCE. If you want to achieve your purpose, you have to stick with it. The obvious analogy is getting fit. We all know that we need to exercise regularly to get fit. Same with online networking. Get into the discipline of setting time aside – some, not at so much that it consumes you but regularly enough to participate in network activities – and keep at it. There may be times when you don’t get a timely response to an invitation, posting or some other message. My advice is to persist.

To get the most out of online networking, you need to work on it. Make the time to clearly articulate your purpose and goals, get into the discipline of refining and  enhancing your profile, actively participate in network initiatives that support your goals and most of all – keep at it.

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Iggy Pintado is the CEO and Chief Networking Officer at ConnectGen, a business networking consulting firm. His first book, Connection Generation is a fascinating study of how connectedness affects our place in society and business and the challenges and opportunities this compelling development presents. Book site is www.connectiongeneration.com.

Listen to Iggy speak about the 4 P’s of Online Networking to BNET’s Phil Dobbie.

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TODAY’S TASK
How have you participated today in social networking?
Have you posted a Tweet? Tweeted a post? Updated your online profiles?
Take one action to keep your online activities current.

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