Social Media for professionals – networking in the new age

Business professionals in today’s technology rich environments are presented with many opportunities to market ourselves. The rise in the past 5 years of social media platforms has provided us with amazing opportunities to leverage our networks both nationally and internationally.

What is the difference between networking and social media? In reality nothing! Networking involves the use of social media and social media provides many different platforms for networking.

Many business owners and professionals ask me “What sites should I use”? and “How do I integrate all of my social media sites”? In addition, the big question I am asked is “Should I use facebook for business”?

An online network provides unmatched freedom, enabling participants [you and your clients and potential clients] to post inquiries and information at any time and from any place.

Business networking is a marketing method by which business opportunities are created through networks of like-minded business people.

Business networking allows the business person to build new business relationship and generate business opportunities at the same time.

Social networking focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others

Let me cover the three most popular social media/networking sites first.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn started out in the living room of co-founder Reid Hoffman in 2002. The site officially launched on May 5, 2003. At the end of the first month in operation, LinkedIn had a total of 4,500 members in the network.

As of September 30, 2011 (the end of the third quarter), professionals are signing up to join LinkedIn at a rate that is faster than two new members per second.

The company is publicly held and has a diversified business model with revenues coming from hiring solutions, marketing solutions and premium subscriptions.

As of November 3, 2011, LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with more than 135 million members in over 200 countries and territories. Fifty-nine percent of LinkedIn members are located outside of the United States.

There were nearly two billion people searches on LinkedIn in 2010. Based on third quarter 2011 metrics, LinkedIn members are on pace to do more than four billion searches on the LinkedIn platform in 2011.

If you are in business then you need to have a profile in LinkedIn.