Use Your Social Media Platforms for Professional Gain! Week Three: LinkedIn

May 16, 2018

Over the next few weeks, the Marketing and Communication team will be presenting best practices for Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook social media accounts for professional use in the Monday Update. Take a minute to read these best practices to ensure you’re using social media to the best of your ability to boost your professional brand. Also, make sure you’re following DUSON on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, LinkedIn group, YouTube and Flickr!

Week Three: LinkedIn

  1. Know what kind of content to post
    • Keep in mind LinkedIn is similar to an online resume, so ensure the content you’re posting is relevant to your career and is engaging. Remember, LinkedIn is the professional social network, post with a career angle!
  2. Add visuals to your posts
    • Including visuals in your posts will increase interaction and will increase the likelihood that your posts will be seen. Ensure the visuals you’re posting are relevant to your content.
  3. Encourage colleagues to share content
    • Your colleagues are your largest group of supporters! Did you just publish new research in a journal? Ask colleagues to share it on their page to increase distribution of your research.
  4. Keep page information up-to-date
    • Since your resume can be viewed on your page, ensure all of your page information is correct and up-to-date. Update profile and cover photos, descriptions and details.

If you’re currently on LinkedIn and using your account for professional purposes, please email us at dukeuniversityschoolofnursingnews@dm.duke.edu with your LinkedIn account name to be added to a DUSON LinkedIn user directory.

Follow DUSON on LinkedIn and join our LinkedIn group page!

Week Two: Facebook

  1. Keep posts short and specific!
    • Just because you can post a lengthy post doesn’t mean you should.
  2. Add visuals to your posts
    • Including visuals in your posts will increase interaction and will increase the likelihood that your posts will be seen. Ensure the visuals you’re posting are relevant to your content.
  3. Know your target audience
    • If you are using Facebook for professional purposes, know your audience and only publish content that is relevant to them.
  4. Engage with friends
    • Engagement is important! Especially if using Facebook professionally, engage with those who comment on your post about your content!

Follow DUSON on Facebook!

Week One: Twitter

  1. Keep your Tweets short!
    • Keep your tweet focused on a specific message. You can always include a link to a website to convey a longer message.
    • ICYMI: Twitter recently doubled the tweet character limit to 280! (Previously, the character limit was 140)
  2. Add visuals to your Tweets
    • Adding relevant images, videos or GIFs to your tweets not only allow for more engagement, it will allow your personality to shine through!
  3. Use relevant hashtags
    • Using hashtags allow you to expand your reach and be noticed by others who are not following you. Think of hashtags as keywords such as: #nursing #nursingeducation #DUSON
  4. Support your followers and those you’re following with Retweets
    • Retweets allow you to convey important information to your followers through someone that you are following. For example, if DUSON announces someone received an award, instead of personally congratulating that person on your account, consider retweeting DUSON’s post to show support.

If you’re currently on Twitter and using your account for professional purposes, please email us at dukeuniversityschoolofnursingnews@dm.duke.edu with your Twitter account name to be added to a DUSON Twitter user directory.

Follow DUSON on Twitter!

As an employee of Duke, please make sure you're following both the University and Health System's social media policies. 

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