Leveraging Social Networking for Success: What is a Social Network
What exactly is a social network? Most people understand that LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are social networks, and are considered a subset of social media. But social networking includes a very broad category of sites; there are many networks you may not have even considered that can propel your job hunt. What exactly is social media and why is it important?
Related Posts:
- Social Networking Terminology
- Leveraging Social Networking for Success: Personal Branding
- Leveraging Social Networking for Success
- Social Networking for Career Success Using Online Tools to Create a Personal Brand: Introduction
- Social Networking for Career Success Using Online Tools to Create a Personal Brand: Foreword
SearchEngineWatch.com defines it as the following: “A category of sites that is based on user participation and usergenerated content. They include social networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook … social news sites like Digg or Reddit, and other sites that are centered on user interaction.”
OnlineMatters.com suggests: “Social media is any form of online publication or presence that allows end users to engage in multi-directional conversations in or around the content on the website.”
DuctTapeMarketing.com agrees, defining social media as: ” … the use of technology combined with social interaction to create or co-create value.”
Keep that last definition in mind-it’s important to focus on the fact that you will be creating and adding value to the social network you choose. Social media and social networking focus on two-way interactions, between the site (or the person running the site) and the people reading or using it. A blog that allows comments is a two-way interaction between the author and anyone who comments; an online bookmarking site that encourages you to share your preferences with your cohort is social.
It’s important to know how to leverage these networks to make the most of them for your career success. This chapter will help you learn how to use online tools, including social networks, to effectively research target markets, position yourself as an expert, and attract potential employers.
Source: Miriam Salpeter, “Social Networking for Career Success,” Learning Express, LLC, New York, 2011
Republished by Why Online Marketing
