The Social Networking Credibility Series: Part 1

by Nancy Marmolejo on February 2, 2009

in Social Networking

When you use social networking to build your online business, you can’t rely only on the number of followers you have on Twitter to provide credibility. If a follower is truly interested in doing business with you, that person will take the effort to check you out to make sure you’re all you say you are.

In this series of blog posts, I’m going to introduce some ways to build your credibility. Credibility sells, especially in this economic climate.

Credibility Tip #1:

1. Write a Great Social Networking Profile

I’ve written about this topic, taught webinars on it, and still need to remind people that a social networking profile page is your calling card and your friendly handshake all rolled into one. You need to state who you are, who you work with, and the results you deliver. This is your chance to speak your expertise and arouse their curiosity so they want to learn more.

Personal or Professional Info?

Many people have a mix of professional contacts and personal friends on social networking sites like Facebook.  That makes it hard to decide how much personal and how much professional information to include. You need to decide how you want to use these sites. If you’re there primarily to connect with online business contacts, then lead with your expertise and let your personal information come in after that. Don’t distract people with too much personal information, but do include enough to make it inviting to connect with you.

When you’re clear with your profile information, you make it easy for your followers to decide what they want to do next.

The next tip will highlight an easy way to invite others to learn more about you.

So what are you doing to make your profile great? Do share, the readers want to know.

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Related posts:

  1. The Social Networking Credibility Series: Part 2
  2. Social Networking Mindset Tip#2: Be Approachable!
  3. Social Networking Tip: Use Questions to Spark Dialog
  4. How to Create a Winning Social Networking Profile

  • Thanks for this gem of advice Nancy.
    In a business context I also like to see a few light-hearted words to describe someone’s character. It makes them feel more human and less threatening and often gives people a nice lead-in to start a conversation. I tell people that I’m a complete dance-a-holic as well as telling them what I do in a business context. It seems to be an ice-breaker!
    It is often other’s little nuances that make me want to engage with them.
  • Yes indeed, the nuances are the mortar between the bricks.
  • Hi Nancy,
    Good advise! I think that the way you express yourself and set yourself apart from your competition can and should begin in your profile. I think it also needs to be rich in benefits that your market needs and wants.
  • Thanks for this Nancy. I think it depends which social networking site you are spending most of your time on when you decide how mych professional/personal proportions to have. I think facebook needs a blend but like you, I think that if you are there nostly professionally then we should major on the business. Mne is never done and needs tweaking.
    Twitter however is somewhere where i think if you get to business orientated it can get a bit dry. Posting links and info AL the time is just as boring as those who want to tell you when they visit the bathroom! i still haven't sorted Twitter out completely for myself yet:)
  • I've learned a lot about social networking from you!

    I have a mix of things on my FB profile. My photo looks very 'corporate' and the info page lists my favorite TV shows (which are definitely not business related) and my interests and hobbies (wine tasting and karaoke to name a couple) aren't so business oriented either.

    I've hooked up Twitter and Twhirl to FB (as you suggested) and send inspiring quotes plus business and personal updates to my tweeple and FB buddies.

    It's all be a ton of fun!

    <abbr>Loretta Love Huff - The Dream Leader for Businesss last blog post..3 Tips to Make It All Work & Grow Your Business with Grace & Ease</abbr>
  • Loretta, I dare you to post a video of you doing karaoke! Who knows, maybe it will get you some more TV spots! :-)
  • I think our profiles should be succint, just like Nancy's tip here. I am just discovering what a trail we leave when we post on forums. When I google my name, alsorts gets shown and becuase of this I have decided to up the % of posts I make that highlight what I have to offer and decrease the % that are more personal. I might even choose a new username for less professional type sites, so that I can still play, but compartmentalise I bit
    Zannie Rose
  • Great advice Nancy. It's an especially important tip to try to maintain a balance of personal and professional to encourage both interaction and connection but also convey a professional image.
  • Good advice Nancy!
    I find writng a profile is a little like describing the taste to chocolate to someone who has never experienced it. I never know if what I write in that tiny space captures my qualities in a clear, credibile and interesting way. I'm going back to the drawing board to have a look again. Hmmm...How often should you change your profile up a bit?

    <abbr>Jills last blog post..Social Media 101</abbr>
  • What a great analogy! The wonderful thing about a profile is that you don't need to have it etched in stone. I like sprucing mine up every now and then. I guess it's never done, just like we're never done!
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