There’s no escaping it: a social media presence is all but essential for professionals in 2022. It never hurts to start your social media networking now as a student and future professional! But this requires a bit of professional social media etiquette, no matter which platform you are engaging on. Here are a few tips as you start creating your own professional presence online.

Do

• Check your spelling and grammar! First impressions matter, and a spelling mistake or a misused their/they’re/there could result in a negative one.
• Be a generous giver and share interesting posts and articles from your industry that will benefit your followers.
• Support, and when appropriate, promote businesses and organizations that matter to you.
• Infuse some of your personality into your account. Although it’s important to maintain a professional tone on your social media accounts, it’s also important that they reflect who you are as a person. Sharing a bit about yourself and your background can be great ways to develop your personal and professional brand.

Don’t

• However tempting it may be, don’t argue with negative commenters. While replying to feedback and reviews (both positive and negative) is encouraged, it is not a good idea to enter into an argument in the comments section of any social media platform. Instead, thank the commenter for their feedback and invite them to contact you privately to continue the discussion.
• Never forget to give credit where credit is due. Sharing interesting articles and posts from others in your industry is wonderful! However, be sure that they are receiving credit for their work. When in doubt, send a quick message to ask for permission prior to sharing.
• Avoid posting negative reviews about other individuals or businesses. If you have had a negative experience with a business or individual, it is best to contact them directly and privately.
• Steer clear of posting and ghosting. Social media is intended to be just that—social. Instead of hitting post and logging off, take the time to interact with those who comment on your posts and genuinely try to build connections and network with others. This positively impacts how frequently your posts are shown inside the platform as well. It’s a win-win situation!

While it can be tempting to interact with both your personal and professional social media pages using the same approaches, observing this “etiquette” on your professional pages will help you use social media to its full advantage in your career.

About the Author

Jess Schultz is a virtual assistant and the owner and operator of Sweet Simple Collabs. She specializes in working with online entrepreneurs and small, local businesses. Jess spends her days helping business owners optimize their systems, free up their time, and maximize their online impact! You can find her on social media @sweetsimplecollabs.