Twitter, The Art of Networking, and Your Digital Footprint

 

Twitter. Only one of the biggest platforms to host anyone ranging from CEOs to average people like you and me. Twitter can be a source of news, entertainment, and many other things. This article briefly explains Twitter's role in the professional world. 

Networking

Twitter can be a great place to network because this is where you can find people from all backgrounds. If you are looking to learn more about a certain topic; someone on Twitter is bound to give you some information on it within a few hours. You can then follow and this could even lead to a connection with the person who is able to share this knowledge with you. This expands your area of knowledge on the subject and also gains a connection that could lead to future opportunities. 

As the jargon goes, "It's not what you know, but who you know". Who you know is important for those seeking jobs, internships, or any experiences that will help them make strides in their future careers. According to Micheal Royce on Socedo in his article 14 Reasons Why Every Professional Should Have A Twitter Account, Twitter opens up to you a world of experts that would physically be very hard to reach and yet way more accessible just by a few taps. This shows the power of the internet.

This doesn't guarantee a response, but it does allow chances to expand your network that is inclusive of those who are responsive amongst those who are not. Royce also mentions that it also could be a source of growth in terms of your "personal brand since you are able to share your thoughts and amass followers" (Royce, 2021).

PLN: Personalized Learning Network

Networking can also be called PLN. According to Tom Whitby in his article called How Do I Get a PLN? on Edutopia, "A PLN is a tool that uses social media and technology to collect, communicate, collaborate and create with connected colleagues anywhere at any time" (Whitby, 2013). Some identified benefits are listed by Stephanie Leishman, a social media strategist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the article How to build your PLN on Twitter. These benefits were: Learning, Networking, Visibility, and Reputation. A way to make the most of these personalized networks is to frequently inject yourself into a conversation. In other words, you must participate within the chats that are created by others where you can ask questions in order to gain knowledge on this common interest from someone who is just as passionate as you on the subject.

Personal Learning Networks are a great place to find others in your field but are also a good way to learn more about other fields and expand your network. Learning from others, and in return, teaching others with your knowledge allows for a greater connection between two individuals, and a better sense of trust so that if they leave with more knowledge than before, they would most likely recommend you to other people, and vice-versa. This allows for you to gain a good reputation and a good show of character for others willing to connect with you. Social media, and the internet as a whole, allows for this trade of knowledge and networking, like never before.

Digital Footprint

As one learns to navigate the world of social media and the internet, one must remember to think about their digital footprint and what they leave out on the internet. As stated by Kristina Ericksen's blog Your Digital Footprint: What is it and How Can You Manage It?, your digital footprint is anything and everything about you or what you put out into the internet. Your digital footprint is not just your search history or accounts on websites, but it also includes any social media platform you may have, such as Twitter, blogs, articles, and so much more. Any activities you perform online can be found by anyone, from possible employers to friends and family.

In the first chapter of Josh Ochs' book, Light, Bright & Polite: For Professionals, he goes over how the use of social media can affect your chances of possible employment, networking, and your overall career. Josh Ochs describes a digital footprint as anything that comes up when searching for an individual online. He mentions the fact that a lot of people online believe that they are shielded by the anonymity of the internet and are allowed to post whatever they want without the consequences from employers or future employers. He debunks that statement by bringing up the fact that employers not only have access to your resume, which has your education, experiences, and personal information but that certain employers are able to look you up online to find any activities that may cause trouble. Josh Ochs also mentions that even if everyone in your current circle has the same views and beliefs as you, other people who may look you up online for networking may not share the same views and may not give you the chance to be associated with them.

Twitter, like all social media platforms, is a place where people can express how they feel and be seen by hundreds, if not, thousands of people. Though with that kind of freedom, our digital footprint grows more and more, and anyone who would want to associate with you can see the kind of thoughts and beliefs that you express. This is why both Josh Ochs and Kristina Ericksen agree that managing one's digital footprint can better improve your networking and your brand. Avoiding social media prevents you from expanding your network, and stops you from gaining new opportunities that were never present before. By improving your Twitter, and therefore your digital footprint, you can leave a strong message to employers, colleagues, and networkers by showing that you are someone that they can be happy to be associated with.