using social networking to build your ymca career

Social Networks…

…not just 4 kidz

Image from lolnptech.blogspot.com

When you think about Social Networks you might think….

= place 4 kids to be stoopid

= place 4 college kids with nothing else to do

Let’s not forget these either.

not even sure what those are?

or all these...

By now you are wondering what this has to do with growing my

career.

Social Networking as a career tool

Networking Tool

Online Reputation

Resource Library

Who you know

Who you are

What you know

This guy is so crazy. I will just smile and Nod.

I cant get my own work done, how would I have time to play on the internet all day?

Lets put the question of

finding time for this in the

parking lot for now.

Resource Library

Surfing the web more purposefully…

You’re surfing the web..

You find an article, tool or web site you really like!

You probably save it as a favorite.

Favorites• stored locally – only

accessible on that computer

• sorted by folder

Social Bookmarks• Public or private• Searchable• Tagged not folders• Can be tied to

Facebook, Twitter, & other Social Networks

But using favorites has its limits…

Tagging

• family• vacation• Kentucky• 2008• outdoors• Heye• NaturalBridge• all6

Enter title and description

Send to friends in your network

Tag with Keywords

Tagging a web site

Browse your bookmarks

Browse bookmarks by

keywords

Search bookmarks

Using your tags

Share your bookmarks

Browse your networks’

bookmarks

Search other people’s

bookmarks

Sharing your tags

or using other peoples’ tags

you want to hear the latest or other opinions.

To stay current…

Those opinions are on blogs.

What is a Blog?

A blog (a contraction of the term weblog) is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.

Find some blogs to read

Or just visit your favorite websites or news channels

and look for blogs

buzz.blogger.comblogsearch.google.com/

So why not just Google it?

Does that really say

446 MILLION?

How do you know which

ones to read?

If you don’t know where to start, alltop has done some of the work

for you.

Pick an Alltop topic

Shows you articles from most popular

sites

Shows you posts from most

popular blogs

Gathers your feeds

(subscriptions)

How do you find time to read

other people’s blogs?

RSS or Feed

What is RSS and Reader?

Someone creates the content

Content is transmitted

You set the channel to watch it

Look for the RSS symbol

Look for the RSS symbol

Right click on RSS Symbol and select copy

shortcut (or copy link location

Click add, paste link

Ability to quickly scan headlines

Get new content from numerous

web sites automatically

Review Resource library

• Tag articles of interest• Tag vendors or tools• Search other people’s resources• Subscribe to blogs

Networking tool

Who you know

Or better yet, who

your friends and

colleagues know…

Professional Network

•Online resume•Rolodex•Post accomplishments•Join peer groups

Personal Network

•Personal profile•Friend & Family list•Share photos, video, stories

Start with these networks…

NOTE: Good practice to separate professional and personal communication.

Balance work and personalThink through and understand what is

appropriate to share and where it is allowed

• Read the policies in your employee manual• Use of YMCA equipment• Sharing confidential information• Extra caution with minors (Child Abuse)

• Avoid posting or acting on behalf of the YMCA• Speak from your opinion• Do not use the YMCA logo• If in doubt, start sentence with, In my opinion…

Connect with networkJoin groups

of peers on a topic

Recommend people

Post or Find jobs

Find some online

communities…

Free community for YMCA

staff

Join the group that is right for you.

Find niche online communities

Tips for Online Discussions

• Listen first before posting• Reply to others before asking questions• Learn how to search previous posts• Read the FAQs, common or “sticky” posts• When asking questions:

– Be specific– Provide background– Explain what types of replies you are looking for– Use your manners

Review - Networking Tool

• Stay in touch with those you meet or know• Ask questions with a group of peers• Get new ideas• Get introductions to others• Check references

Online ReputationWho you

areWhat you have done

What you know What you

enjoy

Join groups of peers on a

topic

Share who you are

Work experience

Get Recommendations

Link to your online references

Show who you are!

Display your network

Post your thoughts or

opinions

Helps you think through your

thoughts

Share your

opinion!

Posting is just like

using Word

Easy ability to add tools

Customize the layout

without knowing

code

Review Online Reputation

• Build a portfolio– Post your experience– Celebrate accomplishments

• Share your opinion and thoughts– Get feedback to clarify your ideas

• Answer questions with a group of peers• Get recommendations

How do you find time to look at all of this?

photo from Dsmous on Flickr

Finding time• Start small and find what works for you• Set priorities on tools• Spend 15-30 minutes each morning reading or answering requests• Pick one day a week to spend one hour –

– Writing a blog post– Expanding your network– Replying to other people’s questions

Consider it an investment…

Be purposeful with time

• DON’T READ EVERYTHING• Take time everyday, don’t let it build up• Limit where you start• Learn to use filters• Take time to alter notification settings• Don’t join everything or friend everyone, it’s OK to

say no• If you fall behind just do a dump• DON’T READ EVERYTHING

Notice how busy this is?

The key is to skim and only read

what is important to

you

It will payoff…the next time you:• are at a last minute deadline & need quick info• need a favor • want to contact someone• have a question, (they will reply since you did)

• look for a job• need to show what you have accomplished• struggle to remember something• hire a consultant or employee

Sometimesyou need to look out for you

Networking Tool

Online Reputation

Resource Library

Who you know

Who you are

What you know