Any individual or company who has a social media presence should do an annual review of their activities in order to increase its power, a Canadian social media consultant advised.
"If you are active on the social web," says Randall Craig, president of Pinetree Advisors in Toronto, "an annual review, and a few resolutions, can make a significant difference to your effectiveness."
Craig provided the following suggestions for a better social media presence:
1. Review and update all of your profiles. Once a year is not so often to update your profiles.
2. Remove out-of-brand comments and photos from profiles. They creep in from others, but impact your brand directly.
3. Disconnect and "defriend" connections that use the tools to fill your page with irrelevant and time-wasting comments.
4. Isolate your personal from your professional social media time. He said there is nothing wrong with playing Farmville. However, it is not work but entertainment and is no different than sitting in front of the TV.
5. Figure out Twitter if you have not already. Craig said it is about the relationship, not the broadcasts.
6. Think about doing a blog.
7. Link your profiles together to improve your personal productivity and spread your perspective further. For example, you can embed a blog within your LinkedIn profile, and wire in your Twitter feed at the same time.
8. Begin monitoring your social footprint. Use Google Alerts, and sign-up for the free version of Hootsuite.
9. Set some goals, Craig suggested. If you are going to spend time on this activity, it pays to think about what you will get for your efforts before you start.
10. Participate in one relevant discussion group or online forum. It will expand your network and provide context and connection to what is happening in your field, he said.
