Twitter Does Not Work

July 24th, 2010

At a networking event yesterday, one of the attendees told me “Twitter does not work.”

It was an emphatic statement and he appeared frustrated by this scenario. Curious about his experience, I asked him to tell me more. He explained he had set up a Twitter account about 6 months ago and had not used the account since then. In his situation, he tweeted a couple of times then completely stopped using the account.

I do not have all the details but assumed the results he saw did not match his expectations.

In your experience, how long does it take, assuming active use of a networking tool, to see results? What would you advise someone you met who told you social networking tools do not work?

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Social Networks Are The Newest Recruiting Tool

July 22nd, 2010

I just read an article in Forbes that said social networks are the newest recruiting tool.

Here are a couple of LinkedIn statistics from the article:
* used by 80% of companies recruiting through the social Web.
* 90% of companies that recruit through social networks have successfully found candidates on LinkedIn.

I talk with recruiters and hiring managers every week who tell me the same thing. They research candidates online and what they find impacts their decision to follow up. They do not hire those who have negative comments or pictures on their profile.

Just as interesting, they do not hire people without a social networking presence either. They assume the candidate who is not online is “behind the times”, “out of touch”, “just not current”. Who wants to hire someone like this?

I am so passionate about the topic, so I had to write this book, Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About? I go way beyond the basics in the book. My goal was to answer some of the deeper, more specific questions I’m asked.

What would you say to someone who asked you “Why should I join LinkedIn?”

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LinkedIn Webinar for Columbia Alumni

July 20th, 2010

Webinar: LinkedIn for Job Search
July 28 Noon – 1:15 pm Central
led by April M. Williams, Speaker, Author, Coach

Workshop Fee for Columbia College Alumni: $15 (Discounted from $32)

Learn how LinkedIn has helped 70 million professionals around the world further connection, create opportunities and build careers. This webinar is specifically for who are new to using LinkedIn and/or interested in how LinkedIn can serve their job search. Get an overview of key features along with important effectiveness and etiquette/protocol tips.

This fast-paced webinar highlights:
- Tailoring your profile to be noticed in your job search
- Building online networking connections
- Initiating introduction requests
- Effectively using groups
- Leveraging Q&A
- And more!

Sessions will last about 75 minutes with time for participant questions. Please note: your registration confirmation will include logon information and dial-in number (long distance charges may apply).

REQUIREMENTS:
Basic computer knowledge and a computer with high-speed internet access and telephone.

Contact Information
Primary Contact
Cyn Vargas
312-369-8640
cvargas@colum.edu

Date: July 28, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM
Location: online

More information

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Algonquin Farmers Market

July 8th, 2010

We live in McHenry County, Illinois and support our local business owners. Here is a video of our visit to shop with the vendors at the Algonquin Farmers Market.

Stop by any Thursday evening from 1 PM – 7 PM at the corners of Harrison & Washington Streets in the heart of beautiful historic downtown Algonquin. Plenty of free parking and a wide variety of vendors showcasing the best of McHenry County. The event runs now through September 30th.

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Are You LinkedIn Call

July 7th, 2010

LinkedIn has become an important tool for business. Currently, LinkedIn has over 70 million members in more than 200 countries around the globe. Are you using LinkedIn to make the most of your business or are you missing out.

Learn more what LinkedIn is and how it can help your career at this webinar.

Price of admission? Just let us know your LinkedIn question. What do you want to know about LinkedIn? Enter your question in the form below and check your email for the date and time of the call.

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Fast Company Influence Project

July 6th, 2010

I was intrigued when I heard about the Six Degrees of Separation project and how we are so tightly connected. As I meet more people, I find the world feels smaller and smaller. It seems like distances are shrinking.

Fast Company just started the Influence Project to create a visual representation of how we are all connected. Check it out the Influence Project and see how we are all one big worldwide family.

You might be surprised at how influential you really are!
Writing Spider
Creative Commons License photo credit: Fatback[Dale]

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Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

June 30th, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: April M. Williams

Cyberlife Tutors

847-207-7412

april@cyberlifetutors.com

Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

Social Networking Connects Business Community

ALGONQUIN, IL, July 1, 2010 – Networking means time, often taking us away from our business and family. Most business owners face the same problem. How can I be more effective in my networking to build my business?

Recognizing the need to connect with others to build business, twenty members of the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce expanded their business networking skills with the “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” LinkedIn class. The session led by April M. Williams of CyberLife Tutors was co-sponsored by the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce and Shah Center for Corporate Training.

“The enthusiasm of the class was contagious!” said Barbara Mikula, Branch Manager at Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp. “We are so excited to be able to connect with other chamber members to promote growth in our businesses in a relaxed and fun environment!”

The “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” session provides business owners with the tools to create a LinkedIn presence that attracts clients. It focuses on updating your LinkedIn profile to make a positive first impression.

Monica Hamann, Branch Manager at McHenry Savings Bank in Richmond, had this to say about the session: “I liked it a lot, great marketing tool. The class was very informative and easy to follow.”

About CyberLife Tutors:

CyberLife Tutors, located in Algonquin, Illinois, specializes in integrating social networking with traditional marketing for McHenry County businesses. April’s book, Social Networking Throughout Your Career is available on Amazon.com.

More information on upcoming classes available at the following link: http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/?p=606

EDITORS: If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with April M. Williams, please contact April at 847-207-7412 or email April@cyberlifetutors.com.

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Video How To on YouTube

June 29th, 2010

YouTube is a video sharing site and is now the number two search engine surpassing Yahoo.

A picture is worth a thousand words and a video is even more valuable.

Have you checked out our video how to playlist on Youtube? Visit our playlist to watch tips on using Twitter, Facebook and more.

What topics would you like to see covered in future videos?

If you like to travel or visit sites off the beaten path, check out our video podcast show “Where Are You Today?” on YouTube. You never know where will we will find interesting places and people to share with you.

Recent stops:

  • Meeting a volunteer at “The Falls of Clyde” only remaining iron hulled ship in the world
  • Paying respects to Kam Fong, Hawaii Five-0′s”Chin Ho Kelly” in Diamond Head
  • Touring the Hutto, Texas Hippos
  • Chillin’ at Winter Fest in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
  • Watching Santa ride a Harley in the Toys for Tots ride

Let us know other videos you would like to see.

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Tweets and Your Insurance

June 29th, 2010

What does Twitter and your tweets have to do with your insurance rates? There could be a close relationship.

According to web strategist, Jeremiah Owyang, there could be a deep connection between our insurance rates and what we say on social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook. In his resent blog post, Jeremiah notes that insurance companies already influence rates based on historical behavior.

Jeremiah predicts there are three ways companies can influence rates based on social data:

  1. Monitor and glean intelligence
  2. Penalize ill-behavior
  3. Reward members with pro-wellness activity

Sure.
Creative Commons License photo credit: Ross Catrow
In my experience working at an insurance company, we used statistical information to tie behavior to rates. For example, data showed customers with lower credit scores submitted more claims. Therefore, our rating included credit scores and low scores resulted in higher insurance rates.

What implications do you see this having on social networking behaviors? Will your behavior change do to these concerns?

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LinkedIn for Iphone

June 29th, 2010

Do you have an Iphone? If so, have you tried the new LinkedIn for Iphone application?

I downloaded this free application a while back and have tested it out several times. One thing I like about the application is it is easy to navigate to. Tap on the LinkedIn application icon from the Iphone screen and the application opens. No need to type a URL into the web browser.

The Iphone LinkedIn application gives me access to my LinkedIn inbox so I can respond to emails while I am away from my office.

One thing I do not like is that I can only search through some of my contacts, not all without downloading them to my phone.

There is a way to connect IRL (in real life) with other Iphone LinkedIn application users. If we meet IRL and you have the app, let’s test this out.

Let me know what you think of the LinkedIn Iphone application.

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