Tag Archives: social media

8 Top Pinterest Tips for Beginners

Pinterest is a content sharing service where members “pin” images, videos and other objects to their pinboards. Pinterest also has standard social networking features so you can share with your friends. Learn how to set up your Pinterest account. Once you have an account, you can pin your cool finds on the internet.

Many interested patrons attended my Pinterest session at the Algonquin Library. For more information on upcoming sessions, visit our events calendar. Here are 8 top Pinterest tips for beginners to get you started.

  1. Create unique Pinterest boards for each of your favorite topics. Pin photos and videos about that topic to create a collection.
  2. Select a cover image that represents the theme of your Pinterest board. Our minds grasp visual concepts faster than text on a page. Be sure readers can tell at a glance what your board is all about.
  3. Pin clear, easily recognized images for your Pinterest boards. Bright colors and high contrast images are easier on our eyes.
  4. Describe your images and videos accurately without complex words. Pinterest allows up to 500 characters in the object’s description.
  5. Include words that invoke emotions and feelings in the reader. Choose colorful terms which inspire the imagination and memories.
  6. Increase your search engine visibility by using keywords and internet links in your description. Keywords may actually be a phase or group of 2-5 words.
  7. Post links to your Pinterest pins on your Facebook or Twitter accounts to share them with your friends. Ask others to LIKE and COMMENT on your pins and SHARE your pins with their friends.
  8. Design a unique visual resume and pin to your Pinerest board. Log on to Pinterest and search “resume” to see some incredibly creative ideas others have showcased their talents and skills.

Using these 8 top Pinterest tips for beginners to create your first Pinterest boards and pin your favorite pictures, movies and more. Click on COMMENTS and post a link to one of your favorite boards. Please tell us why this Pinterest board is your top pick.

Pinterest Logo

How To Get Join Pinterest Create Boards and Pin Pictures

Pinterest is a content sharing service where members “pin” images, videos and other objects to their pinboards. Pinterest also has standard social networking features so you can share with your friends. This weekend I will be demonstrating the features of Pinterest at the Algonquin Library. For more information on this session, visit our events calendar.

Pinterest members create virtual boards for different topics. Create a board for your hobbies, favorite restaurants, post your resume or to show off your professional portfolio. Search Pinterest for topics of interest. When you find an image or video you like, you can repin the object to one of your boards.

My Pinterest boards include food, travel and McHenry County happenings. Here is how you can get started with Pinterest.

How to create a Pinterest account:

  • Open a web browser and type http://www.pinterest.com in the URL bar
  • Create your Pinterest account by connecting with Facebook, Twitter or using an email address.
  • Click on a few of the images that capture your attention

How to create a Pinterest board:

  • Click “Add”
  • Click “Create a Board”
  • Enter your new board Name, select a category and add other pinners (those who can add pins to this board)
  • Click “Create Board”

How to add Pinterest Pins to your board:

  • Click “Add”
  • Click “Add a Pin”
  • Type or paste the URL
  • Click “Find Images”
  • Scroll and select an image
  • Choose a board
  • Enter a description up to 500 characters
  • Click “Pin It”

Have fun with your new Pinterest boards and pin what is interesting to you. Share your pins with your friends on Facebook and Twitter for greater visibility. We are always interested in hearing your ideas for using Pinterest. Click on COMMENTS and tell us how you are using Pinerest for yourself or your business.

Enter your email in the box on the right and click subscribe for more tips on Pinterest and other social media tools.

Pinterest Logo

Pinterest Marketing Cheat Sheet to Opitimize Your Pinterest Boards

Pinterest virtual bulletin boards are all the rage in the social media world. Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan Learn how you can use Pinterest to market your business and gain attention.

The Algonquin Library hosts a Pinterest session Sunday August 12, 2012 where you can learn what Pinterest is and what it can do for your business. For more information or registration visit our CyberLife Tutors events calendar.

Below is a Pinterest Marketing Cheat Sheet from Pinely to give you a few ideas before the live session.

Pinterest Marketing Cheat Sheet from Pinerly

 

 

 

 

LinkedIn Advanced Hands On Class at Algonquin Library

Free LinkedIn class for professionals at Algonquin Public Library.

Are you on LinkedIn and wonder, ” Now what?”
See how you can leverage those connections for your career.

Learn how to leverage your LinkedIn network to discover the hidden job market and join groups to increase your chances of being found by recruiters.

April M. Williams demonstrates how to make the most of your LinkedIn profile. This is a hands on session and computers are provided.  Students must already have a profile and a minimum of five contacts.

Class is at the Algonquin Area Public Library District main library located at, 2600 Harnish Dr, Algonquin, IL. Call the library 847.458.6060to register for more information. Seating is limited.

Official LinkedIn Logo

Use Your LinkedIn Profile to Attract New Opportunities To You

A 100% complete LinkedIn profile attracts those with possibilities. Job leads, sales prospects or partnership situations are looking for you.

According to LinkedIn, “users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn!”

Find out if your profile is 100% complete by looking on the right side of your LinkedIn “Edit Profile ” page. As you make updates, notice the change in your profile completeness score. The feature may provide you with additional profile completion tips.

Do you know which elements make your LinkedIn profile 100% complete? To reach 100% profile completeness, you should add all of the following to your profile:

  • Industry and postal code
  • A current position with description
  • Two more positions
  • Education
  • At least 3 skills
  • Profile photo
  • At least 50 connections

Learn more about how to use LinkedIn to “Expand Your Professional Network” 7PM Feb. 29, 2012 at the McHenry Library. For more details, visit our CyberLife Tutors events calendar.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn for Personal Marketing and Branding with Keith Warrick

Keith Warrick, my friend and fellow LinkedIn evangelist, was interviewed on BDPA Blog Talk Radio about professional social networking. Keith was an early adopter of Linkedin, becoming a member well before I joined April 1, 2005.

In the BDPA interview Keith pointed out the benefits of LinkedIn goes far beyond an online resume. So many people turn to LinkedIn when  they are in career transition only. LinkedIn is a powerful tool which can promote your skills, demonstrate creditability and build relationship.

Keith says, “LinkedIn is an unique marketing and advertising platform that promotes a product. That product is YOU.”

Keith suggests fully completing your LinkedIn profile to gain the most benefit. LinkedIn will prompt you to create a 100% complete profile and coax you along to do so. Keith says just 2% of LinkedIn 150 million members have a 100% complete profile.

To reach 100% profile completeness, add all of the following to your profile:

  • Industry and postal code
  • A current position with description
  • Two more positions
  • Education
  • At least 3 skills
  • Profile photo
  • At least 50 connections

As Keith says, imitation is the best form of flattery. Take a look at Keith’s or my profile for idea on how you can attract your target audience to find you through the LinkedIn search features.

Click below to listen to Keith’s interview with BDPA.

Listen to internet radio with BDPA on Blog Talk Radio

Pinterest Invites are the Hottest Commodity on the Internet Today

Pinterest is the hottest new social networking site and it is taking the country by storm. The site let’s members create a virtual college of internet pictures. Create a board, give it a title and pin virtual internet picture to your collection.

For now, membership is invitation only. Google used this method for rolling out Google Plus.

Here is a picture from Rice Fusion Sushi I pinned to my Pinterest Food board.

 

Visit our McHenry County Pinterest board and please suggest additional pictures to include.

Social Networking for Business Presentation Schaumburg Library

Is your business on the fence about getting started with social networking? Are you overwhelmed by the choices of tools available and do not know where to start? If so, the Schaumburg Library is the place to be on October 25 at 7PM for this “Social Networking for Business” session.

Social networking coach and trainer April M. Williams will give an overview of the most effective free social networking tools available for businesses to engage with customers. You will leave with tools to build your brand and begin a dialog with prospects. Learn how to promote yourself and sell your “stuff” to new customers.

Social media is made up of a variety of online tools which provide a place to communicate and network. Learn about the different types of social media and how they can be used to expand your customer base from expert April M. Williams.

•         What is social networking?
•         Why it makes sense to market your business using social media
•         How to find customers and market your business using social media
•         What social media sites to use
•         How to get started with social networking

April M. Williams, a nationally recognized speaker, author, coach and blogger actively leverages the power of social networking tools. April is President of CyberLife Tutors and shows clients how to leverage their strengths to enhance their business.  Williams is the author of “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” and has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Project Management Institute, Savvy, Business Journal, Nations Restaurant News and CBS Chicago News.

Contact the Schaumburg Library to register for this free session and arrive early to reserve your seat. The last session April led at the Schaumburg Library so well attended it was standing room only. The Schaumburg Library is located at 130 South Roselle Road Schaumburg, IL 60193.

Schaumburg Library Poster from April M. Williams previous presentation
Schaumburg Library Poster from April M. Williams previous presentation

Using Social Networking in Your Job Search McHenry, Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: April M. Williams

Cyberlife Tutors

414-502-7745

CyberLife Tutors

 

USING SOCIAL NETWORKING IN YOUR JOB SEARCH MCHENRY, ILLINOIS

Learn what social networking tools can do for your career

ALGONQUIN, IL. August 10, 2011. – Job seekers know it is hard work to land a job. Those job candidates who use social media tools effectively can shorten the length of their job search. By using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and blogs to develop connections and build credibility, a candidate can land a job that is just the right fit.

The McHenry Public Library recognizes patrons desire to learn how social media to boost their careers. They offer a series of career and job search sessions specifically for those in career transition.

April M. Williams is presenting two of these career sessions at the McHenry Public Library:

  • Jan 25, 2011 – Effective Social Networking in Your Job Search
    Learn about social networking tools as a way to shorten your job search. See how you can showcase your qualifications and expand you network. Find out how headhunters and hiring managers post jobs and recruit through their connections. April M. Williams will discuss LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogs.
  • Feb 29, 2011 – Expand Your Professional Network Using LinkedIn
    If you’re not on LinkedIn, are you Linked OUT? April M. Williams will focus on LinkedIn as a networking tool to identify key contacts, build relationships, demonstrate credibility and learn insider information to grow their career. Find out how to use LinkedIn for prospecting prospective customers.

Session are held at the McHenry Public Library from 7:00-8:30 PM. The library is located at 809 North Front Street in McHenry, IL 60050. For information call the McHenry Public Library at (815) 385-0036.

“As I have noticed that many of our patrons are looking for work, I have scheduled a series, starting in September, of programs designed to build job search skills. The series includes programs that address Writing a Resume in September, Conducting a Job Search in October, Preparing for the Interview in November, Social Media in January, and LinkedIn in February. In addition to these programs, the MPLD has many resources, including books, magazines, videos, and computer software available to patrons to assist them in their job search,” said Colette Leeser-Freeman McHenry Public Library Adult Services Librarian & Adult Programming Coordinator.

“In general, the public library is uniquely positioned to act as a resource to patrons in the community for any of their research needs. Now, more than at any other time in recent history, the public library has become a very rich resource for job seekers.”

About April M. Williams: April M. Williams is a nationally recognized speaker, author, blogger and coach who has assisted hundreds of people in their career. By demonstrating the power of social networking tools, April shows clients how to leverage their strengths to enhance their careers. April published two books and numerous articles on career building as well as other related business topics. She has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Project Management Institute, Savvy and Nations Restaurant News. April is a contributing editor to the Blacks Gone Geek IT forum and Hawaii travel website 808Talk. For information on upcoming events, visit CyberLife Tutors calendar.

Copies of April’s books are available on her CyberLife Tutors website. Follow April on Twitter, Facebook and her “Where Are You Today?” travel blog.

EDITORS: If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with April M. Williams, please contact us at 414-502-7745 or http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/contact/.

Social Networking Throughout Your Career book cover
Social Networking Throughout Your Career book cover

 

Ignite Your Passion: How to Find and Ignite Your Fire Inside
Ignite Your Passion: How to Find and Ignite Your Fire Inside
Networking For Results DVD
Networking For Results DVD – 51 minute live presentation.

 

Using Twitter for Business With Etiquette and Manners

Following Twitter etiquette and showing good social networking manners is not hard to do. Here are six steps to stay on the good side of other social networking and not become an online clod.

  • Use @ replies: When mentioning another Twitter account, use the @username to let them know you made a comment. Without the “@”, the account you are mentioning will not likely see your tweet.
  • Retweeting: Share others messages by retweeting or rebroadcasting tweets to your followers. If a message exceeds the 140 character restriction, it is OK to trim or modify the message to fit. Be sure to keep the original message intent.
  • Be interesting: Include a variety of content in your Twitter tweets. A stream of pure sales messages will likely turn off followers. Post pictures of interesting sites, links to industry news articles or just plain old fun comments. Be personable.
  • Follow back: With Twitter, it is a good practice to follow those who follow you. Twitter restricts the number of accounts you can follow based on the number of Twitter accounts following you. Once you follow 2,000 accounts, Twitter will not allow you to add new accounts to your following until you either unfollow some or others begin following you. If you do not follow back, you will find many accounts will unfollow you.
  • Stop the auto messages: Don’t set up messages to automatically send a response when an new Twitter account follows you. I recently received a direct message from someone I followed saying. “Thanks for following me. I look forward to reading your tweets.” This was  a meaningless message to be because this account did not follow me back. They never did see any of my tweets. The message was meaningless and cluttered up my messages pages.
Use social networking etiquette and manners on Twitter
Use social networking etiquette and manners on Twitter

By following these six social networking tips you can navigate Twitter and use tweets for business while using social networking with etiquette and good manners.