I’ve often wondered how one goes about creating a LinkedIn group. The other day, I found out by starting one for DC Flacks. Now, if someone at work asks me about the pros/cons/ins/outs of this particular tool, I’ll be able to speak with some authority because I’ve actually done it.

Some goes for the social media consulting I do on the strategic use of blogs, Twitter, PitchEngine, Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp, etc. I know how to do these things well because I’ve used them for myself and continue to explore their uses.

It’s the story of Team Newman’s life, really. Dave and I play around on the Internet and try out new things. The stuff we try personally often ends up benefiting the folks who hire us. It’s not that we magically know geekery, it’s that we get a lot of practice. Read More…

I really can’t imagine anything worse than syncing your Twitter account with your LinkedIn profile. The thought of someone’s drunken Tweets perched just inches above their virtual resume simply makes me want to cry.

But there is something to be said for showing future employers and peers that you possess a working knowledge of social and new media, so having a visible link to your Twitter account makes good sense. I just don’t want it streaming my Tweets, even if they are industry-related. Fortunately–thanks to Twitter hashtag magic–we can have our cake and LinkedIn, too: Read More…

When’s the last time you loved on your LinkedIn profile? Believe it or not, HR recruiters really do use it to scout prospects. Does your profile paint a relevant picture of the professional you?

If you haven’t laid eyes on your profile in a while, stroll on over and take 30 minutes to freshen it up with these three improvements:

1. Create a thoughtful “summary” – also known as a bio, these paragraphs should explain how talented and experienced you are, while also hinting at your fabulous personality.  Don’t be afraid to share with the reader the kinds of work you most enjoy. For example, my profile says, “Margie most enjoys cause-related public relations…” It’s also nice to talk about your community service work, or other relevant extracurricular activities. Oh, and when you are finished be sure to add your skills to the “specialties” box. Read More…

This is a morbid, buzz-killing topic, but it’s really important. My January Her Nashville Chic Geek column pushes you to  think about who–if anyone–will take over your online identity, accounts, etc. when you leave this world.

Here’s teaser; read the full thing at HerNashville.com:

If I should die before I wake, my Facebook password my husband should take. Oh, and an auto-reply message on my Gmail he should make, but my Twitter, LinkedIn,eBay, and PayPal accounts he may forsake … Read More…

From LinkedIn profile peeping to blog surfing, nothing you do on the Web is a secret. (Nor “semi-private,” as the Mayor of Arlington, TN will tell you.) It’s not that Big Brother is spying on you, it’s that everywhere you go, your Internet browser leaves behind a trail.

A recent example: a White House staffer reads Suburban Turmoil and Lindsay Ferrier has the screen shots to prove it.

Is it cool and fabulous that a person inside the most powerful office in the world reads Lindsay’s blog? Um, totally! Did he for one minute think the author of the blog would ever know, much less write about said visit? Nope.

Know this: nearly all Web authors–including this one–check their Google Analytics and/or StatPress-type visitor logs. We’re curious about the number of folks who find our writing interesting, how often you come back, etc. It’s actually sort of an obsession akin to watching a Chia Pet grow.

We can’t see your name or street address, but we know your city and state. We can’t see the name of your company, but we usually can see the server upon which you surf (state/federal employees!). We can even see what search term you used to find us, what Website referred you, how long you hung around and what links you clicked on.

If knowing content managers are spying on your stats makes you feel a tad icky, I’m sorry I’ve made you feel uncomfortable. That said, you know how I feel about your Web wanderings: a healthy dose of caution is always a good thing.

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I’ve had a good deal of positive feedback from November’s Her Nashville Chic Geek column; thanks for taking the time to email, Tweet and Facebook-wall me with your thoughts!

My latest column tells the true story of a gal (who’s name has been changed) who showed up to a networking event with the best of intentions, but failed to bring along business cards. This got me to thinking of how important it is to be prepared to sell yourself, your talents, your brains and your intentions at a moments’ notice: Read More…

I was being asked a bunch of questions about Twitter today (Hi, B!) and found myself saying that the best way to get to know the ins and outs of social media is by testing it out on your own account, on your own time.

And then I thought to myself, “Hey, that makes a lot of sense, Margie. Good one.”

You know, because then when you say something patently offensive or stupid, you’ve done it under your own name and not your employer’s. Even though that can still get you fired.

Like most things, practice makes knowledgeable. So, when you are at the conference table and someone asks you how hashtags work, you’ll know because you’ve used them. When someone, like your boss, says they are confused about what happens when p*rn creepos follow you, or why it matters if one RTs, @s or DMs, you’ll explain it to them with authority – not because you read it on Mashable – because you’ve already done it well (or messed it up).

If you have never been caught up in the World Wide Web, why would your employer trust you with their online reputation?

If you want folks or co-workers to look to you for Geek Guidance you’ve gotta create, play with, and maintain a personal Twitter account; you’ll need to have personally blogged for an extended period of time; you must continuously play around on Facebook and constantly seek to find a purpose for LinkedIn. You’ll need to know how Google rules the world works and “what makes a RSS feed different than an alert.” It takes a lot of work;  a lot of reading; a lot of trial and error.

Agree? Or am I just being snobby?

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I’m no social media expert, let’s make that clear right now. The digital PR and social media landscape changes daily, so if anyone tells you they are the social media guru – run like the wind. Tip: these are the same folks who will tell you they can “make something go viral.”

The only thing I can say with absolute certainty about the ever-evolving social media landscape is that successful use of these communication tools isn’t hard unless you are lazy. The more I read up, the more I find social media best practices among those that are smart, active, succinct and sincere. Read More…

This week I mentioned to a friend how I can tell who has been viewing my LinkedIn profile and I thought she was going to pee her pants.

Her: “WHAAAAAAT?” she gasped, slowing realizing that if you can see them, they can see you. ” It’s not all super secret stalking like Facebook?”

Me: “Nope.”

Her: “I don’t believe you.”

Me: “(sigh)”

Attention LinkedIn profile peepers:  if you don’t want folks to know you’re eyeballin their info you’ll have to change your settings.

Look for Accounts & Settings in the upper righthand corner, then click on Privacy Settings, then Profile Views. Here is where you will decide what, if anything, folks see when you peep their profile.

Some folks mark theirs  so that you can see their name and place of employment; for others you can only see their company name and title; still others mark their settings to only show vague references like “public relations professional in the United States.” Mine is set so you’ll see nothing at all.

I imagine that only the most geekly of us actually control our privacy settings for fun on purpose. If you’ve not visited your privacy settings page since joining LinkedIn, make time for it. Accounts and Settings allows you to control what folks see on your profile homepage, what emails you want to receive, and what folks see or don’t see when you look at their profile.

Actively managing your profile is important because, like everything else on the net, it’s all Googleable. And it allows you to be sneaky. Be sure your LinkedIn profile is working for, not against, you. Oh! And if we aren’t LinkedIn, we should be. Shoot me an invite!

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In the comments section of my 100% Nerd post re: geekish glee over finally achieving a complete LinkedIn profile, fellow flack MB shares a great observation and poses a question about proper LinkedIn etiquette:

I requested and was accepted into the LinkedIn network of friend-of-friend, whose business expertise is geeky communications & Web-type stuff.  In perusing the profile of my new-found e-friend, this person’s settings on LinkedIn are set to HIDE visibility access to “Connections.”

Isn’t the whole point of LinkedIn to help folks piece together the puzzle on *with whom* one’s profession leads one to interact? And make introductions, expertise requests etc, knowing we share mutual connection(s)?

Well, yeah. Connecting with peers and LINKING IN to friend-of-a-friend connections is the point, actually.

I keep my connections open for viewing, as do most of my LinkedIn peeps. And I have had peers request an introduction to a couple of my folks, which I happily provide because those requests are sincere.

LinkedIn even provides a one-off count for users. Mine says: 237 Connections links you to 2,458,900+ professionals. See! it’s all about connecting with those relevant 2nd and 3rd degree networks.

To MB’s point, the value of LinkedIn is that one can be validated and connected to other industry professionals or potential employees via a trusted source.  I don’t think you are wrong for hiding your contacts, you’re just missing the point of the communications tool. If you want a private, online address book, go set up a Plaxo account.

So, what say ye, LinkedIn-ers? Do you keep your connections visible or do you mark them as private? Does it even matter?