Architects are beginning to wake up to the power of 'social networking' - LinkedIn, twitter, facebook, tumblr, pinterest, flickr, google + ...
Here are a few guidelines for making the most of the opportunities on-line to raise your practice's profile.
- why are you talking on twitter?
- why are you posting updates on facebook?
- what is your message?
- who is it for?
- who are your followers and where are they on-line?
- with whom are you hoping to connect?
- which social media are your potential clients following?
- is it the press you are hoping to develop a relationship with?
- blogs and updates should be 'tasters' - inspiring the reader to want to know more about you
- tone should appropriate (beware of whingeing)
- beware of posting updates late at night, after drinking or when you are upset
- your image on the internet should be a true reflection of your 'brand values'
- decide whether you are posting as yourself or your practice - don't mix them up
- keep to the point
- have fun and experiment to find out what works for you
Tips
- I recommend setting aside a short time each day or week to maintain your on-line presence - 30 minutes at lunch-time, or Friday afternoons for example - try to remain focused so you don't end up frittering time away
- Creating company pages on LinkedIn and facebook does not take long - and can increase traffic to your own website - try to update them a least once a month
- Understand that LinkedIn works best for business-to-business relationships - great for connecting with other construction professionals and if you work in the commercial sectors. Look for shared interest groups like hotels or MIPIM.
- Facebook can be most powerful if you work in the private sector for domestic clients - however respect your clients' privacy and get permission before talking about their homes on the internet or posting photographs
- Twitter can be very effective for developing relationship with the press - Anna Winston of BD on-line said recently that twitter was the best way to make contact with her
- Understand that everything you post becomes part of the public domain - if you join in a discussion in the AJ LinkedIn group for example, your comments may be edited and published in the print edition
Tips
- I recommend setting aside a short time each day or week to maintain your on-line presence - 30 minutes at lunch-time, or Friday afternoons for example - try to remain focused so you don't end up frittering time away
- Creating company pages on LinkedIn and facebook does not take long - and can increase traffic to your own website - try to update them a least once a month
- Understand that LinkedIn works best for business-to-business relationships - great for connecting with other construction professionals and if you work in the commercial sectors. Look for shared interest groups like hotels or MIPIM.
- Facebook can be most powerful if you work in the private sector for domestic clients - however respect your clients' privacy and get permission before talking about their homes on the internet or posting photographs
- Twitter can be very effective for developing relationship with the press - Anna Winston of BD on-line said recently that twitter was the best way to make contact with her
- Understand that everything you post becomes part of the public domain - if you join in a discussion in the AJ LinkedIn group for example, your comments may be edited and published in the print edition
