A recent article in Forbes magazine cautions job seekers to think twice before they publish a photo to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and blogging sites.  Employers are (and have been) using social media sites and services that scour the sites to screen potential job candidates.  This means if you are applying for a teaching position (for example) and just threw up 22 new photos of you doing a fire dance while shooting tequila shots wearing a skimpy outfit, you may be in trouble.

A company named Social Intelligence just got the green light from the FTC to essentially mine and serve up data that it collects for up to seven years. Employers can purchase a report on a potential job candidate and get the bottom line on who they are based on their activity / behavior on social media sites.  So, even if you delete that photo before you interview for the job, odds are, someone grabbed it and stored it.  It’s very important and sobering to remember this: Google Never Forgets, nor does Social Intelligence (except after 7 years), etc..

Here are a few tips on keeping your online image squeeky clean:

* Think twice before you upload any photo.  Ask yourself if it would be appropriate to a potential employer, or if it is appropriate based on your current job.

* Think twice before you post a snide or potentially offensive comment or perspective on a trending news topic.

* Think twice before you align yourself on social networks with controversial figures with radical beliefs or perspectives.

* Think twice before you broadcast your crazy shenanigans and how many beers you shotgunned last evening.

* Think twice before you bad mouth your boss, co-workers, HR folks, etc.. Existing employers also keep their eye on your social media activity.

To learn more about what type of information is available about you online, be sure to check out this article from Forbes.

Before I got started in Internet Marketing, I worked many years for a non-profit organization in the development / fund raising world.  I remember the passion that I felt about the organization, I remember the distinct passion that many other’s felt for the organization as well.  When it comes to development / fund raising work, people GIVE for a few reasons.  1.) They are so passionate about the mission of the non-profit that they feel compelled to be a part of it financially. 2.) They want to BELONG or be a valued member of the organization. 3.) They love to see their name and gather recognition.  Anyway you look at all three of these factors, there is one common bond. BELONGING.  People love to belong, people need to belong, people are passionate about belonging.

I was reflecting this AM on the way to work about how amazing it WOULD have been when I was in development if I had Twitter or LinkedIn, or Facebook.  Think about how quickly I could have built a TRIBE around the non-profit, I could have reached out to all of those folks on Twitter who had been touched in some way by the organization.  I could have located EVERY alumni of the summer camp rapidly and then discovered more about them.  I could have taken a poll to see what these folks value the most instantly, the bottom line, it would have revolutionized the way that fundraising and development work got done.  Here are some suggestions for your non-profit:

• Use search.twitter.com to find people who are interested in your organization’s cause and start following them.
• Use LinkedIn and it’s advanced search feature to start finding individuals who have been touched by your organization or know of someone who has.
• Use Facebook to start gathering fans of your organization and spread the word rapidly about upcoming events, fundraisers, etc.
• Inspire people on youtube with a video on your cause.
• Start blogging about the many lives that your organization has touched.
• Use online press releases to inspire and start reaching out to a whole new audience / segment of the population.
• Learn about your followers / tribe members and utilize that research in development.
• Use Twitter to share quick stories (under 140 characters of course) about the lives you continue to touch.

Bottom line: non-profits tend to be the last to embrace technology and new ways of doing things.  Transform your Church, your College or Institution, your health care organization, whatever your cause may be by reaching out and building a tribe.  Help your prospects belong by a few keystrokes.

To learn more about social networking and how it can help your organization, call us at 407-830-4550, or visit our site for more information. Internet Marketing Experts.

Many businesses are starting to embrace social media and social networking tools such as Twitter, Linkedin, etc.  We are all desperate to start building out our ‘network’ so that we ‘look’ popular to everyone else.  It’s not cool if there are only 2 people following you! You need hundreds or even thousands of followers right?

I see a bit of a danger in following every Tom, Dick & Harry that you can find on Twitter…. There are a ton of spammers out there, like the real estate agent in Utah who keeps posting all of his real estate listings with every new tweet, or the multi level marketer who is DYING for you click his tiny url and make millions today.  Be careful with who you associate yourself with online: your clients and prospects do take notes and look to you for leadership and expertise.

Chose to follow like minded individuals, other professionals in your field, respected authorities, etc.. The goal in my humble opinion should be to establish yourself as the Tribe leader and lead your followers with insight, brilliance and authenticity. It truly is all about who you associate yourself with.

Join our Tribe today!