Shameless Self-Promotion Workshop Guide

Online Networking Tips

Link accounts

You want to make it as easy as possible for other people to find you and your stuff which means you need to link your various accounts together. For example:

• Put your ORCID iD on your Twitter page (and vise versa);
• Connect your Slideshare and LinkedIn Accounts (they're owned by the same company).

Don't over share

• Self-promote but don't only self-promote. People will ignore you if all you do is toot your own horn.
• Having a crummy day? You're probably not alone but before you share how horrible everything is think about who your audience is and how much you want them to know about you and your life.

Follow peers

The best way to learn how to use a tool is to watch other people use it well. Look for peers with accounts that you like and check:

• How often how much they post. 
• What they share and who they share with.
• The overall community's tone and content. 

Share reflections

Sharing reflections (after attending a conference, after teaching a lesson, unit or lab, and more) can show how you actively work to incorporate new information and approaches or improve as a professional. It can also show that you are engaged in your discipline and with your peers. Reflections can be delivered on personal websites, on social media, or anywhere else online where others in your discipline are active.

Prove your humanity

To make a good impression online you need to prove that you are indeed a real person and not an anonymous bot, work of fiction, or satire account. Providing a real name (not just your internet handle), a photograph (preferably of yourself), and some small pieces of verifiable information is essential.

Be safe

Social networks are amazing tools but they have their dark sides too. Take time to become comfortable with how a website works and to configure privacy and security settings.

• Use a strong and unique password on your social media accounts and on the emails they are registered to! Use multi-factor authentication for an extra level of security.
• You don't have to "friend" everyone - ignore requests from accounts and users you can't verify or that may be spam.
• Know that there are options and strategies for "dealing with haters" (aka online bullying).

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