Expat Networking 2.0: Facebook Helps You Build your Personal and Professional Network Worldwide

Many expats tell me they think Facebook is a place where 20 year old kids hang out and they don't know why they would join. Others have told me that they are curious about it, but haven't the foggiest idea of how to get started.

Although Facebook did start out as a network for college kids, it has since grown to over 70 million users worldwide. This means that for the expat looking to work or operate in the global marketplace, Facebook is a powerful vehicle for connecting with others anywhere in the world. It's also a great vehicle for keeping in touch with family, as well as friends and colleagues from former experiences in other countries.

For those unfamiliar with how Facebook works, there is a great resource I can recommend that explains what Facebook really is, why you should get involved, and how to go about doing so. It's called I'm on Facebook--Now What???

The book is goes through the basics of how to set up your profile, how to join groups and how you can connect with others. It identifies some of the more useful applications and methods for using Facebook for both professionals and business owners. And it underscores the importance of watching what information goes up on your page so that your online brand or professional reputation is not damaged through inappropriate photos, videos, information or language. I really like that there are action items at the end of every chapter to get you applying the things that you are learning about immediately.

I know one of the authors of I'm on Facebook--Now What???, Jason Alba, from my work in the personal branding community and the career space. He's one of the coolest people I know, as well as being the author of I'm LinkedIn - Now What??? and the CEO of Jibberjobber, a fantastic tool for managing and developing your career and your network.

I met Jesse Stay, the other author, not surprisingly through Facebook.  Jesse is not only an author, but also blogs at FacebookAdvice.com, is the CEO of Stay N' Alive Productions and a former expat himself. I had a chance to have a chat with him about the book and he shared the following advice for expats looking to use Facebook for online networking:

So Jesse, what inspired you to collaborate with Jason to write the book "I'm on Facebook--Now What???"

As a software developer and entrepreneur, I had begun writing Facebook Applications myself.  From doing so I realized the amazing implications, personally and from a business perspective on how Facebook was much more than just another social network for dating and meeting people, but rather a tool that could be used to organize your life and business, promote your brand, and market yourself.  Jason had recently finished his book, "I'm on LinkedIn--Now What???" and approached me to help him write a similar book on Facebook.  I jumped on the offer, hoping I could share some of what I had learned, and the rest is history!

Given how important it is for expats to build a strong online brand and network if they are looking to work or operate in the global marketplace, what top tip would you give a Facebook "newbie" to get started?

Follow interesting people, and communicate with them!  Treat Facebook as one giant conversation that has many different ways to organize that conversation.  Start by searching for those you either know, or would like to know, and get to know them, add them as friends, communicate with them, compliment them, and find problems of theirs that you can help resolve.  I know far too many people that try to add as many friends as they can just to build a network without any regard as to who those people are.  Use Facebook to your advantage to get to know those people in your network and allow them to get to know you!

I actually grew up overseas, not necessarily as a business person (once as a child and another as a missionary), but Facebook is one of my greatest tools to stay in touch with those I met overseas (I just finished writing a Facebook message to an old friend, in Thai - people remember things like that!).  They are now some of my strongest network connections, and I met them 10, or even 20 years ago!  Keep in mind that Facebook is global and available in many languages so the global implications are huge!

Once an expat has their basic profile set up, do you have suggestions for how they could work to expand their network when they only have a few connections?

Start by looking at your News Feed (that's the feed of activity between your friends after you log into Facebook) and see who your connections are talking to - that's the first start.  Next, look over on the right and you'll see a little box titled, "People you may know".  Those are friends of your friends that are common between the few friends you have already added.  The chances are that the strong connections your good friends and connections have on Facebook are also good connections for you - pay attention to who their friends are and who they are talking to and chances are those are people you will want to be interested in as well.

Following that, but only following that, start searching using Facebook's advanced search options (just click on "Search" in the upper-left) and you'll find from old friends to very interesting people you'll want to follow.  Follow me and I'll follow you back!  Chances are if you've read this article you are definitely someone that is interesting to me.

Any suggestions for the expat who wants to become a Facebook power user?

Well, definitely take a look at I'm on Facebook--Now What???.  We also offer group rates if you'd like to buy multiple copies for your employees or clients.

After that, there are some great people you can follow, and by just following them you will learn quite a bit.  Of course, you can always follow me or Jason, but also check out Rodney Rumford (tell him I sent you!), Mari Smith, Gennefer Snowfield, Justin Smith, or Nick O'Neill - all of them truly understand how Facebook can build your brand and expand your network, and they truly practice what they preach!

Beyond that, learn what it is that Facebook can do and build up a plan that incorporates those tools.  Envision Facebook as a tool rather than just a place to meet people, and figure out how to use that tool to expand your goals personally, in your business, or even in your education!  Most of all, get involved!  Talk to people, use it, set up a Facebook Page for your brand, organize a few groups, follow what your friends are doing and before you know it you'll be a power user yourself.

Any last thoughts for those expats eager to get started using Facebook to build their personal, professional and/or business networks?

Just one last thing - there are 3 basic places to promote your brand on Facebook - Groups, Pages (with a capital 'P'), and Applications.  Groups give you some power to promote and build community around yourself and your brand.  Pages give you a little more power, and Applications give you full power over strengthening your brand.  Figure out which one works for you (hire me for a one-on-one consultation and I can help you figure out a good plan!), and again, whichever your choice, utilize the tools Facebook provides you to spread word about your brand or your product using those outlets.

Facebook is soon to come out with a new design that will provide more integration points into users on Facebook using the above outlets.  With the new design you'll have even more options than currently so keep watching Facebook to see how you can do that.

Thanks Jesse for sharing all of that great information about the ins and outs of getting started on Facebook!

Your Expat Professional Success Tip:  Go to Facebook and set up a profile if you haven't done so already. If you need some help in getting started, click on the following link to purchase and download I'm on Facebook--Now What???. Use the Facebook search function to find some people to start following. You can follow me (Megan Fitzgerald), Jason Alba, or Jesse Stay as a start. (Please let us know you came to us through this post so we know why you are interested in connecting.) Keep an eye on your news feed and "people you may know" section of your profile to identify others to whom you could connect. Reach out, communicate and do what you can to help others.   

(Bonus Tip: As both a certified personal branding strategist and certified online identity strategist, it would be professionally irresponsible of me to not urge you to pay attention what you include in your profile. Don't include anything you would not want a prospective employer or client to see! You can see this previous blog post and this one to learn about the importance of your online identity and this previous post and this one to learn more about digital dirt and how it can affect you.)

Comments

[Jesse Stay]

Great post Megan! Your insight is spot on. Thanks for the opportunity to share with your readers!

[Luke Harvey-Palmer]

Nice interview Megan - this stuff is invaluable! There is not enough books and insight on these tools for executives. Jasons' book on LinkedIn is equally as valuable! Thanks

[Mari Smith]

Excellent info here, Megan. Way to go - I'm enjoying our new connection on Facebook, Twitter & Skype!! :)

And thanks a mil to Jesse for the props. Much appreciated. :)