Small Firm Exchange

Hello, small firm architects! One of our members recently sent in a question to the board about a topic that was only broached at our March AIA SFx Insider presentation - Social Media for Small Firm Architects - and I thought it would be a great topic of discussion for this group. Below I've posted some "best practices" garnered from Google AI which, while helpful as a starting place, are relatively generic in content. I'm hoping that there are others in this group with some success stories they can share in a more practical way. 

VIA Google:

• Complete your profile: Ensure all sections are filled out, including your photo, headline, summary, experience, skills, and education. 
• Optimize your headline: Use keywords and phrases that reflect your role and expertise. 
• Craft a compelling summary: Highlight your accomplishments, skills, and professional aspirations. 
• Showcase your experience: Detail your work history, emphasizing achievements and contributions. 
• Add relevant skills and endorsements: Request endorsements from your network to validate your expertise. 
• Customize your URL: Use a personalized URL to make your profile easier to find. 
• Use a high-quality profile picture: A professional photo makes a good first impression. 
• Write in the first person: Studies show that first-person profiles are preferred. 

• Share valuable content: Regularly post articles, insights, and industry news. 
• Participate in group discussions: Engage with industry experts and build relationships. 
• Comment on and like other people's posts: Show your support and engage with the community. 
• Start conversations: Ask thought-provoking questions and encourage comments. 
• Follow relevant influencers: Stay up-to-date with industry trends and thought leaders. 
• Track your analytics: Monitor your engagement and adjust your strategy as needed. 

• Connect with relevant professionals: Build a network of peers, mentors, and potential clients. 
• Send personalized connection requests: Instead of generic requests, reference a connection's profile or previous interaction. 
• Stay top-of-mind: Regularly connect with your network to maintain relationships. 
• Avoid being a LION (LinkedIn Overly Inviting Networker): Focus on quality connections rather than quantity. 
• Respect people's privacy: Don't add connections to email lists without permission. 
• Be authentic: Share your personality and engage in genuine conversations. 
• Use LinkedIn's audio feature: Try sending audio messages to connect with people in a unique way.