Our digital footprint is all the stuff we leave behind as we use the Internet. That includes, but is not limited to, our comments on social media, Web visits, online shopping, smartphones, tablets, laptops, Skype calls, app use, emails and on and on.
Just to be clear, there are two primary classifications for leaving DF’s; passive and active. A passive digital footprint is created when data is collected without the owner knowing, whereas active digital footprints are created when data is released deliberately by a user for the purpose of sharing information. [1]
LinkedIn is the undisputed world’s largest network for professionals. When you are building your organization’s Digital Footprint, LinkedIn can provide some very powerful stepping stones for increasing your nonprofit’s visibility at the same time it can strengthen individual profiles.
So what are some very small but potent actions you can take to help your organization’s profile as well as its member’s on LinkedIn?
1. First, be sure to update your own profile to include a reference to your organization’s company page on LinkedIn. (The head of your organization must create the company page).
2. Follow your organization's company page on LinkedIn. You will see all of the other members who are following the company.
3. Connect with other members of your organization by sending them an invitation on LinkedIn. You will be given an option to select your organization when making your request.
That’s it! You’ve just started a Digital Footprint to create relationships to last a lifetime for your personal use as well as a benefit for your organization. So get started right now; Log into your LinkedIn account to update, follow and connect.
If you are looking for ways to improve your organization’s professional profile on LinkedIn, connect with us…let’s talk about it!
Ref: Wikipedia, Internet Society, Forbes