🧱 Foundation: Exploring My Community - Social Media Guide

How to Use This Guide

Use the Table of Contents on the right to navigate (scroll down if you're on mobile), or click the "next" and "previous" buttons at the top and bottom of each page.

General Social Media Tips

Maintain a consistent personal brand across all platforms.

Your profile photo, headline, and bio or summary create the first impression, so make them strong and memorable. Check each platform for image requirements and character limits. Stay active by liking, commenting, and sharing posts. You can also post your own content, such as photos, videos, polls, audio, or article links.

LinkedIn is a leading platform for building professional connections. This guide covers profile setup and engagement strategies to enhance your presence.

Profile Setup

Photo

Use a high-quality, professional photo:

• Smile, face the camera
• No sunglasses, pets, or selfies
• Dress for your industry
• Use a neutral background

A profile photo increases your chances of accepted connection requests.

Banner

Choose a cover image that reflects your profession or location (e.g., data for a health policy analyst).

Headline

Craft a personalized headline using first-person voice. Include how you add value, solve problems, and relevant industry keywords.

Summary

Your summary should include:

• A professional overview
• Work philosophy
• Key skills and competencies
• Motivation and results-oriented statements

Experience & Education

Include all professional experiences (e.g., jobs, internships). Focus on achievements rather than copying your resume.

Custom URL

Customize your LinkedIn URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname) for a professional touch. Learn more in LinkedIn’s help article on customizing URLs.

Engagement

Connecting

Send personalized invites—always click “Add a Note” when connecting. Avoid using the one-click connect button from suggestions, as it doesn’t allow personalization.

Finding Connections

Search for someone you know (e.g., a colleague) and use the Connect button on their profile to add a message.

Alumni Connections

Search Royal Roads University, click Alumni from the left menu. Filter by location, company, field, and skills. Search identified alumni directly to personalize connection requests.

Jobs

Click the Jobs icon on the top bar. Search by job title, skill, or company. Enter location for targeted results.
Tip: Even if applying via LinkedIn, also apply directly on the company’s site.

Groups

Search "groups" to find professional communities. Or, click the Work icon > Groups to explore work-related options.

Twitter is a fast-paced platform limited to 280-character posts (“tweets”), ideal for sharing quick updates and engaging with trends.

Profile Setup

Photo

Use a clear, professional photo. It’s often the first impression.

Banner

Customize your header image to reflect your personality or interests.

Headline & Bio

Keep it brief. Highlight your interests, qualities, and include relevant keywords. Show your personality.

Handle (URL)

Your username is your Twitter URL (e.g., @yourname). Keep it simple and professional.

Engagement

Follow Accounts

• Follow thought leaders or professionals in your field to see their tweets in your feed.
• You can also view tweets without following. Use search or browse retweets.

Tweet

Post short, clear messages (up to 280 characters).

Retweet

Share others’ tweets with your followers.

Hashtags

Use hashtags to group or search topics (e.g., #CareerManagement, #NowHiring). Capitalize each word in multi-word hashtags for readability (no spaces).

Instagram is a visual platform ideal for sharing images and short videos. Use it to showcase your personality, interests, and professional aesthetic.

Profile Setup

Photo

Choose a high-quality, creative profile picture that reflects your personality. Keep a consistent visual style.

Bio

Highlight what you’re about: your interests, what problems you solve, and why people should follow you.

Username (URL)

Make it simple, professional, and easy to search.

Engagement

Follow Accounts

• Follow relevant influencers and professionals to see their content.
• You can also browse content without following via the search bar or algorithm suggestions.

Content Tips

• Post high-quality images with a cohesive aesthetic (especially your last 9 posts—your "grid").
• Use relevant #hashtags to increase visibility.

Instagram Stories

Share 15-second videos or 10-second images that disappear after 24 hours.

Instagram Live

Broadcast real-time video to engage directly with your audience.

Next, continue on to Summary: Exploring My Community