Page 28 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE Digital_Neat

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

How to network on

social media like a pro

Social media has revolutionized networking. Sites like LinkedIn,
X and Instagram can be extraordinary tools for expanding and
deepening your connections with business contacts, clients and
potential partners.
But it’s also important to have a savvy approach. Many business
owners make the mistake of using the traditional hard sell on X and Instagram, but every industry is unique. Check which sites
social media, and then wonder why their efforts don’t pay off. your competitors are most active on. And search various sites to
“Social media is one of the most productive places to network,” see what activity exists that’s relevant to your business.
says BDC Business Consultant Chris O’Shea, who advises business Choose one or two sites to target initially by creating a business
owners on social media marketing. “You can quickly find like- and/or personal social media page. You can add other sites as you
minded people from the comfort of your office, and you don’t gain experience. Start building your network by inviting people
need an introduction. But you can easily turn people off with the you already know to connect with your page, such as family,
wrong approach.” friends, community members, employees, business contacts and
clients.
O’Shea shares these five tips for networking on social
media like a pro. 2. Post engaging content
Think of engaging content to post on your social media sites. Your
1. Build a social presence goal is to foster a community of like-minded people who see you
Start by deciding who you want to network with. Ask yourself as a thought leader, interact with you and share your content
who is in a position to help you advance your business. Then, with their networks. Examples of content include how-to videos,
Are you on track
research which social media sites these people use most. The blog posts, surveys, contests, industry and market insights,
most popular social networking sites for business are LinkedIn, white papers and eBooks. Keep your writing concise and reader-
to achieve your friendly, with short sentences and paragraphs. Avoid technical

financial goals? and marketing jargon.
Are you on track You should not only post on your own pages, but also engage
with people on other social pages by commenting on and sharing
to achieve your content.

I can help you with investments, retirement, It’s also important to continually add new content. Keep track of
financial goals?
insurance, tax strategies and estate planning. what types of content get the most attention, and add more of it.
For inspiration, study the social pages of competitors and others
Let’s discuss your financial goals and create a with a successful social presence.
comprehensive plan that is unique to you. 3. Avoid the hard sell
I can help you with investments, retirement, Avoid self-promotion on social media. It’s highly off-putting and
JACQUELINE MCMULLEN, CLU, PFP will push people away from your network. Instead, think of ways to
insurance, tax strategies and estate planning.
Senior Consultant be helpful. “People don’t want to be sold to. You can network best
Let’s discuss your financial goals and create a
IG Wealth Management Inc. if you provide value and don’t have a huge agenda for yourself,”
comprehensive plan that is unique to you. O’Shea says.
Mutual Fund Division
519.880.2203
Jacqueline.McMullen@ig.ca 4. Focus on quality over quantity
JACQUELINE MCMULLEN, CLU, PFP
Focus on the quality of your social interactions, not the number
ig.ca of followers. If you offer value and engage in meaningful
Senior Consultant
IG Wealth Management Inc. conversations, your network should grow naturally on its own.
Mutual Fund Division “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Try to establish relationships for the
519.880.2203 long-term,” O’Shea says.
Jacqueline.McMullen@ig.ca
ig.ca 5. Practice good etiquette
Good online networking etiquette means being
professional and responding diplomatically to
criticism. “This is an opportunity to be a good
person and a non-complainer,” O’Shea says. “The
Investments • Retirement • Insurance • Tax Strategies • Estate Planning complainers are not the people anyone wants to
Trademarks, including IG Wealth Management, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.
Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance license sponsored by The Canada Life Assurance Company. do business with.”

28 Winter 2026 www.cambridgechamber.com
Investments • Retirement • Insurance • Tax Strategies • Estate Planning
Trademarks, including IG Wealth Management, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.
Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance license sponsored by The Canada Life Assurance Company.