It’s undeniable—the world is on social media. Statistics show that 4.76 billion people use social media platforms. That's more than half of the global population. 

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With more and more users spending more time than ever browsing LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms, it seems obvious that leadership teams should be active online. Given the fact that the average user spends two and a half hours per day on social media, engaging in this way is an opportunity that leaders shouldn’t pass up.  The connection, communication, brand building, and exchange of information that social media offers is key to success in the C-suite. 

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1 - Engagement

Current employees, potential new talent, and customers want to work with leaders they respect and can relate to. Studies show that 93 percent of consumers think a socially engaged CEO helps communicate a company’s values and shape their reputation. By being active on social media, you can provide insight, answer questions, and engage in open communication with ease. Two way conversations also build trust between leadership and management. It can be easy for execs to get disconnected from the rest of an organization. In fact, Seventy three percent of CEOs name speaking with employees as a top benefit to using social media. Being active in online communities makes it simpler than ever to understand a wide variety of needs and shape the direction of a company based on what you read, hear, and watch on social. 

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2 - Catch the competition

Social media is a powerful tool for executives to see what the competition is doing or even isn’t doing. This can give you ideas on how to build a unique eye catching presence that draws in more business. Or, if the competition is doing something really successful, executives on social media can tailor similar strategies to fit their needs. Look at companies, organizations, and executives  you admire for inspiration and strategic guidance that works for you.

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3 - Marketing

Putting a face to a company is a powerful move. Executive leaders who use social effectively and develop their individual profiles drive public interest in a company. Customers and potential employees are sure to examine social media accounts before investing in a company or applying for an employment opportunity. Help them form a positive opinion early on by being transparent and findable online. This is especially meaningful according to a Sprout Social survey that found 86 percent of Americans believe transparency from businesses is extra important. Make it easy for users to like you and get to know you—social media dictates how people feel about you and in turn, your company.  A Weber Shandwick study revealed that 86 percent of executives who work with a social CEO considered their leadership “open and honest.” Spending a little well-researched time into curating executive social media presences is essentially free marketing that is accessible to anyone on the internet. Go ahead, big yourself up!

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4 - Build credibility and trust

The participatory nature of social media is a beautiful thing. Don’t make it just about yourself. By sharing your colleagues' work or referencing industry knowledge that you admire, you build community and trust among like-minded people. According to a Hootsuite report, 86 percent of executives in Australia, Asia, and New Zealand say that having a social media savvy CEO is positive for a company’s reputation. Furthermore, 76 percent surveyed also think it bolsters credibility in the market. Show that you’re aware of what other leadership teams are doing, saying, and thinking about. The trust you establish by interacting with other execs online can mean future career opportunities. Building an interactive presence on social media also shows your credentials as a collaborator and leader across fields. 

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5 - Stay current

With communication at an all time global high because of social media, news happens faster than ever. You don’t want to be left out in the cold because you weren’t checking LinkedIn or Facebook! Whether it’s understanding trends or tracking analytics, social media offers an endless and invaluable wealth of information. Stay on the cutting edge of current events and show your followers you know what's happening in the world around you by staying active on social media. Reposting relevant and timely information makes it obvious that you have an eye and an ear on your industry. People appreciate executives and leadership teams who care. 

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6 - Demonstrate leadership

As an executive you’re a leader in thought and innovation. Getting online gets your ideas out there. Social media is a straightforward way to show you are always thinking a few steps ahead to grow and connect. It can also be a good place to share positive and well-researched opinions that align well with your goals. And your employees like it too. Development Dimensions International showed eighty-one percent of employees consider social CEOS better equipped to lead companies. Eighty percent of employees surveyed also said they prefer to work for a boss who uses social media. Social media also provides leadership opportunities in the form of global connections. You don’t have to be in physical proximity of your employees, colleagues, or other industry influencers to collaborate and organize.

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Are you looking to improve your company's social media presence by empowering your executive team to act as advocates online? It's important to understand the workload and responsibilities that come with executive level positions. Rather than expecting them to create unique content on their own, providing pre-made content for them to share can streamline the process and allow them to engage with customers, potential talent, and the competition. Social media provides an opportunity for executives to build credibility and trust, market their company, and catch up on what other leaders are doing. Don't miss out on this chance to showcase your company's values and shape its reputation by having your executive team actively engaged on social media. Get in touch today and see how Ghostit can help you create that quality social media content for your executive team to share and use.