Blog #6

How would you create a PLN prior to engaging in a social media campaign on a topic of your choice? Consider how you would introduce yourself to others consider how you would engage in initial conversation to generate interest in your campaign professionally.

In order to create a PLN prior to engaging in a social media campaign, I would recommend first researching and looking at existing communities surrounding the topic. Choosing the right platform to reach a niche audience is essential if the topic is niche. For example, one of my hobbies is building custom mechanical keyboards and in this hobby, I was a designer for custom keycaps. To market the keycaps I was trying to sell, I created posts on both Reddit and Geekhack because they were the best platforms to reach out to users in the hobby. The platforms enabled me to connect with a network of individuals who were also interested in the hobby and my product, resulting in its overall success. When introducing myself to others, I would talk about my background and how I relate to the topic. It is crucial to sell yourself and build rapport if you want to campaign professionally. Afterwards, I would ask them questions about the topic at hand and their background and see where our interests align. Keeping in touch with the community is also important as trust is built over time and is something that can not be rushed. Communicating and hearing the story of the individual is crucial to building a PLN with dynamic, reliable, and participatory individuals.