For Your Future and Your Company

In the ever-changing oil and gas industry, first impressions are very important. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. The impression you make can determine whether or not you get or keep the business from prospects or clients.

As the oil and gas industry increases its use of digital marketing, the traditional in-person first impression has evolved into a digital first impression. Whether through your LinkedIn profile or a company (or personal) Facebook page, people in the industry are looking and forming an opinion of you and your company.

We all know the power of social media! With the lasting impact it has globally, there is no turning back once a tweet or social post has been published. So, how do we make sure we are making a winning first impression? Here are a few things to keep in mind that will benefit your future and your company.

Be Visually Appealing

“A picture is worth a thousand words” can and should apply to your profile picture on social media. On LinkedIn especially, your profile picture should look professional. Most companies have professional photos taken of new hires for their company website, which helps maintain a certain company image. Your company headshot serves as the perfect profile picture for LinkedIn and other platforms. You are vying for the attention of many others in the industry, so your profile needs to stand out. In addition, your profile should be up to date … how’s your profile looking now?

Keep It Fresh

Consistency is key … and you should be posting or active on social media daily. In order to be considered a “thought leader” in the industry, you must become a trusted source of important information. You can do this by following influencers in the industry and sharing or retweeting relevant news, trends and insights. Customer testimonials through quotes, videos of on-the-job training and “Q&As with an Expert” are all great ways to build an interactive environment with your followers.

Be Engaging

We all want to be considered an expert in our field. Not only do our posts and shares determine our expertise, but who we are engaging with also does. It is important to follow relevant industry groups or pages and become active within those groups. Take the time to comment on information they share and provide your company’s perspective on the topic; be a thought leader. Another idea is to share informative posts and put your own spin on it or customize it to fit your company’s message.

Are you engaging with your industry enough?

Customize Your First Impressions

As meetings are added to our already-busy schedules and to-do lists grow in length, it is easy for small things to get lost in the details. When you send a request to connect to an industry contact, customizing your request by adding a personal note makes it more likely that person will accept. It also adds a warm touch to an otherwise professional relationship. On LinkedIn and Facebook, we get notification alerts on our connections every day – from work anniversaries and new job positions to mutual connections or “people you may know”. Again, these are opportunities for you to add a personal touch to your business relationship. In an era where quick and easy is the norm, going the extra mile to include an exclusive feel goes a much longer way than a computer-generated “Congrats”.

Follow Up

Most of us are well aware of our company’s capabilities and strengths; however, there may be specialized areas in which we’re not involved. Maybe you are asked by a coworker to attend an industry event where the main topics are not your strong suit. There may be an instance in which a prospect comes to you with a question of which you’re not entirely sure … awkward, but we’ve all been there! The key is to let them know you will get back to them quickly on their inquiry and make it a point to stay true to your word! Follow up with that person and impress them with your reliability and promptness. Additionally, follow up on those personal notes you send. Stay in touch with your contacts and connections as their next move may be a huge win for your company.

As you navigate through the many aspects of social media and its rapidly changing landscape, you continue to represent yourself and your company at all times. When it comes to first impressions, the basic principles remain: always put your best foot (or face) forward, keep your message interesting, engage your audience, stay genuine and always follow up. You never know the potential wins for you and your company that could come from that online connection.