Here are three quick things you should always do when you set up on a new social network.  It doesn't matter if it's LinkedIn, Facebook, Smaller Indiana or some tiny discussion forum. It's important that you take the time to get the basics right so you get value from the time you are spending creating your profile.

I. Thou Shalt Haveth a Profile Picture
These two rules apply to how you market yourself online, too.  Yesterday, we decided to feature a prominent business coach's article on the Indiana Business Network's website.  That grey picture to the left? That's his profile picture.  Here's a look at his profile.  It makes you wonder if our prominent Indianapolis business coach really cared enough to post, or just had an agency or intern go a-spamming.  Regardless, I bet a prominent Indianapolis business coach will be updating his profile soon.

II. Thou Shalt Haveth a Personal Statement for the About You Box
I can't tell you how often I look at LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages where people have a personal profile that basically says:

"I work a lot. I derive my entire identity and satisfaction in life from my job, which is being underpaid to do boring work."

Sure, leave the job in there if you want, but remember social networking is about connecting with people, and it's OK to be yourself. Put personal in your personal statement and tell people a little about yourself.  What do you like to do? Do you have a family?  What do you believe in? Make a statement that is truly you.  You are not what you do.

III. Go Forth and Connect With People
Most social networks are a lot more valuable when you are connected.  LinkedIn hides other members from you until you are connected to someone who is connected with someone connected to the other member.  Facebook doesn't really do anything until you connect with a few friends.  Twitter? Useless without someone to tweet with. You don't have to connect with everyone, but at least get yourself 30-50 connections so you can actually see what the social network does.  Most social networks let up upload an address book.  I set up a yahoo account and uploaded my 500 favorite people so I can easily friend those persons whenever I join a new social network.

In speaking of profiles, how's your Linking Indiana profile looking?