Source: https://www.aje.com/arc/5-methods-develop-your-online-presence-researchers/
5 Methods to Develop Your Online Presence (for Researchers)
Make use of online sites and networks like LinkedIn and ResearchGate to improve your online visibility and highlight the information about your research that you want others to see.
Ben Mudrak, PhD
PhD, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Duke University
Much of the activity around the world now takes place online. Researchers store data online, communicate via email, and of course, read scholarly articles published online. But there is more online than just one’s data.
As with any other job, it’s very important for researchers to control their own online presence. When someone enters your name into Google, what will they find? What do you want them to find?
Here are some suggestions for improving your online visibility so that others find the information you want them to see.
1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a rapidly growing professional networking site. Many of you already have LinkedIn profiles, but you should improve them to maximize your impact. Your LinkedIn profile could be the top item on a Google search using your name. Be sure the information is accurate and engaging. Here are a few specific ideas:
Have a professional profile picture
Profiles without pictures are far less likely to be read. Use a photo that clearly shows your face and fills the entire space available for the profile picture.
Add your name in the URL
This extra step will help increase traffic when people search for you online (for example, my public profile URL is http://www.linkedin.com/in/benmudrak). You should see your public profile URL underneath your picture on your profile page. Click ‘edit’ to choose your own (e.g., linkedin.com/in/FirstnameLastname).
Customize your LinkedIn profile
Share your publication list, important conference presentations, editorial positions, etc. If it is important to you, you can find an appropriate section on your profile. LinkedIn offers a number of options for section headings, so choose the ones that fit you best. You can also customize which parts of your profile can be seen by the public (your entire profile will be visible to any of your connections).</li>
2. ResearchGate & other social networking sites for researchers
In addition to broad networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, there are sites geared specifically toward investigators. These sites provide an opportunity for members to discover new research (and sometimes full-text articles), find collaborators, and maintain another online profile that will show up when someone searches for you.
One well known academic networking site is ResearchGate. On ResearchGate, users can build their profile with information about their current projects, publications, and institution. It is an excellent way to connect with others in your field and across the research community.
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