How do I get started on NewDocs?

It’s easy. Visit www.NewDocs.com, register (it’s free) and choose a profile image. Your profile image or “avatar” is your online representation of yourself. Some people use self portraits or other pictures. Feel free to get creative. I would suggest using something that represents your company. This all usually takes about a minute.

Once registered, be sure to fill in your profile. Your profile is your online identity - your billboard for your products or services - and will allow others on the site to connect with you. Once you’ve established your profile, explore the site. As they say in the Web world, “click around” and have fun with it. To see other users’ profiles click on their “avatar.” You’ll be able to see their profile, mutual friends, photos, groups, and any blogs or forum posts they have written. If you see something in common with other users as you explore their profiles, feel free to click “add a friend” under the picture on their profile page.

Making “friends” allows you to take full advantage of all a social network has to offer. However, it is important that you don’t indiscriminately ask people you have not communicated with online to be your friend. This is frowned upon by social network communities and you will lose credibility within the community. Instead, look for opportunities to provide solutions in the forums or on the blogs. By doing this, it shows you are reaching out and are an expert in a certain area. You will build credibility and others will start to come to you for professional advice. This builds trust.

Once you’ve explored the site, create a user group or study club that represents your professional interests. You can easily build your “friend” list here and focus on what is important to you and others with similar interests. The tools on NewDocs make it very easy to create and manage your own group or study club. NewDocs gives you the power and freedom to decide what you want and how you want it.

Create a blog or post an article in the blog section. The blog section on NewDocs is reserved strictly for useful information, interesting articles, and other dentistry-related information. It is not to be used for “advertorials” about products and services. However, if your product or service was faced with a particular challenge, you can write about that challenge and how you overcame it. Visit the blog section to see acceptable content, or just email me your idea and I can provide feedback.

After you’ve accomplished the above, you’re ready to move to the next level and invite other professional friends and colleagues to join NewDocs. The power of professional social networking lies in the users and the activity of those on the network. The more people you can connect with, the more you will get out of NewDocs.

In short:

1. Register on NewDocs.com and choose an “avatar” (profile picture).

2. Fill in your profile.

3. Explore the site by “clicking around.” Be sure to click on other users’ avatars.

4. Start a growing group of professional “friends.”

5. Create a blog.

6. Join a user group/study club or create one yourself.

7. Invite your professional friends and colleagues to join NewDocs. This will grow your network.

Social networking is here to stay and professional social networking is the natural progression of this powerful Web-based tool. Take the first step and become part of a network to reap the rewards of this unique professional collaboration. You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Professional social networks like NewDocs have made it easier for doctors and others working in the medical industry to connect, collaborate and share. It has made it easier for companies to forge stronger relationships with existing clients and reach out to new ones. For those looking to gain the benefits of a user group or study club, the tools on NewDocs make it not only easy but fun for all of its members. Start today and find out why professional social networking is changing our professional world and how companies like yours can benefit by being involved.