Social Media Workshop Keeps Congress Attendees Plugged In

Social media is a great tool both professionally and personally, and the Tuesday afternoon Pre-Congress workshop, “Social Media Best Practices for Payroll Professionals,” was a crash course for attendees at the American Payroll Association’s 36th Annual Congress.

The workshop was hosted by the APA’s Social Networking Committee members Ansleigh Smith, CPP, VP of Payroll at Primerica; Laurel Serra, CPP, ERP Functional Manager of Payroll at Palm Beach State College; and Christine Stolpe, CPP, Senior Manager of Global Payroll at Talend, and chairperson of the Social Networking Committee. During the workshop, presenters led a discussion on the value of social media networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

“Payroll professionals can use what we taught in this workshop to keep up to date on new technology, government, and chapter activities as well as stay connected with people they’ve met at Congress,” Smith said. “It’s also important for research on recent tax and payroll changes as well as staying engaged with APA.”

Workshop speakers stressed the importance of using social media technologies as a chapter officer or in a general professional environment. The workshop covered networking with peers effectively, building professional brands, and staying informed on industry news. While the sheer number of available platforms can be overwhelming for those unaccustomed to social media, Smith advised to start small and slow and gradually work up the ladder.

“Pick one social media outlet and learn it really well,” Smith said. “Then, you can branch out to another outlet.”

If you want to learn more about social networking, join the APA’s Social Networking Committee. Sign up by choosing the “Join a Committee” button on the “Membership” tab of the APA’s website.