While that headline seems ridiculously obvious, apparently not everyone gets it yet.
It's amazing to me how few marketing professionals really take advantage of the possibilities that social media provides. These are the people who are supposed to be learning how to utilize social media for the benefit of their clients. I have to wonder if they're qualified to give that advice, when they apparently don't have any idea how to use it themselves.
I'm in the preliminary stages of conducting a search for mid-level designers and Sr. level account people with packaging experience. I've just found two potential designers, and one account person that I wanted additional information on, beyond what's already in our database. Neither designer had a portfolio online (that I could find), and neither had provided me with portfolio samples when they originally contacted Bishop Partners.
My first step was to go to their LinkedIn profiles. While all three had LinkedIn profiles, they were not detailed enough to be of any real value. Only one of the three had a personal email available. One of the designers had a dead link to a Creative Hotlist portfolio, and the other had an Etsy portfolio page with nothing on it!! Between the three of them there was only one LinkedIn recommendation. These "professionals" are missing an opportunity to be "found" for a potential career opportunity. Believe me when I tell you, I'm not the only person searching.
The point is, if you're going to spend time on professional social media (LinkedIn, Plaxo, any number of others) do yourself a favor and add some detailed information that tells the reader what you've accomplished, what your passions are and why/how you're adding value to your employer and/or your clients, your community, etc.. You should have recommendations. When you're complimented by a client, co-worker or boss, ask that person to "put it in writing for you" (and add it to LinkedIn for you).
I know you've heard this before, but headhunters and employers really do use online resources as means to identify specific professionals for job opportunities. The better "face" you put on your online social media efforts, the better it will be for you. Make it easy to be found by detail (and keywords) in your profile. I think letting the public see a gmail or hotmail account is a reasonable thing to do. If you're going to network, allow (help) someone to contact you. A weak effort is almost worse than none at all.