I have written earlier blogs about how LinkedIn can help you if you are looking for a new role and how it can help you become better known in your field. But what about if you are someone who prioritises others and has no inclination to post anything self-serving?
I’ve got you! ‘Using LinkedIn for Good’ is the session I lead for those helping good causes. I first developed it for GFS and The Wonderful Women Movement and have now opened it up more widely.
Here are the three steps to take to use LinkedIn for Good:
1. Get a great profile. Think of it as your shop window to the world. Is it inviting? Does it showcase everything you stand for? Make sure your ‘day job’ elements are up to date, and also the causes you care about and your voluntary work. Use your ‘About’ summary section to talk about who you are, what you do, and the people you help. Write in the first person in short sentences like you would speak.
e.g. I am Chief Ambassador for GFS and I love bringing passionate people together to help amplify their important work with girls in some of the least privileged areas of England and Wales. I have founded The Wonderful Women Movement to inspire and connect women at all stages of their careers.
2. Show up regularly and engage with others. LinkedIn is a social media platform, not a directory of names. It’s a tool for interacting with others and building relationships. You won’t make a difference to others if you only ever lurk. Don’t treat the newsfeed like your favourite news app. To amplify causes you care about, follow the organisations and key leaders who are posting, and react to their content (like, love, support etc). Comment on their posts, ask a question, signpost them to other people and resources that might be useful. This doesn’t have to take long. It’s about bringing the spirit of connecting and giving to how you interact. It’s no more time consuming than scrolling and lurking.
3. Create your own posts. Posts that will help others and the causes you care about. This is the most challenging of the three and requires more time and thought. It is often the stage I see people stumble at. There can be a real fear factor in posting original content. Not many people are brave enough to have an opinion and share it. Not many take the time and effort to advocate for the cause they care about. But if you want to, you can, and it will bring some much-needed positivity to the world. Aim to be authentic, write like you would speak and use your judgement wisely. Everything you post is in the public domain, so sense check with ‘would I say this at a company meeting’ – if yes, go ahead and post.
“If you are in a position where you can reach people, then use your platform to stand up for a cause. HINT: social media is a platform.” – Germany Kent
For more LinkedIn tips, download the updated LinkedIn Guide from my website – free when you sign up for my monthly message Positivity Bites packed full of career development resources for you and your team.
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