LinkedIn: Highly Beneficial Especially in Uncertain Times

As if there aren’t enough divisive issues in our society right now, let’s add one more to the list – LinkedIn. 

People seem to have intensely strong feelings about LinkedIn. Some would tell you that it’s been a professional game changer, acting as a successful tool to build businesses and secure new roles. Others just scoff saying that it’s the social platform that lags behind the rest, looking like a dinosaur to its social media counterparts. And lastly, with the least passionate position, are the individuals who simply hop on LinkedIn when they need a new job, and then don’t log in again until they’re ready for what’s next. 

With so many disagreeing opinions on the value of LinkedIn, having some confusion on how to best use the platform is understandable. The more artsy side of business might tell you that networking has moved to Instagram, while the corporate community will tell you that LinkedIn is the reigning networking giant. Is it a business game changer? An outdated tool? Or simply a professional necessary evil? 

LinkedIn does offer numerous benefits to professionals looking to stay connected and find new opportunities, and to businesses and organizations seeking to reach their target audience. Hootsuite research shows that LinkedIn engagement has increased 50% year over year, LinkedIn has 675 million monthly users and 59% of sales professionals count on social platforms to sell.  

You might think that writing a LinkedIn article or sharing content is only for executives or entrepreneurs with major innovations to share, but truthfully, LinkedIn is an equalizing platform. You can easily reach people through LinkedIn that you may never be able to reach in other scenarios. From executives to seasoned vets in niche industries, use LinkedIn to keep your name and your business top-of-mind for others. Whether they are looking to fill a role or hire a new agency, if you’ve made it into their news feed lately, you’ll register on your target audience’s radar.  

Now more than ever before, online, virtual connections have become invaluable. What does networking look like when coffee meetings at your local Starbucks aren’t an option? How can you create meaningful connections with individuals who could enable you to take your business to the next level? Think LinkedIn. But always keep this watch-out in mind –– don’t leave your humanity at the door when you begin messaging someone on LinkedIn. Whether you’re looking for a sale, a mentor, or a new position, people are still human whether you’re networking with them in person or online. Just because you can’t see their face, doesn’t mean you need to become all sales pitch and no heart. Stay human and work to create meaningful, genuine connections, even on LinkedIn. 

Recruitment, sales, recommendations, paid advertising, the occasional pithy work-related ‘subtweet’, even birthday wishes… you honestly never know what you’ll find on LinkedIn, and that’s part of the magic. LinkedIn is still coming into its own, which means that you have the opportunity to be part of that. Be strategic with the relationships you develop through LinkedIn – be creative and use the platform in a way that works for you.