Build your brand on LinkedIn (without being unbearable)
Nov 14, 2023
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Join Meagan Loyst, a LinkedIn 'Top Voice', and tech industry expert Hannah Murphy as they discuss how individuals can navigate building their brand on LinkedIn without being unbearable. They delve into the evolution of LinkedIn, the dos and don'ts of sharing on the platform, and the lessons to learn from power users. Listen in to learn valuable insights for enhancing your presence on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn allows younger professionals to share personal aspects alongside their professional achievements, fostering authenticity and engagement.
The rise of influencers on LinkedIn has contributed to the platform's appeal, providing a space for sophisticated debates and professional discussions.
Deep dives
LinkedIn's Appeal to Younger Generations
LinkedIn has become an attractive platform for younger professionals, offering an opportunity for them to talk about topics that pertain to their generation. With fewer younger voices on LinkedIn, younger individuals have found a space to discuss subjects that older generations are interested in hearing about. The platform's investment in creators through initiatives like the Creator Accelerator program has fostered a deeper sense of community. Moreover, LinkedIn's professional nature has not deterred younger users from sharing more about themselves, blurring the line between their personal and professional lives.
Building an Authentic Personal Brand on LinkedIn
On LinkedIn, authenticity is a key factor in building an engaged audience. Many users, especially older ones, tend to focus solely on professional achievements and positive aspects of their work, disregarding the opportunity to provide a more well-rounded view of themselves. However, the rise of younger professionals on the platform has brought a different perspective, where they are more inclined to share personal aspects of their lives. Embracing an informal voice and showing more authenticity can have a positive impact on one's presence on LinkedIn.
Comparing LinkedIn to Other Social Media Platforms
LinkedIn's success can partly be attributed to the decline of other social media platforms. While platforms like Twitter may have lost some of their shine, LinkedIn continues to flourish due to its unique position as a professional networking platform. The rise of influencers on LinkedIn, who offer insights and build their personal brands, has added to the platform's appeal. While LinkedIn might not have as many influencers as other platforms, it provides a space for sophisticated debates and professional discussions, with a significantly more civil atmosphere.
LinkedIn started life as a simple jobs site. Now, it’s something far more complex, with influencers vying for attention, and tech bros spinning improbable yarns about how hard they work. How can ordinary people get better at using the site without becoming bores? How much is it acceptable to share about yourself on LinkedIn? And what can we learn from the site’s power users? Isabel Berwick speaks to Meagan Loyst – a LinkedIn “Top Voice” – to find out. Later, Isabel speaks to Hannah Murphy, an FT reporter who covers social media, to learn more about the way LinkedIn has changed – and what might happen next.
Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.