LinkedIn Should Be Fun

“You should only post professional content on LinkedIn.”

I learned this advice in college and fellow colleagues at work.

This advice never connected with me. I couldn’t understand why we would want a social media platform to be stiffs.

Here is how I view LinkedIn and some ways you can make it fun.

LinkedIn should be like work

Think about your time in the office.

You’re at your desk working on projects, but what happens when you step away from your desk?

What conversations do you have with coworkers in meetings?

What do you all talk about during lunch together?

Granted, we’re in a pandemic, but think about what life is like when you’re interacting over zoom or in person.

People want to feel connected. Inspiration, humor, common interests, etc. All of these things connect us.

How many times have you been in a meeting and started talking about the new popular Netflix special? Or the big game? Or the Olympics?

Treat LinkedIn like you treat conversations at work.

You are not a robot or a mindless slave. You are a human being sharing a space with other human beings. Treat them like that.

Tactics I Use

Here are some ideas to get you started on LinkedIn if you’re not feeling comfortable.

• Create a post about something that isn’t directly tied to your job. Meditation, health, weather, sports, anything. I suggest you tie it into a story.
• Comment on everyone’s post. Finding ways to give is the best way to use LinkedIn. It promotes other posts and gets you connected with the most excellent people.
• Use hashtags to find anything you want. There are so many communities there that you can find something.
• Use lyrics from songs to compliment people. I’ve done this and it is so much fun to hop in with wit. People appreciate it and feel heard. Have some fun!

In Conclusion

The people that enjoy LinkedIn the most are the ones who are authentically themselves.

You are a person and can easily connect with others on the platform. The only thing that’s stopping you is judgement.

Judgement of yourself and of others on the platform.

Let’s cut that out and give yourself some grace. You don’t have to be the perfect person.

We want you to show up and be seen on LinkedIn. You have something to add and we’re all waiting for you to jump in.

Take a chance and have some fun.