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I joined LinkedIn in 2011, nine years after the platform launched and two years after I reluctantly joined Facebook to manage my distribution co-op’s page.
I was hesitant to get an account because:
- I wasn’t searching for a job.
- The last thing I needed was more vendors knocking on my (virtual) door.
- Who in the world would care about my professional life in a small, rural town in Texas?
Twelve years and a major job transition later, LinkedIn is hands-down my favorite social media platform (let’s connect at linkedin.com/in/anne-harvey-coop). I’m not alone. Out of 900+ million professionals on LinkedIn, almost 200 million are in the United States. Eight people are hired every minute on the platform, and Insider Intelligence ranked LinkedIn second out of all social channels for “digital trust.” When you look at the fine print in the infographic, it makes sense.
Channels are ranked by several pillars of trust, including security, legitimacy and — my favorite — community.
Community influenced the rankings, and community is why at 8 a.m. every workday I automatically hit that blue and white icon on my phone. I’ve worked remotely since 2015, so it’s become my version of walking into the office breakroom, greeting colleagues with a smile and friendly, “Morning!,” and catching up on the latest chatter … only my office encompasses multiple countries with 4,000 colleagues and counting.
I should spend more time creating riveting content and updating my accomplishments to have a picture-perfect profile #2023goals #nojudgementplease. But until then, here’s how I use LinkedIn to connect with some of the best people in our industry (and beyond).
1. Stay connected
I know, totally obvious. But how often have you been at a community event, had an interesting business conversation with someone but forgot to get their contact information? Wanting to know a bit more about a job candidate? Does that vendor really have great response rates? Who else is going to that conference? Connecting on LinkedIn answers all these questions and more. Also, I can tell you from experience that if I want to work with a particular company, the decision-maker will often reply to me via LinkedIn much quicker than when I reach out via email.
Already have a LinkedIn presence? Great! Touch base with your professional community a few times a week to see what your peers are sharing, and be sure to share ideas yourself. Not on the platform yet? Sign up and find your community. We share ideas from your peers on Pioneer’s LinkedIn company page, linkedin.com/company/utilitypioneers. Join us!
2. Get better service
Everyone knows how to craft a post sharing their displeasure about a certain experience with the world. I’ve found success posting and tagging when things have gone right (especially effective with airlines who need all the help they can get right now). I’ll also find a marketing/communication manager when I am having an issue and reach out to them via a LinkedIn message. I know they can’t directly fix my problem, but they know who can and are also focused on guarding their company’s reputation.
3. Learn from the best of the best
So many business authors have LinkedIn pages where they share additional insights or articles to continue discussions. A few even have live events that are great for professional development and sharing with my team later. However, the absolute best online learning I have found is LinkedIn Learning. It’s a subscription program, but they often provide free courses or a free month of access. Take them up on it; you won’t regret it, especially when you are looking to strengthen a soft skill.
P.S. If you are a member of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives you have access to LinkedIn Learning content for free!
4. Reach for the stars
I mentioned earlier that I follow business authors, and three books in particular gave me “aha” moments. I messaged each author via LinkedIn, mentioning the passages that inspired me and how I was applying it to my work. Every time the author — not a bot or an assistant — wrote back! Since my first virtual LinkedIn encounters, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet each of these authors in person. I stay connected to these mentors with LinkedIn messages and by commenting on their posts. LinkedIn helps you reach for, and meet, industry stars.
5. Do good
I’m very involved with two nonprofit organizations:
- Cooperative Family Fund, providing financial and grief support for children of electric co-op employees who lose a parent actively employed at a co-op.
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, providing books to children across the nation.
I support their efforts with a quick click, often engaging with and resharing content. But using the Featured section, I keep a post about the Cooperative Family Fund at the top of my profile. Showcasing the groups I support helps others know a bit more about who I am and what matters to me.
6. Build your community
Some people talk about LinkedIn as an online resume, but it’s far more than that. Invest time in the network to build a community, both in the utility industry and beyond.
- Be easy to find: Community starts with you. Add a professional headshot to your profile. (Need a new image? We’re sponsoring headshots at several conferences this year.) Customize your profile URL, and add it to your email signature line.
- Know before you go: I attend a lot of events throughout the year. It is so helpful to review the attendee list, look at LinkedIn profile photos and know who I should look for at the reception or in the hallways.
- Read. Share. Repeat. Conversations are never one-sided. The best way to build your LinkedIn community is to share what works for you, both in your personal and business life. I post inspirational quotes and thoughts each Monday (#motivationmonday #mondaymotivation) to get each week off to a strong start. You can link to stories and share your take on them, or write your own article on LinkedIn. Read what your peers are sharing and comment.