5 Ways Risk Professionals Can Leverage LinkedIn to Expand Their Professional Presence
Most professionals know LinkedIn as the social media site used to update your career information or search for new opportunities, but its uses have vastly expanded. LinkedIn now offers training tools, suggested professional groups and ways to build meaningful peer connections. In this session at RIMS 2021, Maryann Hoff, Senior Risk Control Manager, advises risk professionals on expanding their professional presence through LinkedIn.
LinkedIn has been in use for over 18 years now, but it still maintains its core purpose: to connect professionals worldwide while connecting and learning together. Here, Maryann breaks down the most critical elements to staying engaged.
About You
With over 760 million members on LinkedIn, how do you make your profile jump off the page? Start by including interesting facts, your professional passion and interests to give others a sense of who you are in the workplace. Making sure your information is up to date will be a critical element of your profile. Industry involvement can help differentiate you from everyone else in your industry. Highlight organizations you are involved in and thought leadership contributions. Your recommendations received and given can also indicate how active you are throughout the industry.
Connect & Curate
Clicking that “connect” button and building your network is just the start. Curating your network by finding individuals and organizations relevant to your professional career is important to stay in tune with industry happenings. LinkedIn is flexible with engagement, but make sure that these connections are not transactional. Include a note when reaching out to a connection that you do not know personally, so they understand the intent behind that connection. Remember that relationship doesn’t stop with just connecting—continue to engage, whether through a virtual coffee or tea time.
Industry Happenings
LinkedIn plays a major role in keeping its users in the know of how they can engage with their industry peers. It can provide learning opportunities like conferences and webinars, allowing users to find peers in attendance or speaking at these events. It can develop business relationships with clients and help network with potential clients you’re looking to engage. Sharing your own company’s events and successes is important to keep your network informed of their activity.
Share Insights & Updates
You can engage content on LinkedIn through actively posting or passively observing through liking or sharing content. Be sure to engage content that is relevant to your thoughts and ideas. Your network can also gain perspective on your ideas through questions you’ve asked on other posts. The algorithm is continuously evolving, but remember that your network will typically be informed through their own feed anytime you like, share or comment on an item. Find what speaks to you and share that content!
Active engagement also comes in the form of your network’s updates, whether it be a work anniversary, birthday, or career change. Celebrate these milestones through liking and sharing to display your continued commitment to your peer’s success.
Stay Connected
Stay plugged in by regularly checking your feed, whether on your lunch break or when you have some downtime. Even if you haven’t been on LinkedIn in a while, check in to see what’s happening in your industry. Remember also to share your own successes and updates to stay engaged with your peers and to expand your presence on the platform. While LinkedIn’s messaging prompts are extremely helpful if you’re in a time crunch, remember that those organic connections with authenticity really shine compared to a message that everyone receives.