Pinar R.O.
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
Dear LinkedIn Community,
I hope you’re all having a fabulous day in the professional paradise we call LinkedIn! I felt the need to address something nagging at me lately. It seems that some folks out there want to spice up our beloved LinkedIn with a bit of the old “social media pizzazz.” Who wouldn’t want to see cat videos and baby photos while browsing job listings and industry insights, right? But here’s my heartfelt plea for every LinkedIn member.
Please, LinkedIn, don’t ever change!
We love you just the way you are, and we don’t need any of that exciting stuff. Let’s be honest; we’ve got enough social media platforms to share personal lives, pets, and all the silliness one can handle.
First, I’d like to address those who think LinkedIn should become the new Facebook for sharing personal life updates. Sure, we all have adorable children with birthday parties and milestones to celebrate. But here’s a revolutionary idea: Why not keep Facebook for Facebook and let LinkedIn remain our serene, suit-and-tie corner of the internet? We’re here to discuss our professional accomplishments, network with like-minded individuals, and explore job opportunities, not to scroll through baby pictures.
Now, onto the pet lovers because, let’s face it, we all love cats and dogs! As a wonderful Labradoodle Mama, I adore animals. But please, if you’re itching to share those hilarious feline antics or the latest trick your dog mastered, there’s a little place called Instagram. It’s pretty much the mecca for pet enthusiasts. Instagram was made for capturing those picture-perfect moments of your four-legged friends and sharing them with the world. Let’s leave LinkedIn for posts about achievements, business insights, and networking opportunities.
And don’t even get me started on TikTok. I mean, TikTok is fantastic, and I’m all for funny, engaging content. But let’s keep the dances, lip-syncing, and quirky challenges where they belong—on TikTok. LinkedIn is for sharing valuable industry knowledge and connecting with professionals, not for creating viral dance challenges.
Dear LinkedIn, you’re unique in your own way.
You provide a space for serious networking and professional discussions. We appreciate your straightforwardness and lack of distractions. Let’s keep it that way. We don’t need LinkedIn to become a chaotic, personal, and random content mishmash because our time is valuable. If we are on LinkedIn, we want to feel like we are on LinkedIn.
So, here’s my dream for the LinkedIn community: Let’s cherish what we have and keep LinkedIn the tranquil, business-focused platform it’s meant to be. Share your achievements, your insights, and your industry expertise. Let’s keep LinkedIn weirdly boring and, in doing so, ensure it remains the go-to platform for professionals worldwide.
Please, LinkedIn, stay true to your roots!
We’ll be here, happily celebrating our boring and productive selves together.
So, let’s stand united, dear LinkedIn community, in preserving the essence of this platform we hold dear. And if we ever come across those posts that veer off into a focus, it’s not good for LinkedIn; maybe we can kindly remind each other with a touch of humor. Maybe we can send a private message to the poster, accompanied by a friendly wink and smile. We could also incorporate hashtags such as #NotLinkedInMaterial or #BetterSuitedForTikTok. The reason for messaging is simple: I prefer avoiding negative comments. If we don’t have anything positive to contribute, it’s best to refrain from commenting, right? Alternatively, we could consider unfollowing someone if their content consistently strays from the intended context.
I appreciate the importance of maintaining the coherence and fusion of different facets of our lives. However, let’s ensure that LinkedIn remains the haven of professionalism that it’s known for. Together, we can uphold LinkedIn’s reputation as the premier platform for networking, sharing knowledge, and advancing our careers. By doing so, we can preserve the LinkedIn atmosphere and energy that we all value.
5 DO’s for LinkedIn
Share Valuable Insights: Share your professional knowledge, experiences, and insights related to your industry or field of expertise. Thoughtful and informative posts contribute positively to the LinkedIn community.
Engage in Meaningful Discussions: Discuss respectfully and constructively with others. Provide thoughtful comments and engage in professional conversations that add value to the platform.
Network Actively: Actively network with professionals in your industry. Send personalized connection requests and build meaningful connections that can lead to career opportunities or collaborations.
Promote Your Achievements: Share your professional achievements, such as promotions, awards, or successful projects. These updates can inspire and motivate others while keeping the focus on career growth.
Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in your field. Sharing relevant news articles and industry updates can contribute to the collective knowledge of the LinkedIn community.
5 DON’Ts for LinkedIn
Avoid Personal Life Oversharing: Don’t use LinkedIn as a platform to share personal life updates, family photos, or non-professional content. Save such posts for platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
Refrain from Negative or Offensive Comments: Don’t engage in negative or offensive comments, debates, or arguments. Keep your interactions professional, even when you disagree with someone.
Don’t Spam or Over-Promote: Avoid bombarding your connections with excessive self-promotion or irrelevant content. Quality over quantity is key on LinkedIn.
Steer Clear of Inappropriate Content: Don’t post or share inappropriate, offensive, or unrelated content to professional topics. Maintain the integrity of the platform.
Respect Connection Requests: Don’t accept or send connection requests without a genuine professional reason. Ensure that your connections align with your career goals and interests.