LinkedIn is the only social network you need
Scandalous photos from college? Politically incorrect posts? Facebook, Instagram and other similar social media platforms are ripe for bad actors to resurface online content you’d rather keep buried. Hari Srinivasan, GSB ’09 and VP of Product Management at LinkedIn, spoke to our class about building a good reputation online. It’s clear there are easy best practices to maintain, but it was also evident to me that LinkedIn is probably the only social media platform that you will not have to worry about in the future.
LinkedIn profiles are best used to tell the story of your career. Of course, your experiences, education and volunteering roles, but also your values, interests, and every once in a while, your humor. In this respect the platform is structured to avoid inane posts about your breakfast and your late night debauchery, and focused more on your perspective on the significant issues of the day.
To maximize your reach on the platform, it’s recommended to do a few simple things.
- Turn on creator mode
- Find niche subjects that you can become an expert on
- Start creating your own content and share your perspective on others
Doing this, you are sure to start creating your own brand and with creator mode, the followers will be lining up. The mode was created to encourage users to follow those who are creating content versus simply sending over a connection request.
Remember, your online reputation is permanent. Use this to your advantage by taking strong stances backed by evidence and allowing the weight of history to showcase how you’ve been right all along. Avoid regretting what you post, by reviewing your profile every 2–3 months to make sure nothing is visible that no longer reflects your reputation and values. And just remember, the first thing anyone does before meeting with you is to search for your LinkedIn profile. Make it standout.
