LinkedIn is not only a platform where you can create business networking, produce an evolving online resume and portfolio, and keep up with leading trends and topics among key organizations and businesses you are interested in. It’s also a key platform for content creation and dissemination of knowledge through their new long post format.

Why do I say this now? Well, there are a lot of reasons why I think now, more than I did a few days ago when I wrote my post on using LinkedIn as a content publishing platform, for why professors and students should use it in addition to their blog.

Since I started writing posts on LinkedIn, I’ve been amazed not only with the level of engagement I have seen, but the views as well. It’s not just my network on LinkedIn that is seeing the content I am sharing – but others as well.

Let me share with you an example of this – I wrote a post yesterday about what professors can take away if they integrate Hootsuite University into their social media classes. I’ve been a big fan of the program and Hootsuite in general for the last couple of years. They have really done a great job in not only engaging audiences and brands, but they have created a great platform for social media education.

So, I thought based on this, I’d write a post for LinkedIn about my experience and share some of my thoughts on the program.  With this post, it’s been the one that has had the most views, engagements, shares, and likes of the ones I have created. How cool! Plus, it was great to hear from two great professionals from Hootsuite as well and their thoughts on my post. Thanks for your responses, Kirsten and Paula! 🙂

Here are some lessons I have learned from my experience publishing on LinkedIn for professors, students, and young professionals to take note of:

  • Great exposure to interests and expertise: When you think about it, you are able to connect with others who have similar interests or are searching for topics you are talking about. It was great to talk with fellow students and professors about Hootsuite and what they are doing with their classes. Would I have had the chance to do this on my blog? Maybe – but I was able to do it pretty well on LinkedIn.
  • Connecting with other audiences with similar interests:  Similar to what I mentioned before. It’s about extending the conversation on a topic you are interested and passionate about while also networking with others on the professional business site.
  • Should be considered as a content extension platform: It’s about making sure to share insights that are relevant to what you are doing in your profession as well as your professional interests, but you want to make sure you are extending the conversation on LinkedIn rather than hosting it or designating it as your primary content creation platform. It should be an extension to your blog and website – so you want to make sure to adapt this into your own personal branding strategy and implementation for your content.

Overall, it’s been fun writing posts on LinkedIn and I really do appreciate all of the shares, comments, and feedback I have gotten so far from my colleagues, friends, and networks. I would definitely encourage professors, especially those who are teaching social media and public relations, to consider this as an option to be another extension to their personal blog and website. This will also be something I will be adding to #Freberg15 as well for my students.

Hope you all are having a great day!

Best Wishes,
Karen