WEBINAR: LinkedIn for Social Impact Communicators in 2024

Summary

In this webinar, Sean Gibbons and Tanya introduce strategies for leveraging LinkedIn as a social impact communicator. They discuss the platform's unique advantages, including its trusted environment and high user engagement, and provide actionable tips on using LinkedIn for networking, thought leadership, and team building. The session includes real-world examples, practical advice on profile optimization, and prompts for creating engaging content, emphasizing the importance of human connection and authenticity in professional online interactions.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The webinar is designed to engage participants through a two-word check-in practice, encouraging attendees to share their status and foster a sense of community.
• 🗣 The Communications Network has a robust Slack community of over 2,200 members, providing a platform for networking and support among global colleagues.
• 🔄 The 'Circles' program connects members based on shared interests, identities, or organizational roles, enhancing professional relationships and collaboration.
• 📹 The webinar will be recorded and made available on YouTube for free, ensuring accessibility to the content for those who cannot attend live.
• 🤝 Local groups are organizing meetups across the country, offering opportunities for in-person networking and community building for both members and non-members.
• 🎯 LinkedIn is identified as the preferred social platform for the majority of the Communications Network's members, highlighting its importance in professional networking and content sharing.
• 📈 LinkedIn's algorithm favors content from its users, providing longer visibility for posts compared to other platforms, making it an effective tool for reaching a wider audience.
• 💼 LinkedIn members are more likely to donate to nonprofits and are considered more credible sources of information, emphasizing the platform's value for social impact professionals.
• 📊 Only a small percentage of LinkedIn users post regularly, indicating a potential opportunity for increased engagement and influence for those who utilize the platform.
• 👤 The webinar encourages participants to share their perspectives and stories on LinkedIn to build a trusted brand and deeper influence within their sector.
• 🛠️ The session provides practical advice on leveraging LinkedIn for professional development, networking, and thought leadership, including strategies for content creation and profile optimization.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 'two-word check-in' practice used in the webinar?

The 'two-word check-in' is a practice borrowed from Professor Brené Brown to help participants quickly express how they are feeling at the start of the session, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Why is the Communications Network's Slack community beneficial for its members?

The Slack community is beneficial as it allows members to connect with over 2,200 people globally, exchange ideas, seek help, build new relationships, and participate in the Circles program for more focused networking.

What is the Circles program in the Communications Network, and how does it work?

The Circles program is a feature within the Slack community that connects members based on shared issues, identities, or roles within their organizations, facilitating more targeted and meaningful interactions.

How are the local groups within the Communications Network different from the Slack and Circles programs?

Local groups are geographically based and host in-person gatherings, making them more accessible for members in the same area. Unlike Slack and Circles, participation in local groups is open to all, not just network members.

What is the significance of LinkedIn as a platform for social impact communicators according to the webinar?

LinkedIn is significant because it is the most preferred and trusted social media platform among the sector, with a high percentage of its members being more likely to donate to nonprofits and engage with content that aligns with their values.

What are some strategic ways to use LinkedIn as discussed in the webinar?

Strategic ways include finding the right people for board positions or partnerships, individually connecting with donors and supporters, being seen and seeing others in the sector, raising the profile of organizational representatives, and using LinkedIn for PR and event promotion.

How can LinkedIn be used to build thought leadership within an organization?

LinkedIn can be used to showcase the expertise of organizational leaders by sharing insights, opinions, and experiences related to the field. It also allows for engagement with peers and influencers in the comments section of posts.

What is the 'lazy on LinkedIn' approach mentioned by the speaker, and how does it work?

The 'lazy on LinkedIn' approach is a strategy to spend one hour on the platform doing intentional activities that drive impact. It includes posting content, engaging with others through comments and messages, running searches for new connections, and repurposing existing assets into shareable content.

How can LinkedIn profiles be optimized to better represent individuals and their work?

Profiles can be optimized by updating the headline to tell a one-sentence story about the individual's work, using the about section to share personal passion and vision, adding a link to a relevant website or resource, and featuring the best work in the featured section.

What are some examples of content that can be shared on LinkedIn to build trust and engagement?

Examples include self-reflections, lifting up others, sharing opinions and perspectives on industry trends or misconceptions, celebrating milestones, and repurposing existing assets like articles or event highlights.

How can employees or board members be encouraged to become ambassadors for their organization on LinkedIn?

Leadership should model and mentor this behavior, create a culture of reflection and sharing, provide training on optimizing profiles and crafting posts, and celebrate successes to encourage buy-in and participation.