Social media has a role in most activities in today’s world, whether it’s a post about an event you’re attending, your adventures over the weekend, or a new product launch at work. But where is the balance when it comes to sharing really personal updates on your professional channels?
We all know that people buy from people, and ultimately, you want to work with peers you like and/or those who you share interests with – and for these people, you grow to care about them and want to know more about their lives. This means that families, relationships, news, successes and challenges all become a part of the conversation. But where does the conversation start and stop for social?
In my opinion, I think it comes down to personal preference and what you are comfortable sharing – with a deep and important consideration that LinkedIn in particular, is an open platform for professionals to connect and grow. What I share on my private social media channels does include my family, friends, holidays and the things I love, and a lot of this content I would not consider posting on LinkedIn – largely because I want to keep some parts of my private life, exactly that: private.
So, when does it become ok?
A good example is September – it is notorious for “back to school” posts, and for many, it brings new routines and challenges. And I’ll be honest, I surprised myself as I was lining up my daughters’ school shoes for a stylised photo specifically for LinkedIn… Usually this would not be something I’d even consider, but I was feeling the anxiety of change, aware of a new chapter approaching with both of my children now at school, my own changing working hours and therefore, the impact on my own work/life balance.
And if I was feeling the uncertainty, surely others were too?
So, I think this is where some of the blurred lines come into play. How we feel and how we present ourselves in the professional environment is important and it matters, particularly to others. Today, we are all much more aware of our own mental health and that of those around us, and actively support colleagues, peers and friends, so I think it’s important to take the time to reflect inwards too, particularly for those thought leaders across the industry – showcasing that it absolutely is ok to have a wobble, to acknowledge change coming up and the feelings that come into play as a result.
Often I hear others say, “But who cares what I think…” or “Who cares what I have to say?” And believe me, I have those same thoughts too, but at some point, we all have to understand our role across the industry and make peace that if we have lots of connections, there’s people who are listening and absorbing what we have to say… So yes, your opinions do matter, your contributions are important and when you’re anxious about something – there’s a chance that it will be impacting others too.
So bringing me back to my main point, what is appropriate for LinkedIn? My top tips are:
- If you can find a link back to your work, your industry or how you feel about your responsibilities, then there’s a chance that it’s relevant and/or of interest for others too
- Your network are people too and they are connected with you/following you because you have an influence on their roles – consider this carefully
- Planning your content doesn’t need to be fancy or complex, it just needs to be real – just make sure you bring it back to your profession, your role or your company/sector
- Keep it engaging and relevant – don’t post because “it’s been a while”, but because you have something interesting, newsworthy and timely to share
- Make it interesting – share imagery and video assets along with your content to encourage more engagement
If you’d like any support with LinkedIn content, planning or training, do reach out to our fabulous team of experts via hello@adpr.co.uk or slide into our DMs.
(And side note for those wondering, I do also have the usual photos of them stood by the front door, fresh faced and dreaming about their future careers.)