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LinkedIn Shares Tips on What to Post During COVID-19 Lockdowns

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linkedin shares tips on what to post during covid 19 lockdowns

Like every social platform, LinkedIn has seen an influx in user activity over the past two weeks. 

With people around the world staying home to limit the spread of COVID-19, professionals have been logging on to LinkedIn to stay informed, and to keep updated as to how other businesses are handling the situation, in order to inform their own approach.

LinkedIn engagement has been increasing for some time, so it’s not surprising to see more people turning to the platform for professional advice. And this week, LinkedIn has provided some tips on how people can make best use of its platform to better connect and engage with their networks.

First off, LinkedIn has provided some more general posting tips, beyond the COVID-19 situation alone, which could help you improve your posting strategies for the platform.

Here are LinkedIn’s four key tips:

1. “Post about your experiences”

LinkedIn says that providing your personal stories and insights is key to maximizing engagement on the platform, and building a presence within your respective communities.

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“Share a post on your feed about what your new work day looks like. Just got done with a video interview? Share a couple of learnings and tips in an article in case it helps others who might be going through the same thing. Simply posting a question, like – “how do I boost team morale?” – is also a great way to get the insights you need, surface other points of view you hadn’t considered, help others and forge new connections.”

Many people hesitate in sharing their personal experience, as they don’t want to reveal some perceived flaw or weakness, but in these times, there’s a good chance that other business people are feeling what you’re feeling, and asking the same questions you are about how to forge a path ahead.

In this respect, sharing your thoughts could be a great way to build new connections, and establish a stronger presence within your professional network. 

2. “Discover and comment on conversations that are most relevant to you”

In addition to posting your own thoughts, LinkedIn also recommends branching out by searching for discussions relevant to your interests and experiences.  

“Searching hashtags is a fast way to do this. If you recently discovered a video conferencing hack that helped your team have more efficient meetings, search #videoconference and comment on posts with your advice. Found an effective way to keep your kids occupied while you take a work call? Share your story and tag co-workers or close connections who may need similar advice.”

Since re-introducing hashtags to its platform a few years back, LinkedIn has been working on ways to make them a bigger focus, and a better way to sort and discover relevant discussions. Now, hashtags may actually be more relevant on LinkedIn than they are on Twitter, where the hashtag concept started, as they enable you to seek out relevant discussions and engage with other professionals in your field/s of interest.

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A simple comment can go a long way, and may lead to more opportunities in future. 

3. “Be yourself and offer your unique perspective”

This one’s a little more contentious – though the recommendation is coming from LinkedIn itself, so it would have the data to back it up.

LinkedIn notes that not everything you share on the platform has to be about work, specifically.

“Some of the most successful posts come from professionals who discuss lessons they’ve learned from their personal lives, show appreciation for their team, or share words of encouragement, like this positivity thread and post about ways to spread kindness.”

Now, in this context, LinkedIn has kept its definitions confined to professional-related content, but some people do post overly personal, non-work related updates to LinkedIn. And those don’t always go over so well with users.

How you feel about this will come down to personal interpretation, but I would note that not all of your life experiences need to relate to business culture, not everything should be used as a metaphor for climbing the corporate ladder or maximizing your “hustle”, day-to-day.

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LinkedIn says that the key here is to be genuine, “which makes you more approachable and better reflects who you really are”.

The specifics in this case do matter, and it is worth considering the value or utility of what you’re posting within the context of the people who’ll see it on the platform. But there is value in highlighting the need for more empathetic connection – especially in times like this. 

4. “Stay informed with trusted news and share your thoughts”

Right now, people are looking for information. Unfortunately, the answers generally being sought are not available, as no one knows the full impacts of the current crisis, but people are looking to get the latest news, and discuss what it means for them and their industries.

On this front, LinkedIn recently added a new Trending News element which specifically focuses on COVID-19, and features key updates from experts, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

LinkedIn COVID-19 info panel

LinkedIn notes that following the latest news, and sharing articles to your feed, can be another way to engage in the broader conversation, “and engage and inform your LinkedIn community”.

In addition to these tips, LinkedIn has also provided three specific notes on communications in the time of COVID-19, and how brands should look to approach their messaging during the pandemic.

As noted by LinkedIn:

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On LinkedIn the number of articles about coronavirus increased by 17X between February 1 and March 17. The biggest topics of discussion we’ve seen on LinkedIn are perspectives and advice on remote working, social distancing, crisis management, business continuity, online learning, collaboration and more. For example, “remote working” searches on LinkedIn Learning tripled in March.”

With higher sensitivity around the topics of discussion, particularly in a marketing and branding sense, LinkedIn advises that businesses should also consider focusing on:

  • Managing employees through change
  • Leading with trust
  • Adapting to drive business continuity

LinkedIn says that companies should consider how they can reinforce company culture though their posts, and keep employees connected virtually via relevant updates, while they should also consider how they can assist in the current situation and demonstrate corporate responsibility.

LinkedIn post from 3M

That doesn’t necessarily mean providing updates on every aspect of your internal operations and processes, however. In this example, 3M is announcing its move to increase production of medical supplies to assist in COVID-19 response efforts. That’s both relevant to the current effort, and valuable for potential customers and partners to know, underlining what the brand stands for and how it’s looking to help.

No doubt you’ve received a heap of emails in the past week from brands outlining their efforts to respond to COVID-19, but much of this information is not overly helpful to customers who are dealing with their own situations. Many of these emails are also too long to be relevant – what people need to know right now is how your business is looking to help, and what it can offer to address key concerns and problems. That’s the messaging that you need to consider.

These are some good tips, and if you’re looking for ways to improve your LinkedIn approach, it’s worth incorporating them into your approach. 

And it is worth considering how you get back to communicating with your audience. The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be significant, but they’ll only be made worse by businesses waiting it out and seeing what comes next. Many, of course, have been forced into this situation, due to the shutdown of events and venues, but many other companies can still operate, and can adjust their focus to adapt to the current situation.

It’s not ideal, and no one wants to be operating in this environment. But it also looks set to be like this for some time. The more you can look to get back to a level of “normal”, the more you can lessen the broader economic impacts moving forward.

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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