How can you use digital platforms to expand your leadership influence?

Digital platforms are crucial for extending my leadership influence. The first step is choosing the right platforms that align with my goals and audience. LinkedIn is my go-to for professional engagement, while I use internal tools like Teams for team communication. I focus on sharing valuable insights, industry news and celebrating team wins, which not only showcases expertise but also builds a community. Interaction is equally vital. I make it a point to reply to comments, which shows I value other people’s input. Being genuine is the bedrock of online influence. So, I maintain consistency in my tone and message across all platforms. Continuous learning keeps me updated and helps in adapting my digital strategy as needed.

I believe you need to use them all. You never know where you’re going to get a listener from. It could be Pinterest or even Threads. There are AI tools out here that we can use to post a piece of content throughout all social media platforms. I get lost in the platforms that I like but not everyone likes what I like. From September and on I’m looking to leverage them all.

Be honest with yourself about your go-to communication approach. Not all platforms are designed to resonate with all types of communicators. Take the time to examine the communication styles of various thought leaders on different platforms (X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc) and see what feels natural to you as a communicator and which platform(s) match your personal style. For example, tweeting for the sake of tweeting is not an effective communication strategy. If you are going to tweet, know what it is that you are seeking to accomplish and what your goals are for tweeting. It may turn out that an alternate platform is simply be a stronger fit for you.

In the digital landscape, diverse platforms resemble different flowers in a garden. Leaders must choose wisely to align with their goals. LinkedIn for insights, Twitter for dialogue, and Instagram for visuals. Strengths shine when matched with platforms – blogs for writers; and YouTube for video creators. Engage where your audience gathers – GitHub for tech pros; Behance for artists. Just as gardeners adapt to seasons, I feel leaders must evolve with platform trends for a lasting leadership impact.

Based on my experience, the question is deeper than which platform is used for what purpose. It also includes where your audience currently spends time more. For example, I found creatives and designers like interacting on instagram while researchers like to share latest trends on twitter.

“Content is king but #engagement is Queen and the lady rules the house!” _ Mari Smith Exceptional #leaders understand that the 3 C’s are critical to ignite your #digitallesdership! Curating a specific culture, communicating your unique value, and building a robust community of champions who believe what you believe will continue to strengthen your engagement and position you as a trusted advisor! #LeadLoudly #maestro #leadership #personalbranding #linkedin #facebook

"Content is king, but #context is the kingdom" (anon). "Content is essential, but context sets the stage," which I believe conveys a similar message. Because of this, #leaders and #advisors recognize that almost all answers and perspectives should include the qualifier "it depends."

Share with the digital community your unique thought leadership and always do it authentically. Be thoughtful that it aligns with your personal brand because consistency is vital. I always encourage being a guest on podcasts.

First define who is your audience? What are their pain points? How can you address them with your content? Then and only then you can answer what is valuable to them.

Content is king but in a world that is quickly shifting to chat based search (i.e #Bard), the relevance of text based content will be shrinking in an #SEO context. It is important for #platforms to address this and find the right balance.

Use Stories to Connect: Share personal anecdotes, challenges, and success stories. It makes you more relatable and authentic.

In a world filled with generic responses in the name of "engagement", it becomes even more important to #personalize your #engagement. Followers need #engagement that is specific to them and their perspective

Nem tudo é sobre nós. Quando ocupamos um lugar de lideran?a, fica parecendo que precisamos sempre ser o exemplo. Justamente ao demonstrar interesse nas outras vozes, interagindo e correspondendo a audiência é que um líder mostra a sua seguran?a!

Creating content without engagement is only half the work to position yourself as a leader. Seek to create engaging conversations via your content or their content. Provide help, guidance, insights and tips!

Stories also help an audience retain the information you are trying to convey. Stories allow others to put themselves in your shoes and experience the information from another lens.

People want to relate to other people. I think any audience can sniff someone that’s disingenuous from a mile away. It it so important to “keep it real” and be honey about your own experiences and what matters to you, and not to try and be too curated or something that you’re not. We are all human at the end of the day.

Leadership transcends polished presentations and curated feeds. It's about authenticity—the key to unlocking trust, engagement, and enduring influence. In the digital noise, relatable leaders stand out, humanizing their brand and becoming a voice people want to connect with. Authenticity creates a ripple effect, cutting through the noise, inspiring engagement, and making your message unforgettable. In online leadership, authenticity is your crown jewel—a bridge to trust, a magnet for loyalty, and a torch lighting the way to lasting influence. Be real, be open, be human, and watch your leadership thrive in the digital landscape.

Authentic leaders possess a clear purpose that shines through their deeds and engagements. Building a strong digital leadership presence is a process that requires dedication and a genuine commitment to your values and purpose. There are a few common traps to avoid: 1. Perception: Do not try to create a carefully curated untrue image of yourself. 2. Fear of Judgment: The online world can be harsh and judgmental but the fear of criticism can lead to self-censor or conforming to popular opinions. 3. Desire for Validation: Likes and shares can become sources of validation but they can lead to seeking approval rather than expressing one's true self. A good self-assessment question is "Do my actions and words reflect my core values?".

Be yourself and not a made up image of what a leader is, you are one! People will appreciate it if your actions align with your posts and image. Also make sure to create a habit otherwise it is hard to build credibility - make your presence known!

Make sure what you are saying digitally matches with how people engage with you in real life. Have integrity with your content. If you are talking about the importance of team building but don't do team building activities on your team there's a disconnect. Would someone you lead or manage read your posts and recognize what you are saying? Be who you say you are.

We should all explore new insights and approaches to optimize and deliver exceptional results. It's important to remain open minded, ask for feedback, and allow yourself to identify areas for improvement. Be proactive and adapt to new trends and technology for continued growth and success!

Once you selected a platform search or follow the expert on how to: 1. Create better content. 2. Provide different type of media: video, text, carousels etc 3. Copywriting! 4. Other tips and tricks from people who were able to establish a community.

Digital platforms are shape-shifting quicksand, and keeping up with the trends can feel like chasing butterflies in a hurricane. My mantra is Stay hungry and stay foolish is only quotes coming to my mind here for keep learning and improving. In the realm of learning and improvement, this philosophy becomes a beacon, urging you to remain eager, curious, and unafraid to tread new paths, fostering a dynamic and innovative journey of personal and professional development. Don't just follow the trends, become the trendsetter. Experiment, innovate, and create like a mad scientist in a digital lab. Anticipate the next wave, be the first to ride it, and leave your mark on the shifting sands.

Navigating the dynamic digital landscape is a perpetual journey. Adapting to trends, experimenting with innovation, and measuring impact are like tools in my kit. Learning from peers, and mentors, and seeking inspiration fuels growth. Just as a marketplace thrives on change, it's important for every one of us to evolve to stay relevant, innovative, and impactful in this ever-shifting digital realm.

In the wild world of digital platforms, change is the name of the game. And guess what? You're part of that game too – time to level up! ?? Stay in the loop: be the trend chaser, the tool tinkerer, and the best-practices master. Dive into new formats and ideas like it's a buffet – try 'em all! Oh, and don't forget your stats – keep an eye on how you're doing, measure that impact, and soak up feedback. Peek over the fence and see what other leaders are up to. Learn from mentors and experts – they're the secret sauce to your growth. See, here's the deal: if you keep learning and tweaking, you're not just relevant – you're on the cutting edge. You're the one setting trends, not just following 'em. ?? #StayCurious #InnovateOrDie

Know Your Audience: Before you start posting, understand who your target audience is. Tailor your content, tone, and medium to what resonates most with them. Choose the Right Platform: Different platforms serve different purposes and audiences. Whether it's LinkedIn for professional networking, Twitter for real-time updates and conversations, or Instagram for more visual content, pick the one(s) that align with your leadership goals. Engage Regularly: Posting regularly helps keep your audience engaged and grows your influence. Use scheduling tools if necessary. Interact with Followers: Respond to comments, engage in discussions, and encourage feedback. This builds trust and makes followers feel valued.

Most digital strategies focus on the immediate impact of content, but few consider its long-term value. Utilize analytics to measure how each piece of content performs over an extended period—3, 6, 12 months. Use this data to update, repurpose, or re-promote high-performing "evergreen" content. This approach turns every piece of content into a long-term asset, maximizing ROI and sustaining your influence.

An important part to consider is to keep authenticity and remember that you are a human also. While I appreciate that keeping a professional attitude is a must, you should consider showing your ‘human’ personal face out there as well. I saw great content from people that only presented their professional self but what really makes it unique is to leave your personal print on it also. Allow the audience to meet the person behind the profile, behind the professional image you project. That will create a feeling of confidence and trust. Remember that while we are all trying to prove ourselves as professionals, showing who you are as a person is as important. Who are you when you take the suit off?

Communication is the Key and to influence people; one needs to utilize all forms of communications and channels to establish credibility and influence. From written content to audio / video formats in the form of podcasts and videos uploaded to Linkedin or YouTube; all content are building blocks for your credibility.

I want to offer a different perspective. Choosing the "correct" platform can leave leaders paralyzed to hit that post button. This results in not spreading their message at all. As leaders, our message shines brighter than the digital platform. For example, my leadership message is to show compassion to yourself and everyone you interact with, regardless of job title. This positive message resonates across all platforms. Focusing on the message makes it easier to hit "post." Spread the message to create an impact. Remember, impact happens even with few followers. Some people don't follow because of stigma, pride, or other reasons. The point is that they saw your positive message. They cannot unring the bell. The next step is theirs.