Help me get on LinkedIn Live

I applied to get access to LinkedIn Live. LinkedIn Live is a beta feature which allows users to live stream through their LinkedIn accounts.

This is my entire application, word for word. I'm sharing it publicly for the following reasons:

1) You can see how much effort I put into this, which I'm hoping will inspire a few people to help

2) You can get the opportunity to help, if you want (scroll down for two options)

3) In order for my journey on LinkedIn to not occur entirely behind the scenes. I'm a real person, I'm not superhuman (despite the cape) and I want to share that with you

So, here's my application. I copy and pasted the two text fields. The rest was just standard answers (how many followers, how often do you want to post, etc.)

But before my application, if you want to apply for access to LinkedIn Live, go here !

What ideas do you have for streaming live on LinkedIn? Keep in mind that we're looking for members or companies that can go live with compelling and interactive content on a consistent basis.*This field is required.

Garfield hates Mondays. He's not the only one. Did you know most suicides occur on Mondays? Or Wednesday, study depending. But who cares what day it is, when people we love are in hiding? 

It's all over the news. Suicide is the second leading cause of death. But were you aware 19.1% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2018? Although many struggle, our struggle is compounded by loneliness. Two in five Americans report (sometimes or always) feeling their relationships are not meaningful. One in five feel lonely or emotionally isolated. Did you know some researchers believe loneliness can be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes per day? So many of us are in pain, yet unaware of the other person grappling with a similar experience. Even when they're in the seat beside us. It's a powerful, gripping question: So many struggle with mental health. So why do we feel so lonely? It's simple. We're talking about it, but not with each other.  

Maybe we talk about it with our therapists or one trusted friend. In anonymity online. After one too many at the bar. Yet in professional environments, we hide. The solution isn't more programs promoting mental health awareness. The solution isn't any single person. Change is happening, and it's happening one conversation at a time. 

I'd love to host a weekly scheduled live stream called "Mental Health Monday." Beginning at 8pm EST, Monday's live stream would last between 1-2 hours. The stream's topic is mental health. As the mental health crisis continues to escalate, affecting those we love, the time for a live stream focused on mental health is now. 

This feature is in beta. Access is limited. Why stream live about mental health? Why not just post, or publish a LinkedIn article? It's not enough. When I don't want to get out of bed in the morning, or become trapped in an obsessive loop, I don't reach for an article. It takes sunlight. It takes getting out of bed, getting dressed and meeting other people. It takes community. 

Study after study shows the evidence is overwhelming. The solution to our mental health crisis is community. I'm a frequent audience member on LinkedIn live streams here (ex. Joaned Iqbal and Cory Warfield's) which showed me how streams have the power to foster a sense of community through real-time interaction.       

This live stream is compelling because it's relevant. 1 out of 5 adults live with mental illness. Did you know 56% report anticipate a feeling of discomfort talking about it with family and friends? I remember having OCD from as early as I can remember. For years, I had so much shame I never spoke about it. Now I can. I freed myself from that shame, and my freedom has the potential to help others free themselves. Experiencing PTSD, depression and anxiety taught me that being candid about mental health makes the world a better place for everyone. The more we can remove the shame and stigma while validating the struggles so many of us go through, the better. It takes sunlight. 

By connecting in the comments, engaging and continuing the conversation post-stream, we can have more of these important conversations. If the response to "Mental Health Monday" is positive, I'd use live stream to host periodically scheduled interviews about mental health related-issues with other LinkedIn users. I love interviewing people. My network may be small, but it's mighty, and many of my connections are ready and willing to be interviewed about their experiences related to mental health. Live stream is the perfect medium for interviews because the audience can ask questions mid-stream, which organically crafts increasingly compelling content as the stream progresses. 

The battle for mental health is relevant and pressing. Suicides are on the rise, but so is the loneliness quotient. This indicates that while many of us are experiencing similar struggles, we're experiencing inhibition which prevents us from sharing with each other. While no one person is the solution, it would be an honor to do my part. "Mental Health Monday" would contribute an interactive stream geared towards mental health to share, interact and foster new connections in the LinkedIn community. 

I'm not a mental health professional, which is why I'm not qualified to dispense mental health advice or counsel on stream. Prior to every stream, I'll provide links to resources to access qualified, licensed professionals. We're on our way to solving the mental health crisis, and it's happening one conversation at a time. Please consider my application to make my small contribution of time and effort to a problem which affects us all.  

This community is increasingly coming together over an issue so many of us experience, but few discuss. Thank you for considering my application to the beta version of LinkedIn Live. 

P.S.

I hesitated to apply because I don't have a large follower count. Talking about mental health is important. It's bigger than just me. I've never felt like the perfect messenger, which is why those struggling need to hear from me, not someone who does. 

In addition to mental health-related issues, I have insight to share with those who use LinkedIn for professional development. As a copywriter, I know how to create content and optimize conversion for landing pages. As a power user on this platform, I know how to aggressively network by creating high-value relationships using LinkedIn. 

Sources: 

1. Common days for suicides

2. Suicide, 2nd leading cause of death, 19.1% experienced mental health 

3. 2 in 5 Americans experience loneliness

4. 1 in 5 americans experience mental illness, 56% uncomfortable sharing with family and friends

Is there anything else you'd like for us to know?

Yes! I'm really enjoying being here on LinkedIn. I feel invested in the community and see my contributions as important to the environment here. Since I've been on LinkedIn, I've met mentors, colleagues, other women in business, and formed true friendships. I'm deeply bought into the community, and I see the impact of my posts and my engagement. I care so much about my impact being positive. I take my LinkedIn relationships offline whenever possible (coffee, events, etc.) because to me LinkedIn is a way to build real, lasting relationships.  

Today is exactly 90 days since my first post on LinkedIn, which was July 4th, 2019. In 3 months, I grew my network from 170 to ~2,000 followers. Those are numbers. What moves my heart and has literally brought me to tears is the countless phone calls, video chats and dozens of in-person meetings. 

I have personal recommendations for LinkedIn Live from Cory Warfield, Brian Golod and Jonaed Iqbal. Also, Cory told me to "Tell them you’re my peeps." I'm Cory's peeps. And a happier title I've never had. 

Cory Warfield: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/corywarfield/ (Has access to live, streams regularly)

Brian Golod: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/briangolod/ (Queued for live) 

Jonaed Iqbal: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/jonaed/ (Has access to live, host of LinkedInsomnia) 

Please see the post I wrote about this application: 

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/aliluck_copywriting-mentalhealth-pureluck-activity-6585315293529153536-FW1P

Okay! That's my application, submitted on October 3rd, 2019. Want to help? Here are two ways:

1. In your LinkedIn account, click on "My Network." Click "Connections." Click "Search With Filters" on the top right. Click "Current Companies" and type "LinkedIn" into the "Add a current company" field. Click "Apply." Did anyone show up? If yes, that person works at LinkedIn. For example, when I tested this, five of my 1st degree connections were LinkedIn employees. I'd love if you contacted any of your connections who work at LinkedIn and asked them to help me get access to LinkedIn Live. Even if they're not a member of the relevant team, they may know someone (or know someone, who knows someone) who is. Feel free to share the link to this article with them, or with anyone.
2. No one in your network shows up as employed by LinkedIn? That's okay! Comment on this article and tag LinkedIn Support. Let's make some noise!