Reflections of a Year Writing at LinkedIn

It began with a conversation.

One with new LinkedIn connection, Devin Banerjee, Senior Financial Services Editor at LinkedIn

"David, I see that you're writing posts here, why don't you try write some longer form articles?"

"Not sure. I’ve never thought about it."

"Give it a go"

A week later, I wrote my first - working in the field of  digital branding and reputation management, I felt the area of customer support was worthwhile addressing.

Stunned by the engagement - 17,309 views, 124 shares, 1,162 reactions and 68 comments - I was on my way.

My third piece which was about company culture almost hit 5,000 likes and I had found my calling.

I've always felt an affinity towards LinkedIn more than any of the other social networks and so it wasn't difficult to be inspired to give back to this incredible community

A lot of people on LinkedIn aren’t active and only use it when they’re looking for a job or trying to fill one. The reality is that there’s a wonderfully vibrant community here.  

So what have I learned from my first year writing here?

People love to compare Facebook and LinkedIn! Writing an opinion piece is going to make it seem a bit Facebooky, especially when you use Donald Trump for a cover image. People exchanging opinions on an issue isn’t solely the dominion of Facebook - it can happen on Twitter, Reddit, YouTube and any other platform that allows comments.

Having said this, many have no problem commenting on an article they’ve not actually read!!

There will be trolls and trolls are actually a sign that you’ve made it. Funny trolls are the best! Rude ones need to be blocked.

What is distinctly unlike Facebook, is that I'm not trying to change anyone's mind - all I'm trying to do is make people think.

Looking back at some of the things I’ve written about during the course of the year, it’s clear how ferocious the news cycle is. It devours everything in its path like the monster in The Never Ending Story.

Unfortunately for Josh Hader if you google his name, you can still see a couple of items pertaining to his twitter controversy, but who today is talking about Melania's jacket or Colin Kaepernick's Nike commercial?

I should have realised that writing about ghosting in the workplace would strike a chord. After all, it’s a real pain point with many and LinkedIn is the perfect place to vent about it. Immediately engagement trajectory of this post was different. Instead of tapering off it was snowballing - when the dust settled, 228,842 views, 981 shares, 10,162 likes and 997 comments.

We’re not all the egg. If the only reason you create content is to go viral, you will give up before you get there. As long as I can entertain one reader while making them think of something they hadn’t previously, I’m satisfied.

Can't wait to see what the next 12 months bring and thank you all for inspiring me.

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