Welcome back to “Ask an Advisor,” the advice column where real financial professionals answer questions from real people. The topic can be anything in the world of finance, from retirement to taxes to wealth management — or even advice on advising.
For more than a decade now, it’s been conventional wisdom that white collar professionals should use social media to improve their careers. But every platform is different — X (formerly Twitter) embraces snark, Facebook is family-friendly and Instagram typically focuses on beautiful places and snacks.
And then there’s LinkedIn. Originally a place to park your resumé and headshot, the website has evolved into something closer to Facebook: a place where people share personal news, accomplishments and ideas — in a way that’s not only family-friendly, but also safe for work.
READ MORE: Ask an Advisor: How to coordinate with outside professionals
But like work itself, LinkedIn straddles the border between social and professional. There’s a thin line between bringing your “whole self” and embarrassing yourself. How can someone make the best of it without oversharing or underutilizing the platform?
This dilemma is as hard for journalists as it is for wealth managers. Today’s question comes from a professional right here at Financial Planning: our very own tech reporter, Rob Burgess. Here’s what he wrote:
Dear advisors,
When I first signed up for LinkedIn, and for several years after, it was mostly used as a static resume and job board. In the past few years though, I’ve noticed that it has also become a professional social media network. I’ve seen friends and colleagues have success on the platform, but I’ve yet to really use it in this way.
How do you use LinkedIn as a social media network? How is what you post there different from what you post on other platforms? Who are you trying to reach when you post? What have been the most effective types of posts you’ve made there?
Sincerely,
Rob Burgess
And here’s what financial advisors wrote back:
