The Clearly Podcast

Power BI and Social Media

Summary

In this episode we talk about how we work with social media to enhance our professional careers. Most of the conversation is focused on Linkedin.

To bring expertise to the conversation we were joined by Linkedin instructor and regular contributor, Helen Wall. 

In this episode we cover:

  • Ideas on how to get started creating content

  • Our views on the best way to write your content

  • Interacting with fellow users of the platform

  • The benefits of investing your time on Linkedin

All peppered with examples of when we created content that engaged the platform and when we didn’t.

If you’re looking to start generating content for Linkedin, this is the episode for you - we use BI examples, but the conversation is applicable for almost anyone.

As this is the Linkedin episode our profiles are:

Helen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenrmwall/

Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-gough-b1725a50/

Shailan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailan-chudasama-202b23b/

Andy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyclark3/



If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here.

Transcript

Andy:
Welcome to our podcast! Today, we have Helen Wall with us. Helen creates Power BI educational materials for LinkedIn Learning and is highly active on LinkedIn, sharing insights on BI, machine learning, AI, and more. We're excited to discuss our experiences with social media, particularly LinkedIn, and how it benefits our careers and lives. Helen, welcome!

Helen:
Hello, thanks for having me.

Andy:
Let's dive in. How long have you been seriously engaging with LinkedIn?

Helen:
I started seriously engaging with LinkedIn when my first course was published. Initially, I posted weekly, but earlier this year, I began posting daily. I plan my posts ahead of time, often creating graphics through Adobe Illustrator or taking screenshots to illustrate specific topics. Breaking down complex updates into separate posts helps keep the content focused and engaging.

Andy:
That’s great. I think having specific graphics really helps engagement. Tom, how do you use LinkedIn?

Tom:
I use LinkedIn sporadically and mainly as a consumer. I lack consistency and rarely include graphics in my posts. Hearing Helen’s approach is inspiring and gives me ideas on improving my LinkedIn presence.

Andy:
Helen, creating regular, engaging posts must be time-consuming. How do you manage it?

Helen:
It is time-consuming, but I found tools like Hootsuite helpful for scheduling posts in advance. Initially, I posted monthly, then weekly, and now daily. Interacting with others’ posts and resharing with added commentary can also keep your profile active.

Andy:
Great tips. Starting to post can be daunting. How do you deal with the fear of posting?

Helen:
It does take courage, but LinkedIn is a safe place because profiles are linked to professional identities. People are generally respectful. Start by commenting on others' posts or resharing them with your thoughts.

Andy:
Tom, any thoughts on that?

Tom:
Consistency is key, and LinkedIn seems like a safe place to start.

Andy:
Helen, what are the benefits of investing time in LinkedIn?

Helen:
It’s about learning and connecting with others. The benefits include meeting new people, gaining new perspectives, and engaging in meaningful discussions. Don’t focus solely on immediate benefits; see it as a learning experience.

Andy:
Absolutely. What should we watch out for on LinkedIn?

Helen:
Be clear about your experiences and avoid projecting a single approach as the only way. Engage thoughtfully with others and be open to learning. Also, be mindful of how you present data and opinions to avoid misunderstandings.

Andy:
Excellent points. Let’s wrap up with our top takeaways. Helen, you go first.

Helen:

  1. Approach LinkedIn as a learning experience.

  2. Don’t focus too narrowly on one topic.

  3. Engage in discussions and interact with others’ posts.

Tom:

  1. Post regularly.

  2. Plan your posts in advance.

  3. Be aware that not every post will get traction, but consistency is key.

Andy:
Great discussion. Helen, thank you for joining us. This has been insightful and valuable.

Helen:
Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure.

Andy:
Thanks, everyone, for listening. Goodbye!