The session explored how charities and individuals can use the platform to build connections, raise visibility, and share meaningful stories.

Why LinkedIn Matters

LinkedIn has evolved far beyond a job board and is now a valuable space for networking, learning, and advocacy. While many attendees felt unsure about posting, Kirsty emphasised that success on LinkedIn comes from authentic connection rather than perfection.

Optimise Your Profile

Think of your profile as your digital first impression:

• Use a recent profile photo.
• Add a relevant header image that reflects your work or values.
• Create a headline that explains what you do, who you help, and the impact you make.
• Use the About section to share your motivation, expertise, and achievements.
• Keep your experience up to date and seek recommendations from colleagues and partners.

Overcoming Posting Anxiety

Many people worry about being judged or appearing self-promotional. Kirsty reassured attendees that LinkedIn is generally a supportive platform and encouraged users to focus on sharing experiences, insights, and lessons learned.

Building Meaningful Networks

Connect with people you know, meet professionally, or may collaborate with. Follow individuals you simply want to learn from. Personalised connection requests are more effective than generic invitations.

Supporting Your Charity

Employee content often reaches and engages more people than organisational posts. When sharing charity updates, add your own perspective to make the content more authentic and relatable.

What to Post

The most engaging LinkedIn posts tell stories rather than simply announce activities. Share:

• What happened
• What you learned
• Why it matters
• Questions or reflections it raised

Helpful, human, and insightful content typically performs best.

Create Consistent Content

Focus on 3–4 topics you can speak about confidently, such as your area of expertise, lived experience, professional interests, or sector issues you care about.

Tips for Better Posts

• Start with a strong hook.
• Use short paragraphs and clear formatting.
• Avoid emoji bullet points for accessibility.
• Use up to three relevant hashtags.
• Respond to comments to build engagement.
• Prioritise consistency over frequency.

Final Thought

The key message from the session was simple: LinkedIn works best when you focus on showing who you are, not just what you do. By sharing authentic experiences and insights, both charities and individuals can build stronger connections and greater impact.