What does community look like for a LinkedIn expert?

Clarene Mitchell, Founder/CEO of TCM Communications, insists on changing the trajectory of lives and businesses, one LinkedIn profile at a time. She joined Todd Nilson on Talk About Your Community to cover how she has built her company and community through results-driven LinkedIn coaching, corporate training, event speaking and ghostwriting services.

This spurred a lively discussion around using social media platforms for community, the importance of genuine connection versus pitch-slapping approaches, and thoughts around the viability of AI into the future! This is one discussion you do not want to miss.

Here are five compelling reasons to watch the interview with Clarene all the way through:

1. Expert Insights on LinkedIn: Clarene Mitchell is a highly respected LinkedIn expert. Her expertise and unique approach to utilizing LinkedIn for community building and professional growth are central themes of the conversation. Her insights are particularly valuable for anyone looking to leverage LinkedIn more effectively.

2. Discussion on Community Building: The conversation dives into the nuances of community building on large social media platforms, specifically LinkedIn. This is useful for professionals and community strategists interested in understanding the dynamics of online communities and how platforms like LinkedIn can be effectively used for this purpose.

3. Real-life Applications and Strategies: Clarene discusses her journey and strategies in building her brand and community on LinkedIn. These real-life examples provide actionable insights and inspiration for viewers looking to enhance their professional presence and community engagement online.

4. Debate on Platform Effectiveness: There's a candid exchange about Todd’s skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of LinkedIn and other large platforms for community building. This debate is valuable as it presents different viewpoints, potentially challenging and expanding the audience's perspectives on social media's role in professional networking and community building.

5. Diversity and Authenticity in Business: The interview highlights Clarene’s experiences as a Black woman business owner and entrepreneur, adding a layer of diversity and authenticity. Her perspective enriches the discussion, making it highly relevant for a wider audience interested in diversity in business and the unique challenges faced by minority entrepreneurs.

About Clarene Mitchell

She is the Founder/CEO of TCM Communications. She changes the trajectory of lives and businesses, one LinkedIn profile at a time. Clarene accomplishes this through results-driven LinkedIn coaching, corporate training, event speaking and ghostwriting services.

Clarene’s LinkedIn

Show Notes

Complex Relationship with LinkedIn for Community Building (0:55): Despite acknowledging the power and networking potential of LinkedIn, there's skepticism about its effectiveness as a platform for community building. The discussion delves into the contrast between large social media platforms like LinkedIn and smaller, more intimate online communities such as Slack instances, Discords, or private forums.

The Importance of Authenticity on LinkedIn (6:29): Authenticity plays a crucial role in community building on LinkedIn, where adapting to the platform's unique dynamics is key. Despite its vast user base exceeding one billion members globally, success on LinkedIn hinges on understanding and embracing its specialized rules of engagement. Clarene Mitchell emphasizes the significance of being authentic on the platform, fostering connections through personal stories and genuine interactions.

Investing in LinkedIn for Long-Term Results (18:13): Success on LinkedIn requires a commitment to the platform's unique dynamics and a long-term investment in building genuine connections. Clarene Mitchell advises against expecting quick returns and emphasizes the importance of cultivating quality professional relationships over time. Avoiding ulterior motives and sales-driven approaches, individuals should focus on providing value and fostering two-way communication within their network.

Embracing Human-Centric Engagement on LinkedIn (29:08): Clarene Mitchell cautions against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, advocating for a human-centric approach to content creation and engagement. Mitchell emphasizes the importance of genuine interactions over AI-generated content and highlights concerns about the integrity of platforms awards, such as LinkedIn's Top Voice, which may be influenced by automated processes. She shares skepticism about the long-term viability of AI on LinkedIn.

Emphasizing Quality over Quantity in LinkedIn Community Building (41:07): Clarene Mitchell highlights the importance of prioritizing substance and value in content creation on LinkedIn, focusing on authentic engagement rather than algorithmic triggers. She discusses the recent algorithm changes on LinkedIn that shifted towards emphasizing quality over quantity, challenging the misconception that decreased impressions indicate platform failure. Mitchell shares examples of successful community building on LinkedIn, demonstrating the power of forging genuine connections and relationships, regardless of geographical barriers. She concludes with a call to action for viewers to rethink their approach to community building on the platform, encouraging them to prioritize quality interactions and meaningful engagement.