Social media has turned communication into truncated sound, video and word bytes. I recently received a direct message (DM) on LinkedIn from a complete stranger and had no idea how to respond. I then remembered that I often use this column to educate, inform and on the occasional chance, entertain. The complete stranger, let’s call him Sospeter for now, may have skipped the class on how to effectively communicate, so I pray he reads this column to get some lessons. Sospeter’s message said: “Hey Carol. Please have a look at my profile and advise.”

First off, who is Sospeter? I have no clue. Secondly, why has he chosen me, out of the 1.1 billion LinkedIn users worldwide? I also have no clue. Thirdly, why does he want me to look at his profile? You guessed it, I have no clue. Fourthly, where is his profile? Well, I suppose he wanted me to stop what I was doing, double click on his picture and then fall into the social media rabbit hole of doom scrolling a stranger’s profile. Fifthly, what advice was he seeking from me? Insert loud sigh here: I. Do. Not. Know.

For those that might be the only visitors in Jerusalem, LinkedIn is a social media networking platform for professionals. It primarily focuses on connecting business professionals and facilitating career development. Consequently, it is a great way of engaging in a professional manner as there is no room for career limiting insults or garbage spewing radicals who hide behind faceless pseudonyms. Users post their online resumes, connect with other professionals, apply for job openings posted by employers and even post or share articles to promote thought leadership.

Like most social media platforms today, LinkedIn does not come with a user manual. You just have to navigate your way around there, treading carefully to ensure that you don’t trip over an embarassing miscommunication landmine in the very public view of your current and future employer. I find the engagements on the LinkedIn platform much healthier than on the artist formerly known as Twitter, because users are more careful in how they engage as they are showcasing their thought process in a very exposed and attributable manner.

As I woke up on the generous side of bed this morning, I decided to click on Sospeter’s profile. He is a regional manager in an East African organization and a degree holder from a top university in Kenya. He’s not a freshly minted graduate, since his profile shows his first job started in 2005. That should put him in his early to mid forties in terms of age range. He’s been around the sun often enough to know a thing or two about a thing or two. But maybe not the effective communication thing. So I will rewrite Sospeter’s message for him, to help him slide into the “DMs” of other LinkedIn users effectively. Here :

“Hey Carol, I hope you are keeping well. [A basic attempt to care about how I am doing, Sospeter, will be appreciated] I follow you on LinkedIn as I enjoy your regular posts about quantum mechanics, particularly your views on wave particle duality. [Ok I have absolutely no clue what that is, but ChatGPT says it’s very tough. The point is, Sospeter you should demonstrate you know or care a little about what I profess to do.] I am reaching out to you as I see that you are going to speak at the Quantum Mechanics Annual Conference in Geneva later this year. [Context is imperative Sospeter, so that I can know why you chose me out of the 1.1 billion LinkedIn Users and, by this time, my curiosity will be piqued]. I wish to attend the conference and would love your advice on how I can frame my profile in a manner that will get me invited into the exclusive event. [Sospeter, this helps me to know what the aim of your random request for a profile review is.] Please find the profile attached for your ease of reference [You see how I don’t have to hunt all over the regional map for it Sospeter?] I thank you in advance for your kind attention. [ A little gratitude and buttering me up won’t hurt Sospeter, particularly since I don’t know you from a jar of jam.] Regards, Sospeter.

Chat GPT says that LinkedIn plays a crucial role in the modern professional landscape, making it an essential tool for anyone looking to advance their career or build a professional brand. To all the Sospeters out there, please use it as the professional tool it is, and not the roadside socializing app you think it might be.

X:@carolmusyoka

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