To build a strong professional network and advance your career, actively participate in relevant online communities. As speaker Jeremy Byars quotes, "if you want a village, be a villager." Consistent, genuine engagement creates visibility and opportunities that passive observation never will.

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The primary reason new LinkedIn content gets no traction isn't poor quality, but a lack of an initial audience. Before focusing on content creation, prioritize building a relevant network through connection requests and engagement to ensure people actually see your posts.

Instead of waiting for speaking invitations, build your brand by creating your own platforms. Guest Goldie Chan established her LinkedIn authority by proactively organizing and hosting the first LinkedIn creator summit at VidCon, which then opened doors to more opportunities.

To get hired in a competitive market, stop spamming resumes. Instead, consistently create and publish content on platforms like LinkedIn that showcases your expertise, knowledge, and passion for your craft. This demonstrates value and attracts opportunities, making you a magnet for recruiters rather than just another applicant.

Building a social media audience is poor advice for SaaS founders. An audience offers passive reach (retweets), while a network of deep, two-way relationships provides true leverage (customer introductions, key hires, strategic advice). Time is better spent cultivating a network than chasing followers.

Frame your online conduct as if you were at an in-person industry event. You wouldn't make divisive political statements that could alienate half the room. Focus on helping people and building connections, not on expressing polarizing views that damage potential business relationships.

The most effective way to receive valuable introductions is to become a valuable introducer yourself. By connecting people without expecting a direct "tit for tat" return, you build social capital and activate a cycle of reciprocity that brings opportunities back to you organically.

Despite receiving hundreds of online applications for a single role, the majority of candidates ultimately hired at competitive companies like Google already have a connection inside the organization. This highlights that building a professional network to secure internal advocates is more critical for job seekers than simply optimizing a resume.

The easiest way to increase your visibility is to consistently comment on other people's content. To make this effective, be strategic: comment on posts by industry leaders where your target audience will see your name, photo, and headline in a relevant context.

If you hate your job or are unemployed, transform your LinkedIn into a content platform. Post daily videos sharing insights and observations about your industry. This demonstrates active expertise and attracts opportunities from hiring managers who see your value, rather than just reading a static resume.

High performers don't network passively; they treat it as a core operational discipline with measurable goals. By setting a simple metric, such as making one valuable introduction for others per week, they proactively nurture their network with a giving-first mentality. This systematic approach builds immense social capital and karmic returns over time.

Become a "Villager" in Digital Communities to Accelerate Your Career | RiffOn