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.

A powerful LinkedIn strategy involves a two-part approach: use your main posts to share a contrarian or challenging point of view to capture attention and establish expertise. Then, in the comments section, remain unfailingly positive and supportive—even when disagreeing—to build relationships and goodwill.

When facing a significant customer service issue with a brand you care about, bypass standard channels and email the founder or CEO. Frame your feedback constructively. High-level leaders are often disconnected from front-line issues and appreciate direct, actionable feedback, leading to white-glove service and a faster, more favorable resolution.

Fear of negative feedback prevents many professionals from posting content. Reframe this fear by understanding the psychology of trolls. People who leave hateful comments are often in pain themselves, and lashing out is their way of seeking temporary relief. Their comments are a reflection of them, not you.

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.

For corporate brands hesitant to engage in conversations on LinkedIn, a low-risk starting point is to comment on posts from podcasts or media outlets where they've previously been featured. This provides a 'safety factor' by leveraging existing, approved relationships and ensures contextually relevant engagement.

In toxic work cultures that protect high-performing but problematic employees, the most effective strategy isn't to complain but to leave. Proactively build your personal brand and expertise on LinkedIn to attract recruiters and create your own exit opportunities, reclaiming your power.

Demystify LinkedIn by treating it as a physical conference. Your profile is your professional attire, your content is your keynote speech, and commenting on others' posts is networking during the coffee break. This makes platform functions intuitive and purpose-driven.

Instead of sending a cold connection request, first find a prospect's recent post and leave a thoughtful comment. This "pre-engagement" warms up the interaction, making your subsequent personalized connection request far more likely to be accepted because you are no longer a stranger.