LinkedIn: How The Government Gets Social
Sage Communications hosts guest speakers from a variety of fields, backgrounds and disciplines. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Michael Cirrito, Federal Practice Leader for LinkedIn. Michael works to educate government agencies on how they can leverage LinkedIn to further their mission through the acquisition of talent.
Michael’s visit to Sage brought about the opportunity to discuss how LinkedIn Government can be utilized by organizations in the communications and marketing fields to reach government agencies. Michael offered us many valuable tips and advice for using LinkedIn as an advocacy, thought leadership, and B2G platform.
The Data Doesn’t Lie
With over 435 million users worldwide, LinkedIn provides access to the largest network of professionals. In the U.S. alone there are over 128 million users, 40 percent of whom are considered active on a regular basis. LinkedIn is based on three values, “Connect, Stay Informed, and Get Hired.” More than ever, users are beginning to understand the second value with seven times more content pages being created than job pages. There are also over 1.2 million member-published pieces on LinkedIn. In fact, LinkedIn did a study that found that users consider time spent on LinkedIn is an investment versus time spent on other social networks as time spent.
How is Government Using LinkedIn?
Besides the 80,000+ government employees who are spending time on LinkedIn, government agencies are using LinkedIn in several ways. They are using it to recruit new talent. The National Security Agency (NSA) uses interactive puzzles to select new hires. If you can solve the puzzle on LinkedIn, then you have a better chance of getting hired. They are also using LinkedIn to engage with citizens and humanize their agencies. By displaying charity work being done or participating in dialogue, government agencies are able to show their human side. Lastly, they are using LinkedIn for publishing. Top executives are publishing thought leadership pieces and industry material via LinkedIn. In fact, the followers on LinkedIn are 61 percent more likely to share information that is posted by an individual, especially industry influencers.
Believe It or Not…
LinkedIn has become #1 for thought leadership among social networks.
The Defense Intelligence Agency is the most sought-after government agency on LinkedIn.
There are more than 10,500 groups with some type of government focus.
Local governments are utilizing LinkedIn to connect with industry leaders to meet the needs of their communities.
The top LinkedIn group for government professionals and agencies is “Better Government” with over 17,000 members.