Wednesday Wisdom: The Long Game of LinkedIn
This week finds me in Alexandria, Virginia, working with a firm founded by a partner from the one I helped manage in the early 1990s. As I walk these familiar streets, I can’t help but think about how LinkedIn made this moment possible.
A Little Backstory
In 1990, I spent two years as the firm administrator for an intellectual property law firm here in Alexandria—an incredible experience during the early years of my legal administration career. When I married and relocated to the Upstate of South Carolina, I carried with me not just the skills I had honed, but friendships with many of the attorneys I had worked alongside.
Like so many professional relationships, our communication dwindled over time. But when LinkedIn launched in May 2003, I became an early adopter. I took the time to build my contact list with attorneys and professionals I had worked with across several firms.
When I launched my consulting business in 2011, focusing on strategic planning and marketing services for law firms, the support from my online network was overwhelming. My commitment to staying connected and supporting others in my network paid off in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
In 2017, a post I shared on LinkedIn caught the attention of Ben Hauptman—now a senior partner in his own firm. This prompted him to reach out, leading to an invitation to return to Alexandria to work with his team. Over the years, I’ve partnered with his firm on a variety of projects. I wouldn’t be here today without the relationships I nurtured and the effort I put into staying connected.
Why LinkedIn Matters
There are many reasons for professionals to be on LinkedIn—and it’s not just to post selfies or snapshots of last night’s dinner. Your profile is your virtual business card, working for you 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s often the first impression you make before you even meet someone in person.
If you want to make the most of LinkedIn, complete your profile so it reflects who you are and the type of work you want more of, build and maintain your network intentionally, and engage consistently—not just when you need something. Active engagement doesn’t have to mean daily posting, but it does mean showing up—sharing insights, congratulating others, offering value, and staying visible.
Of course, there’s much more to truly maximizing LinkedIn than these few points. Over the years, I have trained hundreds of lawyers on how to use LinkedIn effectively—to meet their professional goals, connect strategically, and position themselves for the opportunities they want most.
The takeaway? Don’t underestimate the power of a platform built on professional connection. Done well, it’s not just social media—it’s a career-long investment.
Wednesday Wisdom: Nurture your relationships—both online and in person—and LinkedIn can be the bridge that leads you back when opportunity opens the door.