Does LinkedIn Have A Funny Bone? One Writer’s Journey To Unearth The Humerus Truth
Updated: Feb 28, 2022
Everyone thinks they’re funny - influencers, marketers, and people who have “long-form content is dead” on their profile.
I don’t have such laugh-ty (I promise puns get better ahead) ambitions, but if people were to part with a chuckle, I’d more than graciously accept.
Regardless, let’s talk about what we’re here to talk about - humor on LinkedIn.
There are several questions on my mind that we hope to get out in the open today.
Is there a place for humor on LinkedIn?
Does LinkedIn take itself too seriously?
Is being humorous linked to a lackadaisical nature?
Why are we not talking about aliens in 2021 even though the pentagon practically confirmed... oh, we talking only about LinkedIn? Sorry.
I asked Obama about this issue and this is how he responded -
Why Being Witty Is Important To Me
I got on LinkedIn a few years ago and believe me, one of the first things I searched for before I started writing on this platform is “can you be funny on LinkedIn”.
Why? Because I truly believe long form content needs a bit of humor and pizazz. As a reader, a 3K word article on digital gold can get boring and fast.
And modesty aside, I can write high-quality copy with humor interspersed. And the ability to get people to crack a smile is something I enjoy. I suppose this started off as a defense mechanism to save me from appearing awkward amidst large groups of people. But now, it’s become a part of what I am.
Anyway, my search for humor on LinkedIn was way back in 2015 and unsurprisingly the average of all answers was no. And I’ve searched for the same thing a few times every year, and general opinion hasn’t changed.
The only faint voice of dissent in the otherwise conformist crowd was this article by Kathy Klotz - Using Humor Successfully on LinkedIn (because it doesn't have to die there!) It’s definitely something that meant a lot to me when I read it. And to be honest, that’s what inspired me to write this years later.
This was the sign from the void for me. Another human being that thinks being funny was okay, and could even be a desirable trait on LinkedIn. Good heavens!
Which brings me to my next point -
Why This Article When There’s Literally A Pandemic Going On?
Every year, there’s at least one article about how it’s a bad idea to be funny on LinkedIn. This year I noticed that nobody had uploaded anything related to LinkedIn and comedy.
And I have an inkling as to why…
With COVID-19 ravaging the populace, we are all doing what we can to survive. Lives are being lost, not to mention millions of jobs for the living. Something as trivial as this topic is the last thing people are thinking about.
That said, here's my take on this trivial topic. Yes, I know, I’m the smoothest and text-iest content salesman this side of the universe.
Hold On To A Personality Or A Job?
Unironically, this is what most people like me are faced with. And my response to this question is two words – daily bread. It’s an obvious choice for anyone who isn’t Floyd Mayweather.
That said, I think now is a good time as any to announce officially that there has been a significant shift in my employment dynamic. After slogging in the trenches for over a decade, now I’m free and unbound by the shackles of shortsighted bosses and general conventions.
Of course, the trenches have only gotten deeper and slightly more precarious.
It’s not easy. But money needs hustle.
So I press on. I know I’ve made the right choice for now. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t enjoy working for someone, you just… work for another someone.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Most companies I’ve interviewed for actually pointed out words and sentences that they found were “out of sorts” (gasp). One HR actually highlighted the ellipsis I used mid-sentence.
They were right, of course. And I know what you’re thinking. “Well dude, there’s a time and place to be funny.”
Sure. I completely agree.
I’m not going to pull out my balloon animals and my clown nose in the middle of writing a whitepaper for a B2B agency. I have hundreds of published articles. In propah APA style, all bells and whistles included. This is not my first rodeo.
But once a prospective company sees my “other style” of writing, they are immediately put off. I can picture the discussion in my head. This is how I think it would’ve gone down.
Person 1: Well, what do you think of this guy? I like him. He could add value to a team.
Person 2: I think he can write well, but did you see his “other style” of writing?
P1: *gasp* Oh my goodness. Is that… humor on a post? How does he think this is acceptable?!
P2: Yeah! Imagine if he suddenly busts out a joke or two in the middle of an article?? The whole blog post about “10 Reasons To Buy Instagram Likes In 2021” could be ruined.
To put it less graphically, there are immediate negative connotations flying about. Anything from lack of discipline to choice of music. And my poor resume goes down quicker than the economy this year.
And I think that is a bit unfair.
Judgement Is Everywhere
If you’re selling writing services, you will be looked at, and up close. This includes everything from social media posts to blogs. So it is important to stick you something you're good at when you're creating content.
Having multiple examples of different tones and niches can also help prospects get a better picture.
As a writer, you are going to be judged on what you write. Everywhere. That is what you sign up for.
So if you’d asked me does LinkedIn respond to humor a few years ago when I was a manager, I would’ve said no.
But today, there are a smattering of people I’ve seen actually take the effort to break up the grey LinkedIn landscape with humor.
Conservative, uptight, and stick surgery required approaches are on its way out. Spicing things up with a bit of humor attracts people. Who’d have thought, right? Kathy did. Several years ago. I also did, sort-of.
But anyway, the point is the LinkedIn world is much more accessible now. They’re even using emojis as an engagement tool. If you somehow never used LinkedIn since the last 5 years and logged onto it now, you’d actually be surprised. Or shocked, depending. But believe me, this is a good thing.
The Answers
All this said, I’ve been freelancing for more than a year now. This has brought me closer to the answers to the questions that have been asked at the start of the article.
Yes, LinkedIn has a niche for funny content now. There are several people on my feed who post funny stuff. It does make my day better.
No, LinkedIn has loosened up (to use a term loosely) considerably over the last few years. Content that is quirky and humorous does gain traction these days.
Maybe. You cannot expect everyone to want what you’re selling. Some people think that being funny or quirky is a sign that people can’t write quality content on demand. Eventually, this will iron itself out, I’m guessing. Then again, maybe you just aren’t a right fit for the company. Which is fine. Content is the fastest growing platform for marketing. You will find work.
Also, I don’t know why aliens aren’t being talked about. We’ve been trying to prove their existence for centuries, and when an organization as far in the shadows as the Pentagon comes out of their spaceship-shaped closet, we collectively ignore it. This is peak human behavior if I’ve ever seen it.
Thoughts or ripostes? Let me know in the comments.
Do leave a like if you liked it. I get fuzzy warm feelings when I’m internet-ly validated.
Consider leaving a like even if you disliked it, or at least till I figure out how to get a dislike button working here. Thanks for the readership and cheers!
If you think I can write for your business, please get in touch with me through this website or my phone. I’d be more than happy to engage your business and at reasonable rates.
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