Standing behind the counter of my family’s lumber yard, I never imagined social media would become crucial to construction industry leadership. Back then, success meant knowing your inventory and your customers. But after scaling a door and millwork division for a Fortune 500 company and founding Build Women, I’ve learned that visibility is just as important as expertise.
The truth? Women make up only 11% of the construction industry. That number hasn’t moved much in decades. But here’s what has changed: LinkedIn has become the place where our industry’s biggest opportunities happen. From supplier relationships to industry leadership positions, the conversations that matter are happening on this platform.
Real Talk About LinkedIn for Women in Construction
Let me take you behind the scenes of how I use LinkedIn to drive real results in building materials. Every Sunday night, I spend 90 minutes creating content for the week. Not polished corporate updates – real stories from the trenches of our industry. The challenging conversation I navigated. The innovative solution my team found for a problem. The leadership lesson I learned the hard way.
This isn’t about becoming an influencer. It’s about ensuring women’s voices shape the future of construction and building materials. When I post about door hardware innovations or millwork supply chain solutions, I’m not just sharing information – I’m showing other women that their technical expertise matters.
A Practical Approach to LinkedIn Success
Here’s what actually works in our industry: Choose one specific area where you have deep expertise. Maybe it’s commercial project management, lumber purchasing, or operations leadership. Share your real experiences solving problems in that space. The industry hungers for authentic insights from people doing the work.
Every morning, I spend 20 minutes engaging with other construction professionals’ content. Not just liking posts – adding value to conversations. When someone shares a challenge I’ve faced, I offer my solution. When they celebrate a win, I share what their success means for the industry. These aren’t just comments; they’re relationship builders.
The magic happens in the direct messages. Each week, I reach out to people whose work interests me. We schedule virtual coffee chats or exchange messages. These conversations have led to speaking opportunities, business partnerships, and mentorship relationships that have transformed my career in building materials.
Measuring What Actually Matters
Forget vanity metrics. After years of building industry influence, here’s what I actually track: meaningful conversations started, speaking invitations received, and business opportunities generated. One thoughtful comment on an industry leader’s post can lead to more opportunities than a viral post with thousands of likes.
Through Build Women, I’ve watched members transform their careers through strategic LinkedIn presence. These opportunities came from consistently sharing expertise, not chasing algorithms.
The Real Mistakes to Avoid
Working with building materials companies from $10 million to $7 billion in revenue has shown me where most people go wrong on LinkedIn. They treat it like a corporate newsletter, sharing only company updates and product promotions. Or they wait for the perfect moment to start posting, letting valuable insights go unshared.
The biggest mistake? Inconsistency. Our industry needs your voice regularly. That means showing up even when work gets busy. It means sharing both successes and challenges. It means being part of the ongoing conversation about where construction is heading.
Your Path Forward in Construction Leadership
Start where you are. Share one insight from your work this week. Comment thoughtfully on three industry posts. Schedule a virtual coffee with someone whose work you admire. Your experience in construction and building materials is valuable – it’s time to give it a voice.
Remember: In an industry where women are still the minority, your visibility matters. Your expertise shapes conversations. Your voice influences decisions. Through strategic use of LinkedIn, you’re not just building your career – you’re changing the face of construction.
Ready to elevate your presence in construction and building materials? Join our Build Women community, where we’re creating the next generation of visible industry leaders. Together, we’re building something extraordinary.
Share your journey: How are you using LinkedIn to shape the future of construction? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below.
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