Three years ago, I hated LinkedIn…
My newsfeed felt like a never-ending reel of people showing off. You know those posts where someone is ‘delighted’ to announce their fancy new promotion or others trying to curry favour with decision-makers with cringe-worthy comments? Then there were the overly personal stories that somehow tried to tie proposing to a girlfriend back to B2B sales. And they got huge engagement, too! Bawk…
I knew deep down that I needed to be on LinkedIn. I mean, it’s where opportunities happen, right? But I couldn’t bring myself to dive in. Instead, I became a certified lurker.
Every day, I’d scroll through my feed, feeling triggered by what I saw. The most I could muster was a quick “Congratulations!” comment on a colleague’s promotion, and even then, I’d triple-check the spelling because the thought of looking unprofessional in front of my network terrified me.
I felt the ick.
Meanwhile, I watched my connections share their thoughts, have meaningful discussions, and achieve success. And there I was, sitting on the sidelines.
I wanted that for me, too, but my head was full of doubts:
- Who am I to share my opinion?
- What if people think I’m trying too hard?
- What will my colleagues say?
- Will my boss assume I’m looking for another job?
- Where do I even start?
- What if no one engages with my posts?
- What if people disagree with me?
- Personal branding feels so inauthentic. Am I gonna look like a pleb?
Does that sound familiar? Are you sitting on the sidelines, too scared to jump in and share all that is great and unique about you?
Let me tell you, I procrastinated for ages. Like ayyyges.
And honestly? It was such a waste of time. If only I’d started sooner.
So, in August 2023, I put my big girl pants on and took the first step.
In 2022, I launched my marketing agency, TwitTwooYou, and knew I needed to be more present online if I wanted to attract new clients and grow.
LinkedIn was the obvious choice because my ideal clients were in the professional services industry. LinkedIn is where professionals connect and opportunities are born, so I decided to take the plunge.
I started to digest a lot from LinkedIn influencers, updated my profile, and spent hours crafting my first post. It was nerve-wracking. I felt like I was putting myself out there for judgment. But you know what happened? Not much.
My first post received some likes from generous colleagues; the rest was tumbleweed. It was not exactly the grand launch I’d dreamed of!
But here’s the thing about LinkedIn: you won’t win the first time. You have to earn your stripes on this platform. One post won’t catapult you into fame or fortune. It’s about playing the long game.
So, I made a promise to myself. I’m going to give LinkedIn my all. My business needed to succeed, and LinkedIn had to be part of that journey.
I started to learn how to win on LinkedIn by ‘doing’.
I learned how to create content by actually creating content. Sure, I made mistakes along the way (who doesn’t?), but every mistake taught me something new. Slowly but surely, I started to grow my audience.
When I began this journey, I only had 150 connections. These were mainly people I had worked with at former jobs or from networking events. Fast-forward to today, and that number has expanded to almost 5,000 followers. That’s pretty impressive growth in just a few years!
Along the way, I’ve had a few posts go semi-viral. The most recent post that went viral is the one I wrote about in my last article. Sure, some people have unfollowed me or blocked me, but that’s perfectly fine. It’s all part of the process. You won’t be everyone’s favourite, and that’s okay. I’d much prefer a network filled with supporters, friends, and cheerleaders than those who simply roll their eyes.
I also started supporting other content creators by joining discussions on topics I care about and surrounding myself with positive cheerleaders who lift each other up.
And then, guess what… I fell in love with LinkedIn 
The more consistent and intentional I became with LinkedIn, the more potential I saw in it. By staying current with trends and creating relevant content, I increased my visibility and confidence.
Now? I’m completely in love with LinkedIn. And if you have followed or connected with me already, you’ll know that and see it in my daily posts.
Here’s why LinkedIn is worth It
Want to hear what nobody tells you about LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is an absolute gold mine of opportunities if you’re willing to put in the effort and show up authentically.
It can open doors you didn’t even know existed:
- Speaking opportunities
- Invites to feature in media
- Promotions and recognition
- Non-executive director (NED) roles
- Collaborative partnerships
- Thought leadership status
- Peer support networks
- Even personal friendships!
- Oh, and did I mention leads?
And that’s just scratching the surface.
Here’s my advice for getting started
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I really need to sort out my LinkedIn strategy”, let me tell you it’s never too late to start. Yes, it can feel daunting at first. I’ve been there, but trust me when I tell you, it’s worth it.
Start small if necessary. Commit to just one post per week. Update your profile to reflect who you are today (not five years ago). Your About Section should focus on how you can help, not on what you ‘do’. Engage with posts that resonate with you. Make sure you comment thoughtfully instead of just saying, “Great post” or “I agree,” as this does not show what you are about. You see, commenting is LinkedIn’s biggest growth hack. Commenting brings more views to your profile than posting can. So, when you’re ready, start sharing your insights and experiences.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or write groundbreaking essays. Just be yourself and share what matters most to you.
A final reminder
LinkedIn isn’t just a platform for job seekers or a place to brag about your latest corporate achievements. It’s a space where real connections happen and real opportunities are born.
It’s helped me grow my business, build relationships with incredible people, and establish myself as an expert.
So, when will you start and commit to LinkedIn? If you’re unsure where to start or need guidance, connect with me on LinkedIn, and I’ll do my best to help you.
