Now more than ever, using social media for your business can be one of the most effective ways to attract new clients and to help clients find you. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or part of a larger organisation, social media gives you a platform to showcase your expertise, build trust, and develop genuine relationships.
There’s no denying that social media can feel overwhelming at times. With so many platforms, algorithms, and content types, it’s easy to wonder where to start. But once you find the right platform and approach for you, it can be genuinely rewarding.
For me personally, that platform is LinkedIn. Over the years, it’s become one of my favourite ways to connect, network, and grow my business. While many people think of LinkedIn as a purely corporate space full of suits, jargon, and company updates my experience has been quite different.
Why LinkedIn Works for Me
I regularly hear people describe LinkedIn as “too corporate” or “too formal”, and I understand why. A few years ago, it was mostly used for job hunting and recruitment. However, in recent years, the platform has evolved enormously. It’s now a place where people share real experiences, celebrate wins, support one another, and yes talk business, but in a much more authentic way.
For me, the real key to LinkedIn success is who you connect with and how you engage. The beauty of the platform is that you can tailor your experience simply by curating your network. The more you connect with like-minded professionals and your ideal clients, the more relevant and engaging your feed becomes.
When you connect with people who inspire you, support your goals, or fit your target audience, LinkedIn becomes less of a corporate boardroom and more of a community.
My Top Tips for Using LinkedIn Successfully
Over time, I’ve developed a few habits and strategies that have made LinkedIn a genuinely effective platform for me. These are the practices that help me stay visible, make meaningful connections, and build relationships that eventually lead to new opportunities and clients.
1. Engage on Other People’s Posts
This is probably one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to grow your presence on LinkedIn. Don’t just scroll…. engage! When you take the time to comment on other people’s posts, you’re showing genuine interest in their work and ideas.
Try to go beyond a simple “Great post!” instead, add a thoughtful comment or question that adds value to the conversation. This makes you stand out and helps others remember you. It’s also one of the easiest ways to start a relationship with someone new.
2. Connect with Your Ideal Clients
LinkedIn allows you to be strategic with who you connect with. Think about your ideal client or audience, who are they? What do they do? What type of posts do they share?
Start by following or connecting with people who fit your target audience. Then, regularly engage with their posts. Like, comment, and show genuine interest in their content. When you do this consistently, they’ll start to recognise your name and wonder who you are. Over time, that familiarity can lead to them checking out your profile, sending a connection request, or even reaching out for a chat.
Building relationships takes time, but this is a simple and authentic way to get noticed without feeling pushy or sales-driven.
3. Optimise Your About Section
Your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression someone gets of you, so make sure your About section does you justice. This is your opportunity to tell people what you do, who you help, and how you help them.
Try to write in a natural, conversational tone avoid jargon and focus on clarity. Think of it as your mini sales page, but without the hard sell. When someone visits your profile, they should immediately understand your services, your expertise, and what kind of problems you solve.
If you have a website, portfolio, or booking link, don’t forget to include it here. Make it easy for people to take the next step if they want to learn more.
4. Post Regularly (But Realistically)
Consistency is key when it comes to LinkedIn. However, that doesn’t mean you need to post every day. If it’s unrealistic for you to post three times a day, then don’t.
It’s much better to post less often and stay consistent than to overwhelm yourself and stop altogether. Personally, I aim to post three or four times a week. This keeps me visible without feeling pressured.
The key is to post content that feels natural to you. For example, I share a mixture of:
- Sales-related posts – highlighting services or offers.
- Testimonials – sharing positive feedback from clients.
- Tips and advice – offering practical insights.
- Day-to-day updates – giving a behind-the-scenes look at my business and perosnal life.
This variety keeps my content interesting and relatable, and it allows different sides of my work and personality to shine through.
5. Reply to Comments on Your Posts
When someone comments on your post, take the time to reply. It’s such a simple gesture, but it makes a huge difference. Replying shows that you appreciate engagement and value conversation.
It also helps your post perform better in LinkedIn’s algorithm, meaning more people are likely to see it. But beyond that, it’s simply good manners and it can be the start of a genuine connection.
Remember, LinkedIn is all about relationships, not just reach. Every comment is an opportunity to connect and engage with someone new.
6. Don’t Forget to Send New Connection Requests
Building your network is an ongoing process. Make it a habit to send new connection requests regularly. Aim for a few each week rather than trying to do it all at once.
When sending a request you can add a short personalised note explaining why you’d like to connect. Something as simple as, “Hi, I came across your post about [topic] and really enjoyed it, would love to connect,” can go a long way. But in all honesty, I personally don’t send notes with my requests.
Why Consistency Matters More Than Perfection
It’s easy to fall into the trap of overthinking what to post or worrying about whether your content is “good enough”. The truth is, people connect with authenticity far more than perfection.
You don’t need to have a perfectly curated feed or a polished corporate tone. Just be yourself, share your expertise, and show genuine interest in others. Over time, this builds trust and trust is what leads to business.
Consistency doesn’t just mean posting regularly; it also means consistently showing up in your network, supporting others, and staying engaged.
Even if you’re having a busy week and don’t have time to post, spend a few minutes each day commenting on other people’s content. That visibility adds up, and before you know it, your name becomes familiar across your network.
The Power of Authentic Networking
One of the things I love most about LinkedIn is that it allows you to build meaningful connections. It’s not just about chasing numbers or followers, it’s about creating a genuine network of people who support, inspire, and encourage you.
By being yourself and showing genuine interest in others, you’ll naturally attract the right kind of audience. The more you engage with others, the more your confidence grows, and the easier it becomes to post and share your own thoughts.
LinkedIn is, at its core, a platform built around people and people want to connect with people, not faceless brands or perfect profiles.
If you’ve been thinking about using LinkedIn or any social media platform to grow your business, there’s no better time to start. Social media isn’t just about marketing; it’s about connection, community, and conversation.
Whether you post once a week or every day, the key is to start somewhere and to do it in a way that feels authentic to you.
My approach to LinkedIn has been simple but effective:
- Connect with the right people.
- Engage genuinely.
- Share useful, honest content.
- Be consistent.
The results don’t happen overnight, but they do come. The more effort you put into building relationships and showing up, the more opportunities you’ll create both for your business and for yourself.
So, if you’ve been wondering whether LinkedIn is worth your time, my answer is a definite yes. You never know who might be looking for exactly what you offer but they won’t find you if you’re not showing up.