The LinkedIn Police are Coming! Look Busy!

LinkedIn is changing. Many of the old ways of posting on LinkedIn are dying off. Now it’s more ‘social’ and more – dare I say it – FUN?!  

LinkedIn used to be a boring place full of grey suits and dull CVs, but now it’s not unusual to see TikTok videos, selfies, and personal content that makes things a bit more interesting!  

Let’s dive deeper into this transformation and what it means for you. 

The LinkedIn Police are Coming! Look Busy! 

#ThisisnotFacebook 

LinkedIn is evolving, and that means you should too. The platform now supports a more of a personal ‘Facebook vibe’, which is becoming the norm. Although LinkedIn started as a professional networking site, it’s now reflecting the human side of the business world. And I’m all for it. After all, we do business with the people within the businesses.  

This change means that to stay relevant and engaging, you need to be more open and relatable in your content. Share your thoughts, opinions, and even your personal life (as far as you’re comfortable) to create a genuine connection with your audience. 

LinkedIn getting a bit more personal has its perks 

Here’s some initial thoughts on why this is a move in the right direction…  

• Real connections: When we share personal stuff, we’re more likely to make genuine connections with others who share our interests or experiences. 
• Approachability: It’s easier to chat with someone when you see they’re a regular person, not just an intimidating business machine. Personal content makes us all a bit more approachable. 
• Showcasing personality: You’re more than your CV, right? Letting your personality shine through can help you stand out and make a memorable impression. 
• Trust building: When we’re open about ourselves, people tend to trust us more. That trust is basically essential in professional relationships. 
• Networking fun: Let’s be honest, networking can be a bit dull. Adding personal touches makes it more engaging and enjoyable. 
• Encouraging support: When we share our ups and downs, we’re more likely to find support from others who’ve been there or just want to help. 
• Work-Life balance: Emphasising that we have lives outside work is important, and it reminds us all that there’s more to life than just our jobs or businesses.  
• Better opportunities: Sometimes, it’s the quirks and personal stories that spark a conversation, leading to opportunities you might not have otherwise found. 

It’s what the users want 

As alluded to above, the algorithm is simply giving users what they want. More people click on personal content, feeding the algorithm to show more of that content. LinkedIn has noticed the trend of users engaging more with personal stories and experiences, and it’s adapting its algorithm accordingly.  

As a result, posts that showcase vulnerability, authenticity, or a unique perspective are more likely to gain traction on the platform. Just make sure you’re reading the room – not like this CEO who shared a crying selfie on LinkedIn. Twice. 

Sharing a before and after photo beat my PB on LinkedIn 

In a recent personal post, I shared before and after photos of my fitness journey, and the response was overwhelming: You can see it here. Not only did the post receive a high level of engagement, but it also sparked many conversations, led to new connections, and strengthened existing relationships. This experience is a prime example of the power of personal content on LinkedIn. 

Humans do business with humans 

Being more ‘yourself’ on LinkedIn is no different from anywhere else on the internet or in life. You’ll attract more of the right people to your life (and timelines) by showcasing your genuine personality and interests.  

By sharing your personal experiences and values, you’ll create a stronger emotional connection with your audience, making them more likely to engage with your content and trust your brand. 

When you meet people in real life, they know you better 

When I meet people at networking events and expos, they know so much more about me and have a stronger connection with me because of the personal content I’ve shared online. This familiarity speeds up conversations, fosters rapport, and builds deeper relationships more quickly.  

By sharing personal content on LinkedIn, you create an opportunity for others to feel like they already know you, which can lead to more meaningful interactions and stronger business relationships. 

You’ll stand out more when you don’t follow the crowd! 

It might seem counterintuitive, but embracing the changing landscape of LinkedIn while also staying true to your unique self is the key to standing out. By being genuine and sharing your own perspective, you’ll create a personal brand that distinguishes you from the crowd.  

Remember, there’s no one else exactly like you, so showcase your individuality and let it shine through your content. 

Share a selfie, ffs! 

Your face is the best brand you have. Wear it with pride. Take a selfie. Share your face. Selfies humanise your online presence and create a sense of familiarity with your audience. Studies have shown that posts featuring faces receive higher engagement rates, so don’t be shy about showing off your most valuable asset – yourself! Here are some other ideas:

• Peculiar Hobbies – Talk about your unusual hobbies or interests outside of work to humanise your profile and build connections. 
• Workday Bloopers – Share amusing mistakes or mix-ups from your job to encourage others to embrace their imperfections and learn from them. 
• Desk Snap – Post a picture of your unique or cluttered workspace to spark conversations about productivity and organisation.
• Throwback Thursday – Share a funny or endearing old work photo to showcase your journey and growth in your career. 
• Furry Colleagues – Share photos of your pets ‘helping’ you work, as it adds a personal touch and is a good icebreaker for new connections. 
• Lunch Break Escapades – Post about interesting activities you do during your lunch break to inspire others to make the most of their downtime. 
• Workplace Fashion – Share your bold or eccentric office attire to demonstrate your individuality and encourage self-expression. 
• Coffee Break Chats – Post about the most thought-provoking conversations you’ve had during coffee breaks to stimulate deeper discussions. 
• Team Building Tales – Share stories of unconventional or memorable team-building activities to highlight your company culture and foster camaraderie. 
• Weekend Warrior – Talk about your weekend pursuits or volunteer work to show your commitment to personal growth and community involvement. 

 TL; DR?

Takeaway points: 

• LinkedIn is evolving, and embracing a more personal approach is crucial to staying relevant. 
• Users are increasingly engaging with personal content, and the platform’s algorithm is adapting to this trend. 
• Sharing personal stories and experiences can lead to higher engagement, new connections, and stronger relationships. 
• Authenticity and relatability are key to building trust and rapport with your audience. 
• Personal content can facilitate smoother and more meaningful real-life interactions. 

• Embrace the changes on LinkedIn while staying true to your unique self to stand out from the crowd. 
• Selfies help humanise your online presence and attract more engagement. 

Remember, the key to success on LinkedIn is to adapt to the evolving landscape while staying genuine and showcasing your individuality.

Use the platform as a networking space to share interesting and useful content, and you’ll create meaningful connections that can lead to new opportunities and business growth.

Do You Struggle to Create Content to Generate Sales?

We’ve Created a FREE Online Marketing Plan…

Use our simple ideas generator to help you make better content, over and over again…

Learn More

Tags associated with this article