If you’ve ever felt that LinkedIn is a bit of a mystery or missed opportunity, you’re not alone! Our simple, beginner-friendly guide can help you make LinkedIn a powerful platform for growth. By following these first steps, you’ll be able to build connections, grow your professional presence, and open doors to new opportunities. Plus, if you’re looking to refine your skills further, we have classes in LinkedIn strategy, StoryBrand techniques, and content planning that dive even deeper!

Why LinkedIn Matters for Your Business

LinkedIn is different from platforms like Instagram or Facebook. When people log onto LinkedIn, they’re often in “business mode”—ready to network, engage, and discover valuable industry insights. With higher engagement from a professional audience and less saturation than other social platforms (only about 4% of users actively post content!), LinkedIn offers a unique “blue ocean” opportunity for you to reach new clients and industry connections.

5 Key Steps to Get Started on LinkedIn

This isn’t a comprehensive deep dive—it’s your starter kit to a standout profile and content strategy!

1. Optimize Your Profile for Success
   Think of your profile as a digital handshake. Use a clear, professional photo and choose a background image that reflects your brand. Don’t just list job titles in your headline—consider it your mini “elevator pitch” that captures what you do, who you serve, and how you help. A great headline can make someone stop and want to learn more about you!
2. Understand Your LinkedIn Audience
   Knowing your audience is crucial to sharing content that resonates. Are you targeting B2B connections? Small business owners? Professionals in a specific industry? Take time to define your ideal audience to tailor your content accordingly. Our StoryBrand strategy sessions can help you clearly outline your customer avatar and create content that genuinely speaks to their needs and goals.
3. Create Value-Driven Content
   LinkedIn favors valuable, conversational content—think stories, tips, and insights rather than pure sales pitches. Here are a few content ideas that work well on LinkedIn:
• Personal stories that tie into a business lesson or insight
• Industry tips and thought leadership articles
• Educational content that provides solutions to common challenges
• Testimonials or case studies showing how you’ve helped clients or solved specific problems
4. Engage and Grow with Creator Mode
   Once you have 500+ connections, activate LinkedIn’s Creator Mode. This feature gives you tools to boost your reach, making your content visible to a larger audience. You can also use the newsletter feature to send updates directly to subscribers’ inboxes, even if you don’t have their email addresses.
5. Engage Consistently
   LinkedIn rewards consistent engagement. Aim to post three times a week, and try to engage within the first hour by responding to comments. Before posting, spend a few minutes interacting with others by liking, commenting, or sharing—this helps boost your visibility and makes LinkedIn’s algorithm work in your favor. Remember, LinkedIn content doesn’t need to be complicated; even a short, authentic post about a recent business lesson can spark meaningful connections.

Helpful Tips for Growing Your LinkedIn Presence

• Timing is Everything – The best times to post are in the morning (7–9 a.m.) and around lunchtime (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) when people are likely to check LinkedIn during their workday.
• Mix Up Content Types – Use a variety of post types to keep things fresh: carousels (upload as PDFs for a swipeable effect), short videos (always include captions), images, and stories about personal experiences work well.
• Be Cautious with Call-to-Actions – LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes content that fosters genuine conversation. Instead of directly asking for likes, comments, or shares, try open-ended questions to encourage organic interaction.
• Grow Your Network Genuinely – Don’t be afraid to send connection requests, but always add a personalized message. This simple gesture shows potential connections that you’re genuinely interested in their work and creates a stronger foundation for future conversations.

Wrapping Up: Take the Next Step!

We hope this introduction inspires you to jump in and start exploring LinkedIn with confidence! Getting started is half the battle, and now you have a roadmap to make the platform work for you. For those ready to dive deeper, check out our other classes, like our StoryBrand strategy session or ClassPass courses on content planning, to help you sharpen your skills across platforms.