I recently attended a fantastic lunchtime learning session with LinkedIn expert Niraj Kapur at Black Box Belfast, and it was eye-opening.
For many in Northern Ireland, what holds people back on LinkedIn isn’t the platform itself—it’s the fear of local gossip and worrying about what people they know will think. But here’s the thing: if we focus on the positive impact our message can have for strangers (who could be potential clients!), we’d be a lot better off.
Plus, as I always say to clients- that nosey neb down the road isn’t paying your bills, pay no heed to them. Focus on your ideal client instead.
Here are some standout takeaways from Niraj’s session, along with some of my own reflections as a social media consultant who is passionate about continuing to learn and grow!
Quick Wins to Boost Your LinkedIn Profile Today
Profile Optimisation: Stand Out from the Crowd
- Be Different: Don’t follow the crowd. Think about your unique perspective and lean into that. For example, rather than just reposting news on the US election, explain how it impacts you or your clients directly.
- Banner Refresh: Niraj specifically called me out on my banner, saying that no one but me cares about my logo! Instead, he suggested updating it to highlight what I do, how I help people, and adding my website link. Simple changes, big impact.
- Highlight Your Problem-Solving Skills: People want to know how you help. Try framing your headline as, “Solving problems with…” and fill in the blank with your expertise.
“About” Section: Talk to Your Clients’ Needs
- Ask Questions: Address common issues your clients face. For example, are they struggling with social media imposter syndrome? This is one I want to implement right away and I’ve been keeping a list of common issues that keep creeping up during my Social Media Sprint calls.
- Show a Bit of Personality: It’s okay to mention hobbies or interests (within reason). It humanises your profile and builds connections.
Experience Section: Focus on How You Help
- Don’t just list your role responsibilities; share how you make a difference. Explain the outcomes you deliver and the transformations your clients experience.
Get Those Recommendations!
- Niraj recommended reaching out to clients you’ve gone above and beyond for and asking for a recommendation. If you’re reading this and would like to leave me a Linkedin recommendation: you’ve just become my best friend. Niraj had some great pointers on how to do this (but I don’t want to give away all his tips & tricks, you’ll have to check out his YouTube channel for more inspo).
Working with Linkedin's Algorithm
- Video Is Key: Niraj emphasised the power of video, especially for topics like AI, mental health, and wellbeing. Pro tip: keep it to one post per day—any more, and it could harm your reach.
- Make Comments Count: Comments with more than five words (ideally twelve) tend to perform better. Keep them conversational and engaging. Social media is social afterall!
- Go Beyond the Office: People love content that feels real and grounded. Consider taking your video outdoors or into different settings that break away from the office vibe. Niraj: you don’t have to ask me twice! I absolutely love any chance to get out by the coast here in Bangor!
Tips for On-Camera Nerves
If you’re nervous about recording video, Niraj’s advice is to picture talking to a friend. And don’t forget to add captions—60% of people watch LinkedIn videos without sound, so captions make your content accessible to everyone.
I tell clients the same thing about picturing one specific person you’re talking to on your video, so it was great to hear him echo this approach. Pretend you’re just leaving them a voice note (and it really does get easier the more you do it).
I could go on, but I won't
There’s so much more I could say about building trust, sharing personal stories, and the value of celebrating not just the wins but the losses too. But to really grasp these insights, you’re just going to have to attend Niraj’s next talk!
Huge thanks to Andi Jarvis for putting on another fantastic Lunchtime Learning session at The Black Box. Hard to believe it was me up there a year ago sharing my own social media and content creation tips!
Here’s a little taster of Niraj doing his thing:
I have a list of boxes to tick now on my Linkedin channel! Better get cracking!
