LinkedIn for You: 3 DOs, 3 DON’Ts, and My 2 Cents
LinkedIn has been a game-changer for me, both personally and professionally.
After four years of working at LinkedIn and many more using it as a platform, I've learned that LinkedIn is a goldmine when used correctly.
LinkedIn has driven 70% of Inscaler's revenue for the second year.
If we consider indirect influence, that number jumps to 90-99%.
Yet, many founders and professionals fail to unlock LinkedIn's full potential.
So today, I want to share 3 DOs and 3 DON'Ts that I apply to make LinkedIn work for me.
Let's go:
#3 DOs
1. Be Consistent
This isn't groundbreaking advice, but it works. For a year, I posted almost daily. Now, I post 2-3 times a week.
The result? No difference.
Consistency is key - whether daily, weekly, or bi-weekly.
Stick to a rhythm that works for you.
Bonus tip: Post always at the same time so your audience knows when to expect your content.
It may feel pointless early on, but results compound over time.
2. Mix Your Content
Variety keeps your audience engaged.
I follow a "hub-and-spoke" strategy (learned from Justin Welsh): My newsletter is the hub, and I repurpose that content into different formats, such as carousels, videos, listicles, personal stories, and contrarian takes.
Repurposing is powerful, as is mixing your content.
3. Embrace Social Selling
Social selling works, but only when done in the right way.
Sales don't happen in someone's inbox - they happen by building trust.
Save prospects in Sales Navigator, engage with their posts, and only DM when the timing feels natural or, even better, wait for them to reach out.
Post about the challenges and pains your target audience faces.
Be seen as an expert. Lead with value.
#3 DON'Ts
1. The “Connection + Pitch” Combo
This is LinkedIn's cardinal sin. I made this mistake, too.
If you send a connection request and follow it up with a pitch, you're doing it wrong.
You'll end up on people's "red list" (mine included). Build rapport first.
2. Fake Curiosity in DMs
You know the type: "Hey [Name], love what you're doing at [Company]. How are you handling [random challenge] this year?"
No one falls for this. It feels disingenuous and forced.
Stop doing this.
Build real relationships instead.
3. AI-Generated Comments
AI is excellent, but not for fake engagement.
Writing generic, AI-generated comments to expand your reach might boost your metrics short-term, but it destroys authenticity.
LinkedIn is about conversations, not copy-paste comments.
My 2 Cents
LinkedIn is the most significant opportunity for founders and professionals right now.
Engagement is high, and the platform is full of valuable conversations. But it's on us to keep it accurate.
Avoid vanity content (too many selfies, dogs, kids or meaningless posts) and focus on offering value. The platform gives back what you put in.
Thanks for reading this; happy holidays, and see you all next week!
