How to (Really) Use Linkedin to Get 10x More Deals By Posting What You Are Doing Today
As content creators with a day job, we think too much. Pretty often, the simplest approach is the most effective one.
When it comes to Linkedin, content creators overthink what we can and should do. No doubt, it is a professional platform. No doubt, we are there to network and build connections. However, it is an unabated social media platform.
The pillar of social is still relevant. Engagement and entertainment are still relevant. From there, we widen our professional circles to connect with interested buyers of our products and services.
If you have time for only 1 social media platform, Linkedin is the deal. While I am not one Linkedin Influencer with 30,000 followers and thousands of likes for each piece of content, I do have the following credentials under my belt.
- I have been active on Linkedin since 2018.
- I publish content on Linkedin once a day since 2018.
- I lived through 2 large-scale algorithmic changes.
- I built an initially lucrative coaching side-hustle from Linkedin during the pandemic years (2020–2021), with $2,000 revenue monthly.
- I received countless job offers and invitations to speak from DMs.
I understand the potential of the platform. I know what it means to stay engaged and be present on Linkedin.
Most importantly, I know how one seemingly innocuous piece of content can bring me deals even though I am not hunting for it.
Context — The Busy Day Job, Side-Hustles, and Occasional Exhibitions
I work as a technology consultant in the software product business. I commute to meet and speak to many people during the day. In the evening, I hustle. I write, manage projects, conduct livestreams, and get potential coachees to sign up for my program.
There are many times where I cannot actually compose a beautiful Linkedin content structure, mimicking the hero’s journey, and how I clawed back from failure. Not when I am on the road.
During those days, I default to what I am doing, where I am, who I am meeting type of content. This was my approach during a 3-day corporate exhibition I was involved in last week.
These are the per-day content material in brief:
- Day 1 content post — My General Manager took a video of an exhibition attendee taking a video of me making a product demonstration. I uploaded the video, wrote a simple post, and published it.
- Day 2 — A selfie.
- Day 3 — A wefie. It was to share how the experience went and the results we had.
All 3 posts contained simple messages. Time was my constraint, and it did not allow me to do more. I had, on average, 70+ likes, 20+ comments, and 1,200+ views. Not too shabby for spur-in-the-moment posts.
Author’s Note: When you are running out of time, aim to be as simple as possible in your Linkedin post. You may be pleasantly surprised by the traction and attention you get.What Did I Get From the 3 Simple Linked Posts?
“The formula for success is 2% talent, 8% luck, and 90% of showing up every day.”
I did not expect to get deals from the 3 posts when I posted them. I had simple thoughts. All I wanted was to mark my attendance online.
Little did I know that the 8% luck was within the zip code of the exhibition hall.
At the end of the first day, I have had emails asking me for tips on product demonstrations. There were 2 such emails. Their requests were straightforward. Coach them for a fee. I closed the deals at $200 one-time (personal branding on video), $250 per hour (demonstration of new software features) each.
The selfie on the second day attracted peers from my professional circle who wanted to bring their contacts to the exhibition hall. Name cards were exchanged, and appointments for potential business were booked. I had one inquiry for Linkedin content coaching on my DM too.
I have had interesting conversations after publishing Day 3 wefie. I received emails, calls, and messages from various livestreams, podcasts, and panel sessions for appearance. They needed people at the forefront of technology to share how the future of our world looks like.
I was incredibly honored. I shared the list of invitations with my General Manager. We selected shows and events that match our company’s positioning. I agreed to appear on livestreams in an individual capacity as well.
And, I managed to get an offer to consult a small company on their event marketing strategy. We are still in talks.
The exhibition is over. But the deals are still coming in.
Tip: You never know what opportunities come along your way. All you can do is show up and do your work. With time, results will come.Summary
I have a soft spot for Linkedin.
Even though my recent content performance no longer rivals the 500+ likes and 100+ comments during my 2019 heyday, I am happier to receive deals weekly.
I learned one thing too. Never underestimate what spur-of-the-moment posts can do for you. Simple work does bring results. The trick is to show up, no matter how busy you are.
When we are willing to commit to the work, we can achieve 10x results from the social media platforms of our choice. This is especially so for Linkedin.
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure. Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
