Just Hit Post!

Helloooooo!

How have you been?

Apologies if this newsletter is turning out to be “Linkedin Learning’ but since I spend the majority of my time on the platform it’s all I can talk about.

I know I keep saying, “Post on LinkedIn, be consistent on LinkedIn, LinkedIn this, LinkedIn that.” But then it hit me—I haven’t really shared how I got started on the platform. And maybe that’s exactly what you need to hear to get started yourself!

"But Nikita, I’m new. I don’t even know what to post about. What if I don’t even know what I’m writing?"

I hear you.

When I started out as a freelancer on LinkedIn, I was in the same boat.

Here’s what you need to understand.

There are two types of LinkedIn creators (well, probably more, but that’s what r/linkedinlunatics is for):

• Those who post short, relatable content: snappy, witty posts that resonate with the masses.

• Those who share expertise-focused content: talking about their work, sharing tips, and positioning themselves as experts in their field.

The sweet spot is a combination of the two!

Think about what kind of writer you are.

For example: I’m naturally an over-explainer. My posts tend to be lengthy because that’s just how I express myself.

This was my first LinkedIn post.

You need to understand that there’s no fancy jargon, no clickbait. Just me sharing my experience in a format LinkedIn loves.

Here’s how you can implement this!

• If you learn something new, write your take on it. Example,

• If you watch an interesting podcast, share why it grabbed your attention.

• If you're looking for clients, consider building in public by sharing your wins and the lessons you learn.

Once you've been posting consistently on the platform for about a month, you can start strategizing the type of content you want to share.

When I first started out, I used to do monthly challenges for myself.

• Month 1: I posted pictures (along with a personal story) because, let’s be honest, pictures always perform better—and everyone was doing them.

• Month 2: I realized I didn’t have a lot of pictures so I switched it up by posting only text.

• Month 3 and Beyond: I tried Twitter-style posts and then dedicated a month solely to sharing stories.

  

  Such posts with an explanatory caption

I don’t do that anymore but it helped me try something new every month and break the monotony!

Keep It Real and Personal

Sharing personal stories is the best way to build your personal brand. Here are a few topics I’ve written about:

• How my parents reacted when I told them I quit my job.

• The time I cried in front of my manager.

• How I used to hate grammar in school.

Most of these posts start with a personal “I,” and that’s exactly what you should do.

Some ideas for you!

• Love Running? Share why you love it and what it does for your mood.

• Enjoy Cooking? Explain how the right spices can make or break your dish.

• Have literally any other hobby? Talk about why you started and how it impacted you.

Don’t Stress About Perfect Reach
When I started, I had over 6,500 followers and averaged about 1,000 impressions per post.

Your numbers will come with time and depend on your following, content quality, and, of course, the blessings of the LinkedIn gods.

Here’s the long and short of it:

Just Post for a Month

• Post whatever comes to mind for one month.

• Stop obsessing over the perfect viral post. How will you get there if you don’t post anything at all?

• After a month, you’ll have a habit, a collection of ideas, and plenty of inspiration.

To boost your spirit, here are a few (cringe) LinkedIn posts of mine.

Okay, not cringe, but just a random thought I got while I was on my way to the airport and just posted it.

A long-ass post about how one-time manifestation worked for me. Again, just something that happened a while ago and I felt like sharing it.

Shitty formatting, weird emojis and the cliche here’s what I learned. But again remember I am calling it cringe just now. I was playing chess I was out of ideas so this is something I shared.

Bonus Tip:

• Aim to post 2-3 times a week. Choose a number and stick with it.

• If you’re ever stuck for ideas, even sharing what you had for lunch is a start. You might cringe at your early posts, but that’s how you improve.

Ready to take on a 1-month LinkedIn posting challenge? Commit to 12 posts in March (3 posts a week) and see the difference for yourself!

Bonus Bonus Tip

Open a Google Doc right now and use this template. Write about what was your first paycheck like. When did you get it, and how did it impact you?

There you have your first (or next) LinkedIn post!
(Share it with me when you post it, please :))

See how I said ‘when’ and not ‘if’ because the days of doubting ourselves are over!!

I’ll see you next Friday!

Love,
Nikita