THE LINKEDIN MYTH WE’RE ALL BEING SOLD

Talk About LinkedIn (and Why You’re Probably Using It Wrong)

Brace yourself, because I’m about to ruffle some feathers with this one. If you’re an entrepreneur (or even a seasoned business owner) who’s convinced that LinkedIn is some scary, corporate, stuffy, “let’s-all-wear-a-tie” platform… I need you to keep an open mind and really hear me out.

I’ll be honest: the way most people are being told to “do LinkedIn” is completely missing the point. And if you’re following the advice I see all over the internet, posting like a robot, spamming with outbound message and joining engagement pods just for the numbers, you are not only wasting precious hours, but you’re also seriously underselling your potential (and probably making yourself cringe in the process).

Here’s why.

THE LINKEDIN MYTH WE’RE ALL BEING SOLD

LinkedIn used to have a reputation problem. For years, it was seen as the haunt of recruiters, job seekers and the male, pale and stale brigade in slightly shiny suits giving themselves a round of applause. No wonder so many entrepreneurs (especially women and especially those with a bit of creative flair) have felt it wasn’t for them.

But that’s not what LinkedIn is anymore. It’s where communities are built, where relationships blossom, and where businesses grow in an authentic, powerful way.

So why are so many entrepreneurs still getting it so wrong?

STOP TRYING TO “LOOK” PROFESSIONAL, START BEING REAL

The magic of LinkedIn isn’t about how many times you post a week, how many generic hashtags you use, or how quickly you can automate your DMs. It’s about who you become memorable to.

When was the last time you remembered someone for their perfectly curated carousel about B2B growth hacks? Compare that to remembering the woman who finally wore shorts in a heatwave (even though she hates her legs – this is me btw!), or the story about getting a dog after years of indecision, or the guy who supports Tranmere and shouts about it with zero shame.

People relate to people. That’s the missing ingredient. All the posts about your business, all the shouting about your services, it won’t get remembered unless it’s woven in with who YOU are and what makes you human.

THE LAYER CAKE OF LINKEDIN

Here’s how I like to think about it (and if you listened to my podcast episode with Laura Taylor, you’ll know this is something I believe in wholeheartedly):

• The top layer of sponge: What you’re known for. (For Laura Taylor, LinkedIn. For me, PR.)

• The bottom layer of sponge: The supporting topics that show your expertise, your views, your authority.

• The jam and cream (aka the naughty but nice bit!): The meaningful, sticky, delicious bits that actually make you memorable. Your dogs barking in the background. Your perimenopausal brain fog. The way you approach your work. The behind-the-scenes. The stuff no one else can copy.

And guess what? The jam and cream are what stick in people’s minds. It’s what gets people invested in you and, crucially, turns followers into clients.

SO WHAT SHOULD YOU ACTUALLY DO ON LINKEDIN

LinkedIn only works if you show up as a human. Not when you join engagement pods, automate your outreach, or drown your posts in hashtags. (By the way, hashtags on LinkedIn? Outdated. Don’t waste your energy agonizing over them.)

Here’s what works:

• Build relationships first. Comment, start conversations, be interested, not just interesting.

• Show up consistently, but not robotically. Two posts a week are more than enough when they say something real.

• Ensure your profile actually says what you do, who you help and WHY anyone should give a damn.

• Share successes but also the journeys, the false starts and the honest behind-the-scenes. Vulnerability connects. (And no, you don’t have to air your dirty laundry or share your deepest, darkest secrets.) Just be real.)

• Leverage your expertise outside LinkedIn, too. If you’ve been featured in Forbes (a la Laura Taylor), interviewed on a podcast, or won an award, don’t just add it to your digital trophy shelf and let it collect dust— share it, refer back to it in conversations, build it into your email signature, website and banners. This is how you build reputation, not just visibility for the sake of vanity.

WHY SHORTCUTS ARE SNAKE OIL

Everyone’s hunting for the hack that will make LinkedIn “explode” overnight. It doesn’t work like that #sorrynotsorry. Bots and automation may promise quick wins, but they destroy trust, damage your reputation and can get your account shut down.

What works is time. Strategy. Outreach that’s personal and thoughtful. Posting content that’s memorable and real. Showing up for your audience week in, week out.

And just like with PR, you have to EARN attention, not just demand it.

VISIBILITY WITHOUT SUBSTANCE IS JUST NOISE

Being visible is pointless if you’re just blending in. Saying the same things, using the same tricks and following the same blueprints is a fast track to being forgotten.

Instead, you need to go to where your audience actually is. Speak their language, address their specific pain points, and above all, be someone they want to have in their world.

CEOs aren’t searching hashtags or accepting every connection request; they’re reading carefully, doing due diligence and watching who consistently shows up and offers value.

If you want to become their go-to, you have to show up in the right places: the platforms and publications they trust. This is where LinkedIn and PR work hand-in-hand and why I always say not to pour all your energy into social media. Get in the press, too. Then leverage it everywhere.

IN SUMMARY: HUMAN FIRST, “HACKS” NEVER

So, if you take one thing away from this (whether we agree or you’re still clutching desperately to your engagement pod), let it be this:

• Mix real, relatable content into your expertise

• Build actual relationships, not just numbers

• Consistency trumps virality

• Leverage every win, on and off LinkedIn

• Skip the fads. Be memorable. Be human.

If you want to stand out, not just “show up”, start today.

If you need some expert eyes on your PR strategy, or want to know how to turn “visibility” into genuine reputation, you know where I am.

My DMs are always open at @‌PRwithPerkes on Instagram, or connect with me on LinkedIn. Let’s get you seen for all the right reasons.

Laura Perkes PR Specialist | Visibility Strategist | Founder of PR with Perkes

About Laura Perkes:

Laura Perkes is a PR Specialist, Communications Consultant and the Founder of PR with Perkes. She helps creative, diverse and innovative founders, entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs who are wanting to raise their profile and build authority through effective PR.

Creating an an earned attention eco-system which contributes to the year on year growth of their business.