The Fear and Loathing of LinkedIn
FROM LAURA - 26 September 2024
A note before you read…
I wrote this piece in the early days of building Social Flow Collective. Before Forbes. Before Stylist. Before the global client work, the award, and the C-suite leaders I now work with across international markets.
I am sharing it exactly as it was written because it is where everything started. The woman in this piece, hovering over the like button, procrastinating for months, publishing to tumbleweed, is the same woman who now helps senior leaders build professional reputations that open doors they did not know existed.
If you are at the beginning of your visibility journey, or if you simply need a reminder that every expert was once a lurker, this one is for you.
Five years ago, I couldn’t stand LinkedIn.
The humblebrag posts. The “delighted to announce” updates. The awkward love stories masquerading as B2B lessons.
It felt like one big performance - and I wanted no part of it.
But deep down? I knew I needed to be on LinkedIn. I just couldn’t stomach the idea of showing up.
I was a certified lurker. I scrolled daily. Fingers hovered over the ‘like’ button. Maybe a "Congratulations" here and there on a colleague’s promotion - triple-checking the spelling so I didn’t look careless.
Meanwhile, my connections were showing up. Sharing ideas. Getting opportunities.
I wanted that.
But the doubts screamed louder:
👉 Who am I to share my opinion?
👉 What if my colleagues judge me?
👉 Will my boss think I’m job hunting?
👉 Where do you even start?
👉 What if nobody comments?
👉 Personal branding feels so inauthentic.
But the loudest voice?
"You should be seen and not heard."
Sound familiar?
I procrastinated. For months.
When I finally took the plunge, I didn’t go viral. I didn’t wake up to a flood of DMs. My first post got a few polite likes from colleagues.
Tumbleweed.
And you know what I have learnt, LinkedIn isn’t about one viral post.
It’s a long game.
It’s not about “being seen” once. It’s about building a presence.
In 2020, I made a promise to myself: I would show up consistently.
I updated my profile. I posted even when it felt awkward. I supported other creators. I joined real conversations about things I cared about.
I made mistakes. I learned. I got better.
I started with 186 connections. Today? Over 11,000 followers.
I’ve had posts go viral. I’ve been trolled. I’ve been blocked by people I thought would support me. But I’ve also gained clients, collaborations, friendships, and opportunities I wouldn’t have dreamed of five years ago.
Because LinkedIn isn’t about algorithms.
It’s about authority.
It’s about showing up when it’s easier to scroll.
It’s about being willing to lead conversations instead of lurking in the background.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
LinkedIn is a gold mine of opportunities:
🔺 Speaking engagements
🔺 Media features
🔺 Promotions and recognition
🔺 NED roles
🔺 Collaborative partnerships
🔺 Thought leadership
🔺 Peer networks
🔺 Personal friendships
And that’s just the beginning.
If you’re reading this thinking, "I need to sort my LinkedIn strategy," you’re not alone.
That’s my specialism - and I’m here to help.
Let’s get you off the sidelines and into the spotlight.
©️ Copyright 2022
