Learn how to break free from using your LinkedIn account solely as an online resume and transform it into an empowering and impactful tool to ignite positive change with your online presence.
If you’ve never presented yourself to an online audience beyond HR representatives and job recruiters, now is the time to take the leap.
Until now, you may have used LinkedIn primarily to showcase your skills, connect with job opportunities, or stay updated on industry trends. However, LinkedIn has evolved beyond its origins as a professional networking platform or a job-seeking tool. It has transformed into a dynamic space for personal branding, content creation, and thought leadership while still retaining its core networking and job-searching capabilities.
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How Does This Change Affect the Way You Use LinkedIn?
In one word: Completely. Your experience and knowledge aren’t just for recruiters; they’re valuable to a wider audience looking for insights, mentorship, and industry perspectives.
As professionals with years of experience, we hold a wealth of knowledge that can be invaluable to others, particularly younger generations seeking guidance and mentorship. The question is, are we using LinkedIn to simply observe, or are we leveraging our expertise to create a positive impact?
We carry a responsibility—not just to our careers, but to the people who can benefit from our insights. The beauty of LinkedIn today is that it allows us to contribute in meaningful ways, not just as job seekers, but as thought leaders and contributors to the greater professional community.
How Do You Start?
The most significant shift you can make is moving from being a passive consumer of content to an active creator.
That’s often easier said than done, right? You may be asking yourself:
- How do I start?
- How do I create original content?
- How do I avoid making a fool of myself?
These concerns are valid, but taking the first step is the hardest part. Let’s break it down into simple, actionable steps.
Position Yourself as an Authority in Your Field
Instead of just listing your experience on your profile, actively share the insights and lessons you’ve gained over the years. Here’s how:
1. Start Small
You don’t have to write a groundbreaking article right away. Begin with a simple LinkedIn post sharing a valuable tip or insight related to your field.
- What’s one mistake professionals in your industry often make?
- What’s a small but impactful change that helped you grow in your career?
- What’s an underrated skill that you’ve found crucial to success?
By starting with bite-sized content, you gradually build confidence in sharing your knowledge.
2. Write Long-Form Posts
Once you feel comfortable, expand into longer posts. Use storytelling to share experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, or valuable lessons learned. People connect deeply with stories, and storytelling helps make complex ideas more digestible and relatable.
Some prompts to get you started:
- “The biggest career lesson I learned the hard way was…”
- “When I first started in [industry], I had no idea that…”
- “One thing I wish I knew earlier in my career was…”
3. Use Carousels for Guides
Visual content is powerful. Use tools like Canva to create carousel posts—step-by-step guides that break down key concepts in a visually appealing and digestible format and upload it as a “document”.
Carousels work particularly well for:
- “5 Steps to Improve [Skill]”
- “How to Avoid Common Mistakes in [Industry]”
- “A Beginner’s Guide to [Topic]”
They make learning more accessible and can help establish your expertise in a structured, easy-to-follow way.
The real shift happens when you stop just scrolling and start contributing—turning LinkedIn from a resume into a platform for impact.
Engage with Others—Not Just Passively
Content creation is only one side of the coin. The other? Engaging meaningfully with others.
- Comment on posts: Go beyond “Great post!” and add meaningful insights. Share your thoughts, provide additional insights, or ask thoughtful questions.
- Disagree respectfully: You don’t need to argue, but offering a different perspective fosters richer discussions.
- Support emerging voices: If you see someone sharing valuable content but not getting much attention, acknowledge their work. Your engagement could help amplify their message.
Optimize Your Profile for Visibility
If you’re shifting from a passive LinkedIn user to an active one, make sure your profile reflects this change:
✅ Headline: Move beyond just your job title—make it value-driven. Example: Helping Small Business Owners Build a Strong Online Presence Through Video & Content.
✅ About Section: Tell your story—what drives you, what you stand for, and how you help others.
✅ Featured Section: Showcase your best posts, videos, guides, or testimonials to establish credibility.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
Your goal isn’t just to be seen—it’s to be heard and be known for the impact you make. Building an online presence isn’t about vanity—it’s about visibility with purpose. When you share your insights, you amplify your expertise, contribute to the conversation, and create a lasting impact.
By sharing your journey, insights, and knowledge, you become a guiding light for others navigating their professional paths. You leave behind an online footprint that reflects your experiences, values, and contributions. It’s about using your voice to uplift, inform, and inspire.
Your Next Step: Take Action
If you’ve been hesitant to share, let this be the nudge you need. Start with a small post today, reflect on what you can teach, and take that courageous first step.
How to Find Additional Help
From Others
Learning how to optimize your LinkedIn presence doesn’t have to be a solo journey. There are professionals who share incredible insights into making the most of your profile and content strategy.
One person I’ve learned from is Robyn-Lee Samuels—her practical tips have helped me successfully improve my own LinkedIn account. I highly recommend following her and reading her articles for more in-depth guidance.
From Me: Personalized Support for Your Online Presence
If you’re looking for hands-on support to build confidence in presenting yourself online, I offer 1:1 consulting and training in two key areas:
✔️ Online Presence Strategy – Helping you structure your LinkedIn profile, create content with clarity, and establish a strong digital footprint.
✔️ On-Camera Confidence – Teaching you how to show up powerfully in video content, whether for LinkedIn posts, presentations, or interviews.
My approach is designed to make the process simple, approachable, and effective—whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your presence.
If you’d like to discuss how I can help, click on the following link to schedule a complimentary 15-minutes discovery call. https://simonemony.com/1on1
Take that first step and begin your journey toward a more impactful online presence.
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