Fitting in might have worked for you in high school, but here’s the reality.
It doesn’t work on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a crowded space. Blending in is a surefire way to get lost in the shuffle.
If you want to build a strong personal brand and stand out, take risks, experiment with new strategies, and focus on showcasing what makes you unique.
The good news?
You won’t lose credibility by trying something new., even if it doesn’t work out exactly as planned.
In fact, experimenting with your approach can lead to increased respect and greater visibility. People are naturally drawn to those who take initiative, challenge the status quo, and push boundaries.
Here’s how to build a LinkedIn presence that will help you stand out and build a personal brand that gets noticed.
Table of Contents
1. Stop Trying to “Fit In” and Start Leading the Way
On LinkedIn, fitting in is the quickest way to stay invisible.
Think about it
How many successful people do you know who got to where they are by blending into the crowd? I’m guessing none. Real success comes when you dare to be different and step outside the mold.
Instead of copying what everyone else is doing or trying to keep up with the latest trends, focus on defining your own path. For example, a lot of the content people post on LinkedIn is buttoned up, overly professional, and sounds the same.
Recently (thankfully) the vibe on LinkedIn has shifted toward acceptance of a more relaxed, carefree attitude. One-liners are taking over, and those willing to test them benefit more than users who still post long, drawn-out, book-length posts.
Joel Sousa, an accomplished brand strategist and designer, has leveraged LinkedIn to carve out a strong presence and build a reputation as a top mind in his field. He regularly works humor into his content, including snappy one-liners that jump out from your feed while other content blends in. His post below calls out the platform’s traditionally serious nature.
Dare to be different when you post on LinkedIn. Do things others aren’t doing. Don’t worry, LinkedIn accepts a little outside-the-box thinking these days.
Look for gaps in your industry, or find ways to bring your unique perspective. Share your insights, experiences, and lessons learned in a way that’s authentic to who you are. When you do that, you become a thought leader, not a follower. Most of all, have fun with it.
2. Optimize Your Profile. It’s Your First Impression.
Your LinkedIn profile serves as your interactive digital resume, but it’s also much more than that. It’s your personal brand in action. The first step to standing out is ensuring your profile is complete, professional, and reflects your true self.
Quality Visuals
Start with a high-quality, approachable photo. People connect with people, not logos or generic images. Design a backdrop to accompany your photo that highlights what you do and the value you add. Here’s what the visual part of my profile looks like.
Hook ‘Em with Your Headline and Info
Make sure your headline doesn’t just list your job title. Use it as a sort of mission statement. What problem do you solve? How do you help others? Use your summary to tell your story, explain what drives you, and highlight your unique skills.
Focus on Skills and Value
Tailor your experience and skills to the kind of work you want to attract. That means focusing on your achievements and the value you bring, not just your job duties. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality to ensure your profile stands out in a sea of sameness.
3. Share Your Story, Not Just Your Successes
One of the most effective ways to connect with people on LinkedIn is by sharing your personal story. No one wants to hear just about your professional successes all the time. It comes across as bragging, and not even humble bragging.
Behind the Scenes
What do people really want to know?
They want to know who you are behind the title. They want an insider view of the challenges you’ve faced, and how you’ve overcome them. They want to know that you are not perfect, or at least that you don’t believe you’re perfect.
Daniel Kading is a talented content writer. He’s built a solid audience, regularly lands podcast gigs, and thrives on LinkedIn. If you scroll through his posts, you’ll regularly find selfies and references to his family. For most of the platform’s history, this kind of thing was shunned on LinkedIn. But, in recent years, it’s become one of the top ways to build trust and make connections.
Share the Wins and Losses
When you share your journey, whether it’s a failure, a breakthrough, or an unexpected opportunity, it makes you relatable and humanizes your personal brand. This creates a deeper connection with your audience, whether that’s potential clients, employers, or peers.
Be Vulnerable and Transparent
Don’t be afraid to open up and show your vulnerabilities. People appreciate transparency and authenticity. Your story could be just the thing that inspires someone else to take a leap or try something new. Inspiring and helping others grow should be a key goal for us all, and by showing your vulnerable side, you can earn the trust of others and inspire them.
4. Be Consistent, But Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Building a presence on LinkedIn requires consistency, but it’s important to remember that consistency doesn’t mean being boring. If you want to build a personal brand that truly stands out, you have to get comfortable with experimenting with your content creation.
Try different types of content. That can include videos, polls, articles, status updates, infographics, and other types of content. Mix it up to see what resonates with your audience. Here’s an example of how to use LinkedIn’s poll feature. This is a post from AI marketing strategist at Social Media Examiner, Dan Sanchez.
Test new approaches, whether offering free resources, posting thought-provoking questions, or sharing industry news with your twist. Pay attention to the types of posts that get the most engagement and use that as a clue for future content.
It’s okay if something doesn’t work. Every time you experiment, you learn something new. You’ll quickly realize that the more you take risks and step outside your comfort zone, the more visible you become.
5. Engage With Others—Genuine Interaction Builds Relationships
A common mistake people make is focusing only on broadcasting their own content without engaging with others. LinkedIn is a social network, which means it’s all about relationships.
Don’t just hit “like” or “comment” on posts out of obligation. Really engage with the content that resonates with you.
Share your thoughts, offer valuable insights, or even ask questions that spark further conversation. When you interact authentically with others, you start building connections that can turn into long-term relationships, whether for collaboration, job opportunities, or learning.
Below, you can see some chatter forming on a recent post I published about an April Fool’s email I fell for, hook, line, and sinker.
Be mindful of the way you engage in discussions. Offer value, be respectful, and always be willing to learn from others.
As you build relationships and interact with your network, you’ll create a reputation as someone who is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and supportive.
6. Showcase Your Expertise. Be the Go-To Resource.
Your personal brand will shine brightest when you become a go-to resource in your field. Share content that reflects your expertise, whether it’s through sharing your own articles, commenting on industry news, or offering helpful tips.
PRO TIP: If you’re going to share your articles, however, here’s a tip. Don’t drop the link in the main post. Get a text post going, then add the link later in a reply or comment on your post. Today, social media channels frown on links in posts, and if you add one right up front, your post will be far less visible.
Position yourself as someone knowledgeable and always willing to add value. When you share resources, connect people, or offer advice, you build trust with your network, and others will begin to see you as an authority in your field.
The key here is to be generous with your knowledge. Don’t hold back information. Share what you know openly. This not only helps others, it also boosts your visibility as someone who contributes to the community.
Anthony is CEO and Founder of Gaenzle Marketing. He is a two-time published author and digital marketing influencer. He has helped brands both large and small grow and thrive across multiple industries through strategic marketing campaigns and leveraging a powerful network of influencers.
