I authenticity is everything, and originality is rewarded. After all, we don’t work with companies, we work with people. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve heard me say this before. But how private is personal, how do you find the right balance between your business and personal content, and what should you share? In this article, I share a guideline for balance and 51 content ideas for LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a professional network, so sharing your entire personal life on your account isn’t really necessary to let your followers know who you are. But it is important to show what you do and, more importantly, why it’s important to you. How does your work make you feel? What excites you, how do you switch off, what gets you going?
This is knowledge that reveals your personality and sets you apart from others. Always ensure that a good post provides value, not just for you, but for your followers. So focus on what someone wants to hear, not just on what you want to say.
The 4-1-1 rule
But how often? If you find it difficult to find the right balance between valuable content and posts about yourself, your product or service, or the organization, use the 4-1-1 rule.
How does that work? Post four posts that are interesting and valuable to your LinkedIn connections. That’s what they’re following you for. phone number list Then, post one post about your own company or organization—for example, a demo or offer with a clear call to action. And finally, post one post that’s personal, about you or what you’re working on. This provides a glimpse into your personal life and is important, but be mindful of what you share. Many LinkedIn users are annoyed by Facebook-like posts in their timelines. So, no photos of your children or a beach vacation.
What can you post as a personal contribution on LinkedIn?
Need inspiration? Think of a team activity, a personal achievement, a behind-the-scenes look at the office. Think of how you prepare for a pitch or presentation, an event you’re attending, or your personal perspective on recent developments. Need more ideas? Scroll down to the bottom of this article, where I’ll give you 51 suggestions.
Always consider whether it’s a good fit for the LinkedIn platform and whether it contributes to your personal image. Personal content often receives positive feedback, and it helps your network get to know you a little better. This strengthens the relationship and boosts trust.
You can apply this 4-1-1 rule every week, but of course, you can also do it less often. Do what works best for you and what you feel comfortable with. If you have good and relevant content for five days a week, that’s fine, but posting twice a week is also fine. Consistency is key, and quality always trumps quantity.
