How do you actually make money on LinkedIn? Not just followers, not just likes, but actual revenue. I’m talking about generating over $200K for my side-business while still working a full-time job, and these sales came directly from LinkedIn. If you’re tired of posting into the void and ready to turn your LinkedIn efforts into real revenue, stick with me. I’m breaking down my exact strategy, no fluff, just what worked.
Finding My Niche
Finding my niche was an absolute game-changer. Specifically, focusing on introverts transformed my approach. Getting very specific about who my audience was helped narrow down the people who actually came across my content. This meant the individuals engaging with my posts were genuinely interested in what I had to say. Over time, this direct interest led them to buy my services. That’s when many of my posts started to go viral, bringing massive visibility to my account. It felt amazing to see those numbers climb, but more importantly, it was the right kind of visibility – targeted and engaged.
Refocusing on Conversion, Not Just Views
Let’s be clear about your purpose on the platform. In the beginning, when I started posting content about introversion, it was super exciting to go viral and get thousands of views. But I was barely making any money. I quickly realized I needed to refocus and create content that actually converts. When I started talking more openly about my services and sharing client transformations, something shifted. Yes, I did get less engagement and fewer views on some posts, but my sales significantly increased.
Do What’s Possible Based on Your Time
This one is huge: do what’s genuinely possible based on the time you actually have. For a long time, I ran my business while holding a full-time job. I do a lot of things and breaking the LinkedIn guru rules is the only way I could be consistent on the platform. I know they say “don’t post and ghost,” but there were times where I literally had to, because that’s all the capacity I had. And guess what? I still got results from that content. I think this is where many people get stuck; you think everything has to be perfect from day one. I allowed myself the time to learn, to make mistakes, and honestly, I am still learning every single day. Even in those times when I would batch content and just post and ghost, I was still practicing my writing style. Did those posts get as much engagement? No, probably not, but the point is, I was learning and progressing.
Engaging on Other People’s Posts
Engaging on other people’s posts became another powerful strategy for me. When I could, typically dedicating 20 minutes for four days a week while I had my full-time job, I made sure to leave thoughtful comments on other people’s content. Comments are actually how I started building my presence on LinkedIn, so I completely understand their power. Some of my comments perform better than my own original content and often lead to more follows and connections. My very first feature in LinkedIn News was actually a comment I left on another creator’s post.
Videos Were a Game Changer
Video content was a game-changer for me. I did a video challenge back in 2021 or 2022 where I posted videos for 30 days straight, and that’s when I started seeing clients coming in and actually quoting my videos during discovery calls. Videos helped me build a deeper connection with my audience much faster than text alone ever could. It’s truly a great way to build trust and authority. (I have another post where I share more on how to create video content on LinkedIn, which you can find here.)
For founders and leaders looking to elevate their personal brand on LinkedIn to attract more opportunities, or if you’re an organization seeking a LinkedIn training for your team, I’d love to chat. Book a discovery call with me.
If you are brand new to LinkedIn, start by optimizing your LinkedIn profile. (This video takes you through the 6 elements of a successful LinkedIn Profile.)
For more LinkedIn content strategies, click here.