Demystifying the Content Game on LinkedIn: A Personal Journey

When I first dipped my toes into LinkedIn content creation 5.5 years ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I wasn’t strategic. I wasn’t slick. I didn’t even really know what I was doing. But what I did have was time, energy, and a willingness to show up—and that made all the difference.

Today, I want to pull back the curtain on my journey. No filters. No shortcuts. Just the unvarnished truth about what it really takes to build traction on LinkedIn. This isn’t theory. It’s real, and it’s replicable—if you’re willing to put in the work.

1. The Time Investment

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: time. Anyone who tells you that tens of thousands of followers just show up because you "post the right format" or "comment with value" isn’t giving you the full story.

Hours of Hard Work

In the early days, I was spending hours—every single day—on LinkedIn. Writing posts. Engaging in comments. Sending thoughtful messages. Testing what worked and what didn’t. This wasn’t a hobby. It was a full-on commitment.

If you think you’re going to see traction with 30 minutes a day and a hope that your post goes viral, you’re not playing the game that gets results. This platform rewards consistency, depth, and energy.

Quality Over Quantity

And don’t confuse volume with value. It’s not just how long you’re on LinkedIn—it’s what you do with that time. One high-quality post that sparks real discussion is worth more than ten generic carousel reposts. One thoughtful DM can convert into a client. One genuine comment can open a door.

Be intentional. Make your time count.

2. The Power of Calls

What turned the dial for me more than anything else? Getting on calls.

Strengthening Relationships

Almost every day, I was jumping on short calls with new connections I’d met in comments or DMs. No sales pitch. No agenda. Just: “Let’s have a chat.”

These calls deepened relationships that started in the feed. They turned connections into clients. They built trust faster than any content ever could. And they reinforced my credibility without me needing to say a word.

Time Management

Yes, it takes time. And no, you can’t take 15 calls a day forever. But a couple of focused, intentional calls per week with people already warmed up by your content? That’s a strategic move—not a time suck.

So, block the time. Make the space. And have the call. You’ll be surprised how quickly this one habit accelerates your growth.

3. The Magic of Direct Messages

This is where the magic happens. DMs are not an afterthought. They are the heart of your business on LinkedIn.

The Power of DMs

Every time someone engaged with my content, I made a note to send them a message. A thank you. A thoughtful reply. A check-in. No script. Just real conversation.

That’s where trust was built. That’s where discovery happened. That’s where deals were closed. And you know what? That’s where the money came from—not the post. The post started the spark. The DM carried the fire.

The Art of Nurturing

But don’t mistake this for hard selling. This is nurturing. Listening. Showing up like a human. It’s replying with context, not a pitch. It’s asking what they’re working on. It’s connecting dots and making intros. Over time, this earns you attention, trust, and business.

If you’re not living in your DMs, you’re missing the most powerful tool LinkedIn gives you.

Conclusion

I didn’t grow on LinkedIn because I figured out some viral formula. I grew because I showed up. I talked to people. I offered value. I took calls. I lived in the comments and the DMs. I put in the time.

So don’t buy into the illusion of overnight success. Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 10. Play the long game. And do the work that most won’t.

Because that’s how you win the LinkedIn content game.

And if you’re still wondering where to start? Start with one post. One comment. One DM. Then repeat. Daily. Relentlessly. Authentically. That’s how the real traction begins.

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