Stop Lurking: How to Actually Show up on LinkedIn
Let's get one thing straight: LinkedIn isn't just a digital resume anymore. If you're still treating it like some static placeholder where you updated your job title in 2019 and called it a day, we need to talk.
I get it. Posting on LinkedIn feels weird. You're not quite sure what's "professional enough" but also don't want to sound like a corporate robot (or AI bot). You see other people sharing their wins and wonder if it's bragging. You start writing a post, overthink it, and save it to drafts where it dies a slow, lonely death.
Here's the thing: showing up on LinkedIn isn't about perfection. It's about being present, authentic, and - dare I say - human. And if you're in accounting, finance, or any field where relationships matter (spoiler: that's all of them), LinkedIn is where your people are.
Your LinkedIn Feed Isn't a Highlight Reel (Even Though It Looks Like One)
Everyone's sharing wins, speaking gigs, new certifications, promotions. It's easy to scroll and think, "Well, I haven't done anything worth posting about." Wrong.
You don't need a massive announcement to show up. In fact, some of the best engagement I've seen comes from posts about:
A lesson learned from a mistake
A process you figured out that actually works
An honest take on an industry trend everyone's hyping
A question you're genuinely curious about
People connect with real, not perfect. If you're waiting to have it all figured out before you post, you're going to be waiting forever.
What "Showing Up" Actually Looks Like
Here's the deal: consistency beats perfection. You don't have to post every day (please don't feel pressured to). But you do have to be present. That means:
1. Comment on other people's posts
This is the easiest, lowest-pressure way to show up. See a post from someone in your industry? Drop a thoughtful comment. Not "Great post!" or "Thanks for sharing!" - actually say something. Share your perspective. Ask a question. Add value.
2. Share what you're working on
You don't have to wait for a big milestone. Working on a new process? Testing a new tool? Learning something new? Share it. BUILD IN PUBLIC. People love seeing the behind-the-scenes.
3. Be opinionated (respectfully)
Hot take: bland posts get bland engagement. If you have a strong opinion about something in your industry, share it. Not everyone will agree, and that's okay. The goal isn't to be liked by everyone - it's to connect with your people.
4. Stop overthinking the algorithm
Yes, LinkedIn has an algorithm. No, you don't need to game it. Write for humans, not for engagement metrics. The right people will find your content if it's genuine and valuable.
What to Post When You "Have Nothing to Say"
Okay, but seriously - what do you post about? Here are some prompts that work:
Lessons from the week: What did you learn? What surprised you? What didn't go as planned?
Ask your network: "How do you handle [specific challenge]?" People love giving advice.
Share a resource: Found a tool, article, or podcast that helped you? Tell people why.
Behind-the-scenes: What does your day actually look like? What are you building?
Celebrate someone else: Did a colleague, client, or peer do something awesome? Shout them out. I particularly love my “My friends are cooler than me” posts and so does my network.
The Part Where I Get Real With You
I didn't always show up consistently on LinkedIn. For years, I didn’t show up at all. And then I posted sporadically, second-guessed everything, and convinced myself no one cared what I had to say (or thought I was an AI-bot). And then I realized something two years ago: the people I admired most in my industry weren't posting because they had it all figured out. They were posting as they figured it out.
That shift changed everything. Now, I post about what I'm learning, what I'm working on, and what I'm struggling with. And you know what? The engagement isn't just "likes" - it's actual conversations. People reaching out. Opportunities emerging. Community building.
LinkedIn isn't about building a following. It's about building relationships. And relationships start with showing up - imperfectly, consistently, and authentically.
Your Challenge (If You Choose to Accept It)
This week, commit to showing up once. Just once. Write a post about something you learned, something you're working on, or something you're curious about. Don't overthink it. Don't edit it to death. Just post it.
And if you're feeling stuck? Drop a comment on someone else's post. Start there. Because showing up doesn't have to be loud - it just has to be real. Feel free to tag me, and I’d be more than happy to engage!
Now go. Your people are waiting.
