Instead of writing a persuasive lead-generating post, I’ve updated my LinkedIn banner to include a cat. Something that has no relevance to my business. Seriously, check it out. Tell me what you think.
You might also notice the visually ‘violent’ feature tile and other marketing ‘hacks’ have disappeared too. Removing these nasty profile embellishments brought so much relief.
My remit an hour ago was to ‘make my LinkedIn profile feel comfortable and a little like being at home’. Hence, the cat asleep on the windowsill in my office.
Regular followers will have watched me successively specialise and develop a niche proposition. It’s worked well and has been an ongoing labour of love, still heavily influenced by the work of Philip Morgan.
However, I’ve had this growing feeling that all was not right. That something was out of whack. Then I came to see the problem was the super polished LinkedIn profile meant to ‘attract leads’ and ‘drive sales’.
The downside was the commensurate loss of freedom and flexibility in what I wrote about. I stopped enjoying firing up Apple Notes and scribbling what was top of mind. I stopped following the ‘writing challenge’ Philip Morgan recommends to develop an ever-unfolding expertise.
“But Frank, won’t you lose leads and sales with a picture of a cat and random musings?”
Yes, maybe. But that’s how I started on LinkedIn 12 years ago, and I’ve generally never had a sustained period of unemployment during that entire time. Despite the 2008 banking crash and numerous recessions since.
Having a polished profile and writing mudane posts may feel psychologically comfortable, but I’ve lost my humanity in the process. Same for writing long form articles to memorialise on my blog for SEO purposes.
Today I return to the unpolished. The Software Engineer, Parent, and Autistic individual. Who writes for enjoyment and personal growth. The business will take care of itself.
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