While LinkedIn is first and foremost a business platform—personal posts on the site often outperform corporate updates. That’s because personal posts can help you build trust and rapport, spark engagement, and differentiate you from your competitors. Still, personally oversharing can harm your credibility, so finding the right balance is key.
Why share personal content?
- Human connection: People do business with people, not with entities.
- Differentiation: Your stories are uniquely yours and open people’s eyes to more than just your title and company.
- Trust: Your values and experiences build credibility and break down barriers.
- Engagement: Personal context resonates much more than standard industry posts.
What personal posts should you make on LinkedIn? Add value to readers’ lives through stories about your career journey, life lessons learned, leadership philosophies, hobbies, volunteer work, or causes you support. Share snippets that humanize you—like gentle humor, favorite quotes, or cultural experiences. Celebrate milestones and mentorship moments.
Alternatively, be sure to avoid high-risk topics such as politics, religion, or deeply personal relationship struggles.
The goal isn’t to turn LinkedIn into Facebook with all its personal-first attributes. It’s to weave in authentic, relevant details that make your professional presence relatable. When prospects see your humanity, they’re more likely to connect with you and trust your expertise.
Call to Action: Review your LinkedIn posts. Are they all business? Try adding a personal insight or story that aligns with your professional brand. Start today—your next client may be drawn to the real person behind your posts.
Kathy Bernard (kathy@wiseru.com), CEO of WiserU.com, is a St. Louis-based LinkedIn consultant/trainer who equips businesses to maximize LinkedIn for sales, marketing, or fundraising.