▪️ Emma Steenson ▪️’s Post

I'm excited to announce that I was named a Top Creator Voice on LinkedIn's 2023 Top Voice List. In just nine months, I've gone from being petrified of posting to becoming a LinkedIn Top Voice - and I want to pay my experience forward by sharing how I got here. Having a presence on LinkedIn has genuinely been game-changing, and I hope others can experience this power. Being on LinkedIn has brought me opportunities that have taken me across the globe. I've been featured in publications like the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal because of my content, and most importantly, it connected me with some fantastic people. Here are my three takeaways on how I made it happen: Defying Rejection: Conquer Your Fears Stepping into the LinkedIn arena can be unnerving. What if your heartfelt words go unnoticed? While it may sting, remember that this is a part of life. Embrace that some posts will soar while others may fall flat. By accepting this reality early on, you'll find cultivating a regular content creation habit easier. During my first month of consistent posting, I made a point to log out of LinkedIn for the first 30 minutes after hitting that "post" button. This shielded me from the emotional burden of potential rejection. Learn to overcome your fear of rejection and watch yourself grow. Authenticity Matters: Share Your Truth The stories that truly resonate on LinkedIn are those born from personal experiences. Whether it's navigating the challenges of being an underestimated woman of color in the tech industry or unraveling the complexities working mothers face, tap into your unique perspective. This professional platform is a fertile ground to connect with like-minded individuals who will be captivated by your authenticity. Let your voice be your beacon in a sea of conformity. Embrace a Personal Champion: The Power of Coaching When initial anxiety prevented me from fully embracing LinkedIn, I knew I needed a support system. Just as you would hire a personal trainer to kickstart your fitness journey, enlisting the help of a social media coach can work wonders. I'm forever grateful to Bryan Wish for providing the push I needed to get started. I've even begun assisting other female founders in their LinkedIn quests. Sometimes, we need a personal cheerleader to encourage us as we enter uncharted territory. If you're contemplating the merits of building your presence on LinkedIn, my advice is simple: dive in headfirst. If you start today, your world could be unrecognizable in just one year from now. With new connections to be made, opportunities awaiting, and endless room for growth, the future holds immense potential. Seize it. #topvoices #creatoreconomy #linkedincommunity

Hey Forbes! I would very much like to write a piece to counter this one, because it's an outdated understanding of "professionalism" and inaccurate advice for people who are building personal brands. Please miss me with the hot takes on what is and isn't "appropriate" to share or what is relevant to my work and life. It's also, typically, written by a wht guy, just like the other piece published yesterday in The Atlantic that was equally weak, also by a tech bro. This does not at all address the complexity that is modern life, living and working on line, virtual relationships, reimagining The #FutureOfWork. It is not even conscious of how people engage online or wtaf is going on in this world. The article reads like a boomer wrote it 10 years ago, and is in desperate need of an update. I know this is where Forbes readership might be, but if LinkedIn is "getting worse" for professionals, I have some super unpleasant news for you about Social Media, workplaces, and publishing. Frankly I cannot believe I won't get those few minutes of my life back to read something useful. Who are these guys writing for and which is it ALWAYS themselves? Asking for a friend, and that friend is most definitely me. P.S. I feel like the response Op-Ed to this piece could just be called "Everybody Poops" and my point would be made. 🤣

You will never meet up to standards on LinkedIn even if you keep doing this... In a few weeks of using the LinkedIn app, I've come across a lot of articles and write ups, and pep talks from amazing people. I have also come across those who do a lot of motivational talks on here but do not follow through with what they preach. Now imagine this scenario in your mind, A Marketer made a post about how to lead sales to a massive number of people. The person writes a very long article about it and puts a befitting picture underneath... I get captivated by the post, click on their profile, lo and behold I see low customer retention, poor engagements, low quality services, no search engine optimisation, and so on. How can I then believe that the Marketer understands what he preached. How can I then see this person as an examplary figure over my marketing strategies. A lot of us successfully type out good content for our feeds, which make a lot of sense, so as to fit into the status quo of "professionals" BUT still deal with the difficulties of not being able to follow through. (sometimes the difficulties deal with us instead😂) 📍Dont be afraid to work at your own pace if it yields massive progress, there is no rule book for life and it also reflects in career matters. Never give in to peer pressure. 📍We should not be mainly concerned about perfection, we should focus on the PROCESS. 📍The perfection represents our wonderful prestigious daily content, while the process represents the inner and outer push required to show up every day, not just to show up but to show up EFFECTIVELY. 📍It should be of more value that LinkedIn users show up with good effect, impact, vulnerability and stamina. I personally believe that this is what makes a good employee. It is plainly described as Resilience. 📍Let's use this platform to develop RESILIENCE instead of faking perfection. And then that Resilience will lead us to true perfection. Do you practice what you preach? #Linkedin #linkedIntips #resilience #mentalhealth #slowandsteady #processoverperfection #vulnerabilities

Scrolling through LinkedIn makes me feel like I'm not doing enough. This is a common phrase that my clients have said to me recently. They have been feeling like LinkedIn is a space that is breeding comparison. Where everyone is: → Getting a big promotion → Has a fancy new job title → Is making tonnes of money → Is working a full time job and has a side hustle → Is doing 3 day weeks and drinking coconuts on the beach for the other 4 days Firstly, this is not the case. You are generally seeing the best of people Not their day to day reality. But you know this. So that aside. The cause of this feeling is usually how you are feeling about yourself. And what you have been told that you 'should' have by now. And what you 'should' be doing by now. The reality is, would any of this make you happy? Or make you feel successful? Maybe not. We are all on our own journey. There is no legitimate comparison to others. We all had a completely different start in life. So here's what you could do: → Put that energy into finding out what you want and what would make you feel content → Create a plan → Go after it Use other peoples stories as inspiration. Celebrate other people successes You've got this. -------------------------------------------- I'm Grace, a Career Coach and HR Expert rewriting the rules for ambitious professional women to include more success and balance. I'm bringing back The Elite 9% Club. An on demand workshop where we will cover my 3 step process to reassess, reframe, call yourself out on your own bullshit, bust your blockers and create a 60 day actionable plan to get your 2024 goals back on track. Click the link below or access through my featured section to join the waitlist. https://lnkd.in/exsuxTTc 🔔 Follow me and hit the bell on my profile to make sure that you don't miss out on a single update!

I have been hearing recently that to make a real impact on LinkedIn, and any other platforms, I should be posting more frequently. To put it simply, I should talk more. Show myself more. But I do not want to comply. 🙇🏼♀️ Being a quiet professional shouldn't be pursued as being incompetent, or less able to run a business. It shouldn't lead to being treated like an invisible person. And yet it is. If you are a quiet woman on top of that, with a neurodivergent, or any other condition, and you are trying to run a startup, it's extremely hard. Why? Priority, recognition and praise is often given to those who are well outspoken and "less shy". A couple of years ago, I applied for a journalist internship at a very well known UK media company. During the application process I spotted a significant error in the application, and I reported it to this company's hiring manager. The problem was then dealt with and I was informed that I was the only one to actually spot it (so they complimented me for it). Afterwards, I wasn't given the opportunity, and when I requested a feedback, the exact response I got was "we thought you were shy in your introduction video". This remained with me and I purposely decided to keep bringing it up, make it into action and turn it into my personal activism for all "shy", essentially neurodivergent professionals, who are being asked or told to speak more, speak louder, attend meetings with a lot of people in the room, and adapt to the majority. Because otherwise, they - we - miss out on opportunities. I will not comply. I will not become a confident speaker, an inspirational mentor, and I will not, at the cost of my health, publish wise thoughts on LinkedIn every day. This doesn't mean I ignore those professionals who are active, not at all. I admire them, but at the same time, I also want to admire the quiet ones. They are working on some huge, impactful things (as we speak -sic!). Their work won't be as noticeable as the projects that "less shy" people work on, but it will likely have a significant impact on people's lives. Notice quiet professionals in your company. Treat them with respect. Ask them if they are comfortable attending big meetings. Recognise their work and ask their opinion and for their suggestions. Invest in quiet founders. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. ... 🙇🏼♀️

Things I would focus on more if I had to start over again. I’m earning a decent amount in the second year of my college, I appreciate myself a lot but I was thinking about what things I could focus on more if I had to start over again. ➡ The first one is of course the delegation of Tasks ↳ Like most of the early risers, I also used to think that I could do everything on my own, will earn my money on my own and I don’t need to make a team or need people to share handling things. But I was wrong and I realized that building a team and delegating tasks is more effective and efficient for your business as well as your mental health. I should’ve learned it earlier. ➡ Trusting Other people ↳ Trusting other people is tough because people cannot be what you are, they have different thinking and different ways of doing things, and when you are the best in the field how can you trust the other one for the same job, but here’s the challenge, you need to trust people and can get the best out of them, get the best as you want that thing to be. That’s also a skill I needed to develop earlier. ➡ Building more systems ↳ It's all about building robust systems— structures that make tasks smoother and more efficient, giving me more time to focus on what truly matters. ➡ And oh, Being more consistent in my social presence ↳ I ignored my own social media presence, I did not realize that being serious about personal brand is very important, and I was not consistent. ➡ Should have started LinkedIn early ↳ I started LinkedIn in 2024 Jan, which I should have started earlier. It's a goldmine for networking and career growth that I wish I'd tapped into earlier. ➡ Not ignoring my physical health ↳ And the most underrated thing is physical health, I used not to care about it but now I’m a bit serious about it. If you’re making these mistakes, it’s never too late to work on them! Believe me, it boosts efficiency and effectiveness! Read the post again to not forget the insights. #personalbranding

Hello LinkedIn fam! 🌟✨ Today, I want to talk about something that affects many professionals out there - limited freedom of expression in the workplace. 🤐 We spend a significant chunk of our lives at work, and it's crucial that we feel empowered to be our authentic selves and share our ideas freely. But what happens when those ideas don't align with the company's vision or when we feel hesitant to speak up? 🤔 Let me tell you, my friends, that it's not an uncommon experience. Many of us have felt the weight of conformity, fearing that our unique perspectives and creative thoughts might be dismissed or even frowned upon. But guess what? Our voices matter, and they deserve to be heard! 🗣 So, how can we navigate this situation and find a balance between adhering to workplace standards and embracing our individuality? Here are a few tips that might help: 1️⃣ Build a supportive network: Seek out like-minded colleagues who believe in the power of diverse ideas. Surrounding yourself with a tribe that values your voice can be immensely encouraging. Together, you can rally for change and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. 2️⃣ Educate and engage: Sometimes, limited freedom of expression might stem from a lack of awareness. Take the initiative to educate your teammates and superiors about the benefits of diverse viewpoints. Engage in constructive discussions, showcasing how your ideas could contribute to the growth and success of the company. 3️⃣ Lead by example: Don't be afraid to take that first step towards breaking the mould. Showcasing your authentic self and speaking up can inspire others to do the same. Remember, change starts with one person, but its impact can ripple throughout the organization. 4️⃣ Seek opportunities outside of work: If your workplace doesn't provide the platform you need to express yourself fully, explore external avenues such as conferences, events, or social media. Sharing your thoughts and ideas with a broader audience can not only boost your confidence but also attract opportunities that align with your values. Remember, folks, we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, and it's essential to find an environment that embraces and values our unique voices. Don't be disheartened if you're facing limited freedom of expression – use it as an opportunity to push boundaries and create positive change. Together, we can create workplaces where innovation thrives and everyone feels empowered to be their authentic selves. 🙌✨ Now, I'd love to hear from you! Have you experienced limited freedom of expression at work? How did you navigate through it? Share your stories and let's inspire each other towards a more inclusive and empowering workplace. 💪 #FreedomOfExpression #EmbraceYourVoice #AuthenticityAtWork #InclusiveWorkplace #BeTheChange

LinkedIn often feels like a haven of positivity, where HR professionals and CEOs alike share uplifting thoughts and stories. 🌟 But let's be real - life outside this platform isn't always as sunny. In the real world, challenges, setbacks, and tough days are a part of the journey. It's important to acknowledge that the online world, while inspiring, can sometimes paint an idealistic picture. In reality, we all face hurdles, make mistakes, and experience moments of doubt. So, here's a reminder: It's okay to be authentic. It's okay to share your struggles and seek support. It's in those moments of vulnerability that true growth happens. Let's not just be LinkedIn positive, but real-life positive too. Embrace the ups and downs, learn from them, and remember that our journey is defined by both our successes and our challenges. 💪 Together, let's bridge the gap between our online personas and the real-life experiences we all navigate. #linkedinlearning #linkedingrowth #linkedinresearch

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧… I decided to post less on LinkedIn I went from 5 to 3 posts per week 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? The numbers fluctuated… Impression 21.168 → 17.939 (before → after) Engagement 699 → 593 Followers 1.034 → 1.111 Posts 22 → 12 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝? Less time on the social media and more time for my work More time for creativity, writing, thinking, engaging Meeting and actually getting to know new people More meaningful conversations Gary Monro, Nick Raeburn Ranim El Ahmar William Jay Choi Michelle Mendez 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? I was sometimes less intentional The reply rate wasn’t the same Some numbers went down 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲? Be more intentional and purposeful about my use of social media Posting on Friday instead of Thursday (give more even breaks) Clean up my subscription lists to be aligned with my focus 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧? Postings are not everything Value connection over numbers Less stress and obsessions “What’s next?” More meaningful conversations over “just connect” The freedom and unapologetic attitude to be ME and do ME No, I’m not a LinkedIn creator Yes, I’m a Personal Development Coach Feeling different type of headless chicken run And this is my way of finding what works for me Trying new things, developing strategies, getting actions 𝐏.𝐒. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭? —————————— Hi, I'm Valeria - Helping Mid-career Women Worldwide to Break free from the Headless chicken run. 🌟 Let’s connect, Follow, and hit the “🔔” for simple and valuable content 𝐈𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬: 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮! #gettingthingsdone #flexibility #freedom

🚀 Why People Break Up 💔 with 🖇 LinkedIn Within a Month! and How to save yourself from it! It's no secret that many individuals dive into LinkedIn with enthusiasm, only to fade away within a few weeks. Let's explore why this happens: 🔍 Lack of Engagement: Posting content without receiving any engagement can be demotivating. It feels like shouting into the void. 💼 Time Constraints: Busy schedules often hinder consistent posting. Finding time to craft quality content amidst other commitments is challenging. 📉 Fear of Failure: The fear of not receiving likes, comments, or shares can deter individuals from even trying. The pressure to perform perfectly is overwhelming. 🌐 Imposter Syndrome: Feeling inadequate compared to others on the platform is common. This self-doubt can prevent individuals from sharing their thoughts and experiences. 💬 Limited Visibility: With the vast amount of content on LinkedIn, getting noticed can seem like an insurmountable task. Being drowned out by the noise is disheartening. 🔄 Lack of Immediate Results: Building a personal brand and network takes time. Many expect instant gratification and lose interest when results don't materialize quickly. 🔒 Privacy Concerns: Some individuals hesitate to share personal or professional insights due to concerns about privacy and security. What Can You Do About It? That's the real question ✋ Solution: Overcoming Fear of Failure 👉 Embrace Imperfection: Understand that not every post will be a hit, and that's okay. Every interaction, positive or negative, is an opportunity to learn and improve. 👉 Start Small, Stay Consistent: Begin with bite-sized posts and gradually increase your engagement. Consistency is key to gaining traction on the platform. 👉 Focus on Learning, Not Just Metrics: Instead of obsessing over likes and shares, focus on the value you're providing and the lessons you're gaining from each post. 👉 Connect with Like-Minded Individuals: Surround yourself with supportive connections who understand the journey and can provide encouragement and feedback. 👉 Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Acknowledge and celebrate your growth, no matter how small. Every step forward is a victory in overcoming fear. Remember, the journey to success on LinkedIn is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't let the fear of failure hold you back from sharing your unique voice and perspective with the world. 🌟 #LinkedIn #PersonalBrand #OvercomingFear #ProfessionalGrowth