12 Things People Get Wrong About LinkedIn—Here’s How To Do It Right
For anyone considering a career pivot, LinkedIn is your power tool—not your last resort. But too often, professionals treat it like digital duct tape, only pulling it out when something breaks: a job loss, a funding search or a professional identity crisis. According to LinkedIn expert Meredith Farley, founder of content studio Medbury, that’s the fastest way not to get results.
LinkedIn has over 1 billion users worldwide, but only a fraction are active. Around 310 million use the platform monthly, yet less than 1% post content regularly. When you’re changing careers, it’s about knowing what not to do if you want to stand out and gain visibility. “LinkedIn is one of the most effective platforms for professional visibility, networking and business growth,” Farley explains. “But most people are either completely ignoring it or doing it all wrong.”
Farley shares how to avoid the most common pitfalls and start showing up on LinkedIn in a way that actually works: The Number One Mistake: Not Using It Until You Need Something
People who win on LinkedIn aren’t logging in just to beg for jobs or broadcast big news. They’re building relationships, sharing ideas and offering value before they need anything in return.
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Ai is a helpful tool but can’t replace your unique voice. “Human heart and soul comes through in content,” says Farley. Subtle quirks, personal stories and real insights make posts magnetic.
Inspiration is overrated. Consistency isn’t. Successful professionals treat LinkedIn like a practice, not a passion project. Use frameworks, create content in batches and commit to a schedule.
Assuming It Should Always Feel Good
Sharing your accomplishments isn’t self-promotion. It’s strategic communication. If you never talk about your wins, people won’t know what you’ve achieved or how you add value. The key is to share with context and gratitude: highlight what you learned, acknowledge those who helped along the way and explain why it matters.
“Gratitude is the antidote to arrogance,” says Farley. LinkedIn isn’t your diary. Personal stories are powerful only when they connect to professional insights. Before you post, ask, “Is this useful to anyone else?” If not, save it for another platform.
The Power of Consistency
Letting The Fear Of Judgment Hold You Back
Old colleagues, frenemies, ex-bosses—imagining their silent judgment can keep you from ever hitting “post.” But fear of being cringy isn’t a strategy. It’s a cage. Don’t let people who don’t even like you control your career narrative.
A viral post that brings no value is just noise. A quiet post that brings the right client, job or investor? That’s gold.
The Importance of Consistency
LinkedIn is about positioning and pipeline—not popularity. If your strategy is “post when I remember,” you don’t have one. A content system should include thought leadership, brand positioning and relationship-building tactics. Otherwise, you’re just guessing.
Consistency builds trust, and trust builds opportunity. Without a clear framework, you risk being forgettable instead of influential.
The Algorithm and Optimization
LinkedIn is not a “post and ghost” platform. The algorithm rewards interaction. If you’re not ing, responding or connecting with others, you’re leaving opportunities—and visibility—on the table.
Hooks matter, formatting matters, and even the time you post matters. Optimizing doesn’t mean “hacking the system.” It means understanding how LinkedIn works and aligning your content with how users engage; the algorithm prioritizes visibility.
Repeating Your Core Story With Purpose
You don’t need endless new narratives to stay relevant. The most effective leaders revisit their origin, mission and purpose not because they lack ideas but because repetition builds recognition.
When done well, it’s not dull—it’s defining. Career pivots aren’t made in silence. LinkedIn gives you the mic—use it with intention and consistency. That’s how opportunity finds you.