If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines of LinkedIn because you’re worried about what people might think, that ends today!
I don’t care what the algorithm is doing. I don’t care about the latest “hack” or tool. None of that matters if you can’t overcome the single biggest barrier to LinkedIn success: mindset.
After five years of training clients worldwide, I can tell you that this is the one thing that holds almost everyone back. It doesn’t matter how smart, experienced, or well-resourced they are. Fear is the common thread. And yes, I’ve had to work through it myself.
This article is inspired by the recent episode of the Social Media for B2B Growth Podcast hosted by Michelle J Raymond, which discusses this topic in more detail.
The Three Biggest Fears on LinkedIn
When people sit down to write a post, they often get caught in a cycle of negative thoughts. From my experience, fears fall into three main groups:
- Fear of judgement – What if people don’t like it? What if it’s all been said before? What if I get it wrong?
- Fear of silence – What if I post and there are no reactions or comments at all?
- Fear of comparison – Looking at others who seem further ahead and convincing yourself you’ll never measure up.
These fears are universal. I’ve seen them stop CEOs, new consultants, experienced professionals, and small business owners alike. They don’t discriminate.
Why Fear Holds You Back
Your brain is wired to keep you safe. That’s why fear feels so strong. But “safe” doesn’t build visibility, “safe” doesn’t create opportunities, and “safe” doesn’t grow a business.
Here’s what most people don’t realise:
- LinkedIn has more than a billion members, but 9 out of 10 people will never create content or be visible
- That leaves a tiny percentage who stand out simply by showing up
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to take the first step that others are too fearful to take.
Flip the Switch in a Heartbeat
So how do you move past the fear? The fastest way I’ve found is simple: shift your focus.
Fear comes when you focus on yourself. What people might think of you, whether you’ll “get it right,” or how you’ll compare.
Instead, focus on the people you help. Ask yourself:
- Why do I do this work?
- What transformation do I create for others?
- How does life or business look different because of what I do?
When I shift my focus from myself to others, the fear subsides. And when I focus on helping, that’s when the magic happens.
A client binge-watching seven hours of my YouTube videos. A listener telling me my podcast gave them the push they needed.
Those moments matter far more than likes, impressions, or any algorithm update.
Done is Better Than Perfect
Here’s the truth: your first post won’t be perfect. Mine wasn’t either.
Fun fact: Five years ago, I couldn’t even record a five-minute video about myself. I threw out an entire course because of it. Today, I speak on international stages, record weekly podcasts, and consistently create video content. None of that would have been possible without that very first, imperfect attempt.
Imperfect action beats silence every single time!
That’s why I’ll always say: done is better than perfect.
Imagine Five Years from Now
Think about where you could be in five years if you started today. More confident. More visible. More opportunities.
Now think about where you’ll be if you don’t start. Exactly where you are now, only with the added regret of knowing you could have moved forward.
Final Thoughts
If you want to grow on LinkedIn, start with mindset, not the algorithm.
Silence serves no one. Staying safe keeps you stuck.
So here’s my challenge: write your first post today. Tell people you listened to my podcast, tag me, and let them know this was the push you needed.
I’ll be there cheering you on.
Want to work with me? Book a time here – https://calendly.com/michelle-j-raymond/book-an-intro-call-15mins
Cheers
Michelle J Raymond is the Founder of B2B Growth Co and has made her mark as the world’s leading authority on LinkedIn Company Pages, offering comprehensive strategies and training to brands eager to harness LinkedIn for business growth through thought leadership, content marketing or social selling techniques.
With 20+ years’ experience in B2B sales, and almost a decade of social selling on LinkedIn, Michelle stands out for her significant LinkedIn contributions as the co-author of two globally acclaimed books: “Business Gold,” the first book exclusively dedicated to LinkedIn Company Pages, and “The LinkedIn Branding Book,” and her insightful podcast Social Media for B2B Growth. Follow her YouTube channel @MichelleJRaymond for helpful how to’s.
