Ever feel like you want/need to step away from LinkedIn, but you push yourself because you’re worried it will undo all your hard work and put at risk everything you’ve built?
I get it. Especially if you’re like me and LinkedIn is the primary source of leads for your business.
I recently had to take some time off the platform. Let’s talk about what actually happens when you step away, and why taking time off might be the best thing you do for your content, business and sanity.
This article is inspired by the recent episode of the Social Media for B2B Growth Podcast hosted by Michelle J Raymond.
If you want to know all the details invest under 20 mins and listen or watch the episode.
The Platform Didn’t Collapse. Neither did I.
You might think that taking a break will make you irrelevant overnight. It won’t.
No one launched a search party when I disappeared for a couple of weeks. But that’s not a bad thing.
The truth is, I didn’t need to be there every single day for my content to keep working. Because I’ve spent years building a solid brand foundation:
- Helpful posts that keep getting resurfaced
- Evergreen content across my Company Page, podcast, YouTube and newsletters
- A strong personal brand that holds its ground, even when I’m quiet
The effort I’ve put in over time did its job, while I focused on what matters (Hint: there is more to life than LinkedIn 😲)
Fear is a Liar (but a convincing one)
The panic around “falling off” LinkedIn is real. Especially when LinkedIn is how you generate leads or build your business.
We get told to feed the beast. Show up. Stay visible. Be consistent. And I believe in consistency, but not at the cost of your sanity.
What don’t I believe in? Burnout.
I’ve been there. Sitting at my keyboard with 50 ideas and no desire to write a single one. Staring at a blank post, wondering why I suddenly hate it all.
That’s when I know it’s time to step back. And here’s what I always forget until I do it:
The best ideas show up when I’m not trying so hard! Taking time out for whatever reason I need to, creates the space for me to think. MJR
The Benefits of Taking a Break? They Might Surprise You
Aside from the obvious (rest, recharge, sanity), there’s another upside:
- Space = clarity
- Rest = better ideas
- Distance = perspective
Some of my best content ideas come when I step away from my desk. On holidays. In the garden. Anywhere that doesn’t involve battling the blank page.
Taking time off helped me reset and refocus, especially now, halfway through the year. It’s helped me ask: What’s working? What’s next?
How to Step Away Without Losing Momentum
You don’t have to ghost your audience. Here’s what I do (and what I recommend):
1. Use scheduling tools: I schedule content ahead using Metricool, especially when travelling for speaking gigs or P.A.G.E. Advocacy tours. You can also use LinkedIn’s built-in scheduler.
2. Repurpose past posts: Great content doesn’t expire. New followers haven’t seen your old gold, and even long-time connections need reminders.
3. Set an away message (if you use LinkedIn Premium): Just like an email out-of-office, you can let people know you’ll respond when you’re back.
4. Tell your audience you’re stepping back: Oddly enough, these “I’m off for a break” posts often perform really well. People appreciate the honesty, and they’ll welcome you back.
Final Thought
The most powerful lesson I can give you from this is to always keep perspective about what LinkedIn is. I always tell myself, “I’m not doing heart transplants. It’s just posting on LinkedIn.”
Remind yourself that one missed week or two or three won’t undo years of showing up. The break won’t erase your reputation. And your audience? They’ll still be there.
So if you’re tired, overwhelmed, or just need some white space in your week…Take the break.
Then come back stronger, clearer, and more grounded in what you actually want to say.
Until next time – ring the bell on my LinkedIn profile, and don’t miss those Friday Tim Tam Tips.
Cheers
PS Want to hear my LinkedIn updates first? Subscribe to b2bgrowthco.com/newsletter
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.
