9 LinkedIn mistakes that are sabotaging your success (and what to do about it)

LinkedIn has the potential to be a business-building powerhouse.

But too many people are making the same mistakes - over and over - and then scratching their heads, wondering why it’s not working.

Let’s be honest, it’s not the platform’s fault; it’s what people are doing (or not doing) on it.

I see the same patterns all the time, from the person who’s so desperate for business they come off like a dodgy street vendor, to the one who hides behind motivational quotes like it’s some sort of protection spell.

If you want to listen to this in more detail, check out the podcast episode below:

Here’s a breakdown of the nine biggest mistakes I see, what they look like in real life, and what you can do to turn it around.

1. Over-promoting like the guy at the networking event who won’t shut up about his business

You know the type. You’re at a networking event, and there’s always that guy. He barely shakes your hand before launching into a monologue about his amazing product or service. Before you know it, he’s handing you a brochure and offering a discount code, and you’re scanning the room, desperately looking for an escape route.

This is how you come off when every single LinkedIn post is a pitch. It’s exhausting to read, and it’s driving people away faster than you can say, “Special offer, limited time only!”

The fix: Think of LinkedIn like that same networking event. You wouldn’t open with a sales pitch to someone you just met, right? You’d build rapport, talk about shared interests, and gradually get to what you do. Apply the same principle here - focus on sharing value first, and let the sales talk come later. Don’t be the person everyone avoids because they know what’s coming.

2. Posting valuable content but never mentioning what you actually do

Imagine going to a brilliant workshop where the speaker shares life-changing insights. You’re captivated. You take pages of notes. But when it’s all over, they pack up and leave without telling you how you can get more of what they’re offering. You’re left wondering, Who are they? What do they sell? It’s like going to a restaurant where the chef cooks up a five-star meal, but never gives you a menu to order from.

That’s what happens when you hide your offer behind endless value posts and personal stories. You might get likes and comments, but no one knows how to work with you.

The fix: Make sure your profile and content give clear signals about what you do and how people can work with you. You don’t need to scream it from the rooftops, but don’t leave them guessing either. A simple “If you want help with [problem], drop me a message” can be the bridge between curiosity and a client relationship.

3. Copy-pasting influencer tactics and wondering why it’s not working for you

Picture this: You’re at a party, and one of your friends tells a joke that has the whole room in stitches. Thinking it’s a sure-fire hit, you decide to tell the same joke at the next party you attend. But instead of laughter, you get awkward silence and a few polite chuckles. What went wrong?

Just like jokes, content only lands well if it fits the context. Influencers have built their audience over time, and their followers expect a certain type of content from them. If you copy their tactics without building the same trust and authority, it’s going to fall flat.

The fix: Find your own voice. Don’t try to mimic what’s working for someone with 200,000 followers. Instead, take inspiration from their principles and adapt them to your situation. Create content that’s relevant to your audience and speaks to your unique value.

4. Trying to be everything to everyone and ending up being nothing to no one

Imagine you walk into a clothing store, and the salesperson starts showing you clothes for every possible occasion - workout gear, business suits, casual wear, evening gowns - all at once. You came in looking for a pair of jeans, but now you’re overwhelmed and walk out empty-handed.

That’s what happens when you try to cater to everyone on LinkedIn. People land on your profile, see a mishmash of content and messaging, and leave confused.

The fix: Focus your message. Choose a niche and own it. You’re not closing doors - you’re becoming known for something specific. Once you’ve established yourself as the go-to person for that niche, you can expand. But until then, keep it simple. Think “expert in helping tech start-ups get funded,” not “general business advisor for everyone with a heartbeat.”

5. Staying middle-of-the-road because you’re afraid of upsetting someone

It’s like being at a dinner party and agreeing with everyone’s opinion just to keep the peace. You don’t stand out, and nobody remembers what you said because you didn’t say much at all. Sure, nobody was offended, but nobody connected with you either.

If you’re afraid to share your real thoughts because they might turn people off, then you’re also missing out on drawing the people who would love your message.

The fix: Take a stand. Share your true opinions, even if they go against the grain. Yes, some people might disagree, but the ones who resonate will respect you more for it. Vanilla doesn’t get attention; strong, confident messaging does.

6. Treating LinkedIn like a side toy rather than a tool

Imagine you’re training for a marathon but only running once a week when you feel like it. Come race day, you’re not going to get far. That’s exactly what happens when you treat LinkedIn like a part-time hobby. You can’t show up whenever you feel like it and expect to get traction.

The fix: Consistency is your new best friend. Whether it’s posting three times a week or every day, create a plan and stick to it. Think of LinkedIn as a key part of your business strategy, not a side project.

7. Focusing on content quantity over content quality

Ever been to a restaurant that has a menu the size of a novel? You end up confused and wondering if they can do any of it well. That’s what happens when you post endless amounts of content without a clear strategy. More doesn’t always mean better.

The fix: It’s not about churning out more content - it’s about creating content that’s aligned with your goals. Ask yourself, What’s the purpose of this post? Is it to get leads, build authority, or start conversations? Have a reason behind every piece you post.

8. Failing to communicate your offer clearly

Imagine browsing through someone’s profile and seeing a vague statement like, “Helping businesses achieve more.” More what? More stress? More headaches? More money?

If people have to work too hard to figure out what you do, they won’t bother. Your offer should be as clear as a neon sign.

The fix: Get specific about what you’re offering and who it’s for. It’s not enough to say you’re a coach or consultant - explain the problems you solve and how you do it. When people land on your profile, they should know within 10 seconds what you do and how you can help them.

9. Relying on motivation rather than systems and processes

Motivation is like a sugar rush - it feels great in the moment, but it’s not going to sustain you long-term. If you’re waiting to “feel like it” before you create content or engage on LinkedIn, you’ll end up being wildly inconsistent.

The fix: Build systems for everything - from content creation to client onboarding. Systems make the process repeatable and sustainable. Create templates, use tools, and automate what you can (not the relationship). This way, you’re showing up consistently even when life gets busy.

LinkedIn is one of the best tools for building a business, but it only works if you do.

Most of these mistakes have nothing to do with the platform itself.

They’re about mindset, clarity, and having a strategy that aligns with your goals.

Fix these mistakes, show up with purpose, and watch how quickly things start to shift for you.