If you’re looking to build authority and expand your practice, LinkedIn is a great place to start.

When I first joined LinkedIn in 2007, I was just a "creeper," scrolling through posts but not interacting. Fast forward to 2019, and I decided to take LinkedIn seriously. What began as a simple experiment soon evolved into a powerful business tool, growing my network and audience significantly.

In the early years, I struggled with the platform. I didn’t see results and thought it wasn’t working. But once I started focusing on creating value through content, rather than extracting value, things began to change. It wasn’t about selling my product; it was about connecting with people on a deeper level, sharing stories, experiences, and things I had learned.

The secret to my success on LinkedIn has been consistent content creation—whether videos or posts—and building relationships. By sharing glimpses of my life and lessons, I connected with an audience that resonated with my story and the value I could offer, whether through advice or insight into the wealth management space.

One of the keys to success with LinkedIn—and any social platform—is infrastructure. In my case, it’s about ensuring that the technical side of things is optimized. A good camera, solid microphone, and high-quality audio are critical. When people can see and hear you clearly, it makes a difference in how they perceive you. When I invested in the right setup, it improved the quality of my content and, ultimately, my audience’s experience.

Content should feel relatable and real, not staged or overly polished. A video shot on my phone during a trip to Iceland is one example. I didn’t plan it as a LinkedIn post, but after reviewing it, I realized it tied back to important business concepts and could connect with others. It’s about making content that resonates with your audience, even if it’s simple and raw.

For financial advisors and professionals in the fintech space, LinkedIn can be a game-changer. The key is to sell yourself first, not your service or product. When you share your authentic self and offer valuable insights, clients will start reaching out. The opportunities for relationship building are endless, and they can eventually lead to new business.

For those interested in using video, you don’t need to go overboard with editing. Keep it natural. As I always say, don’t take yourself too seriously. People connect better when they feel like they’re engaging with a real person, not a polished persona.

In summary, LinkedIn has helped me grow my network, create valuable relationships, and even open up opportunities like meeting Sir Richard Branson at Necker Island. It’s proof that with consistent effort, the right mindset, and good content, you can build a powerful presence and grow your business.

If you’re looking to build authority and expand your practice, LinkedIn is a great place to start. But growing your presence isn’t just about posting content—it’s about creating real connections with the right people.

That’s exactly why I founded Couplr AI. We help financial professionals and firms leverage AI-powered matchmaking to connect with their ideal clients in a more meaningful and efficient way. It’s about taking the guesswork out of prospecting and turning networking into real growth.

Learn more about how Couplr AI can help you expand your business: www.couplr.ai

Connect with me on LinkedIn: Derek Notman LinkedIn

Listen to the full podcast interview where I dive deeper into these topics: Watch on YouTube

- Derek Notman (Founder - Couplr AI)