Mastering LinkedIn: The 5 Rules I Use to Position Myself

Have you ever wondered how to make your LinkedIn profile stand out?

How to position yourself so that the right audience sees you in the right way?

Well, I've been there too.

And after years of trial and error, I've come up with five rules that have helped me to position myself effectively on LinkedIn.

These rules have not only helped me to connect with the right audience but also to establish myself as an authority in my field.

Before we dive into these rules, let me share a bit about my journey.

I didn't start with a certificate for coaching or win some regional pay-to-play award as "best business person."

But I knew I was good at what I did.

And that was all the credentials I needed to share my opinion.

I elected myself to be on the pitch and have a voice.

That was my starting point.

And it can be yours too.

Rule 1: Never Ask Permission

The first rule is the most important one: never ask permission.

This might sound counterintuitive, but let me explain.

When it comes to sharing your expertise and opinions, you don't need anyone's permission.

You don't need a certificate or an award to validate your skills.

If you're good at what you do, that's all the credentials you need.

Elect Yourself

It's easy to wait for someone else to give you the green light.

To tell you that you're ready, that you're good enough.

But the truth is, you're the only one who can make that call.

You have to elect yourself to be on the pitch and have a voice.

You have to believe in your abilities and be willing to put yourself out there.

And yes, it can be scary.

But it's also incredibly empowering.

When you stop waiting for permission, you take control of your career and your life.

You become the driver, not the passenger.

And that's a game-changer.

Share Your Opinion

Once you've elected yourself, it's time to start sharing your opinion.

And I mean really sharing it.

Not just in private conversations or in your head, but publicly.

On LinkedIn, on your blog, at conferences, wherever your audience is.

Remember, your opinion matters.

Your insights and experiences can help others.

So don't hold back.

Share your thoughts, your ideas, your lessons learned.

Let your voice be heard.

Rule 2: Show Yourself Doing the Work

The second rule is about authenticity.

It's about showing yourself doing the work, not just talking about it.

This is crucial because it demonstrates that you're not all talk, that you're actually walking the walk.

Be Real, Not Perfect

When it comes to showing yourself doing the work, it's important to be real, not perfect.

This means sharing the messy, behind-the-scenes moments, not just the polished, photoshoot-ready ones.

It means showing yourself in action, not just posing at your desk.

For example, I recently shared a photo of myself speaking at a conference in Valencia.

It wasn't a perfect shot, but it was real.

It showed me doing the work, sharing my insights, engaging with my audience.

And that's what matters.

Provide Proof

Showing yourself doing the work also provides proof.

It shows your audience that you're not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk.

It shows them that you're committed, that you're serious, that you're capable.

So don't be afraid to share your work.

Share your projects, your successes, your failures, your lessons learned.

Show your audience what you're capable of.

Give them a reason to believe in you.

Rule 3: Drip-Feed Consistent Proof Through Numbers

The third rule is about consistency and proof.

It's about drip-feeding consistent proof through numbers.

This can be anything from the number of years you've been in your field to the number of projects you've completed to the number of clients you've helped.

Reinforce Your Experience

Drip-feeding consistent proof through numbers helps to reinforce your experience.

It reminds your audience that you've been in the trenches, that you've done the work, that you've seen a lot.

This reassures them and builds trust.

For example, I often share numbers like the 144 weeks of weekly training calls to my Accelerator, the 260 weeks of livestreaming I did on FB and LinkedIn every Monday, or simply the 20 years in sales.

These numbers continually reinforce that I have experience doing the work.

What Are Your Numbers?

So what are your numbers?

What proof can you provide to reinforce your experience and build trust with your audience?

Maybe it's the number of years you've been in your field, the number of projects you've completed, the number of clients you've helped.

Whatever it is, start sharing it.

Start drip-feeding consistent proof through numbers.

Remember, your numbers matter.

They tell a story.

They provide proof.

They build trust.

So don't be shy about sharing them.

Rule 4: Stay in Your Lane

The fourth rule is about focus and consistency.

It's about staying in your lane and beating the same drum every day.

This helps your audience to understand what you stand for and positions you as the go-to person for that thing.

Consistency is a Superpower

I often say that consistency is a superpower.

And I truly believe it.

When you consistently share content on the same topic, your audience gets a very clear idea of what you stand for.

They start to see you as an authority on that topic.

And over time, it becomes undeniable that you're the person for that thing.

For over five years, I've focused my content almost exclusively on sales and conversion.

Even the posts about other things are tied into these topics.

This consistency has helped me to position myself as an authority in my field.

What's Your Lane?

So what's your lane?

What's the one thing you want to be known for?

What's the drum you want to beat every day?

Once you've figured that out, stay in that lane.

Focus your content on that topic.

Be consistent.

Over time, your audience will start to see you as the go-to person for that thing.

Remember, staying in your lane is not about limiting yourself.

It's about focusing your energy and your message.

It's about becoming an authority in your field.

And that's a powerful thing.

Rule 5: Collab Through Networking

The fifth and final rule is about collaboration and networking.

It's about connecting with winners who are well positioned and leveraging those connections to lift your brand.

Connect with Winners

From day one, I made a point of connecting with winners who were well positioned.

I knew that if I was the average of the people I surrounded myself with, then I'd better make sure they were doing something special.

And that's exactly what I did.

These connections have been invaluable.

They've opened doors for me, recommended me for deals, events, keynotes, and collaborations.

They've helped me to position my brand as one that is achieving.

Leverage Your Connections

But connecting with winners is just the first step.

The next step is to leverage those connections.

To collaborate with them, to learn from them, to grow with them.

This is not about using people.

It's about building mutually beneficial relationships.

It's about lifting each other up.

It's about growing together.

And that's a beautiful thing.

Conclusion

So there you have it.

The five rules I use to position myself on LinkedIn.

These rules have helped me to connect with the right audience, to establish myself as an authority in my field, and to grow my brand.

And I believe they can do the same for you.

Remember, positioning yourself on LinkedIn is not about pretending to be someone you're not.

It's about being authentic, being consistent, and being strategic.

It's about sharing your expertise, your experiences, your insights.

It's about connecting with the right people and leveraging those connections.

And most importantly, it's about believing in yourself and your abilities.

So go ahead.

Elect yourself.

Share your opinion.

Show yourself doing the work.

Drip-feed consistent proof through numbers.

Stay in your lane.

Collab through networking.

Position yourself on LinkedIn.

And watch your career soar.