Here’s the thing: when I started creating content here, my first videos weren’t good. I wrote out scripts for them. I didn’t know what I was doing. I jumped without a net. I sounded like a robot. If you really want to cringe, I’ll send you links to some of my earlier stuff.

Because we all start at the starting line, no one’s first post is amazing. Let me rephrase that…it rarely happens when you hit a homerun at your first “at bat”.

Here’s what I learned over the years. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. Or like the old acronym goes: KISS – Keep It Simple Sassy (or you can insert the word that is not a kind word to use).

I use metaphors A LOT in my content. Think about it…you can compare just about anything that people know to terminology that you’re trying to simplify.

Here are a few of the metaphors that I’ve used or currently use to compare everyday things to LinkedIn:

Gardening is a great metaphor for LinkedIn because you can plant the seeds, but you need to maintain that garden in order to see the fruits of your labor. Planting the seeds is like optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Watering the garden is like consistently commenting. Good things happen when you maintain what you’ve planted. Maintenance is key.

A billboard along the highway is my metaphor for your LinkedIn profile. You want to showcase the best of you. You want every part of that profile to shine bright just like you do. Your profile is where people get to know you.

Shaking hands is a metaphor for commenting on LinkedIn. No one goes to a networking event and gives a thumbs up or a heart emoji. That would be really weird. You have to talk to people, have conversations, in order for people to like you.

Let’s go back….

Remember that billboard metaphor? The billboard is only as good as the cars that are driving by it. You need to be visible to traffic, and you want people tapping on the brakes to see you.

Shouting with your megaphone is a metaphor for posting content on LinkedIn. Shout from the rooftops. Content is how you build trust. Content is how you can showcase your expertise.

When you use your megaphone and post content here, it means you aren’t treating LinkedIn like an online resume. Instead, you are saying, “Here’s my knowledge, here’s why you should trust me.”

Know, like, and trust is what relationships are built on, so I’ve used that trilogy as building blocks for my triangle strategy too. It’s all easier to understand when you have metaphors to go along with the concepts.

So use metaphors to make sure everyone understands what you’re talking about.

What metaphor can use use to describe your job or your business?

#linkedin #content #metaphors #leverageup #purplesquirrelmagnet

➡️ I’m looking for my next opportunity!!!

I’m very interested in…Director of Marketing/Communications roles.

If that hiring manager would love to have someone with LinkedIn know-how and strategy who grew from 400-31,800+ here, I’ve got that too.