How to Stop Being Invisible: Use LinkedIn to Own Your Space
How to Stop Being Invisible: Use LinkedIn to Own Your Space

How to Stop Being Invisible: Use LinkedIn to Own Your Space

Stop Hiding: LinkedIn Is Your Stage, Google Is Your Spotlight

Let’s get something straight: If you’re not showing up online, you’re not in the game. Period.

Right now, as the digital world feels noisier and messier than ever, LinkedIn stands out as the last truly human platform, a space that values connection over clout, conversations over clicks, and real leadership over recycled trends.

LinkedIn isn’t just a platform, it’s Google’s goldmine. Every post you write, every comment you drop, and every profile update you make? It’s indexed and searchable. Your LinkedIn presence isn’t just for today’s feed; it’s building your long-term discoverability across the web.

So, ask yourself: Are you even in the game if Google doesn’t know you exist?

The Truth About LinkedIn: It’s the Web’s Most Underrated Asset

Here’s some context for you. Google just dropped the top searches of 2024:

  • U.S. election
  • Extreme heat weather
  • Paris Olympics

Big topics. But here’s the deal: If your name, your brand, or your expertise isn’t showing up alongside the conversations that matter, you’re irrelevant.

LinkedIn gives you the power to change that. Every interaction, post, comment, and article contributes to your personal SEO. This is how you become discoverable, not just on LinkedIn but across the entire digital landscape.

💡 Pro Tip: Start using LinkedIn’s trending news sidebar (that little box on the right-hand side of your dashboard). If something aligns with your perspective or expertise, create a quick post or video that adds value. The goal isn’t just visibility; it’s credibility.

Check the right hand side of your LinkedIn dashboard and join the conversation. 

My Latest Experiment: Making the LinkedIn Trending News a Priority

For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying a new approach: creating quick, real-time content based on trending news. I focus on stories that connect with my pillars, like leadership, connection, and innovation, or simply topics that grab my attention and spark a genuine opinion because I care about it.

The Data Doesn’t Lie: A Closer Look at the Analytics

To give you some perspective on this experiment, here are my top-performing posts over the last 14 and 28 days, based on both impressions and engagement:

📈 In the last 14 days:

  • - Meta’s Bold AI Move: 1.5M+ impressions, 181 comments, and a flood of conversations about what this means for leaders navigating AI.
  • - Red Dye #3: Fewer impressions (396,000+) but real conversations with 86 comments from people genuinely engaging with the topic.
  • - TikTok & Digital Control: This quick, lighthearted post hit 800,000+ impressions, proving that humor and a sharp take can still generate serious reach.

📊 In the last 28 days: Across all posts, I’ve seen a 64.6% increase in engagement, reaching over 4,400 engagements.

It’s not just about what’s trending, it’s about how you show up. Are you sharing a genuine POV, or are you just checking the content box?

Why This Experiment Matters to You

Here’s what these numbers and conversations are teaching me, and hopefully, they’ll resonate with you too:

🔵Visibility Is Step One: If you’re not part of the conversation, you’re invisible. LinkedIn and Google are where the digital world connects.

🔵Engagement Is Step Two: People want to engage with your mind, not just your content. Dive into the comments, ask questions, and build trust one interaction at a time.

🔵Consistency Wins the Game: You don’t have to post daily, but you do need to show up intentionally. Align your voice with your audience’s needs, and don’t be afraid to take a stance.

🔑 Key Takeaway: Stop overthinking your content. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence. Even small, authentic contributions can open big doors.

My Challenge to You

Take a page from my playbook and try this for the next three weeks:

1️⃣ Check LinkedIn’s trending news daily. What aligns with your brand pillars or personal interests?

2️⃣ Post something quick and real. A short video, a sharp take, or a simple question can spark meaningful conversations.

3️⃣ Engage in the comments. Don’t just post and ghost. The magic happens when you dive into the discussions.

But here’s the catch: Your audience knows you. If you go off-topic or chase trends that don’t align with your pillars, they’ll see right through it. Stay in your lane, but don’t be afraid to bring fresh perspectives and authentic takes.

Remember: The numbers might get you noticed, but it’s the conversations that build trust, relationships, and opportunities. 

Personal SEO is Non-Negotiable

If someone Googles you and finds nothing, you’re invisible.

LinkedIn is Google’s vault for your personal brand. Every post, every comment, every headline, it’s all indexed. And if you’re not intentional about how you show up, someone else will define your narrative for you. When people search for you, they’re not just looking for your job title, they’re looking for your story, your perspective, and what you stand for.

🔵 Optimize Your Profile: Make your headline more than just a title, make it a statement of value.

🔵 Post Weekly: Align your content with topics that matter to you AND your audience.

🔵 Engage Thoughtfully: Don’t just drop emojis in comments. Ask real questions. Give real answers. Build real connections.

The Power of Video: More Human, More Visible

Video isn’t just a trend, it’s one of the most effective ways to connect.

LinkedIn videos are up 36% year-over-year, and with 75% of U.S. adults spending up to two hours daily watching short-form video, it’s clear: Video is king. It’s not about the views; it’s about the value.

What’s the lesson here? Numbers don’t mean much if the content doesn’t connect. Your job is to spark dialogue, not just rack up views.

Here’s how to nail short unproduced video:

🔵 Start Strong: Hook your audience in the first 10 seconds.

🔵 Keep It Real: Ditch the scripts and share something honest.

🔵 Make It Accessible: Use captions, 80% of people are more likely to finish videos with subtitles.

Will You Step Up?

If you’re treating LinkedIn like a boring resume site, you’re wasting its potential. This platform isn’t just about jobs, it’s about influence, impact, and owning your space as a leader.

So, here’s your challenge:

➡️ Optimize Your Profile: Make sure it tells the story of who you are AND what you do.

➡️ Engage With Trending News: Stop lurking. Start contributing. Pick one trending topic this week and share your take on it.

➡️ Create Videos: Show up authentically. Use video to connect, inspire, and lead.

The digital world is loud, messy, and fast-paced, but LinkedIn is the steady platform where leaders are built. The only question is: Are you showing up, or are you sitting it out? Are you building your legacy, or are you invisible?


Let’s be real: LinkedIn isn’t just for job hunting or humblebragging anymore. It’s your stage, and the audience? Your ideal connections just waiting to hit “follow.”

The StandOut Authority Experience On-Demand is here to help you stop lurking, start leading, and turn those casual scrolls into real opportunities.

Because it's not just about “likes”—it’s about building trust, sharing value, and turning connections into your biggest cheerleaders.

Ready to step into your LinkedIn presence with purpose?

Start here👉 StandOut Authority Experience On-Demand


Coach Jim Johnson

Helping Business leaders and Educators build Championship Teams. | Keynote Speaker, Workshops and Coaching | Author

2w

Thanks for your great tips about LinkedIn. You were a wonderful guest on our podcast Limitless Leadership Lounge. Keep up your wonderful work!

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Joshua, your insight on owning one's narrative is refreshingly powerful. The emphasis on leveraging LinkedIn as a stage rather than a static resume resonates deeply. Your approach to personal branding is a game-changer for leaders aiming to stay visible and relevant. Keep inspiring others to step into the spotlight!

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Nataliia Torlo

Holistic Wellness | Preventive medicine | Antiaging | Biohacking

3w

I’ve been treating LinkedIn like a resume—time to make a shift.

Alexandr Torlo

Product Development Leader | AI Transformation | Biohacking

3w

This is such an insightful post. It’s a reminder to step up and own our space.

Juan Alvarez

Social/Corporate Artificial Intelligence Advisor - Paid Advertising Strategist and Digital Marketing Automations - BtoB Business Technology Developer

3w

I appreciate the call to action—it’s time to take LinkedIn seriously.

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