LinkedIn for Beginners: From Invisible to Found?

When I started my journey, I was an unknown Polish translator running a boutique translation agency, Langbay, with just a website. As AI began to disrupt the industry, the translation market started shrinking, much like video rental stores in the 90s.
In March 2024, I decided to start posting on LinkedIn. Fast forward to today: I’ve built an SEO-focused business, connected with clients from around the world, and now run SEO workshops for translators, agencies and other digital experts.
How did I get here? It’s a journey full of lessons, ones you can learn from, too. In the LinkedIn for Beginners guide, I’ll share my 9-month journey, no fluff, no BS.
Getting Started on LinkedIn: What Is LinkedIn and Why Should You Use It?
Let’s start at the beginning. What is LinkedIn? Ten years ago, it was just a place for job seekers and recruiters. Users uploaded their CVs, posted announcements about their latest accomplishments, and that was about it. I thought the platform was boring.
But things have changed. Today, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professionals, freelancers, and businesses. Whether you’re brand new to LinkedIn or looking to optimize your profile, the opportunities are endless. It’s not just for recruiters anymore. It’s a social media platform where people build connections, find clients, and share ideas.
Here’s why getting started on LinkedIn is worth it:
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- You can grow your LinkedIn network globally, connecting with people you’ve never met.
- You can upload original content that shows off your skills and expertise.
- You can find job opportunities and get recommendations from happy clients.
How I Started on LinkedIn
I created my first LinkedIn profile in 2011, back when I was 26. I’d been working as a substitute English teacher in a high school for a meager salary of 1300 zł/month (around EUR 300). It was exhausting, and I knew teaching wasn’t for me. So, I started freelance translating. I opened my own small business two years later, but no one in my town even knew what I did.
When I looked at LinkedIn, I didn’t see the point. I filled in the basics of my LinkedIn profile, my job title as a translator and left it at that. I had no clue how to use LinkedIn effectively. I wasn’t active, and I didn’t post content.
Years later, when the translation industry started feeling the pressure from AI tools, I realized I needed to adapt. I couldn’t ignore LinkedIn anymore. So, I started fresh. I optimized my profile, I learned about profile optimization, and I posted consistently. The results weren’t immediate. My first post had zero likes. Zero.
How to Build an Effective LinkedIn Profile
I had no idea how to make my LinkedIn work for me at first. Now, after months of trial and error, I can tell you what to do:
1. Optimize Your Profile Page
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume. Take it seriously. Here’s what to do:
- Use a professional headshot. A quality photo increases profile views by 14x.
- Write a headline that stands out. Don’t just say “Translator” or “SEO Specialist.” Write what you do and for whom.
- Write your "About Me" section that tells your story. Talk about your journey, your skills and experience, and what makes you unique.
- Customize your LinkedIn URL. The default link likely consists of your first and last name followed by numbers. Modify it to look professional and include keywords.
- Use keywords in your banner file name, headline, and "About me" section. Focus on low-competition keywords (you can find them in Google Keyword Planner, inside Google Ads).
2. Add Skills and Abilities
LinkedIn allows you to list your skills and get endorsements for them. I focused on SEO, marketing translation, and content creation. These keywords help people find you on the internet.
3. Add Recommendations
This is crucial! they're like testimonials on your website. People will be much more likely to work with you if they see what your clients say about you.
How Does LinkedIn Work?
LinkedIn works similarly to other social media platforms. It prioritizes showing you posts and people you interact with the most.
If you’re new to LinkedIn, focus on your niche. For example, if you sell specific products or services, post content related to that topic. Connect with people in your industry, accept invitations, and LinkedIn will gradually start recognizing you as an expert in your field.
LinkedIn relies heavily on keywords, much like search engines do. By posting about specific topics and using relevant keywords, you’ll appear in searches for people looking for your services. You can find effective keywords for free using Google Keyword Planner, located under Tools on the Google Ads platform.
Of course, don’t forget to be consistent with your content creation. If you post occasionally and don’t get much engagement, it doesn’t mean your content is boring. It simply means the algorithm isn’t showing it to many people yet. Consistency is key to building visibility and engagement.
From No Engagement to a Growing Network
After a month of frustration, low engagement, crickets under my posts. I decided to take a sharp turn. I enrolled in a marketing course for translators "From Squeak to Roar" led by Joachim Lepine, and finally understood how LinkedIn works. I learned how to create posts that people actually wanted to read and engage with. I followed these tips:
- Post regularly: at least 3 times a week. Consistency is key.
- Build your network by connecting with clients and commenting on their posts.
- Share valuable content. Don’t just post about yourself, keep in mind your audience.
PRO TIP: Engage with at least 5 people before and after you post by liking and leaving thoughtful comments. Make sure your comments contain at least 20 words. Generic responses like “Nice share” or “Interesting” just aren’t enough. This approach can help you gain followers and even attract lucrative collaborations. Plus, people can spot AI-generated comments from a mile away, so avoid using them.
Always reply to every comment someone leaves under your post. Ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation going and increase engagement. The more engagement you generate, the greater the visibility of your post and profile (aka your offer).
What to Post: LinkedIn for Beginners
Not sure what to post? Trust me, I’ve been there. When I first started on LinkedIn, I had no idea what I was doing. My posts flopped, with zero likes, no comments, and barely any views. It was discouraging, but I didn’t give up. Over time, I realized that people don’t want polished corporate jargon. They want authenticity. Stories, lessons, and relatable content are what people truly connect with. They love transformation posts.
Here’s what I learned and what works best on LinkedIn:
- Upload Original Content
Think of LinkedIn as a platform to share your expertise and unique voice. Post short updates, videos, carousels, or longer articles. Don’t be afraid to share your knowledge and experiences. LinkedIn allows you to highlight what you’re good at. For example, if you’re in SEO, share tips about optimization. If you’re a translator, talk about language challenges or your recent projects. The point is to create value that helps others. - Explore Topics in Your Niche and Join the Conversation
Your audience is already talking about what you know. Use LinkedIn’s search bar to explore topics in your niche. See what others are posting, engage with their content, and find ideas that inspire you. If someone posts about a challenge you’ve faced before, add your thoughts in the comments. Even write your own post sharing how you solved it. Building on trending discussions shows that you’re active in your field and keeps your content relevant. - Ask Questions to Encourage Comments
People love to share their opinions, so don’t be shy about asking questions. For example:
- What tools do you use for X?
- What’s the biggest challenge you face in [your niche]?
- How do you handle [a specific issue]?
The trick is to make questions easy to answer, and don’t forget to engage with every comment people leave.
Pro tip: Comments with 20+ words are better for boosting engagement because LinkedIn sees longer comments as meaningful interactions. It’s a win-win. People feel heard, and your post gets a visibility boost.
- Share Your Wins and Lessons
LinkedIn isn’t just for bragging. It’s about sharing the journey. Talk about your successes, but also share the lessons you learned along the way. Did you fail at something? That’s relatable! Did you land a big client thanks to LinkedIn? Share how you did it. People love stories because they’re human, real, and memorable. They’ll connect with you not because you’re perfect, but because you’re honest and willing to share.
This post got more than 8k impressions, 248 likes, 45 comments and 3 reposts.
- Share Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Take people behind the scenes of your work. What does your daily routine look like? How do you approach a challenging project? For example, I once posted about optimizing 50 poorly indexed blog articles on my website, something I did during long winter evenings. That post got engagement because people love seeing the “real work” that happens behind the success. - Mix It Up and Experiment
At first, I only posted short updates, but then I tried videos, polls, and storytelling posts. LinkedIn is a great place to experiment with different types of content. Don’t worry if something flops. Just keep trying. One post might not perform well, but another could bring you leads, followers, or new opportunities. - Entertain Your Audience.
Educational content is valuable, but sometimes people just want to have fun! Believe it or not, memes and GIFs can drive high engagement, plenty of reposts, and impressive impressions

Consistency is more important than perfection. Even if your first posts don’t go viral, show up, share value, and engage with others. Over time, you’ll figure out what works and build a loyal audience.
Is It Worth Posting on LinkedIn?
At first, no one liked my posts. It was frustrating. I felt like I was shouting into the void. But instead of giving up, I decided to learn. I took a few courses, and that changed everything. One course I strongly recommend is Justin Welsh's LinkedIn Operating System. It helped me understand how to create content that truly works.
Now, with over 3.5K followers, I’ve achieved results I never thought possible:
- I’ve found clients from all over the world.
- I’ve grown my business without having to chase leads.
- I now run my own SEO workshops and am regularly hired to teach others.
- I’ve launched a newsletter and offer SEO-related digital products and services there.
Here’s a look at how 2024 shaped up for Langbay.
But the biggest change? I’ve grown much more confident in my abilities.
Today, I have some incredibly powerful CEOs and industry leaders in my network. However, on LinkedIn, we’re all the same, just small or big creators. We show up, share value, and connect. That’s the beauty of the platform: anyone can make their mark and find success.
LinkedIn for Beginners: In a Nutshell
Here’s how to make LinkedIn work for you:
- Create a strong personal profile. Use a professional photo and add a banner that says what you do and who you help.
- Tell your story. Don’t just list your skills—share a personal experience.
- Post regularly. Try to post at least 3 times a week.
- Engage with others. Comment on 5 posts before and after you share your own. (Pro tip: Comments over 20 words work best.)
- Build relationships. Connect with clients you’d like to work with and interact with their posts.
I stopped relying on someone else to manage my LinkedIn and started doing it myself, and the magic happened. I shared my experiences, offered tips, and talked about things my audience cared about.
For example, I announced my upcoming SEO course by simply asking, “Hey, I’m creating an SEO course. Are you interested? Join Simple SEO Steps” Over 100 people joined my waitlist in just 2 months.
If you want to build your business or connect with new clients, LinkedIn is the place to be. Most people scroll social media without posting anything. That means the competition is low, and your posts have a better chance of getting noticed. There are 950 mln LinkedIn users, but only 1% posts.
You don’t need a Premium account, and you don’t need perfect content. Start by sharing something about your work, your experience, or your clients. Show up consistently, and the results will come.
LinkedIn helped me transform my business, and it can help you, too. Ready to give it a try? Follow me on LinkedIn. You’ll find me there sharing SEO tips every day!
Get Noticed on LinkedIn!
LinkedIn helped me transform my business, and it can do the same for you. The key is to show up, share your knowledge, and connect with the right audience.
Ready to take the next step?
1. Join my Simple SEO Steps newsletter to learn how to optimize your digital presence and attract premium clients on Google and LinkedIn.
2. Follow me on LinkedIn for daily SEO tips and strategies to help you grow your business and stand out online.
Your success story starts with one post. Let’s make it happen together!

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