Republished with Permission from RDT Content Marketing, LLC
Scroll through your LinkedIn feed, and you’ll see personal stories about family, health and private struggles. Things people wouldn’t have shared publicly a few years ago are now common. Some of it is meaningful and works, but some feels a little too much. Part of what’s driving this shift is the recognition that we bring our whole selves to our work, including our personality, our beliefs and how we show up every day. So, it makes sense that LinkedIn content has become more personal.
I’m not against sharing personal content. It can be a powerful way to connect and help people understand who you are beyond your credentials. But LinkedIn is still a professional platform, and not everything personal belongs there. To find the right balance, share with purpose.
Why personal content works
When it’s done well, personal content helps people see who you are, not just what you do. It gives them a sense of your values, your perspective and how you think. That matters because people don’t hire based on credentials alone. They hire people they know, like and trust, and personal stories make you more relatable and likeable.
It also makes your content more memorable. Advice is easy to scroll past. Stories stick. In industries where everyone sounds similar, that can make a real difference.
Where it can become a problem
The issue isn’t personal content itself. It’s the lack of intention behind it. A lot of posts feel unfiltered, shared in the moment or posted simply because they’re likely to get attention. But attention shouldn’t be the goal. Without a clear purpose, personal content can blur professional boundaries, distract from your expertise and business goals or shape how people see you in ways you didn’t intend.
Practical tips for sharing personal content
If you’re going to share something personal, the key is to be thoughtful about both what you share and how you share it. These guidelines can help:
- Keep it personal, not private. You don’t need to share every detail to be relatable. Tell stories that highlight your values and the lessons you’ve learned from your experiences. (Note that what may feel “too personal” can also vary depending on your profession and target audience.)
- Don’t just tell a story, share the takeaway. The story draws people in, but the insight is what matters. Be clear on what you want people to get from it.
- Connect it back to your work. You don’t need a forced or direct link to your business, but it should tie back. What does this say about how you think, what you value or how you work with clients? Otherwise, you’ll get attention, but it won’t do much for your business.
- Don’t post in the moment. Give yourself time to reflect. Share thoughtfully, not reactively, especially with more personal topics.
- Consider your motive. If you’re sharing something primarily because you think it will get engagement, it usually shows. Focus on saying something meaningful instead.
- Stay true to who you are. If sharing personal stories with acquaintances or clients doesn’t feel natural to you, don’t force it. People can tell the difference.
Remember that everything you post reflects your brand. Your personal stories aren’t separate from your professional identity; they are part of it. What you share contributes to how people perceive you and whether they see you as someone they want to work with.
When you share with the right purpose, you build the kind of trust that leads to relationships and clients.
If you need help with your LinkedIn, contact us for a consultation.
