Episode Summary
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang welcomes Mita Mallick to address a listener’s question about creating consistent content on LinkedIn while balancing a busy professional and personal life. The anonymous marketer struggles with staying consistent due to long working hours and family commitments. Mita, an expert in multicultural marketing and a LinkedIn top voice with over 160,000 followers, offers practical advice and insights from her own journey.
Mita begins by sharing how she started on LinkedIn five years ago, initially observing and learning from others. She emphasizes the importance of consistency in building a personal brand, stating that regular posting and engagement are crucial. Mita notes that during the pandemic, she began posting more regularly, finding that authenticity in her content resonated deeply with her audience. “I found the more authentic I was, the more engagement and response I would get,” she says, highlighting the value of genuine personal stories in connecting with followers.
Kirsti and Mita discuss the challenges of creating content without a large team or sophisticated tools. Mita shares her simple yet effective approach, using a notebook and her phone’s notes section to jot down ideas as they come. She stresses that consistency doesn’t require perfection but rather a commitment to regular posting. Mita also explains how the LinkedIn algorithm now prioritizes content that offers tips and advice, encouraging listeners to focus on providing valuable insights.
Engagement with the LinkedIn community is another key theme in the episode. Mita talks about her practice of responding to comments, especially within the first hour of posting, and interacting with other creators. This engagement fosters a sense of reciprocity and strengthens the community. Mita advises marketers to start small, be authentic, and remain consistent, ensuring that over time, these efforts will lead to increased visibility and a stronger personal brand.
For those looking to delve deeper into Mita’s strategies and tips, Kirsti invites listeners to tune into the full episode of The Anonymous Marketer. She encourages marketers with burning questions to submit them at markdoesntdemand.com/anonymous for a chance to be featured and receive expert advice in future episodes.
Featured Guest
Name: Mita Mallick
What she does: Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact
Company: Carta
Noteworthy: Mita Mallick is a multicultural marketing expert and Chief Diversity Officer who has worked with major companies like Unilever, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. She is also a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and a top voice on LinkedIn with over 160,000 followers.
Key Insights
Consistency is Key
Building a personal brand on LinkedIn requires consistent content creation. Regular posting and engagement help maintain visibility and foster a genuine connection with the audience. It’s essential to develop a habit of posting and interacting daily, even if it means starting small. Consistency not only builds credibility but also helps in refining the content strategy over time. This persistent effort gradually leads to increased followers and engagement.
Authenticity Matters
Sharing personal stories and authentic experiences resonates more with the audience. In the age of AI-generated content, authenticity stands out and drives higher engagement. People connect deeply with real, relatable stories, which can significantly boost interaction and trust. Authentic content helps in building a loyal community that values genuine insights. This approach encourages more meaningful conversations and lasting relationships on the platform.
Effective Content Strategies
Leveraging simple tools for content creation, such as notebooks and phone notes, can streamline the process. Effective content doesn’t require complex or expensive tools; it’s about capturing ideas as they come. Additionally, understanding the platform’s algorithm and focusing on providing valuable tips and advice can enhance reach and impact. Engaging visuals and well-thought-out posts that offer practical advice are more likely to be favored by LinkedIn’s algorithm. This strategic approach ensures the content remains relevant and beneficial to the audience.
Episode Highlights
Starting with Observation
Building a personal brand on LinkedIn begins with observing and understanding the platform. Initially, it’s helpful to spend time scrolling through posts, reading content, and noting what resonates. This observation phase helps in identifying the type of content that works and sets the foundation for future posts. It’s about learning and gaining confidence before actively participating.
“My first step was just watching. I started on LinkedIn like five years ago. I used to run an employer brand at my former company along with inclusion. And I learned a lot about LinkedIn as somebody’s employer brand.”
The Power of Authenticity
Authenticity is crucial for engagement on LinkedIn. Sharing personal stories and genuine experiences draws more attention and fosters a deeper connection with the audience. During the pandemic, the shift towards authentic, heartfelt posts became more evident, proving that real content resonates. This authenticity can be both empowering and intimidating, but it ultimately leads to higher engagement.
“I found the more authentic I was, the more engagement and response I would get. And that can be scary, but I think […] we’re losing the authenticity, [and] people connect to really deeply personal stories.”
Consistency in Content Creation
Consistency is essential for building a robust LinkedIn presence. Regular posting and engagement, even without a large team or sophisticated tools, can yield significant results. Using simple methods like jotting down ideas in a notebook or phone notes helps maintain a steady flow of content. The key is to stay committed and make content creation a routine part of your schedule.
“I write my own content. I at this point do not have a virtual assistant or any assistant. I don’t have a team. I do it because I care and I enjoy it and I write. and I have a method that works for me.”
The Value of Community Engagement
Engaging with your LinkedIn community is as important as posting content. Responding to comments, especially within the first hour, and interacting with posts from others can significantly boost visibility and build relationships. This interaction creates a sense of reciprocity and strengthens the community. It also opens up opportunities for networking and professional growth.
“I try to respond within the first hour of posting to comments I get. I don’t follow any sort of LinkedIn schedule. I follow my own schedule, which is I’m usually posting between around 7 a.m. before the chaos erupts in my home.”