How to Build Genuine Connections on LinkedIn (Without Feeling Gross About It)

You’ve probably heard all the advice before:

“Send 50 cold DMs a week.”
“Use automation to invite people to your webinar.”
“Join engagement pods to boost your visibility.”

But let’s be honest: that advice doesn’t just feel exhausting. It feels inauthentic. And if you're anything like me, the idea of using LinkedIn like a numbers game makes you cringe.

When I first started using LinkedIn to find clients, I had all the same doubts. I’d left my corporate career behind. My network was full of old colleagues, suppliers, and agency folk. None of them were coaches. None of them were in my new world. I genuinely wondered, what’s the point?

But here’s what I discovered: when you know how to build real relationships—ones based on curiosity, mutual value, and actual interest—LinkedIn becomes your most powerful platform for growing your business.

And you don’t need thousands of connections or slick marketing tricks to do it.

Let’s start with the obvious: LinkedIn is not Instagram.

People come to LinkedIn in a different mindset. They’re thinking about opportunities, careers, growth. It’s a space where professionals expect to connect, learn, and yes—even be sold to—if it’s relevant and respectful.

But too often, the pressure to "get results fast" leads us to treat LinkedIn like a cold-calling machine.

That’s why I created Build Connections on LinkedIn with Confidence. It’s my 5-part course that teaches you how to:

• Identify the right people to connect with—so you stop wasting time on the wrong ones

• Start conversations that feel like conversations, not pitches

• Nurture relationships over time, without being pushy

• Use your existing connections (yes, even the ones from your past career) to open new doors

This isn’t about playing the algorithm or acting like someone you’re not. It’s about showing up as the expert you already are—and building a network that sees that too.

Here's what I know works (because I’ve done it myself):

✅ Focusing on quality over quantity. I ditched the numbers game and started connecting with a handful of people who genuinely resonated with my message. It felt better—and it converted better.

✅ Showing up in a way that felt natural. I engaged with posts like I would at a networking event—curious, open, and helpful. That energy drew the right people in.

✅ Following up with care. When someone responded to a message or joined my list, I didn’t ghost them. I welcomed them like they’d walked into my home. That human touch? It builds trust.

✅ Being visible and memorable. When you create the right kind of content—content that shows who you are and how you help—people start conversations with YOU.

You don’t need to be a content machine.

Some of the people I’ve worked with felt paralysed by content pressure. They thought they had to post every day. They didn’t know what to say. And they didn’t want to sound like everyone else.

Here’s the truth: one powerful post or one thoughtful comment can be more effective than a dozen surface-level ones.

In the course, I walk you through a Create Content With Ease workbook and tutorial. You’ll get clear on:

• Who you're really talking to

• What kind of content attracts the right attention

• How to write posts that start real conversations

This is about making LinkedIn work for you—and your business. Without sacrificing your values or pretending to be someone you’re not.

Ready to take the first step?

Start with Build Connections on LinkedIn with Confidence. It’s self-paced, supportive, and built on my ethos of positivity, kindness, and respect.

I’ll show you how to:

• Use the LinkedIn search bar strategically (to find “hidden allies”)

• Track and manage your leads with a Trello board

• Send follow-ups that feel light, not desperate

• Build a network based on real relationships, not quick wins

And to give you even more support and encouragement as you go, you’ll be able to ask the questions that you need answered below the course and also in my private Facebook support group. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, celebrate wins, and get guidance directly from me and your peers.

Final Thought:
Building a business on LinkedIn doesn’t have to feel awkward. You don’t need a big audience. You don’t need to be anyone other than yourself.

What you do need is the right approach—and the courage to follow through.

Are you ready?