Focus on this, not impressions

I don’t play the LinkedIn game.

Not because it doesn’t work.

But it has never been the whole strategy.

Although there was a time when posting high-quality content led to inbound leads, engagement, and new clients.

It still does… to an extent.

But LinkedIn has changed.

There are more creators, a number of paid engagement pods, and AI automations.

And if you’re relying only on your content to grow your business?
You’re leaving a lot on the table.

I have 132K+ followers.
I still get inbound leads every week.
But for the right clients - the ones I built my premium offer for - I don’t wait for them to find me.

I go to them.

Because the truth is, many of the corporate leaders I work with are quiet online.

No content.
No strong profile.
No personal brand.

They’re not scrolling through hashtags looking for someone like me.

And they’re definitely not engaging with my posts.

So here’s what I do instead:

1. I make a list of 50 companies I want to work with (usually in the UAE or KSA).

2. I find the decision-makers.

3. I start a conversation.
   

I sent a simple DM, one that was personal, intentional, and human.

No links.
No sales pitch.
No “let’s jump on a call.”

I’m not trying to get something from them.

I reach out because I’m genuinely curious about who they are and what they’re building.

And because it doesn’t feel automated or transactional, that’s exactly why the right opportunities come through.

And that’s how the most aligned opportunities come through.

Here’s a real example:

Last month, I reached out to the CMO of a multi-million dollar company.

His LinkedIn profile? Completely bare.

No content.
No comments.
No trace of who he was or what he cared about.

There was nothing to give me context - no way to understand him beyond his job title.

But his LinkedIn banner showed a photo of nature.
I love nature, and so naturally I was drawn to it, but had no idea where it was.

So I asked about the location.

That tiny detail sparked a real conversation.

A handful of DMs later, we got on a call and signed a three-month contract.

Easy? No.
Scalable? Not really.
Worth it? Absolutely.

Because this is what most people don’t realise:

The things that don’t scale - personal touchpoints, genuine conversations, and the time spent showing up in a thoughtful and, yes, time-consuming way - are often the things that grow your business the most.

So here’s my advice:

Avoid obsessing over impressions.
Focus on conversations.

Build trust before you sell.
Offer something before you ask.
Show them who you are before showing them what you do.

That’s the heart of personal branding.

That’s what I teach.

And that’s how I’ve helped founders sign clients not just for one project, but for years.

If you want help building your brand this way, just reply ‘LinkedIn’ and I’ll be in touch.

Tima x