How to Make Linkedin Work for You with Gunnar Habitz

Gunnar Habitz - Book Architect & Authority BuilderGunnar Habitz is an experienced Book Architect, course creator, MC, and public speaker based in Sydney, Australia. With a prolific writing career spanning over two decades and more than 30 published books and guides, he specializes in helping solopreneurs and professionals package their expertise to build ultimate industry authority.As a multi-passionate author, Gunnar’s work bridges both professional strategy and personal development. He is the creator of Healthy Habits, a publication dedicated to mindful lifestyle practices and personal growth, which runs alongside his primary business newsletter, Busy Book Builder ☕️. His diverse portfolio also includes Reinvent Your Life, which he has successfully crafted into an educational course, and his upcoming audiobook project, Reinvent Down Under.Driven by the philosophy that networking is about cultivating genuine human connections rather than transactional self-promotion, Gunnar shares regular insights daily on LinkedIn, weekly on Substack, and monthly on Medium. He focuses on teaching professionals how to shift from earning “cents and pennies” in standard royalties to leveraging their books as high-value business assets that open doors worldwide.TALKING POINTS FOR HOW TO MAKE LINKEDIN WORK FOR YOUCORE MESSAGELinkedIn isn’t just a job board. It’s your platform to build visibility, establish authority, and create opportunities on your terms.KEY TALKING POINTS1. SHIFT YOUR MINDSETFrom: LinkedIn is for job huntingTo: LinkedIn is for building power* You’re not here to beg for opportunities* You’re here to demonstrate your expertise* You’re creating visibility that changes how people see you and leaders like youSound bite: “Stop treating LinkedIn like a resume. Start treating it like your amplification system.”2. YOUR PROFILE IS YOUR PLATFORMThe Truth: Your profile is the first place people check your credibilityWhat this means:* Your headline should state your impact, not just your title* Your About section should tell your story, where you’ve been, what you stand for, and what you’re building* Your experience should show outcomes, not just responsibilitiesExample reframe:* ❌ “Project Manager at Tech Company.”* ✅ “Empowering marginalized leaders to break barriers and create systemic change | Founder, The Liberation Lab.”Sound bite: “Your headline isn’t your job title. It’s your mission statement.”3. CONTENT IS YOUR CREDIBILITYThe Truth: Consistent posting builds authority faster than any credentialWhat works:* Personal stories that illustrate professional insights* Frameworks and strategies you actually use* Challenges you’re navigating (people connect with realness)* Data + story (research paired with lived experience)What doesn’t work:* Generic motivational quotes* Humble bragging without substance* Posting once every six monthsSound bite: “You don’t need permission to share what you know. Your experience is expertise.”4. ENGAGEMENT IS STRATEGIC, NOT RANDOMThe Truth: Commenting thoughtfully builds relationships better than posting aloneStrategy:* Comment on posts from people you want to connect with* Add value, don’t just say “great post!”* Share insights from your own experience* Tag people whose work relates to the conversationSound bite: “Strategic commenting is how you build community, not just followers.”5. YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NET WORTHThe Truth: LinkedIn rewards genuine connection, not transactional requestsHow to connect:* Send personalized connection requests (mention why you’re reaching out)* Follow up after virtual events* Support people doing work aligned with your mission* Build relationships before you need themWhat NOT to do:* Send “Can I pick your brain?” messages to strangers* Pitch services in the connection request* Ghost people after they acceptSound bite: “Connect with intention. Build relationships, not just contact lists.”6. VISIBILITY REQUIRES CONSISTENCYThe Truth: Posting 2-3 times per week beats posting daily for two weeks then disappearingRecommended cadence:* Minimum: 2 posts per week* Ideal: 3-4 posts per week* Engagement: Daily commenting on others’ contentContent mix:* Personal stories (40%)* Professional insights (40%)* Thought leadership (20%)Sound bite: “Consistency builds trust. Trust builds opportunities.”7. USE LINKEDIN FEATURES STRATEGICALLYFeatures that matter:* Articles: Long-form thought leadership (monthly)* Newsletters: Build subscribers who see every post (if you post consistently)* Creator Mode: Increases visibility, adds “Follow” button* Featured Section: Showcase your best work, media appearances, resourcesSound bite: “The platform has tools. Use them to amplify your message.”8. YOUR VOICE IS YOUR DIFFERENTIATORThe Truth: LinkedIn rewards authenticity, not corporate speakHow to find your voice:* Write like you talk* Share what you actually think, not what sounds “professional.”* Be specific—generic advice gets ignored* Show your personalityExample:* ❌ “Excited to share learnings from recent professional development opportunity.”* ✅ “I just spent three days at a leadership conference and here’s the truth nobody’s saying...”Sound bite: “Your voice isn’t too much. It’s your competitive advantage.”9. TRACK WHAT WORKSThe Truth: You can’t optimize what you don’t measureWhat to track:* Which posts get the most engagement* What topics resonate with your audience* What times you post (experiment)* Who’s engaging (potential connections)Use LinkedIn analytics:* Check post impressions* See who’s viewing your profile* Notice patterns in what performsSound bite: “Data tells you what’s working. Double down on that.”10. LINKEDIN IS LONG-GAME STRATEGYThe Truth: You won’t go viral overnight. That’s okay.What to expect:* Month 1-3: Building momentum, finding your voice* Month 4-6: Growing engagement, making connections* Month 7-12: Seeing opportunities flow from visibilityThe compound effect:* Consistent posting builds authority* Authority builds trust* Trust creates opportunitiesSound bite: “Play the long game. Visibility compounds over time.”COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID1. Treating LinkedIn like Facebook → Keep it professional but personal2. Only posting when you need something → Build visibility before you need it3. Being overly polished → Authenticity beats perfection4. Not engaging with others → Community building is reciprocal5. Giving up after low engagement → Algorithms reward consistencyCLOSING MESSAGELinkedIn isn’t just for corporate folks climbing traditional ladders.It’s for marginalized leaders building new tables.It’s for changemakers creating visibility on their terms.It’s for you.Use it strategically. Use it consistently. Use it to amplify your mission.The platform is a tool. You decide how to wield it.Thank you Mandy Ohman, Tracie L Anderson, Diane, Emmett Tatter, Sea urchins101,and many others for tuning into my live video with Gunnar Habitz! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.iprofessionalcoaching.com/subscribe