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Are you using LinkedIn to its full potential, or is it just a social media comfort blanket? In the latest episode of the Leaders in Strategy Podcast (Season 4 Episode 4), host Mike Harris talks to LinkedIn expert & digital marketeer Gus Bhandal of The M Guru (the M is for marketing!) to discuss how businesses and individuals can leverage LinkedIn to generate real revenue.
This isn't just about building relationships; it's about turning connections into paying clients and a powerful referral network.
A mantra that Gus loves is: "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds."
Inspired by the Freddie Mercury in the recent biopic, it's about being a good person and attracting like-minded individuals.
Gus, who has 30 years of marketing experience, emphasises that LinkedIn, with its 1.2 billion business-focused users, is ripe for monetisation. While building relationships is important, the ultimate goal should be to attract paying clients or those who can refer them.
As Gus puts it, "If you're on LinkedIn, you should be making money."
One of the key takeaways from the discussion is the importance of injecting personality into your personal brand. Gus playfully calls himself “the number one LinkedIn trainer……according to my mum," a statement designed to attract those with a similar sense of humour and put off those who wouldn't be a good fit.
This approach highlights the power of authenticity in attracting like-minded individuals.
Mike agrees, noting that people prefer working with those who are fun and easy to get along with. Professionalism and enjoyment aren't mutually exclusive!
By emphasising who you are, you attract like-minded people who resonate with your values and are more likely to become loyal clients or valuable referral sources.
Gus provides a concise list of LinkedIn do's and don'ts to help you optimize your strategy:
Don’t rely on automation: Authenticity trumps artificiality.
Do be yourself: Let your personality shine through.
Do craft a compelling headline: Explain what you do, who you do it for, how you do it, and why someone should work with you.
Do think long-term: Develop a content strategy designed to attract paying clients.
Gus breaks down LinkedIn success into the 4 C’s - four key components:
Community: Curate your network by actively searching for and connecting with your ideal clients.
Content: Create content that your community wants to read, providing value and establishing your expertise.
Conversation: Engage in conversations with your connections and potential clients. Don't just broadcast; interact.
Confidence: Believe in your value and don't worry about the opinions of those who aren't paying your bills.
Gus introduces "The Squeeze", The M Guru’s LinkedIn-focused membership designed to provide accountability and consistent implementation. He realised that many people struggle to consistently apply LinkedIn strategies, so he created a program to provide ongoing guidance and support.
The name reflects the goal of "squeezing" all the potential out of LinkedIn.
To find out more: https://www.themguru.co.uk/the-squeeze/
Smaller businesses often struggle with LinkedIn because it gets pushed aside by day-to-day tasks. However, neglecting LinkedIn means missing out on a powerful tool for building your network and generating revenue.
Gus’ message: “Don't let your competitors take the lead”.
LinkedIn is not just a place to connect; it's a platform for attracting work, building long-term brand awareness, and fostering personal relationships that lead to sales.
By focusing on the right strategies and consistently engaging with your community, you can transform your LinkedIn presence into a powerful revenue-generating engine.
Please let me know your thoughts on this episode. Have you been inspired by Gus’ advice?
We are really interested to hear what you have to say. You can message Mike directly on LinkedIn (obviously!), he loves receiving your comments and having great dialogue with you. Or you can email him directly on the Strategus Consulting email address.
Thank you for joining us today. Hopefully you enjoyed it and you'll return next time for another blog, We'll see you then.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mguruuk/
Website: https://www.themguru.co.uk/
Mike Harris is an experienced business leader and founder & lead consultant at Strategus Consulting. With 40 years of experience, Mike offers a unique opportunity for readers to learn and grow as strategic leaders.
To find out more, visit his website www.strategusconsulting.co.uk
Follow him on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775
The Leaders In Strategy Podcast is brought to you by Strategus Consulting, a management consultancy that works with organisations and individuals to achieve their ambitions by focusing on their strategic plans and providing leadership, guidance & support.
You can watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/ii6mosQAcP4?si=hKzAd24EQ8xfC-q9
Mike Harris is an experienced business leader and founder & lead consultant at Strategus Consulting. With 40 years of experience, Mike offers a unique opportunity for readers to learn and grow as strategic leaders. He is also the host of the Leaders In Strategy Podcast, which can be found on Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcast and YouTube.
The Leaders in strategy blog is brought to you by Strategus Consulting, a management consultancy that works with organisations and individuals to achieve their ambitions by focusing on their strategic plans and providing leadership, guidance & support.
