Andy Foote
In this episode of "The Global Discussion," host Simon Hodgkins has the pleasure of conversing with Andy Foote, a self-proclaimed "reassuringly expensive" LinkedIn coach. Andy shared his expertise on personal branding, content strategy, and community building on LinkedIn, offering valuable insights for navigating the platform's complexities in our modern, technologically advanced society.
The Art of LinkedIn Coaching
Andy's approach to LinkedIn coaching is unique. He focuses on helping individuals enhance their LinkedIn branding and content strategy, which he believes is the key to attracting people to their profiles and achieving their objectives. He also runs The Optima Blue Community, which is dedicated to people who wish to engage and share knowledge about LinkedIn.
The Philosophy Behind "Reassuringly Expensive"
The intriguing tagline "reassuringly expensive" stems from Andy's desire to attract serious clients and deter time-wasters. He believes attaching a higher price to his services increases their perceived value. This strategy has been effective, as his clients are willing to pay for the quality he delivers, ensuring that his time is compensated appropriately.
Community Building and Engagement
Andy's community-building journey began with a group on Google Plus, which later transitioned to Facebook due to its functional tools for group administration. However, he noticed a significant drop in participation when he introduced a paid membership model. This experience highlighted the challenge of converting a free community into a paying one. With Optima Blue, he has managed to create a more engaged community, although he still strives to find inventive ways to increase active participation.
The Challenge of LinkedIn Metrics
Andy is critical of LinkedIn's reliance on vanity metrics like views and followers, which he finds misleading. He argues that these metrics need to accurately reflect user engagement or content reach due to the platform's algorithmic control over what content is displayed to whom. He advocates for more meaningful metrics, such as clicks, which provide more precise insights into user interaction with content.
Adapting to LinkedIn's Evolving Landscape
To stay abreast of LinkedIn's frequent updates, Andy relies on a network of contacts who alert him to changes and his own observations and testing. He emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration in keeping up with the platform's evolution.
LinkedIn Audio Events
Andy is enthusiastic about LinkedIn's audio feature despite its current limitations. He sees live audio as a unique content format AI has yet to replicate effectively. The spontaneity and human element of live discussions are valuable, and he believes that LinkedIn audio has the potential to become a significant content creation tool.
Planning for the Future
Andy's planning process is fluid, focusing on content ideation and strategic shifts based on what works on the platform. He is considering moving away from short-form content due to limited reach and is exploring long-form content and newsletters as alternatives. He also suggests repurposing evergreen content to maintain relevance and engagement.
The LinkedIn Laboratory
Andy advises viewing LinkedIn as a laboratory for experimentation and learning. He warns against cutting corners with automation or engagement pods and emphasizes the importance of genuine effort and enjoyment in content creation. His passion for publishing content is a driving force, and he believes maintaining this enthusiasm is crucial for success on the platform.
How to Contact Andy
Andy's insights provide a roadmap for individuals and businesses looking to leverage LinkedIn effectively. His emphasis on value, engagement, and adaptability offers a strategic approach to personal branding and community building in the digital age. LinkedIn is the platform of choice for those interested in connecting with Andy, and he welcomes messages that reference his discussion with Simon Hodgkins on The Global Discussion.
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