9 LinkedIn mistakes you’re probably still making (and how to fix them)

Let’s be honest - LinkedIn can be a goldmine or a minefield, depending on how you approach it.

If you’re not seeing results, it’s not LinkedIn’s fault; it’s because you’re falling into some avoidable traps.

I’ve been there.

I’ve made these mistakes and learned the hard way. Now, I’m giving you the playbook to fix it so you don’t have to. Here’s what you’re probably doing wrong - and how to turn it around.

Stop automating your conversations - no one’s fooled

Everyone wants to save time. I get it. Automation seems like the magic bullet - send 100 connection requests with one click, follow up without lifting a finger. But here’s the truth: people can spot a robotic, soulless message instantly. You wouldn’t send a bot to build a real relationship in person, so why would you automate it online? Use automation for admin tasks, but not for human interaction. Relationships require effort. And here’s the kicker - effort can’t be outsourced.

Wandering around LinkedIn without a plan

If you’re logging into LinkedIn, scrolling aimlessly, liking a few posts, and then logging off, you’re wasting your time. LinkedIn is a tool. Like any tool, it’s only as effective as the person using it. Do you have a plan when you log on? Are you actively starting conversations that matter? LinkedIn works when you show up with intent. Don’t leave it to chance - make things happen. Decide who you want to connect with, what outcomes you want, and take deliberate action every time.

Not following up on warm leads - are you serious?

This one’s baffling. Someone checks out your profile, engages with your content, or leaves a comment... and you just let them slip through the cracks? No. Absolutely not. These people are waving their hand at you, saying, "I’m interested." A personalised follow-up message is all it takes to turn that passive interest into an active conversation. If you’re not following up, you’re throwing potential business away. That’s not just a mistake - it’s negligence.

Overloading your first message like a desperate salesperson

You’ve made a connection - fantastic. Now, don’t ruin it by dumping an essay in their inbox. Your life story, product pitch, and a dozen questions right out of the gate? No. That’s how you lose before you’ve even begun. The first message should do one thing: open the door to a conversation. Keep it short, ask a relevant question, and give them a reason to reply. If you’re not building rapport first, you’ll never earn the right to pitch.

Skipping the research and sending lazy outreach

You’re on LinkedIn, one of the most powerful research tools at your fingertips, and you’re not even using it? You’ve got five minutes to look at a prospect’s profile, learn about their company, and find out what they care about. Generic, one-size-fits-all messages are lazy and ineffective. LinkedIn tells you exactly who someone is. If you can’t take the time to personalise your outreach, you’re wasting your own potential. Do the research. It’s not optional - it’s the minimum requirement.

Blending in with the crowd - boring gets ignored

If your profile looks like everyone else’s, you’re invisible. Period. Nobody’s going to care about a generic “results-driven professional” tagline. What makes you different? If you don’t know, why would anyone else? LinkedIn is full of people trying to play it safe and follow the crowd. Spoiler alert: playing it safe is playing to lose. Your profile, your content, your approach - they all need to show why you are the person people should be talking to. Be bold, or be forgotten.

Jumping on every LinkedIn feature like it’s the next big thing

LinkedIn rolls out a new feature and suddenly everyone’s scrambling to use it like it’s the secret to success. Let me save you some time - it’s not. Just because something is new doesn’t make it a game-changer. Before you rush to invest your time and energy, watch how it unfolds. Most new features won’t move the needle. The smartest move is often to sit back, evaluate, and let others test it out. Don’t chase trends - stay focused on what works.

Making it all about you (nobody cares)

It’s a trap we all fall into. You start off sharing valuable insights, solving problems for your audience - and before long, you’re talking about your own achievements, your products, and your founder’s grand vision. Guess what? Nobody cares about your accomplishments until you’ve shown them why you care about them. Keep the focus on solving your audience’s problems. They’ll only care about you when you’ve proven you care about what they need.

The ‘connect and pitch’ rookie mistake

We’ve all done it - found that “perfect” prospect and shot off a message the second they accepted our connection, leading with a pitch. Rookie mistake. LinkedIn isn’t a cold-calling platform. It’s a relationship-building platform. That pitch should come much later, after you’ve built trust and learned what your connection actually needs. Slow down. Get to know the person, understand their challenges, and only then should you talk about how you can help.

LinkedIn isn’t about ticking boxes or going through the motions. If you want results, you’ve got to approach it with purpose.

Build relationships, offer genuine value, and for the love of business, stop treating it like a cold-calling factory.

It’s not about how many people you connect with - it’s about how many conversations you start that actually matter. Put in the real work, focus on what counts, and LinkedIn will start working for you.