How to Show Up on LinkedIn as a Time-Strapped Founder (and what to prioritize)
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One of the most common things I hear from founders is:
"I don't have time to be showing up on LinkedIn for my business."
And I get it.
As a founder, you’re probably not just the CEO. You’re also the head of marketing, the lead on sales calls, the bookkeeper, the operations manager—and outside of work? Maybe you're also a mother, a daughter, a friend, a caretaker.
So if you only have 1-2 hours per week to dedicate to LinkedIn, here’s exactly what I’d focus on:
1. Get Clear on Your Goal
What do you want from LinkedIn right now?
Are you looking for lead generation?
Trying to promote a new offer?
Do you want more press, speaking engagements, or even a book deal?
Are you focused on brand awareness and strategic partnerships?
Knowing your core objective will help you stay focused and make smarter content decisions.
2. Plan to Post 2–3x per Week
You don’t need to post daily.
I recommend Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—those tend to be the most active days on the platform.
If you’re super pressed for time, even one well-thought-out post per week can make an impact if it's aligned with your goals and written well.
3. Follow the 3-Post Weekly Framework
If you’re posting three times a week, here’s a breakdown that works well for consultants, coaches, and service-based founders:
Post 1: Value-Based Teaching
Give away something genuinely helpful. Teach your audience something actionable:
Share a framework or system you use
Offer insider tips or a helpful checklist
Address a common mistake your clients make
This positions you as a go-to expert.
Post 2: Personal Story (with a professional photo)
Your values, your journey, your humanity—these help people connect with you. Try storytelling around:
A defining leadership moment
Life as a founder or parent
Lessons from a hard season
This content builds trust.
Post 3: Client Results & Social Proof
Don’t be afraid to show the transformation you help clients achieve.
Share before/after stories
Highlight client wins (especially with numbers!)
Post screenshots or testimonials
This helps potential clients envision success with you.
4. Batch Create Your Content
Dedicate 40–60 minutes at the top of your week to writing your posts.
That way, when it’s time to post, all you have to do is copy, paste, and hit publish.
5. Be Strategic with Engagement
Make a list of 5–10 industry peers, past clients, or referral partners.
Spend 10–15 minutes engaging on their posts before and after you publish yours. This warms up the algorithm and strengthens your network.
6. Respond and Nurture
Take time to:
Reply to comments on your posts
Respond to DMs
Reach out to new followers
These actions amplify your content, create conversations, and often lead to referrals and new business.
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn doesn’t need to take over your life. With a system and clear goals, it can take just 1–2 hours a week to start seeing traction.
And when you do it right?
You’ll have leads coming in consistently
You’ll get invited to speak, partner, and collaborate
You’ll start to enjoy the platform (really!)
Need help building a sustainable LinkedIn system that grows your visibility and gets you clients?
Reach out. I help founders build strategies that work in less time.
