An incomplete LinkedIn profile can quietly cost a business its next client. Getting your first client through the platform does not require a big budget, just consistent daily effort, according to marketing consultant Shirley Anthony, author and owner of Marketing Breakthroughs.
Build a complete profile first
A fully completed profile is rated by LinkedIn itself, and the stronger that rating, the more easily people searching for your expertise will find you. Use the specific keywords people would actually search for when looking for someone with your skills.
Use a genuinely professional photo
A profile without a picture, or with a casual social snapshot instead of a professional one, undermines credibility before a prospective client reads a single word.
Ask for endorsements and recommendations
A skill endorsed by someone else carries far more weight than a claim made about yourself. Writing a genuine recommendation for former colleagues or clients first often prompts them to return the favour.
Join and participate in relevant groups
Groups built around your industry or interests are where potential clients are already having relevant conversations. Being consistently helpful in those spaces, answering questions rather than only promoting yourself, is what makes people notice your expertise.
Publish content consistently
Two or three posts a week, even if some of it is curated rather than original, keeps you visible. Publishing your own original articles over time builds a stronger claim to being an authority in your field.
Move real conversations offline
After a few genuine online exchanges, suggest a coffee, call or short strategy session. People engage more deeply once a relationship moves beyond a feed.
Frequently asked questions
Does a complete LinkedIn profile actually affect visibility?
Yes. LinkedIn’s own profile-strength rating affects how easily you are found in searches, so an incomplete profile directly limits your reach.
Are endorsements from other people more valuable than describing your own skills?
Generally yes, since a third party vouching for your ability carries more credibility with a prospective client than a self-description.
How often should a business owner post on LinkedIn to build real visibility?
A few times a week consistently tends to outperform sporadic, high-volume posting, since consistency is what builds ongoing visibility over time.
Ten minutes a day, done consistently
Getting a first client on LinkedIn rarely comes from one clever post. It comes from a genuinely complete profile and a small amount of consistent daily effort over weeks.
Further reading: 10 Powerful Ways Entrepreneurs Can Maximise Their LinkedIn Profile | Companies and Intellectual Property Commission for official business registration requirements
Originally published in February 2019. Updated September 2026 to tighten this LinkedIn client-acquisition guidance from Marketing Breakthroughs’ Shirley Anthony. The core tactics remain sound.
