I recently interviewed a FinTech student that's been doubling her LinkedIn followers each month (0-12,000) and I wanted to share the best strategies she spoke about on my newsletter for those of you looking for new ways to grow your presence online.
Mia brings a unique perspective from outside of the traditional marketing industry as a sophomore at NYU concentrating in FinTech & Entrepreneurship. She writes the blog Boiled Not Fried, which she started last year and now has over 10k subscribers. And she’s a BrewU Ambassador for the Morning Brew newsletter. ☕️ (Austin and Alex, you've got a great one)
Here's our Q&A:
Question 1: I asked her what's been signature to her growth online:
MG: As a student, I’m most authentic when I’m relatable, personable, vulnerable, and not trying to impress anyone except myself. I understand I’m the CEO of my life.
People just want to feel good. They don’t remember you for what you told them or gave them, and I try to highlight that.
Question 2: What’s the best weekly habit that drives relationships in your life online?
MG: Checking in with the most diverse people from random backgrounds. 🔎
As a student concentrating in FinTech & Entrepreneurship, more randomness the better! Business is such a diverse open broad field that more creativity the better!
Question 3: What’s your favourite under $100 investment you’ve made in marketing this year?
MG: $0
Yep, zero. 💵
My best marketing investment has been keeping my bio short and sweet and tagging my personal finance blog which led to consulting opportunities and more readers to learn about personal finance!
Side-note from Joel here: When Mia says she keeps her bio “short and sweet,” she doesn’t mean it’s lacking value. Check out these killer value statements from her bio that she lives by: 🔑
-Health = Wealth
-There's no I in Team
-Regret regret, nothing else
-Listen more, speak less in order to truly learn
-The quality of your mind = the quality of your life
-Never fail due to a lack of effort because effort requires no skill
-The best investment is in yourself, it pays dividends for a lifetime
Question 4: How intentionally do you build your brand? When did you start?
MG: I quit all social media 6 years ago, and now I only have LinkedIn.
I try to engage on LinkedIn a couple of times a day since this is the only social media platform I use. I comment deliberately on posts that really stand out, make me feel good, or teach me something.
As for posting, I started in May 2019 with my first post and have continued since!
Question 5: What do you think people often forget when trying to build a personal brand?
MG: Everyone else is already taken.
Be you; don’t try to fake it till you make it.
It takes time, patience, diligence and consistency. Build your brand to teach others lessons, become a better writer, and form a community – not to gain followers or focus on metrics.
Key takeaways:
If a 20-year-old can grow a LinkedIn account and a blog following while pursuing full-time school, there are literally no excuses for starting your personal branding journey.
📍You don’t have time? Make time.
📍You don’t have the resources? Start with a free platform.
📍You’re afraid of what people will say? Do it anyway.
In the words of Mia, “If you weren't scared what would you do and where would you be today?”
Grab a pencil and write down your answer to that question. ✏️ It might surprise you.
Got any growth tips to add in? Drop them below!
✌🏻 Joel
If you wanna check out the full interview, find it here:
https://personalbrandbrief.substack.com/p/how-to-double-your-linkedin-followers