UpLift Live

Our next speaker is known as Mr LinkedIn! Welcome to Mark Williams, who's coming from North Wales to speak onstage in Birmingham at UpLift Live about advanced LinkedIn strategies.

TRANSCRIPT

Who would have predicted this time last year that AI would be even anywhere near LinkedIn, you know?

Welcome back to the UpLift Live podcast. This is John Espirian from the Mission Control team for UpLift Live, which is the UK's first LinkedIn-focused conference for LinkedIn specialists, power users and enthusiasts.

It's time for another speaker announcement, and this time we're chatting with Mr LinkedIn himself, Mark Williams. I call Mark the Swiss Army knife of LinkedIn, as he knows so much about the platform and is probably the single person from whom I've learned most about LinkedIn.

I chat with Mark a lot as we're both Liverpool Football Club supporters, and I'm a regular contributor on his podcast, Linkedinformed. We're turning the tables today and I'm interviewing him.

Let's hop aboard and get to the interview with Mark!

Mark Williams, welcome to the UpLift Live podcast.

You are going to be one of our speakers in Birmingham.

It's a great honour to be able to host you.

Welcome to the show.

Thank you very much.

I can't wait.

I can't believe it's so long to wait till March.

It's seems a long time away for me at the moment.

But I'm sure once we get past Christmas, it'll come upon us in a flash.

Yeah, it will a bit.

And it feels odd to be saying this, given that you are Mr LinkedIn, but tell us, for the people who don't know who you are, what do you know about LinkedIn? Oh God! Where do you start? I think, you know, one of the things I would say about me and LinkedIn, I mean, it changes so often.

And there's so much complexity to it, that I don't think anybody could ever claim to know everything about LinkedIn.

But I have been doing this a long time.

And I think one of the things I feel is a strength with regards to knowing about LinkedIn is just that, that sense of knowing the company, the direction that they go in, and sometimes they make a change and you think, oh, you know, I assume this, or one would assume this from what they're doing.

But sometimes when you've been doing this, as long as I have you kind of go oh, I'm not actually sure that's true.

I think it's probably more like this, you know, and interpreting and understanding the platform from the perspective of users and how users have changed the way they use it, you know.

I guess again, the longer you've seen it, the more you've been around it, the easier it is to be able to make that kind of crossover between what the platform or what the company are doing, and how its users will actually want to use it.

Yeah, it's one of the things I appreciate most about your Linkedinformed podcast is that you actually cogitate and digest this stuff and then think about what it might mean strategically and explain that really well on the podcast.

So, if anyone hasn't come across Linkedinformed, it's just gone through its 400th episode.

It pretty much is required listening, I would say.

If you're going to be coming to this advanced conference for LinkedIn specialists, you need to be listening to Mark's podcast, go and check it out.

It's a regular for me on a Saturday afternoon.

Now, Mark, I often think of you as the Swiss Army knife of LinkedIn, because you just know so many things about so many parts of what is a massive beast.

We're too far away from the conference for you to tell us any specifics about what you're going to talk about but can you say something about the kind of state of LinkedIn and where you think it's going and maybe give us some idea of the kind of advanced things that you might want to talk about? I mean, it's funny, isn't it.

Every year, or certainly for the last few years, in January, I do a sort of prediction of what I think's going to happen over the next year.

And I usually get it quite wrong.

So, I've given up trying to really predict on where LinkedIn is going to go.

But the one thing we do know is that it's going to change, and it always does.

And it always will.

I think there are indications from LinkedIn that they are making a real concerted effort to try and stem the tide of personal content.

And then trying to kind of dictate to us that they want to see more business content.

And that's a good thing and a bad thing, you know.

It's a kind of a good thing in the sense that maybe people do go a bit too far with personal content on LinkedIn.

But it's a bad thing, also, in the sense that it kind of drives me a bit mad that LinkedIn feel they can dictate to us what they th...

Our final speaker announcement is a Dutch superstar based in Valencia, Spain. It's the man who knows all about the LinkedIn algorithm, Richard van der Blom.

TRANSCRIPT

Back 2 years would practically do nothing for the reach.

Now, you get more people to repost your stuff, it accelerates your growth.

Welcome back to the UpLift Live podcast. This is John Espirian from the Mission Control team for UpLift Live, which is the UK's first LinkedIn-focused conference for LinkedIn specialists, power users and enthusiasts.

It's time for our final speaker announcement, and this time we're shooting over to Spain to speak to a Dutchman. It's social selling and LinkedIn algorithm expert, Richard van der Blom.

Let's hop aboard and get to the interview with Richard!

Richard van der Blom, welcome to the show.

You are going to be a speaker at the UpLift Live conference in Birmingham in March. Welcome aboard.

Tell us, what do you know about LinkedIn? Thank you, John, first of all, thank you for having me both here on the show and in March in Birmingham.

What do I know about LinkedIn? I guess I'll know quite a bit, just like I think all the other speakers.

Have been active on LinkedIn since 2005.

Started to give my first LinkedIn training back in 2009.

So, what I'll probably bring to the stage is about plus 14 years of experience on how to leverage this platform to grow your business.

Basically, that's it, to grow your business, whether you are a solo entrepreneur or a marketing professional, or whether you are in B2B sales.

And that's basically what I hope to share with the audience.

Awesome.

And you're well known for your skills in social selling, but I think probably most people who are watching this or listening to this on the podcast will know you for your algorithm report.

You've become really famous for that.

And you've got more than 140,000 followers, mostly off the back of that, I would guess.

Yeah.

Tell us a little bit about where the algorithm report came from, and what kind of insights people get from that.

Yeah, well working with, so, my main focus is to work with mid-size, larger enterprises.

And back in 2018, we had two enterprise clients.

And they were baffled by the fact that when they publish a white paper or a really well-thought article, they would reach, let's say, 5000 views.

And they were baffled by the fact that if they would publish like a team picture of like, any event that they would participate in, like, I don't know, half the marathon at Boston, they would get like 30,000 views, and they were like, we want to switch that, you know, we want to have 30,000 views for the article and just 5000 views for them.

So, they started to ask us questions.

And back then we only knew from our own experience based on our own postings what would happen, but we could only guess, and then I teamed up with some really amazing people.

And they helped me to, I delivered them with the questions and they started to research like what happens if somebody likes if somebody comments what happens if you change the post in terms of format.

And basically, we released like an algorithm report in October 2018.

That was the first one and it was actually shared first with the two clients.

And they were very, very enthusiastic about it.

So, I thought, OK, let's just publish it.

And it went like, it blew up.

I remember I had almost 1 million views on that post, which was for me back then it was like huge.

And so that was a start, actually.

And back then I didn't thought even about redoing the same thing next year.

I just thought like, OK, it's a one time exercise, job done.

And then I think it was something in May 2019.

May, June 2019.

And people actually came back to me and said, like, are you going to do the research again this year, because we have seen some changes.

And that was when like, it occurred to me like, hey, maybe if we do this on a more regular basis, then you know, people would benefit from it.

So, we started to do it again, October, same month, 2019.

It went even bigger, we have more data because we were more prepared, we know how to examine it.

And that's actually how it started, and indeed you're right.

That's when also my personal growth accelerated my personal page accelerated because social selling is really cool but it's rather boring to post on but if you post like the secrets of LinkedIn content, algorithm, well, you probably know that, then people like really want to have this and really grabbed you know.

Yeah.

And tell me do you agree that the pace of change on LinkedIn is speeding up...

Got a ticket to the UpLift Live conference? This high-value freebie is for you!

TRANSCRIPT

How do you feel about getting an UpLift Live freebie? Let's talk about it.

Welcome back to the podcast. I am John Espirian, part of the Mission Control team for the UpLift Live conference, which is the first LinkedIn-focused event of its type in the UK.

We're going to be getting together on Thursday 21 March 2024 at Millennium Point in Birmingham in the UK, for a whole day of learning and networking with some of the apex operators of LinkedIn.

We struggled to contain our excitement at the full set of 8 speakers, which has now been announced through our blog and this podcast and our company page and other LinkedIn posts.

I should say as well that my interview with Mission Control member Gus Bhandal is now live on the podcast, so do check out that 8-minute slot with him.

Now, I'm not good at keeping secrets and it was particularly hard with the speakers because I'm so proud of the lineup.

And now we have another offering for you. I'm sharing this here on the podcast as a bit of an experiment, to see who is really eager for what I'm about to say.

So, here's the thing: every time I've been to other conferences, there's been a little trepidation about who you're going to meet, what it's going to be like. And I think it's possible to address at least the first of those things by having some sort of get-together beforehand.

And indeed, our plan for the night before UpLift Live is to get together and host an informal gathering of our attendees so that we can break the ice in Birmingham.

But I think we can do better than that and get to know each other before anyone arrives in Birmingham. So, my plan is to run something called the UpLift Live LaunchPad. This will be a set of Zoom calls over the course of the next 6 months, so that people who have bought a ticket can join a group call and get to know each other while also asking me any questions they have about the event.

Now, if you're an Espresso+ member then you'll be used to our regular monthly Q&A calls. This LaunchPad idea will be separate and in addition to that, and available to anyone who has an in-person UpLift Live conference ticket, regardless of whether you're a member of the Espresso+ community.

So, to be clear, membership of Espresso+ is not a requirement here, and neither is it a free pass to the calls. If you have an in-person conference ticket, you're welcome to come to the calls; otherwise, this ain't for you.

As I record this, I haven't set a date for the first UpLift Live LaunchPad call. I'm interested in seeing what people think of the idea, so if you're hearing this shortly after this podcast goes live, then you'll be one of the very first to know about the idea. Drop me a DM on LinkedIn if you want to take part. And if you haven't got your ticket for the conference yet, now is the time: tickets are available at uplift-live.com

The Mission Control team recently visited the venue in Birmingham. It's called Millennium Point and it's a fantastic multi-purpose venue ideal for this conference. I thought it was really fitting that it's built on top of a science museum, given the outer space nature of our branding for this conference.

And the auditorium itself looks fantastic: it's got comfy chairs and a giant screen, and I think we're going to have a great time there in March. It felt like being in an upmarket cinema, and I really can't wait to see our apex operators show what they're made of on that stage very soon.

OK, that's it. Please do get in touch if you've got a ticket and want to be part of the UpLift Live LaunchPad calls on Zoom. I'll get timings sorted soon and we will probably be aiming at late afternoon UK time, to cater for most of the time zones of our likely attendees.

It's going to be great to get to know each other a little bit better and to build up the excitement to the UK's first LinkedIn-focused conference.

Until next time, this is John Espirian for Mission Control, saying ... over and out.

UpLift Live Mission Control

🟦 John Espirian

🟩 Jeremy Freeman

🟧 Gus Bhandal

TICKETS: uplift-live.com

QUESTIONS/FEEDBACK: [email protected]

Here's another member of the Mission Control organising team for the UpLift Live conference. It's marketing expert The M Guru aka Gus Bhandal.

TRANSCRIPT

The important thing about being there in person is that you get access to the speakers, there's no separate areas or anything like that. Basically, we're going to be one big happy family on the day.

Welcome back to the UpLift Live podcast. This is John Espirian from the Mission Control team for UpLift Live, which is the UK's first LinkedIn-focused conference for LinkedIn specialists, power users and enthusiasts.

It's time to speak with another member of the Mission Control team, and our interviewee today is The M Guru, Gus Bhandal.

Let's hop aboard and get to the interview with Gus!

OK, Gus Bhandal, welcome to the UpLift Live podcast.

You are one of my co-organisers for this conference.

Gus, for people who don't know you, tell us, who is this M Guru person? Thank you, John.

It's a pleasure to be a part of not only the Mission Control team, but you know, part of this recording as well.

So, my name is Gus, I run a business called The M Guru.

And the M stands for marketing.

I'm a marketer of numerous years of experience, 20 plus.

And what I do is I help businesses with their marketing.

Over the last few years or so, 3 or 4 years, I've specialised in LinkedIn, particularly in terms of content creation, getting people to be better at LinkedIn, and how to improve their LinkedIn presence, quite frankly, to get clients, to have conversations, to make friends and ultimately to make money.

Yeah, nice one.

And so you've got an interest in LinkedIn.

But why a LinkedIn conference? I know why I want to go to a LinkedIn conference.

What do you think about this one? Having worked in social media for a number of years, I know that the phrase digital marketing and social media and all that is such a massive phrase, and it kind of encompasses so much, and quite frankly, it's encompassing even more.

So, we started with the likes of Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.

And now we've got kind of BeReal and Clubhouse and T2 and Spill and all that.

And it's just never ending.

And I think particularly having a LinkedIn-focused conference, because I believe that LinkedIn is the platform for everybody.

I think it's the all-singing, all-dancing platform that covers everything for everyone.

And I think every business owner, senior executive, team leader, etc., should be on LinkedIn.

So, I think a LinkedIn-focused conference would be really good for the UK to make sure that we to make the most of the platform because I think it's the one platform that a lot of people have trouble with, but also the one platform that we can also make the most out of.

Yeah, nice one.

And you as part of the Mission Control team, I mean, you know so many people, and you go to so many events, so you've got some events experience as well, which I don't really have.

So, I've got domain experience with LinkedIn, but things like organising an event, organising a venue, thinking about maybe a pre-party or anything like that, is just totally alien to me.

So, we are going to be doing the conference, actually, well not in your home city, but near enough: it's going to be in Birmingham.

Tell us something about how you recommended that place, or what people should expect when they come to Birmingham? Absolutely.

I go to an incredible amount of networking events, conferences, etc., all over the world.

I believe that networking is massive.

I believe it's very important for business owners and lots of people to kind of to meet other people and get to know other people etc.

And I've, you know, in previous roles, kind of employments, I've run a lot of conferences myself, gala dinners, etc.

So, I like to think I know what I'm doing.

But at the same time, I also have a good handle on what makes a good event and what people would need, particularly in Birmingham, it's practically the centre of the UK, it's in the Midlands.

It's about a 20-minute drive from my home.

So, it's, it's perfect for me.

But it's great.

It's very easily accessible.

The venue itself, I actually went to an event there last year, and I thought, this venue will be perfect.

A, because it's massive.

It's got a massive screen, it's got a big stage.

It's got lots of networking opportunity, space.

So, I think it'd be ideal for our conference as well.

Yeah, nice one.

I mean, I haven't seen the venue yet, as the time we record this, but we are going to be visiting it together soon.

But when you were telling me about it, I was thinking, yeah,...

Our first speaker announcement is here! Meet Louise Brogan, a LinkedIn specialist based in Northern Ireland. She's going to be onstage at UpLift Live to speak about LinkedIn company pages.

TRANSCRIPT

... You should really have one because it gives you double whammy for more bang for your buck, as they say ...

This is Mission Control. It's time to find out who the first speaker is at the UpLift Live conference.

Welcome back to the UpLift Live podcast. This is John Espirian from the Mission Control team for UpLift Live, which is the UK's first LinkedIn-focused conference for LinkedIn specialists, power users and enthusiasts.

Intros are out of the way so it's time to hear from our speakers.

OK, our first speaker announcement is here, and it is the wonderful Louise Brogan. She's based in Northern Ireland and is going to be onstage at UpLift Live to talk about LinkedIn company pages.

Let's hop aboard and get to the interview with Louise!

Louise Brogan, thank you for joining us on the UpLift Live podcast.

You are going to be our first speaker announcement for the conference next year.

Welcome and tell us why did Mission Control pick you as our speaker for this event? What do you know about LinkedIn? John, can I just say I am so excited about this whole thing! I'm so delighted to be asked to come and speak at UpLift Live.

I can't wait to meet all the people who are going to be there.

So, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Louise Brogan.

I run a company called, well, it's actually called Louise Brogan Ltd but it's LinkedIn with Louise.

I have been writing, talking, making videos about LinkedIn, probably only LinkedIn, for about 5 years.

Started my business about 10 years ago.

I wrote the lots of people will know me through.

I used to write all the articles on LinkedIn for Social Media Examiner.

And there's nothing I love more than getting in front of an audience and talking to them about how they can use LinkedIn for business.

I have a podcast that I think it's about 5 years old now called LinkedIn with Louise, a YouTube channel called LinkedIn with Louise.

If my name hadn't been Louise, I'm not sure what I would have called everything, because I like a bit of alliteration.

So, yeah, that's me.

I'm based in Northern Ireland.

I work with a team of fabulous writers.

We create content for companies who are mainly in the US and some also in the UK and Ireland.

And I love everything geeking out about LinkedIn, a little bit like you, John.

Fantastic.

Well, thank you for making the trip over the water to come and see us.

You are not going to be the only speaker who is not on the UK mainland.

I'll leave it at that for now.

And well done on the YouTube channel as well.

I've struggled to get people to follow my YouTube channel.

You've got 7000 subscribers or am I my way off? 7000 subscribers, I just hit 850,000 views.

Fantastic.

Yeah, get some YouTuber friends in your life, John.

That's how I that's how I managed to figure out how to do so great.

So, we've got a serious LinkedIn operator here, someone who's got their own podcast, their own successful YouTube channel, and you are going to be speaking to us about company pages, which is a very common question.

I don't really specialise in them although I've got a few myself.

Tell us what's moving and shaking on company pages.

I mean, bear in mind that we're still many months away from the event.

So, no doubt everything will have changed by the time the event comes around.

But what are some of the things that we need to know or some of the pitfalls that people fall into with company pages? I think actually, company pages are the poor, neglected part of LinkedIn for a lot of people, but actually, they're a really, really powerful tool.

One of the analogies I like to describe as to why people should consider their LinkedIn company page.

And bearing in mind, of course, there are companies, like there's 60 million company pages on LinkedIn.

And you have the solo entrepreneurs right up to the global multinationals who are using these company pages.

But if you imagine being at an in person conference, like UpLift Live, and you and I walking around the room and chatting to people, John, are the individuals the personal profiles on LinkedIn.

And when someone is intrigued by what I'm saying on stage, they want to find out more about me and my company.

So, they might go over to the popup banner or the sponsor booth at the event.

And that's how I kind of see the company page.

It is a bit more of your traditional marketing place on LinkedIn.