How Personal Content Drives Professional Interaction On LinkedIn - Terence Carvalho Blog

When it comes to Professional Interaction On LinkedIn, it’s important to remember that LinkedIn isn’t just about job updates and corporate announcements anymore. In 2025, the platform has shifted towards something far more human – connection through real, relatable content. If you’re still treating LinkedIn like a digital CV, you’re missing out on the real reason people log in: to interact, engage, and build relationships.

Personal content is the key to standing out on LinkedIn today. When you share stories about your life, community, or passions — especially when they tie into your work – you give people a reason to stop scrolling and start engaging. This doesn’t mean sharing your holiday snaps or daily dramas, but rather showing the personality behind the profession.

For example, I post a lot about Portsmouth. Local businesses, city events, and feel-good stories from the area. And guess what? It works. Professionals from all sorts of industries reach out to connect, comment, and collaborate. Why? Because the content is real, and people relate to it.

In this blog, I’ll break down why personal content works so well on a professional platform, how to get it right, and what it can do for your career or brand. Whether you’re new to LinkedIn or already posting regularly, this is the approach that builds true engagement in 2025.

How Personal Content Drives Professional Interaction On LinkedIn - LinkedIn Analysis

What Is Personal Content on LinkedIn, Really?

Personal content on LinkedIn doesn’t mean turning the platform into Facebook and trust me you’ll get a DM from the occasional person complaining about “This post isn’t for LinkedIn” blah blah blah. Bearing that in mind remember LinkedIn is not about daily rants or overly emotional updates. Instead, it’s about sharing the human side of your professional life in a way that builds connection and trust.

Think behind-the-scenes snapshots of your day, lessons from a recent experience, or celebrating something positive in your local community. Sharing local pride, like highlighting events in your city or supporting nearby businesses, works incredibly well. These posts show you’re real, grounded, and involved, without drifting off topic.

I often post about Portsmouth, and while it may seem personal, the audience I reach is professional so my personal content does gain professional interaction on LinkedIn. People want to work with someone they relate to. If they feel they know you a little better, they’re more likely to reach out or recommend you.

What it’s not: posting your dinner, arguing in the comments, or writing an essay about your weekend. There’s a difference between personal and unprofessional. The goal is to offer insight, encouragement, or inspiration in a way that fits within the professional world of LinkedIn.

In short, personal content should make people stop, smile, think, or comment. If it does, you’re on the right track.

Why Personal Content Works on a Professional Platform

Personal content has become one of the most powerful ways to stand out when looking to boost your professional interaction on LinkedIn. While traditional corporate posts still have a place, they often blend into the noise. Personal content breaks through that wall because it feels real, relevant, and written by a human, not a brand.

When people see personal updates, they pause. They relate. Whether it’s a local achievement, a business lesson learned the hard way, or a reflection on the journey, it builds trust. You’re not just broadcasting; you’re opening up a two-way connection. That builds familiarity, and with familiarity comes engagement.

On LinkedIn, people are bombarded with “Top 5 tips” and templated sales pitches. A personal post cuts through the generic and shows the face behind the name. It invites meaningful interaction instead of passive scrolling.

For example, I often post about Portsmouth. From community events to local business wins, those updates are some of my highest-performing content. Why? Because they feel authentic. Professionals living and working nearby feel connected. It opens the door to real conversations, new followers, and often new opportunities.

When people feel they know you, they’re more likely to support your business, trust your advice, and tag you in relevant posts. That’s why personal content works. It’s not just about reach. It’s about relationship.

Professional Interaction: The New Definition in 2025

Professional interaction on LinkedIn in 2025 isn’t just about sharing your CV or announcing a job move. The platform has evolved into a space where real relationships are built through ongoing visibility and authentic connection.

More often now, a like or comment on a post leads to a DM. A share can result in a referral. A relatable post about your workday, your team, or even your city can lead to an invite to speak at an event or collaborate on a project.

This shift has blurred the lines between what used to be considered “networking” and simply showing up as yourself. People want to engage with people, not logos. When you post about your business wins, your community, or something you’ve learned, it creates an opening for others to engage – not just with the post, but with you.

I’ve had people message me purely because they’ve seen a post about Portsmouth, not because I was pitching anything. They felt they had a reason to say hello. That’s the power of showing the person behind the job title.

It’s no longer just about what you do – it’s how you show up. Visibility creates familiarity, and familiarity creates opportunity. Whether it’s a new lead, a speaking slot, or just someone tagging you in a relevant post, it all starts with being present and personal.

How Personal Content Drives Professional Interaction On LinkedIn - LinkedIn Posts

Tips for Creating Personal Content That Still Feels Professional

Personal content doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul online. It just means being human – sharing things you care about, in a way that still aligns with your values and work.

Start with what matters to you. For example, if you support local business or social causes, talk about that. It could be a post about a brilliant local café you visited, a charity event you supported, or a community initiative you saw in action. These types of stories invite connection, especially from people who share similar values.

To keep it professional, tie your story back to your work or industry. A post about a delayed train could become a lesson on patience with clients. A story about a great team lunch might be an observation about leadership or company culture.

Use clean formatting. Write like you speak, but make sure it’s clear, easy to read, and typo-free. Good grammar, short paragraphs, and a strong opening line go a long way.

Not sure what to post? Try using prompts like:

  • “One thing I learned from this week was…”

  • “A local story that inspired me…”

  • “A reminder I needed today…”

These help you frame your thoughts without forcing a sales pitch.

Consistency matters. You don’t need to post daily, but showing up regularly keeps you visible. People can’t interact with you if they don’t see you. And remember – you don’t have to overthink it. Your everyday experiences often make the best posts, as long as you share them with purpose and a bit of structure.

It’s about being real, not perfect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While personal content can be powerful, there are some pitfalls to steer clear of.

Avoid oversharing or vague emotional dumping. Your audience isn’t looking for therapy sessions. If a post feels more like a vent than a story with purpose, rethink it. You can still be open — just keep it constructive.

Don’t be controversial just to chase likes. Hot takes may get attention, but if they don’t align with your brand or values, they can backfire.

And finally, always consider what your audience expects from you. If you’re known for sharing marketing insights, a sudden unrelated rant about politics or a personal dispute will feel off-brand and confusing.

The goal is balance. Show personality, but with intention and relevance. You want people to relate to you – not scroll past you.

How Personal Content Drives Professional Interaction On LinkedIn - Terence Carvalho FAQ

FAQs: Professional Interaction On LinkedIn

Should I post personal content if I’m just starting out?
Yes, as long as it feels relevant and professional. Sharing your journey, what you’re learning, or why you care about your work can help people connect with you faster than a polished sales pitch.

Will personal posts hurt my chances of landing professional work?
Not if you strike the right tone. Employers and clients often look for authenticity. If your content shows integrity, passion, and a strong voice, it can actually boost your professional appeal.

How often should I mix personal and business content?
There’s no magic formula, but a good rule is one personal-style post for every two or three business-focused ones. Keep your voice consistent and align each post with your brand values.

Does LinkedIn favour personal posts in the algorithm?
Yes, personal stories often perform better in terms of reach and engagement. The algorithm prioritises posts that get comments, reactions, and shares – and personal content often drives more meaningful interaction.

What kind of personal content performs best on LinkedIn?
Posts that reflect real experiences, lessons learned, or behind-the-scenes moments from your professional life tend to do well. Stories that show personality, growth, or community involvement often receive the most interaction.

How do I know if I’ve crossed the line into oversharing?
If the content feels like something you’d hesitate to share with a colleague in a meeting, it’s probably too personal for LinkedIn. Stick to content that adds value, shows insight, or sparks relevant conversation.

Can I still be professional if I show emotion in posts?
Yes – showing emotion is part of being human. Sharing pride, gratitude, or even challenges is fine if done with clarity and purpose. It becomes unprofessional when it lacks context or feels out of place on a business platform.

Interested In Working Together?

Introducing Delivered Social. We’re The Most-Rated Digital Agency In Surrey & Hampshire – We’ve Got To Be Doing Something Right.

Delivered Social is a digital marketing agency with one mission—to help businesses grow. We’re famous in Guildford and Portsmouth for our social clinics. We believe in free advice. We build lasting relationships because our team prides itself on being helpful, which our clients appreciate.

If you are looking for a new website or an agency to manage your social media presence, we can help.

If you need something slightly different, here's a super handy list of all our services, or you can always email us.

About the Author: Terence Carvalho

Chief Operating Officer Terence spent 15 award winning years in hospitality management, Terence understands how difficult it can be to juggle running a business and marketing it to your fullest potential. A passionate and dedicated lead of Shaping Portsmouth's Portsmouth Ambassador programme who is also a volunteer trustee for Children’s Charity – The Literacy Hubs Terence was awarded The Shaping Portsmouth Business Award in 2023 and The Love Of Portsmouth Award in 2024

Discovery Call: Drop our team an email to talk about your marketing goals here!