Expert Strategies for Building Your Brand and Avoiding the “Tryhard” Label

If you’ve spent any time on LinkedIn, you’ve likely encountered the “LinkedIn Tryhard” – an individual who relentlessly posts content in an attempt to build an audience but has no clear LinkedIn strategies. They often just throw any old post out there or copy what other people are doing, hoping something will catch on. Unfortunately, instead of gaining traction, they often find themselves stuck in a frustrating cycle of low engagement, lack of direction, and eventual burnout.

Trying too hard on LinkedIn is like wearing a tuxedo to a backyard barbecue. You might stand out, but not necessarily in a good way. It’s important to strike the right balance between professionalism and authenticity, and avoid overdressing your profile with excessive self-promotion or irrelevant content.

The consequences of being a ‘tryhard’ extend far beyond simply low engagement and burnout. Excessive self-promotion and inauthentic content can seriously damage your professional reputation. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how you can avoid becoming a “tryhard,” and we’ll offer practical ideas for LinkedIn posts to ensure your efforts result in genuine engagement and real growth.

What is a LinkedIn Tryhard?

Michael Quinn, Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Tenova and Forbes Contributor, describes “LinkedIn tryhards” as individuals who constantly post about their job search. They share every detail, from networking events to recruiter interactions, for an entire year. The problem, Quinn explains, is that they become known only as job seekers, never showcasing their professional identity, accomplishments, or expertise. This prevents them from building a strong brand that could open doors to future opportunities.

The High Cost of Trying Too Hard

Imagine a hiring manager or potential client scrolling through your profile and encountering a barrage of boastful posts or irrelevant content. This can create a negative impression, leading them to question your judgment, professionalism, and even your credibility. 

While there can be some short-term gains from being a “tryhard” on LinkedIn, such as increased visibility and a larger network, the long-term consequences often outweigh the benefits. You might be perceived as inauthentic, desperate for attention, or even lacking in genuine expertise, which can damage your reputation and discourage others from taking you seriously. This can ultimately limit your career prospects and prevent you from building meaningful connections that can truly advance your career.

Ryan Rhoten, Messaging Strategist and Proprietor of The Distilled Brand, states that “tryhards” understand the importance of audience building but lack a strategy. They post random, unbranded content, blindly reach out to potential clients, or copy others without considering their own unique brand and target audience. This leads to frustration, and instead of analyzing the problem, they double down on the same ineffective tactics, creating a vicious cycle.

When you ditch the “tryhard” act and keep it real on LinkedIn, good things can happen for your career:

• Grow your network: Connect with coworkers, people in your industry, and potential clients who can help you find new opportunities.
• Become a go-to expert: Share helpful tips and ideas that show you know your stuff.
• Land your dream job: Make your profile shine so recruiters and hiring managers can’t miss you.

Examples of LinkedIn Tryhards

To illustrate these pitfalls, let’s look at some common examples of ‘tryhard’ behavior on LinkedIn: 

Disclaimer: The following examples are fictional and do not represent any specific individuals. They are intended to illustrate common types of “tryhard” behavior on LinkedIn and the potential consequences.

Example 1: The Humblebragger

John, a mid-level marketing manager, constantly posts about his “minor” accomplishments, like exceeding his monthly targets by a small margin or receiving a generic “thank you” email from a client. He frames these as major victories, using phrases like “crushing it” or “killing the game.” This comes across as insincere and insecure, making his connections less likely to engage with his content or take him seriously.

Example 2: The Content Recycler

Sarah, a sales director, reposts the same generic motivational quotes and articles every few weeks, hoping to stay top-of-mind. However, this repetitive content lacks originality and fails to offer any valuable insights. Her connections quickly become disengaged, and her profile is seen as just another source of noise.

Example 3: The LinkedIn Lurker

David, a software engineer, spends hours each day scrolling through LinkedIn, liking and commenting on every post he sees, even if he has nothing meaningful to contribute. He hopes this will increase his visibility and build connections, but it actually has the opposite effect. His comments are often generic and irrelevant, making him appear desperate for attention and lacking in genuine interest.

Example 4: The Self-Proclaimed Guru

Maria, a recent MBA graduate, positions herself as an expert in leadership and management, despite having limited real-world experience. She frequently shares unsolicited advice and lectures her connections on the “right” way to do things. This arrogant and condescending tone alienates her audience and damages her credibility.

Strategy for Building a Genuine and Impactful LinkedIn Presence

While it’s crucial to avoid the pitfalls of “tryhard” behavior, it’s equally important to focus on building a genuine and impactful presence on LinkedIn. Here are some key strategies to achieve that:

• Develop a Strong Personal Brand: Define your unique value proposition and expertise. What are you passionate about? What problems can you solve? Craft your profile and content to reflect your authentic self and showcase your strengths.
• Craft Compelling Content: Share valuable insights, thought-provoking perspectives, and engaging stories that resonate with your target audience. Focus on quality over quantity, and make sure your content is original and authentic.  
• Build Genuine Relationships: Engage with others in a meaningful way. Comment on posts, participate in discussions, and connect with people who share your interests. Focus on building authentic connections rather than simply accumulating followers.  

By following these strategies, you can establish yourself as a trusted thought leader and build a strong network on LinkedIn, opening doors to new opportunities and career advancement.

5 Key Components of a Strategic LinkedIn Presence

To use LinkedIn effectively, start with the basics: figure out what you want to achieve and who you want to reach. A lot of people on LinkedIn try to appeal to everyone, but that’s a mistake. You need to focus on a specific group of people.Focus on the people who can actually benefit from your knowledge and experience.

1. LinkedIn Content Strategy: Have a Plan

So, how do you ensure you’re not just throwing content into the void? The key is to have a plan. One of the best ways to connect with people on LinkedIn is to create genuine content that helps them with their problems. First, figure out exactly who you’re trying to reach.

Tech & Digital Recruiter Kelli Hrivnak states “Even if the concept may not appease everyone, understand whom you are speaking to.” This way, your posts will connect with people on a deeper level and get more engagement.

Ryan Rhoten, a messaging expert, says that once you know who you’re talking to, you need to start speaking their language. Talk about the problems you know they’re facing and show them how you can help.

The 2025 Sprout Social Index highlights that authenticity and reliability are the most important traits of brand content. Think about your audience and think about the specific industries, roles, or challenges that you are best equipped to address.

• What do your readers care about? 
• What challenges are they facing? 
• What true stories or content can you speak authentically to?

Consider how to use your knowledge to create authentic content to engage your audience.

2. Timing is Important: Know When to Post

If you want to get the most out of your LinkedIn posts, try posting between 8AM and 9AM on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. This article from Hootsuite outlines the prime times to post each day and why timing matters. Fortunately for LinkedIn users, the platform has consistent engagement throughout the work week. You can try different times within the busiest windows to see what connects with your audience.

3. Try for Consistency Over Volume

Many people think that posting multiple times a day is the key to success on LinkedIn. But in reality, quality trumps quantity. In fact, a poll of 3,782 of my LinkedIn followers found that 55% of people believe executives should post just 1-2 times a week to strike the right balance between thought leadership and avoiding the “influencer” trap. Posting 1-2 times a week with high-quality, thoughtful content is often more effective than daily posts that don’t provide real value.

Take a look at some leaders who manage their LinkedIn presence well, such as Doug McMillon (Walmart CEO) and Jean Claude Tissot (President of Coca-Cola Southwest Beverage). These executives share relevant updates about their teams, innovations, and industry trends that engage their followers while maintaining authenticity.

4. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

If you want people to notice you on LinkedIn, you need to make sure your profile is top-notch.With only 20% of LinkedIn users updating their headlines, taking that small step is one of the easiest LinkedIn strategies to follow in order to stand out.

Make sure your headline is keyword-rich and reflects who you are and what you do. Don’t be afraid to write a compelling first-person summary that tells your story and makes you memorable.

While it can feel vulnerable to put yourself out there in a polished way, think about it this way: You’re not just showcasing your achievements, you’re also telling a story that helps others understand what you bring to the table.

Consider adding links to podcasts, articles, or industry features to further demonstrate your thought leadership. A fully optimized profile increases your visibility and opens doors for opportunities.

Read my white paper LinkedIn Best Practices: Key Insights and Strategies from Comprehensive User Polls for more tips on how to optimize your profile and drive engagement.

5. Experiment and Measure What Works: Find Your Winning LinkedIn Strategies

LinkedIn’s algorithm can be tricky, but it rewards engagement. A key LinkedIn strategy is to track the performance of your posts to see what resonates with your audience. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different content formats, whether it’s thought leadership articles, personal stories, or industry insights. As you refine your strategy, you’ll begin to see patterns in what engages your followers.

5 Practical LinkedIn Post Ideas

If you’re not sure where to start, here are five content prompts to help you engage with your audience:

Share a Thought Leadership Article

Sharing insightful articles and publications from other thought leaders is a great way to provide valuable content to your network, spark engaging discussions, and position yourself as a curator of knowledge within your industry. It also demonstrates your commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

For example, in the accompanying image, you can see a post where I share an article by Hannah Morgan, a well-respected career expert. I highlight her expertise and mention her valuable weekly newsletter. This type of post not only provides my network with access to insightful content but also shows my appreciation for the work of other thought leaders in my field.

Highlight Your Team’s Work

Showcasing your team’s accomplishments and contributions is a great way to build team spirit, recognize their hard work, and demonstrate your leadership skills on LinkedIn. It also provides valuable insights into your company culture and values, making your organization more attractive to potential employees and clients.

For example, in the accompanying image, you can see a post where I highlight the work of my colleague, Andrew LaCivita, by promoting his new book, “Zebra Code.” I share my positive feedback about the book and encourage my network to check it out. This type of post not only supports my colleague but also demonstrates my commitment to professional development and thought leadership within my industry.

Tell a Personal Story

Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with your audience on LinkedIn. Sharing personal experiences, anecdotes, or lessons learned can humanize your profile and make you more relatable to your connections. When done well, personal stories can create a sense of authenticity and build trust with your audience.

For example, bleow you can see a post where I share a story about my grandparents’ experience working for Eastern Airlines and how it influenced my perspective on travel and connection. This story is not directly related to my professional services, but it provides a glimpse into my personal values and experiences, making me more relatable to my audience.

Recommend a Productivity Tool

In today’s fast-paced world, productivity is key. Sharing helpful tools and resources that have made a difference in your work life can be a valuable contribution to your LinkedIn network. This not only provides practical value to your connections but also showcases your willingness to share knowledge and help others succeed.

For instance, in the capture of a post below, you can see a post where I recommend four job search newsletters that I find valuable. I provide brief descriptions of each newsletter and include links for easy access. This type of recommendation is highly relevant to my target audience of executives and senior professionals who are actively seeking new opportunities or looking to stay informed about the job market.

Offer Niche Advice

Sharing valuable insights and advice within your area of expertise is a powerful way to establish thought leadership and build credibility on LinkedIn. This type of content demonstrates your knowledge and experience, positioning you as a go-to resource for others in your field.

For example, in the image below, you can see a post where I share an “insider secret” about what companies look for in candidates, especially those who are overqualified or making a career pivot. This type of advice is highly relevant to my target audience of executives and senior professionals, and it provides them with valuable information they can use in their job search.

The Dark Side of LinkedIn Content Creation

Creating content regularly on LinkedIn (or any social media) can be tough. There’s pressure to post all the time, and the algorithms seem to favor those who do. But this can lead to burnout, especially if you’re not seeing the results you want. There’s also the risk of online negativity—people can be harsh when they hide behind a screen.

Despite these challenges, content creation can significantly boost your career and visibility if done right. However, it’s vital to approach it with a strategic mindset, understanding that the end goal is to connect with the right audience in a meaningful way.

Are You Trying Too Hard on LinkedIn?

Now that you’ve learned about the common pitfalls of “tryhard” behavior on LinkedIn, it’s time for some self-reflection. Take a moment to review your recent LinkedIn activity and ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I posting too frequently, or am I focused on quality over quantity?
  
• Is my content original and authentic, or am I simply recycling generic posts or copying others?
  
• Am I engaging with others in a meaningful way, or am I just trying to accumulate followers?
  
• Is my profile optimized to showcase my unique value proposition and expertise, or am I just listing my accomplishments?
  
• Am I being genuinely helpful and supportive to my network, or am I focused on self-promotion?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time to reassess your LinkedIn strategy. Remember, authenticity, thoughtfulness, and genuine engagement are the keys to building a strong personal brand and achieving your career goals on LinkedIn.

By taking the time to reflect on your LinkedIn behavior and make necessary adjustments, you can ensure that your presence on the platform is both impactful and authentic.

The Bottom Line: Stop Trying So Hard

The key to success on LinkedIn isn’t about trying too hard or posting all the time. It’s about having a plan, being yourself, and connecting with the right people. Focus on your audience, share content that helps them, and be thoughtful about what you post. If you do that, you’ll build a strong personal brand and find the opportunities you’re looking for. Relax, be authentic, and watch your LinkedIn presence grow.

Stay strategic, stay authentic, and watch your LinkedIn presence flourish.