Almost every company has a LinkedIn profile. After all, it is the world’s most popular networking platform for business.
But are you harnessing the full potential of your presence there?
Former Manchester Evening News journalist and business editor Lucy Roue launched Time and Tide Content in 2022, a consultancy with specialisms in technology, LinkedIn campaigns and corporate events coverage.
She says many of her clients are keen to understand how to use LinkedIn effectively. Asked by TechBlast for her ‘social secret sauce’, she offers five tips.
“Make sure you have a company page and it’s being used regularly. If it’s not, start using it!” is the first.
“Be real – don’t just use the site for corporate announcements; have a bit of personality.
“Always reply to comments – this doubles engagement on the post and will push it to more people.
“Be engaged – start conversations; like posts; ask questions; do polls; and comment on news articles.
“And ALWAYS have a profile picture – one that’s semi-professional looking!”
Time and Tide’s current clients include automations consultancy firm Agile Automations and gym startup Transform Hub – backed by the former AJ Bell co-founder Andy Bell – while it has just been named as the official content partner for pro-manchester events in 2023, which will see it produce coverage of the membership organisation’s upcoming Trailblazing Tech and Health Tech Conferences.
Lucy Roue, Time and Tide Content (left) with pro-manchester CEO Sam Booth
Time and Tide has also secured a contract with business coaching firm jjigsaw.com while it works pro-bono for The Joshua Tree, which supports families with childhood cancer across the North West and North Wales.
On the move from business journalism to running a business herself, Roue says: “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster: it’s not something I ever saw myself doing, but now I am doing it I can’t imagine going back to employment.
“I don’t think people appreciate that as a startup you’re literally doing everything for yourself. I’ve had to learn so much – from forecasting and invoicing to tax obligations – and then finding the time to market myself all while servicing clients. It’s relentless; but so much fun once you get the hang of it.
“That said, I wouldn’t want to put people off starting their own business! It’s been an incredible six months and it does become more manageable once you’ve done it once and understand the process.”
Roue has struggled with undiagnosed ADHD and bi-polar disorder for many years, struggling with episodes of severe depression and anxiety since losing her father very suddenly in 2016.
She says it’s been a hectic few months setting up the business while managing her mental health to avoid burnout.
“[However] running my own business is much better for managing my mental health because I can set and stick to my own routines and take time for myself if I need to,” she adds.
So what are her plans for the future?
“People are seeing the value in Time and Tide Content now, which is great. We have some really varied accounts which keeps things interesting. We’re also working with a big international firm on content campaigns across Europe which has been a cornerstone of our success so far,” Roue says.
“My plan is to grow the business steadily, and organically. The freelance journalist model means I have flex when I need it for busier times and then I plan to just take it from there really. I’m sort of winging it – but isn’t every startup?!”
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