ELEVATE YOUR FREELANCE PERSONAL BRAND IN 2025 USING THESE 5 LINKEDIN TRENDS

Both in my How to Become a Remote Freelancer guide and previous blog articles I have written on the importance of using LinkedIn as a way to not only network with people in your freelancing industry, but to also position yourself as an expert in your field. And as we head into 2025, the platform is more powerful than ever. LinkedIn is the OG social media platform, and it has been experiencing big growth recently, and it’s not slowing down! 80% of B2B leads generated on social media come from LinkedIn, and with over 67 million businesses on the platform, and over 1 billion people, it is clearly the place to attract new freelance clients.

As we step into 2025, LinkedIn continues to evolve as the go-to platform for freelancers to showcase their skills, attract clients, and build a strong personal brand, but the landscape is shifting, and to stay ahead of the curve, you’ll want to embrace these five trends that are shaping LinkedIn’s future.

But first, why should you bother with a personal brand?

Let me ask you a question - do you prefer seeing company updates or personal updates? Likelihood is it’s the latter, because people connect with people. Personal branding is a key trend that will be sticking around next year. Individuals at all levels, including founders and CEOs, are utilising personal stories, expertise, and insights to build their brand or even to help amplify their companies’ reach and credibility.

In the freelancing world, clients often choose freelancers based on their reputation and online presence - it’s not just about a polished portfolio! Establishing yourself as a thought leader can increase visibility and attract high-value clients.

So, what trends should you be implementing into your LinkedIn strategy for 2025?

VIDEO

Video is exploding on LinkedIn, with users posting videos at an unprecedented rate: uploads have risen by 34% year-over-year! And, why? “Video posts on LinkedIn receive 5 times more engagement than static posts”! People are increasingly turning to video to connect and share their expertise in an authentic, memorable way across all social platforms. From quick tips on your niche to behind-the-scenes looks at your freelancing life, video is the ultimate tool to connect with potential clients and collaborators. Why? It’s personal, engaging, and helps your audience see the real you.

Tips for leveraging video:

• Share a 60-second video offering advice or insights from your freelance expertise.

• Use captions to make your content accessible to all viewers.

• Experiment with live video to discuss industry trends or host Q&A sessions with your audience.

• Tip: Film a talking to camera piece, film in 9x16 aspect ratio, and keep it under 2 minutes.

Work-Based Humuor & Authenticity

Just like in real life, making people laugh makes them pay attention. LinkedIn isn’t the stiff ‘corporate’ place it used to be - cut through the noise and show your personality through your content! This engages your audience and creates a genuine and relatable connection that resonates with people personally and professionally. Posts that resonate with the reality of freelancing - whether it’s a relatable struggle or a lighthearted win - are more likely to spark engagement.

How to incorporate humor and authenticity:

• Share funny or unexpected moments from your freelancing journey.

• Post about lessons learned from challenges, keeping the tone genuine and professional.

• Use humour sparingly to remain relatable while showcasing your expertise.

STORYTELLING

64% of people believe personal and employee-led posts drive brand engagement - why? Storytelling is a timeless way to captivate an audience! On LinkedIn, it’s a powerful method to humanise your freelance brand by sharing your personal journey. Share how you helped a client solve a problem, a milestone in your freelancing career, the obstacles you’ve overcome, and the successes you’ve celebrated, and do it in a way that resonates with their professional audience. Stories can bring your personal brand to life and, as a bonus, help create a bond with your audience.

ENGAGEMENT

One of the key ways to grow on any social media platform is by engaging. The LinkedIn audience is a vast community of like-minded professionals, potential clients, and entrepreneurs, so network with them! Join groups, comment on posts, leave your opinions and thoughts on articles. If you want to be seen, start by commenting and adding your expertise to conversations already happening. People remember freelancers who take the time to connect.

ARTICLES

While short posts and videos grab attention, articles allow you to dive deeper into your niche. For example, a well-written article can position you as a thought leader and attract clients looking for someone with your specific skills. Plus, “LinkedIn articles are shared 2 times more frequently than other types of posts on the platform.” If articles aren’t your thing, try webinars, how-to guides, and industry analysis. People are hungry for knowledge, and educational content has become a cornerstone of LinkedIn. “Users who publish long-form content on LinkedIn see 30% more engagement than standard posts.”

Plus, LinkedIn’s algorithm also favours content that keeps users on the platform longer, making articles a smart strategy!

2025 is the year to level up your freelance LinkedIn game. By embracing video, authenticity, storytelling, engagement, and articles, you’ll build a personal brand that stands out and attracts the clients you want. Remember, consistency is key—show up, share your voice, and connect with your audience.

And remember that if you are using LinkedIn in your marketing strategy - it’s important to make sure your profile is optimised! According to Cognsim, “optimised LinkedIn profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities” - so it’s an important step. Check out this article on how to optimise your LinkedIn account.