Episode 81: Stop Performing Your Way to Authority

What if the best way to build authority online is to stop trying so hard to *look* like an authority? In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, I’m talking with Natasha Walstra, founder of NearPoint Strategies, about how entrepreneurs can use LinkedIn to build real relationships, establish trust, and ultimately grow their businesses. Natasha shared one of my favorite insights from our conversation: too many entrepreneurs are trying to “perform their way to authority.” Instead, she believes you should go out, do the work, become the expert in real life—and then share what you’re learning and doing online. We also talk about why Natasha’s philosophy is to “get on LinkedIn to get off LinkedIn.” The goal isn’t to spend hours creating content or chasing impressions. It’s to start conversations that turn into genuine relationships and business opportunities. In this episode, we talk about: - Why trying to *look* like a thought leader can actually hurt trust - How to turn what you are already doing in your business into meaningful social content - Natasha’s simple Know, Trust, Like approach to LinkedIn content - Why your personality may be one of your biggest differentiators online - How to delegate social media without completely removing yourself from the relationship-building - Why commenting and engaging can be more valuable than chasing huge numbers of impressions - The simple LinkedIn opportunity most of us miss: people viewing our profile - How Natasha built her business rapidly while also navigating pregnancy, a difficult birth, postpartum depression, and the realities of entrepreneurship - Why relationships—not cold outreach—have become the foundation of her business Natasha also shares an important reminder for anyone building a personal brand: your LinkedIn profile should actually sound and feel like you. Your goal isn’t to create a polished corporate version of yourself. It’s to help the right people recognize, *“This person gets me.”* Try this today: **Go look at your own LinkedIn profile and ask:** How likely would I be to refer myself based only on what I see here? Does your profile clearly communicate what you do, who you help, and—just as importantly—who you are? **Connect with Natasha** NearPoint Strategies: www.nearpointstrategies.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ndwalstra/ Instagram: @nearpoint.strategies **Free Resource** Check out Natasha’s Profile Glow Up tool to help you take a fresh look at your LinkedIn profile: https://profile-glowup.replit.app/ And remember: you don’t need to become a full-time content creator to make LinkedIn work for your business. Do great work. Build real expertise. Share it. Start conversations. Build relationships. **Meet Your Host:** Jennifer Kok, Profit and Growth advisor for service-based women entrepreneurs. Women Entrepreneurs hire me to scale and grow their businesses profitably without burnout. I bring financial clarity, strategic focus and structure to the decision-making process.  My clients, on average, see anywhere between $1k-$4k increase in net income each month without hustle, overwhelm, and burnout. Learn More about my Programs. Get your copy of Make Waves: How Women Entrepreneurs Stop Reacting. Start Profiting and Build a Business That Lasts.  Find My Profit Leak FREE Masterclass: Your business can be making money… and still be leaking profit. I’ll help you uncover the daily habits and patterns quietly draining your profit and identify what to change first. Save My Free Seat Connect with me: Website: Facebook: Instagram: LinkedIn: YouTube: