Skip Wilson's journey in advertising began at age 16 as a copywriter. Over the years, he founded his own web design business before his career took a pivotal turn at iHeartMedia, where he served as Vice President of Digital Media for over a decade.

He then created DRAFT Media Partners, an advertising execution company serving over a hundred clients.

A bestselling author and host of "The Advertising Podcast," Skip's company has won two consecutive "Best Marketing Software Developer" awards.

Connect with Skip here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skipwilson/

https://www.facebook.com/draftadvertisingtechnology

https://www.instagram.com/draftadvertising/

https://draftmediapartners.com/

Stop Chasing Fake Engagement. Build Real Conversations.

In this episode, I unpack one of the most important updates LinkedIn has shared about authentic engagement and trust on the platform.

LinkedIn has clearly reiterated that engagement pods, coordinated commenting, and other forms of artificial interaction violate platform policy and ultimately damage the professional ecosystem.

Here is what that means for creators, consultants, and business leaders using LinkedIn for real growth.

Real connection matters more than inflated metrics:

- Tactics designed to manufacture likes or comments might look good at first glance, but they weaken credibility and long-term visibility.

- Authentic engagement is what leads to meaningful conversations, referrals, and revenue.

LinkedIn is actively rewarding genuine behavior:

- The platform continues to invest in systems that detect inauthentic activity and elevate real discussions.

- Content that sparks thoughtful replies and follow-on conversations is what earns reach now.

Your audience expects substance, not shortcuts:

- If your content resonates, people will engage naturally.

- That engagement carries more weight and builds trust with both your network and the algorithm.

The takeaway from the training is simple.

Create value. Invite conversation. Respond intentionally. Build relationships instead of chasing vanity metrics.

That is how authority, visibility, and opportunity are built on LinkedIn in 2026 and beyond.

Get started the right way on LinkedIn by downloading our FREE Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile Guide here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsoptimizeyourprofile

The Ally Method™ makes EBITDA the symptom of strong customer systems.

Marcus helps PE firms, portfolio operators, and growth leaders stop pipeline theatre, root out revenue leaks, and build growth that compounds.

His tools show where renewals are slipping, where expansion is waiting, and how to turn loyalty into advocacy.

Backed by behavioural science and real-world sprint-based practice, Marcus helps teams prove impact quickly, reduce churn, and scale renewal-driven revenue with repeatability.

Connect with Marcus here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuscauchi/

Commenting is up 24% quarter over quarter on LinkedIn.

That number matters more than most people realize.

It tells us three very clear things about what’s actually working right now.

First:

- People are hungry for thoughtful, meaningful conversations.

- Quick takes and surface-level posts get seen.

- But content that makes people think is what gets talked about.

Second:

- Who you connect with matters more than how many people you connect with.

- When your network is aligned with your ICP or true business allies, engagement becomes natural instead of forced.

Third:

- Thought leadership and educational content win when it’s created for a specific audience.

- Generic content gets scrolled past.

- Content that speaks directly to your ICP invites comments, discussion, and real relationships.

Here’s the takeaway most people miss:

Visibility isn’t the goal anymore.

Conversation is.

If you want more reach, more trust, and more inbound opportunities, stop chasing volume and start building dialogue with the right people.

That’s what this episode breaks down step by step.

Don't forget to register for our LinkedIn workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

Miriam Schulman is the #1 Artist Business Coach, author of "Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity"( HarperCollins 2023), and host of The Inspiration Place podcast.

After leaving her career on Wall Street to become a full-time artist, she built a thriving business and now helps thousands of artists and creative entrepreneurs around the world do the same. Through her signature coaching program, the Artist Incubator, Miriam teaches artists how to price, market, and sell their work with confidence—without relying on social media fame.

Her work has been featured in publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, and Igniting Creativity. Today, she’s recognized as the leading voice helping artists turn their passion into a profitable business while staying true to their creative vision.

Connect with Miriam here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/schulmanart/

https://www.facebook.com/schulmanart

https://www.instagram.com/schulmanart/

schulmanart.com

Don't forget to register for our LinkedIn Workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

Most coaches don’t have a content problem.

They have a conversion problem.

They’re showing up.

They’re posting.

They’re “doing the work.”And yet… revenue isn’t scaling.

Here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes 👇

Gap #1: You’re winging the buyer journey

- Great content without a clear path leads to confusion, not clients.- If people don’t know what comes after awareness, they stall.

The fix:

- Create a simple, intentional buyer journey that guides someone from“I like this” → “I trust this” → “I’m ready to buy.”

Gap #2: You’re stuck in creation mode

- When all your energy goes into posting, there’s no time left to sell.

- And sales don’t happen by accident.

The fix:

- Block time for follow-up and conversations

- Use reminders instead of relying on memory

- Repurpose content instead of constantly reinventing it

Gap #3: Your offer isn’t sales-ready

- Even amazing offers fail when the messaging assumes too much.

The fix:

- Audit your sales page, bio, and recent posts like you’re brand new.

- If someone knows nothing about you, is the next step obvious?

Visibility without conversion leads to burnout.

Clarity creates momentum.

Systems create scale.

If your sales feel stuck even though you’re consistent, this is where to look first.

Don't forget to sign up for our Amateur to Expert 5-Day LinkedIn Workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

Sreedhar Kaluva, founder of MyWorkbelt, is an experienced software engineer with a 30-year history of helping small businesses get ahead of the game.

He started with his own family's small business in India, and quickly transformed it into the city’s second-largest fertilizer company. Next, he ventured into the world of IT, working as a software developer, programmer, and consultant.

Despite his corporate success, working for major tech corporations in the US, Mexico, and Singapore, Sree’s true passion lies in supporting small businesses that lack the resources or knowledge of how to implement large-scale software to streamline their operations.

This led him to found Unique Solutions, a custom software company launched during the pandemic to help small businesses stay afloat.

After gaining insight into the biggest concerns small business owners had, he decided to develop MyWorkbelt, a fully custom back-end software solution created to specifically address these needs.

Find out more about Sree and MyWorkBelt here:

https://myworkbelt.com/

Don't forget to sign up for our 5-Day, Amateur to Expert on LinkedIn Workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

Most people think an “optimized” LinkedIn profile means:

• A good headline

• A solid About section

• A decent profile photo

Those things matter.

But they are not what actually moves people to trust you or take action.

In this training, I break down the three most overlooked pieces of an optimized LinkedIn profile that quietly do the heavy lifting for you.

1. Your background banner

- This is prime real estate.

- It should instantly tell someone:

- Who you help, what problem you solve, and why they should keep reading.

If your banner is generic, decorative, or empty, you’re leaving authority on the table.

2. Your featured content section

This is not a place for random links.

- It should function like a conversion hub:

- A resource, guide, newsletter, or next step that helps someone move from interest to action without a sales pitch.

This section works for you 24/7 when it’s intentional.

3. LinkedIn recommendations

Social proof is not optional.

- Recommendations tell your story from someone else’s mouth.

- They remove doubt, build credibility, and validate your expertise in a way no About section ever could.

When these three pieces are aligned, your profile stops being a resume and starts working like a business asset.

If your profile gets views but not conversations, these are usually the missing pieces.

Don't forget to register for our Amateur to Expert 5 Day Workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop