Informed: the podcast for LinkedIn® users
John Espirian
"Informed" is for you if you'd like to understand more about how LinkedIn works so that you can be an effective user of the platform.
It's hard to know whom to believe with so many self-appointed gurus out there telling you the latest hacks for going viral and earning 7-figure deals. And even LinkedIn's own publications often don't speak to the reality of using the platform.
But for those who see past superficial promises and sanitised reports, this podcast provides evidence and thoughtful opinion. With a track record of more than 10 years of sensible, no-nonsense advice about honest best practice for LinkedIn, Informed is a trusted source of insight by many thousands of regular listeners.
The show was created by Mark Williams, who's affectionately known as "Mr LinkedIn". Mark retired in late 2025 and handed over the reins of the show to John Espirian, the relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn nerd. John is a LinkedIn trainer and consultant, the founder of the Espresso+ community, the creator of the UpLift Live conference (the UK's original event dedicated to LinkedIn best practice), and the author of the personal branding handbook Content DNA.
John's reputation is for getting to the point and for not being a salesy douche canoe, so you can expect short, sharp episodes with zero ads or sponsored slots. This also is NOT an interview show, so if you've read this far then please don't pitch yourself for a guest appearance. However, you're welcome to get in touch if you have a LinkedIn question you'd like John to cover on the show. (To do that, search for the "Informed podcast" company page on LinkedIn and send a message.)
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the LinkedIn® corporation. John Espirian is an independent trainer and does not work for LinkedIn® – while it would be great to have LinkedIn's endorsement, the show's independence from the corporation means you, the listener, are never fed an airbrushed political spiel.
It's hard to know whom to believe with so many self-appointed gurus out there telling you the latest hacks for going viral and earning 7-figure deals. And even LinkedIn's own publications often don't speak to the reality of using the platform.
But for those who see past superficial promises and sanitised reports, this podcast provides evidence and thoughtful opinion. With a track record of more than 10 years of sensible, no-nonsense advice about honest best practice for LinkedIn, Informed is a trusted source of insight by many thousands of regular listeners.
The show was created by Mark Williams, who's affectionately known as "Mr LinkedIn". Mark retired in late 2025 and handed over the reins of the show to John Espirian, the relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn nerd. John is a LinkedIn trainer and consultant, the founder of the Espresso+ community, the creator of the UpLift Live conference (the UK's original event dedicated to LinkedIn best practice), and the author of the personal branding handbook Content DNA.
John's reputation is for getting to the point and for not being a salesy douche canoe, so you can expect short, sharp episodes with zero ads or sponsored slots. This also is NOT an interview show, so if you've read this far then please don't pitch yourself for a guest appearance. However, you're welcome to get in touch if you have a LinkedIn question you'd like John to cover on the show. (To do that, search for the "Informed podcast" company page on LinkedIn and send a message.)
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the LinkedIn® corporation. John Espirian is an independent trainer and does not work for LinkedIn® – while it would be great to have LinkedIn's endorsement, the show's independence from the corporation means you, the listener, are never fed an airbrushed political spiel.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 10, 2026 • 14min
474. What is real and what is fake on LinkedIn?
What is real and what is fake on LinkedIn? We're looking at some fake accounts this week.PostbagGillian Whitney voice noteCan anything be done to stop DMs fragmenting when sending LinkedIn recommendations?LinkedIn security fake accountUpdate on fake LinkedIn security accounts via Guy StrijboschWhere did all the Top Voices go?Keep your headline short: check out some tips on the importance of making a quick impact with your profile headline.UpLift Live conference discountOur most recent LaunchPad call went well, and now we're offering a conference discount to Informed listeners.Use INFORMED to get 20% off an in-person ticket to UpLift Live 26. That offer is valid until 11.55pm UK time on Saturday 17 January, and then it's a 10% discount after that.
Jan 3, 2026 • 10min
473. My top 10 LinkedIn questions
Kick off the New Year with insights on LinkedIn! Discover if reposting your own content feels too needy and why John prefers fresh commentary. Uncover the evolving role of hashtags – useful for branding but lacking in discoverability. Dive into John’s top LinkedIn questions, covering topics like personal posts, the value of Premium, and boosting engagement. Get evergreen tips such as optimizing profiles and the importance of commenting to enhance visibility. It's all about making meaningful connections!
Dec 20, 2025 • 15min
472. Year in Review: LinkedIn's version of Wrapped
This week, the discussion kicks off with LinkedIn's Year in Review, likened to Spotify Wrapped. Experts delve into the effectiveness of CTAs in headlines, advocating for concise and clear wording. Critiques of LinkedIn's achievement templates arise, with suggestions to utilize profile sections for verifiable accomplishments. John shares his personal stats and questions the accuracy of yearly metrics. The review is deemed a fun yet limited tool for meaningful insights while emphasizing the importance of backing up data for deeper analysis.
Dec 13, 2025 • 16min
471. Is LinkedIn Premium worth it?
This discussion dives into the importance of accurately selecting your LinkedIn industry for profile visibility. It highlights concerns over fake accounts, revealing LinkedIn's proactive measures to combat them. The central question arises: Is Premium worth the investment? Features like unlimited browsing, InMails, and LinkedIn Learning are explored. The host concludes that while Premium is beneficial for heavy users, many can thrive without splurging on additional features.
Dec 6, 2025 • 12min
470. How many active members are on LinkedIn?
The podcast dives into the impressive estimate of LinkedIn's active users, suggesting around 350 to 450 million accounts are engaged. It also explores the effectiveness of content formats, revealing that text-only posts can achieve 27% more impressions than those with images. There's a discussion on the appropriate use of pronouns on profiles, with a firm warning against using them for marketing. Listeners are invited to participate in upcoming conferences for further learning about LinkedIn best practices.
6 snips
Nov 29, 2025 • 13min
469. Engagement pods
This episode dives into the art of using DMs on LinkedIn to build genuine relationships. Tips include leveraging birthdays and job changes for conversation starters, and using voice or video notes for a personal touch. The discussion also reveals the pitfalls of engagement pods, which aim to artificially boost post visibility but can harm content quality. Lastly, LinkedIn's crackdown on such practices is emphasized, along with advice to report those selling fake engagement services. A must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their LinkedIn presence!
8 snips
Nov 22, 2025 • 15min
468. Engaging posts and time stamps
Explore the nuances of LinkedIn profile verification and whether it's worth your time. Discover the best times to post, debunking strict timing myths with personal insights. Delve into the importance of recommendations for visibility, despite their low readership. Investigate the troubling claims of algorithmic bias against women on the platform. Learn about engaging posts that combine text and images, plus the benefits of adding date and time stamps for context and convenience. All this, plus exciting podcast stats and updates!
10 snips
Nov 15, 2025 • 22min
467. Free personalised invitations reduced again
In this episode, the new host shares insights on managing numerous LinkedIn DMs effectively. He urges listeners to focus on meaningful interactions rather than algorithms. There’s a discussion on the disparity between desktop and mobile features, including the lack of voice-note options. To spark connections, adding icebreakers to profiles is recommended. The host also criticizes the reduction of free personalized invitations for LinkedIn members and provides clever tips to navigate this limitation. Tune in for practical strategies to enhance your LinkedIn experience!
Nov 8, 2025 • 38min
466. A new chapter
This is the new-look Informed podcast, all about LinkedIn best practice, hosted for the first time by John Espirian. There’s a quick backstory of the handover from the show’s creator, Mark Williams, to John, and then on to listener questions in the Postbag.Postbag questionsCan you deactivate a company page without closing your personal profile?Can you talk about visibility being down on LinkedIn?Should we invest time in making newsletters, livestreams and videos on LinkedIn?How are comment impressions gauged and are they a useful metric?Is post boosting a good idea?Generative AI data training: how to turn it off if you don’t want to give your data to LinkedIn for free.Microsoft’s 2026 Q1 results are out, with some nuggets about LinkedIn growth.LinksGrowth stalling post 1Growth stalling post 2LinkedIn membership growth trackerRyan Roslansky on LinkedIn’s resultsBook a consultation with JohnEspresso+ community
Oct 18, 2025 • 1h 3min
465. It's goodbye from me...
In his final farewell, Mark shares his journey from LinkedIn trainer to podcaster, reflecting on the challenges of returning to the platform after a break. He discusses LinkedIn's evolution and the importance of consistent engagement for professional growth. Personal reasons behind his retirement reveal a deeper side of him, as he expresses gratitude to listeners and hints at travel adventures ahead. Mark introduces John Asperian as his successor, encouraging authenticity in the podcast's future while ensuring a legacy of valuable insights remains.
