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
Dec 14, 2024 • 1h 5min
455. Interesting People - Louise Brogan
Louise Brogan, a LinkedIn trainer and YouTuber from Northern Ireland, shares her inspiring journey from childhood amidst the Troubles to becoming a successful entrepreneur. She discusses her unique path into social media and the significance of specializing in LinkedIn training. Hear about her experiences overcoming personal loss, her advocacy for small businesses, and the challenges of being a female entrepreneur over 50. Plus, she offers insight on turning criticism into opportunity and her memorable encounter with the King!
17 snips
Nov 30, 2024 • 54min
454. Video Killed the LinkedIn Star
Explore how LinkedIn's recent changes are affecting user engagement, including the impact of video content and the challenges of crafting effective posts. Discover the fallout from audio events being scrapped and the implications of new profile features. Delve into the dark consequences of social media evolution post-Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter and the search for alternatives like Blue Sky. Plus, hear about the shift in video engagement metrics and its impact on relationship-building on the platform.
Nov 16, 2024 • 1h 6min
453. How not to prune your connections!
Has your network grown out of control?Do you think it might be time to disconnect from a few?Does it make sense to do it and will it help you?What is the best way to go about it?In this episode I try to answer all those questions plus:Not all subscribers are the same Positivity and LinkedIn™️ The Recruitment Network support automation LinkedIn shares tips for posting short videos LinkedIn's new 'Build your voice' hub Post of the week I also briefly talk about this brilliant post from Richard van der BlomMentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Nov 9, 2024 • 1h 5min
452. The LinkedIn™️ TOFU Myth!
This may be an unpopular opinion: using LinkedIn™️ as a 'funnel' to push followers/connections onto your site is not a great strategy!Also covered in this episode:New 'Open to volunteering' 55 million users are now verified LinkedIn launches “Know-How That Sticks” campaignLazy iOS mobile version historiesThe dangers of outsourcing messaging from your account Post of the weekMentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Nov 2, 2024 • 43min
451. Disappearing Connections!
This week, I discussed the mystery surrounding the disappearing connections and revealed that this is not the first time it has happened! Also, in this episode:Latest statistics from LinkedIn™️ Update on ServicesThe new AI hiring assistantPost of the weekMentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Oct 19, 2024 • 44min
450. How To Fix The Services Marketplace!
LinkedIn™️ say that 10 million users have a services page, a 48% increase year on year. But the vast majority of those profiles aren't really freelancers or even service providers!In addition, LinkedIn™️ are stating that there has been a 65% increase in service enquiries. My experience tallies with this but the enquiries are almost mostly inappropriate & irrelevant!Services has so much potential but it's LinkedIn™️'s worst feature...poorly designed and implemented.This is what I think they could do to improve it.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Oct 12, 2024 • 1h 8min
449. Genuine Connections, Lasting Impact
You can be great at posting content that engages an audience, you can have a highly impressive profile and you can be amazing at searching for the right contacts … you can be a LinkedIn™️ superuser!But none of that matters if you are not primarily focused on building strong, sustainable relationships with the right people.More of that later, the other topics covered in this episode are:Have LinkedIn™️ really stopped training their AI with our content?A few new features and a couple of retirements!Is LinkedIn one of the worst social media platforms for your privacy?LinkedIn™️ want you to show personality without being 'personal' An update to Dwell time Post of the weekMentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Sep 23, 2024 • 1h 1min
448. The new video feed criteria
Discover the essentials for crafting impactful videos on LinkedIn, including why they should be under 60 seconds and the importance of captivating headlines. Learn about the latest features, like sharing quotes from articles, and the sneaky privacy updates that slipped in without much warning. The discussion also tackles ongoing job scams and the challenges of LinkedIn's profile verification system. Plus, catch a highlight of the post of the week that showcases effective content.
6 snips
Sep 7, 2024 • 50min
447. Overthinking Content
Many struggle to post on LinkedIn due to overthinking, often causing delays. Discover tips to simplify content creation and overcome self-doubt. A humorous take on assessing LinkedIn profiles adds a light-hearted touch. The conversation also dives into authenticity, with a surprising suggestion that cold showers can help break creative blocks. Heartfelt stories, including one about dementia, remind us of the human side of content sharing.
Aug 31, 2024 • 1h 4min
446. Why do you post?
What drives you to post on LinkedIn? The discussion challenges listeners to reflect on their goals and objectives. The podcast dives into innovative AI tools for crafting posts and reveals the privacy dilemmas in direct messaging. It further tackles the decline of organic reach due to algorithm changes and stresses the value of meaningful engagement over chasing virality. Understanding your audience is key for creating impactful content, along with strategic contrasts in business development methods. It's a thought-provoking exploration of social media engagement!
