You’ve heard it all before—everyone’s making money on LinkedIn, turning posts into paychecks, building empires one viral update at a time. But that miracle money? Still nowhere near your bank account.
Girl, I get it. You’ve probably edited your bio for the hundredth time, trying to cram every single part of who you are into that 250-character headline. You swore it was perfect last time you checked, but something’s still not clicking.
I know this struggle deeply. A few years ago, my bank account was empty, rent money was a question mark, ended up homeless TWICE and living out of our car. All the while still praying and hoping that the algorithm god’s would bless me like they had done for others.
I had no degree, no traditional proof of work—nothing but pure ambition and a LinkedIn profile that honestly read like a career identity crisis.
My mistake?
I thought being everything I was meant casting a wide net. So I had every hyphen, every service, award and every single title that I could possibly come up in a search for.
Turns out, a wide net without a throughline just confuses the algorithm and your audience.
We juggle roles, blend disciplines, and build careers with edges sharp enough to cut through any box we’re told to fit in. Traditional bios? A nightmare. Not because we’re chaotic—but because most formats weren’t built to hold this much range.
So how do you fix it?
Today I am going through every mistake I have made and how you can fix it without having to suffer through all the years of poverty like I did.
Mistake 1: A long list of roles.
My bio used to say Growth Marketing & Business Strategist | Award Winning Producer| Award Winning Founder |Creator | Author | Speaker etc
I used to rotate between which of my many hyphens to include and lets be real. I was mainly writing this list based on ego and how much I needed the world to know how super talented I am.
And I feel you You feel pressured to pick just one title. Conventional career advice rewards specialization. You’re often told to simplify to avoid confusion—but that can make you feel erased.
And Platforms like LinkedIn weren’t built for portfolio careers. With room for only one headline and a few positions, your multidimensional path can look scattered, not strategic.
What Works Instead
1. Find your throughline.
Instead of listing every role, ask: What ties all of this together?
Try writing down each of your skills, roles, and current projects. Group them. Then complete this sentence:
“At the core, everything I do is about ___.”
That becomes your anchor. It’s the reason all your titles exist under the same roof—and how people will remember you.
For me, my throughline was women. I deeply wanted to help women become more visible and make more money. Whether I was producing their videos, creating a strategy, or bringing my computer science experience to the front lines to create custom GPTs, it was all centered on this one core truth, so here is my bio now.
Without listing every single hyphen. My bio, picture and headline let you know exactly who I help and how.
And that's the secret sauce: You don’t need to shrink; you simply need to center your experience in your purpose and why.
Now your coaching, strategy, and writing roles aren’t a distraction. They’re evidence.
Mistake 2: Writing for the algorithm instead of the audience
Back then, I was obsessed with trying to beat the LinkedIn algorithm. I’d stuff keywords everywhere—thinking if I just sounded “professional enough,” I’d get discovered.
Words like “results-oriented,” “data-driven,”
Basically? Buzzword salad.
But here’s what I missed:
The people I wanted to work with weren’t searching for jargon.
They were searching for someone who got it.
Someone who understood what it feels like to juggle five things and still not be seen.
Someone who could make their voice stretch as far as their ambition.
What changed?
I stopped writing bios and posts to sound smart.
I started writing to connect.
Now, I ask:
Would a real person say this out loud?
Does this sound like something I’d tell a friend who’s tired, brilliant, and ready to get paid?
What works instead:
Drop the jargon, it's really not that deep.
Keep the personality. Let your audience know why YOU in a sea of other qualified candidates.
Use language that mirrors how your audience talks, thinks, and searches. Because real people share what they feel—not what sounds fancy.
Example:
Mistake 3: Trying to prove I deserved the room
Whew. This one’s tender.
For years, my intros came with a disclaimer.
I’d start listing my awards, my clients, my publications—not because I wanted to brag, but because I felt I had to prove I belonged.
Because deep down, I was afraid someone would ask:
“Who let her in?”
Especially as a Black, plus-size woman with no degree and a patchwork career.
I thought over-explaining my credentials would make me seem credible.
But here’s what I learned:
The people who need all your receipts to take you seriously?
They’re not your people.
What works instead:
Lead with purpose, not proof.
Don’t introduce yourself as a list of “acceptable” achievements. Introduce the why behind your work.
Remember: People are drawn to confidence, clarity, and conviction—not just credentials. The credentials need to support the purpose not the other way round.
Example:
Mistake 4: Building a brand I didn’t even like
There was a season I built a version of me that looked successful—but didn’t feel like me.
Polished. Strategic. Professional.
But also, boring. Muted. Safe.
I thought that’s what success had to look like.
Until I realized: I was attracting clients who wanted that version of me.
Not the one who cracked jokes, danced mid-meeting, or wore bright orange because it made me feel powerful.
What works instead:
Build a brand that matches your energy, not just your skill set.
Let your personality lead.
If your clients wouldn't vibe with your real self, they’re not long-term fits.
Now? I wear color. I speak how I write.
And I only work with people who like me for real.
Example:
So whats the TL’DR:
Use a central anchor.
Your story can center around:
a mission or purpose (“I help ___ do ___”)
a capability (“I connect people to ideas they can act on”)
a method or framework
a personal value (“equity,” “efficiency,” “beauty”)
When everything flows from that one anchor, your intro becomes magnetic—not messy.
Skip the job titles. Use your LinkedIn headline (or website bio header) to name what you do, not just what you are.
Break your summary into roles—with context.
Use headings or bullets to name each major role and how they relate.
Example:
Tech Lead: I build tools that help nonprofits scale outreach.
Freelance Coach: I support mid-career professionals navigating career pivots.
Then connect the dots: Both are about creating systems that empower people. (For Extra points name which people)
Use visuals or links.
People skim. Add a visual timeline, short video intro, or case study links to bring your multidimensional work to life.
5, Lead With Outcomes. Your Audience wants to know what their life looks like after working you.
For me, once we work together, you’ll be more visible, earn your time back and be making more money without having to shrink yourself.
Oh wait, Hold on, I have to go edit my bio real quick.
Need eyes on your throughline? Drop your LinkedIn bio below — let’s tweak it together
Next Week’s Topic: How to Build A Network that Builds Your Net Worth
Upcoming topics:
Growing an audience without going viral
Turning "nothing to show" into your strongest proof. A masterclass on portfolio building.
Request A Topic Below and I will be sure to cover it.
Behind-the-Scenes of My Socials
Each week, I’ll share real numbers — what’s working, what’s not.
I’m building from 0 and documenting every inch of the climb.
Here's Where We're At This Week:
Goal: 10K
Current: 6,846
My slowest growth to date (I typically gain about a 100 followers a week)
But I was just not able to be present as much as I typically can. We are working on an exciting new project which I will be telling you all about next week on Monday!
Newsletter
Goal: 10K
Current: 152
We haven’t moved the needle at all. If you like these, please do share with a friend! We are also building some lead magnets that we hope can help us grow!
YouTube
I am ashamed to say, all the videos remain as scripts but we are working on it, I promise.
What’s In Our Toolbox
Notion is still the best. Helping us stay organised between our internal projects, client work and everything else in between. If you're in the trenches building your dream and just need someone (or something) to believe in you for three months, this is it: Notion is offering a 3-month free trial for startups and small businesses. We are building some templates for you to get started as well, so hit reply if you have questions or need any help.
Jobs You Might Have Missed
We haven't forgotten you, promise. Here are a few jobs from the community.
Kalyana is Hiring: The GOAT of Partnerships & Sponsorships. Location and qualifications don’t matter as much as experience.
Nobuhle is looking for a Volunteer Community Manager. Send CV & Cover letter to oversharingyoungwomen@gmail.com
British Council is seeking an experienced delivery partner for the second iteration of Art Exchange: hashtag#MovingImage running from 2025–2027 across 10 African countries. Full Post HERE.
For more job reposts, gigs, funding, and more → LinkedIn is where it’s at.
Whatever you’re looking for, we’ll keep sharing, follow and stay plugged in.
As always. You’re not too late. You’re just getting started. And a good bio starts with Why.
Until Next Week.
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