Confidence Classic: SKYROCKET Your Success by Using THESE TOOLS At Your Fingertips with Melanie Borden
In this episode of the Creating Confidence podcast, host Heather Monahan and guest Melanie Borden offer practical strategies for enhancing your online presence and leveraging LinkedIn for professional success.
Borden shares tips for maximizing engagement through video content, optimized posting times, and AI-powered tools. She and Monahan discuss building an authentic personal brand, reintroducing yourself online, and navigating career transitions by networking on LinkedIn. They emphasize the platform's role in diversifying income streams, weathering job uncertainty, and fostering connections with peers.
Borden illustrates how she uses AI-powered tools to streamline content creation and leverages her family's involvement. While productivity routines and scheduling are not directly discussed, the episode highlights practical approaches for standing out through your online presence.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 26, 2025 episode of the Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
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1-Page Summary
Linkedin Content Strategies
Leveraging Video Content
Melanie Borden advocates leveraging video content to boost LinkedIn visibility and engagement. She suggests analyzing top video topics, then creating videos on those topics to gain traction. Repurposing recorded calls and meetings is also recommended as an untapped resource for video content.
Aligning Post Times With Algorithm Updates
Borden notes that LinkedIn's algorithm is always evolving, recommending testing posting times and frequency to find what maximizes content impact. She found success shifting from morning to afternoon postings.
Incorporating AI-generated Content
Borden uses an AI-powered program like Opus Clip for efficient video editing. She also leverages AI for writing blogs and newsletters, customizing the tone to maintain brand consistency.
Personal Branding and Online Presence
Reintroducing Yourself and Professional Offerings
Heather Monahan advises drawing inspiration from others for reintroduction posts, sharing value offerings like books/podcasts. Melanie Borden underscores clearly stating work availability and collaboration opportunities.
Embracing Authenticity and Vulnerability
Monahan discusses the value of sharing personal journeys and challenges authentically, fostering audience trust. Borden distinguishes sharing authentic stories vs private matters.
Monitoring and Responding To Online Feedback
Monahan provides general strategies for dealing with negativity, like using humor or not responding. Managing user-generated feedback is implied as impactful for personal branding.
Career Transitions and Professional Networking
Leveraging LinkedIn For New Opportunities
Monahan used LinkedIn to transition into speaking after being fired, uncovering new revenue streams. Borden suggests using content to expand networks and explore new careers.
Building a Professional "Rainy Day Fund"
Borden describes nurturing one's LinkedIn network as a professional safety net for job loss or crises. Monahan reinforces its value during employment uncertainty.
Networking With Industry Peers
While not specifically discussed, networking on LinkedIn typically involves engaging successful peers for insights and potential mentorship.
Productivity and Leveraging Technology
Automating Content Creation With AI
Borden exemplifies using AI tools like for newsletters and blogs, ensuring consistent voice while increasing efficiency.
Involving Family in Content Creation
Borden involves her young daughters, leveraging AI video editing tools like Opus Clip to streamline video content production.
Consistent Content Routine
While not explicitly stated, establishing a consistent content sharing cadence is crucial for building momentum and visibility on LinkedIn.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While leveraging video content can boost engagement, it may not be suitable for all audiences or industries, and some professionals may find more success with written or image-based content.
- Aligning post times with algorithm updates is a moving target, and what works for one person or at one time may not work for another, as user behavior and platform changes can vary widely.
- AI-generated content can save time, but it may lack the nuanced understanding and creativity that human content creators bring, potentially leading to less engaging or original content.
- Reintroducing oneself and sharing professional offerings can be effective, but over-promotion or too frequent self-focused content might alienate some followers.
- Authenticity and vulnerability can foster trust, but there is a fine line between being relatable and oversharing, which can sometimes lead to unprofessionalism or discomfort among the audience.
- Responding to online feedback is important, but not all feedback warrants a response, and some negative comments may be better handled privately or ignored to avoid escalation.
- Using LinkedIn for career transitions can be powerful, but it is not a guaranteed strategy for everyone, and some may find networking and opportunity discovery challenging or less fruitful.
- A LinkedIn network as a professional safety net is valuable, but it should not be the sole strategy for job security, as personal connections and diverse job search methods are also important.
- Networking with industry peers is beneficial, but it should be approached with a give-and-take mentality, and not all successful peers may be willing or able to provide mentorship.
- Automating content creation with AI can increase efficiency, but over-reliance on automation can lead to a lack of personal touch and engagement with one's audience.
- Involving family in content creation can humanize a brand, but it may not be appropriate for all professional contexts and could raise privacy concerns.
- A consistent content routine is important, but flexibility to adapt to audience feedback and changing circumstances is also necessary to maintain relevance and engagement.
Actionables
- You can create a personal content calendar to schedule your LinkedIn posts, ensuring you share at optimal times for engagement. Start by identifying the days and times you've noticed more interaction on your posts, or experiment with different times and track the results. Use a simple spreadsheet or a free scheduling tool like Buffer to plan your posts for these times, which could help increase your visibility on the platform.
- Experiment with different video formats on LinkedIn to find what resonates with your audience. Instead of just repurposing meetings or calls, try creating short, topic-focused tutorials or Q&A sessions that address common questions in your industry. Use your smartphone and a basic video editing app like InShot to produce these videos, and track which types garner the most engagement to refine your video content strategy.
- Engage with your LinkedIn network by starting a virtual book or podcast club focused on professional development. Invite connections to join a monthly discussion on a book or podcast episode that's relevant to your industry. This can be a way to deepen relationships, showcase your commitment to learning, and potentially attract mentorship opportunities. Use LinkedIn Polls to choose the material and a video conferencing tool like Zoom for the discussions.
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Linkedin Content Strategies
Professional marketers like Melanie Borden are exploring various strategies to enhance engagement and visibility on LinkedIn. They advocate for leveraging video content, aligning posting times with algorithm updates, and incorporating AI-generated content to boost productivity.
Leveraging Video Content to Improve Engagement and Performance
Boost LinkedIn Visibility By Analyzing Top Video Topics and Repurposing Content
Melanie reveals that video content is achieving high engagement on LinkedIn, emphasizing that a small percentage of LinkedIn users are actively posting, which offers an advantage for growing one's presence on the platform. She points out the effectiveness of analyzing which topics perform best and then creating videos on those topics. For instance, she talks about the subject of dealing with trolls, which has been successful for her in both video and static posts.
Furthermore, the concept of recording calls and meetings is presented as an untapped resource that can be used to craft engaging content for LinkedIn. Though there is no direct mention of using data analysis of top video topics to repurpose content for LinkedIn visibility, this strategy is inferred.
Aligning Post Times With Algorithm Updates
Experiment With Posting Times and Frequency to Maximize LinkedIn Content Impact
Melanie notes that LinkedIn's algorithm is always evolving, recommending that while one should consider the platform's trends, it's also essential to find what works best personally. She speaks from her experience of initially posting at 7:45 AM and then finding success by switching to posting after 3 PM. This change has not only benefitted her but also her clients, who have seen better performance from afternoon postings.
Incorporating AI-ge ...
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Linkedin Content Strategies
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Counterarguments
- While video content may enhance engagement, it's important to consider that not all audiences prefer video, and some topics may be better suited to text or image-based content.
- Analyzing top video topics doesn't guarantee success, as the market can become saturated quickly, and what works for one individual or brand may not work for another.
- Recording calls and meetings for content must be done with consent and may raise privacy concerns, which could potentially damage trust if not handled correctly.
- Experimenting with posting times is a sound strategy, but it's important to note that optimal times can vary widely depending on the target audience and their online habits.
- The assertion that posting after 3 PM shows better performance is anecdotal and may not apply universally; individual results can vary based on numerous factors, including industry and content type.
- AI technology can indeed st ...
Actionables
- You can create a LinkedIn video series that highlights your weekly professional insights or industry news, ensuring you have a steady stream of content to share. Start by identifying key trends or news in your industry that your network might find valuable. Then, set a day each week to share a short video discussing these insights, which will help establish your presence and provide consistent value to your audience.
- Collaborate with a peer to host a LinkedIn 'challenge' where you both share a video responding to a weekly prompt related to your industry, and encourage your network to participate. This could be a new way to engage with your audience by not only sharing content but also by starting conversations and building a community around a shared topic of interest. The challenge could involve prompts like "Innovations of the Week" or "Monday Motivation Tips," and you can use hashtags to track participation.
- Develop a personal branding mini-campaign using LinkedIn Stories ...
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Personal Branding and Online Presence
Heather Monahan and Melanie Borden discuss strategies for using LinkedIn to boost personal branding and online presence, emphasizing authenticity, vulnerability, and engagement.
Reintroducing Yourself and Your Professional Offerings On Linkedin
Refresh Your LinkedIn Intro to Attract New Connections and Opportunities
Monahan talks about drawing inspiration from others for reintroduction posts on LinkedIn, notably praising Melanie Borton’s ability to frequently reintroduce herself to her audience. Monahan advises being original, but also seeing the value in reimagining others' ideas through your own experiences. She stresses the importance of sharing value offerings, such as new books or podcasts, to address others' problems and aid their success.
Melanie Borden underlines the significance of being specific about one's professional offerings on LinkedIn. She highlights the necessity of clearly stating your availability for work, explaining how you work, and how others can collaborate with you. Borden believes clear communication about one’s offerings can lead to more traction in a LinkedIn presence.
Monahan suggests having an up-to-date LinkedIn profile with regular changes, such as updating your profile picture annually, to appear active and engaged. She hints that if you're looking to make a change, reintroducing yourself on LinkedIn can help attract new connections and opportunities.
Embracing Authenticity and Vulnerability in Your Content
Share Your Journey, Challenges, and Lessons to Build Audience Trust
Monahan discusses the initial awkwardness of promoting personal offerings on LinkedIn. She emphasizes the positive feedback and value appreciation she received, which underscores the value added to her audience. Borden encourages sharing personal content—not deeply personal—but one’s perspective on their journey.
She distinguishes the line between personal and private, mentioning that authenticity in sharing authentic stories can foster audience trust, but private matters may not be suitable for a public platform like LinkedIn.
Monitoring and Responding To Online Feedback ...
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Personal Branding and Online Presence
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Refreshing a LinkedIn intro may not always attract new connections if the underlying content or professional offerings are not compelling or relevant to the target audience.
- Being specific about professional offerings is important, but over-specification can sometimes pigeonhole a professional, potentially limiting diverse opportunities.
- Regular updates to a LinkedIn profile are generally good practice, but too frequent changes might confuse connections or imply instability.
- Sharing personal journey and challenges can build trust, but it can also lead to oversharing, which might not always be perceived as professional on a business networking platform.
- The line between personal and private content is subjective, and what builds trust for one audience might be considered unprofessional by another.
- Monitoring and responding to online feedback is crucial, but there can be a risk of over-engagement, where too much focus ...
Actionables
- Create a 'LinkedIn Progress Thread' where you post monthly updates about your professional growth, new skills learned, or projects completed, which showcases your journey and invites your network to engage with your progress.
- By sharing consistent updates, you create a narrative of your professional development that others can follow. For example, if you've taken a course on digital marketing, share a certificate and a brief insight into how it's impacting your work. This not only demonstrates your commitment to growth but also keeps your profile dynamic and engaging.
- Set up a virtual coffee chat series with professionals in your field to discuss industry trends and share insights on LinkedIn.
- Hosting informal discussions with peers or mentors and summarizing the key takeaways in a LinkedIn post can provide value to your network and position you as a thought leader. For instance, after a chat about the future of remote work, share a LinkedIn post outlining the predictions and ask your connections for their opinions, fostering meaningful conversations.
- Implement a ' ...
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Career Transitions and Professional Networking
In a discussion about the role of LinkedIn in professional development, Heather Monahan and Melanie Borden share insights on leveraging the platform for career transition, networking, and security.
Leveraging LinkedIn to Explore New Industries and Revenue
Expand Your Network For Unexpected Career and Partnership Opportunities
Heather Monahan shares that after being fired from her job in the media business, she used LinkedIn to enter the speaking business, uncovering new revenue streams and business opportunities. She highlights the importance of LinkedIn in exposing people to different industries and suggests that this exposure can help individuals realize they can apply their unique skills to new areas, potentially earning more money. Monahan mentions how LinkedIn is crucial for finding various revenue streams, business partnerships, and utilizing the platform's one-to-many conversation feature to expand one's network. This can lead to career advancement and new partnerships, as well as a means to create a name for oneself beyond local or industry-specific networks.
Melanie Borden suggests using content on LinkedIn to help in expanding networks and exploring new career opportunities. She uses a LinkedIn newsletter to drive traffic to her website, demonstrating a method for expanding her professional network and creating opportunities.
Maintaining a Professional "Rainy Day Fund" on LinkedIn
Building and Nurturing Your LinkedIn Network Serves As a Professional Safety Net During Uncertain Times
Borden describes LinkedIn as a professional rainy day fund. She emphasizes its importance for job security and networking and advises people to nurture their LinkedIn network as it can be relied upon in times of job loss or personal tragedy. Borden stresses that one's personal brand and network follow them, no matter where they ...
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Career Transitions and Professional Networking
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- LinkedIn may not be equally effective for all industries or professions, as some fields may rely more on traditional networking or other platforms.
- The success of using LinkedIn for career transitions can be influenced by an individual's existing network, personal brand, and ability to market themselves effectively.
- While LinkedIn can provide exposure to new opportunities, it may also require a significant time investment to create content, engage with others, and build a network, which may not be feasible for everyone.
- Relying on LinkedIn as a "rainy day fund" assumes that one's network will be willing and able to provide support during times of need, which may not always be the case.
- The effectiveness of LinkedIn for job security can vary depending on how actively one's network engages with their content and the strength of those connections.
- Networking with successful individuals on LinkedIn does not guarantee mentorship or collaboration opportunities, as these relationships often requir ...
Actionables
- You can diversify your professional identity by creating a personal brand portfolio on LinkedIn. Start by identifying your core skills and interests, then create separate LinkedIn articles or posts for each, showcasing how they apply to different industries or roles. For example, if you're skilled in project management, write one piece on its application in tech, another in marketing, and a third in event planning, demonstrating your versatility.
- Develop a habit of engaging with industry leaders' content to foster meaningful connections. Set aside 10 minutes daily to comment with thoughtful insights on posts made by influencers in your field. This practice not only increases your visibility but also opens doors to potential mentorship and collaboration, as consistent engagement can lead to direct messages and offline conversations.
- Launch a virtual roundtable ...
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Productivity and Leveraging Technology
In discussions about productivity, leveraging advanced technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and involving family in the content creation process are emerging as powerful strategies for creating a consistent and efficient content production workflow.
Automating Content Creation and Repurposing Using AI Tools
Experts in the field like Melanie, with a significant background in marketing strategies, are dialing in with AI to streamline content creation. Borden exemplifies this approach by using AI to craft her weekly newsletter and blog posts, which helps maintain a consistent voice and brand presence on platforms like LinkedIn. Leveraging AI not only speeds up the process but also ensures a high quality of the output.
Involving Family Members in the Content Creation Process
Melanie brings a personal touch to the productivity conversation by involving her young daughters in the content creation process using AI tools. She shares that her 10-year-old can transform a single recording into 25 different video clips using Opus Clip. This reflects a broader trend towards content democratization, where technology empowers individuals of all ages to contribute meaningfully to content production, thus saving time and fostering creativity.
...
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Counterarguments
- AI-generated content may lack the nuanced understanding and creativity that human writers bring, potentially leading to less engaging or original content.
- Over-reliance on AI for content creation could lead to homogenization of content across different brands and platforms.
- Involving family members, especially children, in content creation raises ethical concerns about child labor and the impact on their well-being and development.
- The democratization of content creation through technology might result in an oversaturation of low-quality content, making it harder for high-quality content to stand out.
- Establishing a consistent routine and content-sharing cadence can be challenging for individuals or small businesses with limited resources or fluctuating sch ...
Actionables
- You can create a "content creation club" with friends or family where you meet weekly to brainstorm and produce content together, using AI to refine and edit your work. This not only makes the process more enjoyable but also allows for a diverse range of ideas and perspectives to be included in your content, which can enhance creativity and appeal to a broader audience.
- Develop a personal content calendar using a simple spreadsheet or a free online tool to plan your posts, ensuring you have a consistent sharing schedule. By setting aside specific days for content themes, such as "Motivation Mondays" or "Family Fridays," you can build a routine that your audience will come to expect and look forward to, which can increase engagement.
- Experiment with differen ...
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