Workshop recap: Building your personal brand on LinkedIn – “People connect with people”
How do you find that one valuable contact that’s usually just two steps away? And how do you use LinkedIn effectively – not by posting for the sake of posting, but by being visible in the right way, building trust, and opening doors?
These were some of the key questions explored during the LinkedIn workshop co-organized by Briskr and HAN Master Molecular Life Sciences. The session, led by Bas van Lieshout, founder of Skillable, offered participants a fresh, practical perspective on what it takes to make LinkedIn work for you – whether you’re an entrepreneur, student, or professional.
A platform that has changed
According to Bas, networking today is completely different from a few years ago. “LinkedIn is no longer a social media channel, it’s a social network platform,” he explained. The way we connect, share, and engage has evolved. While company pages still play a role, personal profiles are what truly drive reach and trust. “Elon Musk has more followers than Tesla. That says it all — people buy from people, not from logos.”
The numbers support it: personal profiles generate eight times more engagement than company pages. That’s why building your personal brand is no longer optional — it’s essential. “Build a personal brand before you build a business brand,” Bas emphasized.
From theory to hands-on practice
The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, from seasoned entrepreneurs, professionals to ambitious students, all eager to strengthen their online presence. Bas guided them step-by-step through the profile fundamentals: what your profile should communicate, how to position yourself clearly, and what to avoid.
“Your profile is your landing page,” Bas said. “It’s your personal website. Avoid missing links, unclear positioning, and a CV-style layout. Make it easy for others to understand who you are and what you stand for.”
Participants didn’t just listen, they worked in small groups, analyzing each other’s profiles and discussing what worked well and what could be improved. The result? Direct, actionable insights and new connections. Even during the coffee break, the networking continued, both offline and on LinkedIn.
Visibility with purpose
Another key takeaway was about content. Instead of overthinking what to post, focus on being relevant. Share experiences, insights, and results that align with your expertise. As Bas put it: “It’s not about posting more, it’s about being visible in the right way.”
By combining your personal network (built on trust, but limited in scale) with your LinkedIn network (relevant and scalable), you can create a powerful mix that supports both personal and business growth. The energy in the room reflected this perfectly, a blend of learning, connecting, and taking action.
