Here’s another episode of Live & Linking, where I sit down with fascinating people from LinkedIn to discover their stories, what they do, and what makes them stand out. This week I'm joined by Chris James, Founder of C2C, who helps creators, coaches and consultants turn content into clients through simple systems that actually work.

Chris shares his honest journey from working in a call centre to building a successful business, and explains why creating a lifestyle you enjoy should be just as important as growing your revenue. The conversation is packed with practical advice and plenty of straight-talking honesty.

We explore why so many people struggle to post consistently on LinkedIn, how fear of being judged holds people back, and why authenticity will always outperform trying to sound clever or relying entirely on AI. Chris also explains the framework he uses to help clients move from attracting attention to building trust, converting prospects and delivering results through repeatable systems.

One of the biggest talking points is his decision to remove sales calls from his business altogether, replacing them with content that attracts the right people before they ever get in touch.

If you're looking to grow your business through LinkedIn, improve your content, or build a business that gives you more freedom rather than more stress, you'll find plenty to take away from this episode.

Chris shares practical lessons, personal stories and real business experience that make this an enjoyable conversation whether you're just starting out or already creating content every week.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and introductions
02:18 Chris's story
05:50 Productising your expertise
09:30 Building the business
14:10 Why sales calls disappeared
18:00 The content system explained
21:00 AI versus authenticity
23:20 Overcoming fear on LinkedIn
25:20 Confidence through consistency
29:00 Post Roast
34:10 Where to find Chris

Guest contact details

Chris James
Founder, C2C

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07855050169
Website: http://www.chris-james.co/c2c
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjamesonline/

Every Tuesday at 12:30pm I sit down with someone who knows LinkedIn inside out, and this week the guest is someone who's inspired thousands of us, including me.

John Espirian has built a reputation as the "Relentlessly Helpful LinkedIn Nerd" and there's a very good reason why. Everything he teaches comes from testing, measuring and real-world experience, not guesswork. We chat about how LinkedIn has changed, why so many people feel their reach has disappeared, and whether paying for Premium is really worth it. If you've ever wondered why your content isn't performing like it used to, you'll definitely want to hear John's thoughts.

We also dive into John's brilliant book Content DNA and why building a memorable personal brand is about consistency rather than constantly reinventing yourself. We talk about repeating your message until people begin repeating it back to you, staying in your lane, and why trying to go viral is rarely the answer.

John also shares why the people who succeed on LinkedIn are simply the ones who keep showing up, even when engagement feels slow. It's a refreshing reminder that building trust always beats chasing vanity metrics.

Towards the end of the show we even turn the tables and put one of John's own LinkedIn posts through my Roast My Post feature. It's a great discussion around promoting events, using LinkedIn Events properly, direct messaging without becoming spammy, and making your content work harder. Whether you're brand new to LinkedIn or you've been using it for years, this episode is packed with practical advice that you can put into action immediately.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome

01:16 Meet John Espirian

02:42 Is LinkedIn Premium worth it?

06:27 Why LinkedIn reach has dropped

10:08 Video on LinkedIn

13:13 Content DNA and personal branding

19:34 Roast My Post

20:40 Uplift Live Nano

24:13 Using DMs effectively

28:36 The Inform Podcast

30:05 Espresso Plus Community

31:02 Final thoughts

Guest contact details:

John Espirian

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 7779451487

Website: https://espirian.co.uk/learn/1-1-zoom-consultation/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnespirian/

Why Most Businesses Never Sell with Stuart Mason

Here's another episode from my Live & Linking series and this week I'm joined by Stuart Mason.

Stuart helps business owners prepare their companies for sale, but this isn't just a conversation for people looking to exit tomorrow.

It's really about building a better business from day one. Stuart shares the story of building a hugely successful multi-million-pound company before losing it all, and explains how those experiences completely changed the way he now helps business owners.

If you've ever assumed that making a good profit automatically means your business is valuable, this episode might surprise you.

We dig into why so many businesses listed for sale never actually sell, what buyers are really looking for during due diligence, and why owner dependency is often the biggest obstacle.

Stuart explains the importance of systems, recurring revenue, customer diversification and creating a business that can thrive without you at the centre of everything.

We also talk about the difference between value and valuation, why starting with the end in mind makes every business stronger, and how even a one-person business can become attractive to buyers when it's built the right way.

As always, we finish with a LinkedIn content review where I give Stuart some ideas to improve one of his latest posts, turning it into something that's easier to consume and more engaging on the platform. Whether you want to build a business you can eventually sell or simply create one that gives you more freedom, there's plenty of practical advice in this conversation that you can start using straight away.

What you'll learn:

• Why most businesses listed for sale never actually sell

• The biggest mistake business owners make before trying to exit

• How recurring revenue increases business value

• Why systems matter more than people

• The difference between value and valuation

• How to reduce owner dependency

• Tips to make your LinkedIn content more engaging

  
  

Guest contact details

Stuart Mason

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07769991445

Website: www.howcanisellmybusiness.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-c-mason/

Here's another episode taken from my Live & Linking show, and this week I'm joined by Sarah Farmer, Founding Director of Bright & Brilliant Ltd.

Sarah is an executive coach who specialises in imposter syndrome, confidence and leadership. If you've ever wondered whether you're good enough, questioned your prices or felt like someone might tap you on the shoulder and tell you you shouldn't be there, then this conversation is definitely worth your time.

We dive into why so many people misunderstand imposter syndrome and why those occasional confidence wobbles are actually perfectly normal.

One of the things I loved about this conversation was Sarah's practical approach. Rather than simply telling people to "be more confident", she explains the neuroscience behind why our brains behave the way they do and shares the process she uses to help senior leaders take back control.

We also had a fascinating discussion about pricing, understanding your value, helping people buy rather than trying to sell to them, and why building trust changes everything.

Sarah also shared what it was like appearing on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show and how even experts still get nervous before stepping into the spotlight.

As always, I couldn't resist finishing the show by roasting one of Sarah's LinkedIn posts, sharing a few ideas to help her get even more engagement from document posts. It was a brilliant conversation full of practical advice for business owners, leaders and anyone who's ever doubted themselves.

Whether you're leading a team, growing a business or simply trying to become more confident, there's plenty to take away from this episode.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:30 What imposter syndrome really is

03:20 Confidence versus imposter syndrome

05:15 Pricing with confidence

09:35 Why success doesn't remove self doubt

11:20 Helping people buy

16:10 Sarah's confidence framework

19:40 Jeremy Vine experience

23:50 Biggest myths about imposter syndrome

26:30 LinkedIn post roast

31:20 Lead Brightly Community

Guest contact details:

Sarah Farmer

Founding Director

Bright & Brilliant Ltd

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07854 824416

Website: www.brightandbrilliant.com

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-farmer-coach/

This week I'm joined by Tracy Irwin, someone I know very well because we're accountability partners who catch up every Monday to keep each other on track.

Tracy spent more than 20 years building and running a successful accountancy practice before making a huge life change.

She sold the business, moved to Spain and now helps business owners build companies that support the life they actually want to live. Our conversation is full of practical advice for anyone who feels like their business is running them instead of the other way round.

One of the biggest ideas Tracy shares is something she calls your Freedom Number. Rather than chasing turnover for the sake of it, she explains why you should start by designing your ideal life and then build a business that funds it.

We also dive into money mindset, understanding the financial numbers that really matter, avoiding the trap of spending on marketing before your foundations are right, and why so many entrepreneurs unknowingly limit themselves because of beliefs they've carried since childhood. It's an eye-opening conversation that will have you looking at your business from a completely different angle.

We also chat about productivity, accountability, LinkedIn visibility and why showing up consistently matters far more than chasing vanity metrics.

As always, we finish with a Roast My Post where we review one of Tracy's LinkedIn videos and share a few simple tips that anyone creating content can use. If you're looking for more freedom, more clarity and a healthier relationship with money and your business, this episode is well worth a listen.

Guest contact details

Tracy Irwin

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.tracyirwin.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyalaineirwin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracy.irwin.official/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tracyirwin.offici

Here's another episode of my podcast series taken from Live & Linking.

This week I was joined by Rebecca Scoular, founder of Progress Partners. Rebecca has spent nearly two decades helping business owners gain clarity, make better decisions and stop getting pulled in every direction by the demands of running a business. If you've ever felt like you're constantly busy but not necessarily moving forward, this episode is definitely for you.

We had a really honest conversation about the noise that surrounds business owners every day. Emails, social media, team issues, paperwork and endless distractions can leave us feeling overwhelmed and stuck on a treadmill.

Rebecca explains why successful business owners need to regularly step out of their business and spend time thinking on it rather than constantly working in it. She also shares why community and accountability play such an important role in helping entrepreneurs stay focused and avoid burnout.

Here's what else we talked about:

• Why being busy should not be worn as a badge of honour
• The difference between opportunity and distraction
• How social media can become a time trap
• Why delegation is essential for growth
• The importance of working in your zone of genius
• How weekly accountability creates momentum
• Why entrepreneurs often feel lonely at the top
• Building a supportive business community
• Practical ways to simplify your business and reduce overwhelm

Rebecca's parting message was beautifully simple: keep things simple and enjoy what you're building. A great reminder that business growth doesn't have to feel complicated.

Guest contact details:

Rebecca Scoular
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://progress-partners.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-scoular-14763a7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoularrebecca/

This week I’m joined by Si Elliott, Founder of Fabricx, behavioural science specialist, author, lecturer, and customer experience expert. Si has spent more than two decades helping organisations understand their customers better and create experiences that genuinely connect with people.

We start by exploring what a brand really is and why it goes far beyond logos, colours, and clever marketing. As Si explains, your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s the feeling and perception people take away after interacting with you.

Our conversation quickly moves into the fascinating world of behavioural science and why understanding human behaviour can transform the way we communicate, market, and build relationships.

Si shares the inspiration behind his book, Customer Experience Thinking, and explains how behavioural biases influence the decisions we make every day. We also discuss why authenticity matters so much in business, particularly on LinkedIn, where many people still struggle to put themselves front and centre. If you've ever felt uncomfortable creating content or sharing your expertise online, you'll recognise plenty of what Si talks about.

We finish with a practical discussion about LinkedIn engagement, content creation, and personal branding. During a live Roast My Post session, we look at why great content sometimes fails to generate interaction and what business owners can do differently to encourage conversations.

This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone wanting to improve their visibility, strengthen their personal brand, and better understand the psychology behind why people connect, engage, and buy. If you're looking for simple ways to build trust and create more meaningful relationships online, this is a conversation worth listening to.

Guest Contact Details

Si Elliott

Founder, Fabricx

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07847302612

Website: www.sielliott.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/si-elliott/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/si.elliott

Business Fest South West, Visibility & Building Something People Want to Talk About

Here’s another episode of Live & Linking and this week I’m joined by Gavin Harris, one of the founders of Business Fest South West.

Gavin’s story is a brilliant one because not that long ago hardly anyone in the South West business community knew who he was. Fast forward to now and Business Fest South West has become a real fixture in the calendar. We chat about how it all started, what inspired him to launch a brand new business festival, and why building visibility from day one mattered so much.

What I really enjoyed about this conversation was hearing how Gavin approached it with a genuine community-first mindset. From reaching out to local businesses and building relationships face-to-face, to creating those exhibitor-only pre-show networking events that have become such a big part of the BizFest experience.

We also talk about why business exhibitions don’t have to feel stuffy or corporate, and how they’ve worked hard to make the event feel energetic, welcoming, and memorable. There’s loads in here about networking, showing up consistently, marketing your business, and making sure people know who you are.

We also had a good chat about visibility on LinkedIn, social media, and why people can’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist. Gavin shares some brilliant practical insights around marketing, partnerships, events, and getting noticed in crowded spaces.

If you’re building a business, planning events, or looking for ways to become more visible in your industry, you’ll get loads from this one.

Connect with Ashley:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/

Website: https://just.15mins.day

Live & Linking Hub: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13981378/

Guest contact details

Gavin Harris

Business Fest South West

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07445050260

Website: www.bizfestsw.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230/

What happens when you combine LinkedIn strategy with real sales expertise? You get a conversation like this. Ashley Leeds is joined by sales trainer and LinkedIn expert Niraj Kapur to unpack why so many business owners struggle with selling, undercharge for their services, and rely too heavily on social media without building genuine relationships. Niraj shares stories from his career in publishing, events, and international sales before explaining how he now helps founders and business owners become more confident in both sales and LinkedIn.

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone trying to grow a business. Ashley and Niraj discuss why personalised outreach works better than spammy sales messages, how storytelling builds trust faster than hard selling, and why many people are pricing themselves completely wrong. There’s also a brilliant conversation about confidence, follow-up, startup challenges, and the dangers of generic business advice. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should raise your prices, pick up the phone more often, or stop hiding behind LinkedIn posts, this episode will definitely make you think.

One of the standout moments is Niraj’s reminder that people still buy from people. Whether it’s commenting thoughtfully on someone’s LinkedIn post, researching a prospect properly before a meeting, or even sending a handwritten letter, the human touch matters more than ever. Ashley also puts Niraj through a live “Roast My Post” session where they break down how LinkedIn content can either help or hurt your reach. Honest, practical, and full of value, this is a must-listen for business owners who want to improve visibility and sales without losing authenticity.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Meet Niraj Kapur

02:18 Niraj’s career journey

04:26 Why people hate selling

05:34 Building trust on LinkedIn

07:08 The power of handwritten outreach

09:31 Researching clients properly

11:04 Storytelling vs persuasion

13:06 Pricing and undercharging

15:49 Charging what you’re worth

18:12 Dangerous pricing advice

19:35 Sales advice for startups

20:36 Breaking into competitive markets

22:43 Pricing creative work

25:00 Roast My Post

28:02 Why LinkedIn dislikes links

29:59 The Closers Club

Guest contact details

Niraj Kapur

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07733179854

Website: www.everybodyworksinsales.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nkapur

Here’s Episode 100 of Live & Linking and what a brilliant way to celebrate the milestone.

This week I’m joined by Melanie Goodman, LinkedIn trainer, marketing consultant, and one of the leading voices helping professionals understand how to use LinkedIn and Substack together. Melanie has spent years helping businesses turn connections into conversations and conversations into real opportunities. We talked about how LinkedIn has evolved far beyond being just a job hunting platform and why so many business owners are still missing the real opportunity sitting right in front of them.

A big part of the conversation focused on content creation and why long form content is becoming more important than ever. Melanie explained how she uses Substack alongside LinkedIn to build a stronger community, create recurring revenue opportunities, and grow an email list that she actually owns. We also explored repurposing content properly, avoiding SEO problems, and why writing one great long form article can create multiple LinkedIn posts. There’s loads in here for anyone who struggles with consistency or feels overwhelmed trying to keep up with every social media platform.

We also chatted about the reality behind personal content on LinkedIn, why impressions don’t always equal clients, and how genuine engagement still matters most. Melanie shared practical advice about standing out online simply by being human, replying properly to people, and building long term relationships rather than chasing vanity metrics. If you want a smarter, calmer approach to LinkedIn marketing and content creation, this episode is packed with ideas you can use immediately.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Episode 100

00:59 Meet Melanie Goodman

05:28 Why Melanie started using Substack

11:47 What Substack actually is

14:53 Building a long form content strategy

16:00 Repurposing content with AI

17:36 Personal content vs business content

19:29 Why birthdays matter on LinkedIn

21:03 Growing your own email list

24:18 Roast My Post

28:40 Final thoughts

Guest contact details

Melanie Goodman

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07555106642

Website: https://www.trevisanconsulting.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniegoodman-training-marketing-employeeadvocacy/

Other: https://substack.com/@melaniegoodmanlinkedinconsultant