Live & Linking with Ashley Leeds

Stop Chasing Leads! How to Use LinkedIn to Turn Engagement into Business Meetings with Sergej Pavljuk

Are you working hard on LinkedIn but struggling to turn all that activity into actual business? This week I'm joined by Sergej Pavljuk, a LinkedIn communication specialist who helps businesses generate relevant conversations and get in front of the right people. Sergej shares his experience of building a successful LinkedIn agency and explains why finding potential customers is about much more than sending connection requests and hoping for the best.

We have a really interesting chat about how to use LinkedIn more strategically. Sergej explains why cold messaging and simply publishing posts every day aren't necessarily going to bring you the leads you're looking for. Instead, he shows us how to recognise buying signals through LinkedIn newsletters and company page invitations. He shares some fascinating conversion figures, including how responding to an invitation to follow a company page generated significantly better results than traditional outreach. We also discuss how he developed his agency, the importance of weekly accountability and his international community of LinkedIn specialists who share their knowledge and expertise.

And there's more! We finish with one of my favourite parts of the show, Roast My Post. I take a look at one of Sergej's LinkedIn posts and share some practical suggestions on how he could make it more engaging. We talk about getting the opening hook right, using captions, asking the big question and giving people a reason to watch. Sergej makes a great point about knowing what to do but actually needing somebody to make sure you do it! If you're a business owner, coach or consultant looking to generate more leads, improve your LinkedIn strategy and build better business relationships, this is a conversation worth listening to.

Guest contact details

Sergej Pavljuk

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +420 608052266
Website: https://www.storymatters.online/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergejpavljuk/
Other: https://lnkd.in/p/dJKxifGD

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Every Tuesday at 12:30 pm BST, I chat with people on LinkedIn to find out about them, what they do and why they love this incredible platform. This week, I’m joined by Sonia Marta, the 18-year-old creator and host of The SMARTA Podcast. Sonia has already published four books, interviewed more than 100 guests and built some fantastic relationships. I was keen to find out how she’s achieved so much in such a short space of time!

We had a jolly good chat about confidence, taking action and making your own opportunities. Sonia explained how her podcast started with a question she couldn’t answer as a child, leading her to contact experts and learn directly from them. Before her first episode even went live, she sent 20 LinkedIn messages from a bus, and ten people said yes! We also talked about building genuine relationships, finding mentors, staying consistent on LinkedIn and why you shouldn’t let a lack of experience stop you from having a go. Sonia even shared how she found opportunities to meet people she admired by being resourceful and making the most of the situations around her.

There’s more, too. Sonia is creating a magazine based on lessons from her podcast conversations, planning a live event in Dublin to connect young professionals with businesses, and writing a book about her journey. We also put one of her LinkedIn posts under the spotlight in our Roast My Post feature. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to start a podcast, create content, approach someone you admire or pursue a new opportunity, this conversation is well worth a listen. As Sonia demonstrates, you don’t need to have everything figured out. Sometimes you just need to take that first step and see what happens.

Timestamp:

00:49 – Introducing Sonia Marta

01:51 – The SMARTA Podcast and inspiring young people

03:45 – Building confidence and approaching influential people

05:16 – Starting before you’re ready

07:02 – Creating a world-class guest experience

09:00 – Making your own opportunities

12:32 – LinkedIn, networking and finding mentors

14:08 – Why consistency matters

16:34 – Staying motivated when progress is hard to see

17:26 – Recognising and acting on opportunities

18:52 – University life and challenging stereotypes

22:07 – Inspiring others to take action

22:51 – Roast My Post

24:14 – Sonia’s magazine and Dublin event

25:30 – Writing a book and making time for your goals

Guest contact details

Sonia Marta, Creator and Host of The SMARTA Podcast

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +40 772 005 851

Website: https://www.soniamarta.com/

About: https://www.soniamarta.com/about

Press: https://www.soniamarta.com/press

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniamartaauthor

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsIhy7SjN7RrYTvOv7dVXRA?sub_confirmation=1

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesmartapod

Watch the show on YouTube, like the episode, share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe so you can join us for more conversations with people who are making things happen.

Live & Linking with Lea Turner: Authenticity, LinkedIn and the Power of Community

Have you ever wondered whether you need to change who you are to succeed on LinkedIn? My guest this week is Lea Turner, founder of The HoLT, and she has a refreshing answer. Lea started using LinkedIn in 2019 to find more clients for her transcription business. As a solo mum working long hours and struggling to make ends meet, she wanted to earn more money without sacrificing precious time with her son. What happened next changed everything. Within months, she had attracted over 100 inbound clients and built a growing audience by showing up and, eventually, letting her personality shine through.

We had a brilliant chat about being yourself on LinkedIn, creating content that gets noticed and why you don't need to be the most polished person in the room to make an impact. Lea shares how humour, honesty and a willingness to stand out helped her build her personal brand, grow her businesses and teach others to use LinkedIn effectively. But there's another side to success, too. After building a thriving business, Lea realised she was travelling too much, working too hard and missing out on the family time that mattered most. She made the decision to step away from LinkedIn training at the end of 2024 and focus on The HoLT, choosing a business model that better suited the life she wanted.

So, what exactly is The HoLT? Lea explains how this business community brings people together to learn from experts, share their skills and help each other through the challenges of running a business. We explore the importance of inclusion, shared values and having people in your corner who genuinely want you to succeed. If you're growing a business, trying to get more from LinkedIn or simply looking for a better balance between work and life, there's plenty here to take away. It's a great reminder that success isn't just about how much you earn. It's about building a business and a community that work for you.

Timestamps

00:32 – Meet Lea Turner
04:07 – Getting started on LinkedIn
05:43 – Winning clients and growing an audience
07:43 – Why authenticity matters
09:59 – Creating memorable LinkedIn content
17:25 – Redefining success and protecting family time
20:50 – The story behind The HoLT
22:28 – The value of community and mutual support
24:18 – Inclusion, values and belonging
29:08 – Joining The HoLT
31:25 – Membership benefits and learning opportunities

Guest contact details

Lea Turner, Founder of The HoLT

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07540 238670
Website: https://www.the-holt.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-turner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaturnerholt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholtcommunity/
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/34XYFw0LDuvqf7kTMvmAAC?si=36ecd3155000450c

Stop Posting and Praying on LinkedIn with Mark Lee

In this episode of Live & Linking, I'm joined by Mark Lee, business mentor for sole practitioner accountants and the man behind BookMarkLee. Mark has had quite a journey, from working as a children's party entertainer and magician to becoming a chartered accountant, tax adviser and mentor. These days, he helps sole practitioner accountants make life better for themselves and their practices. We have a great conversation about business growth, finding the right clients and why success doesn't always mean earning more money or building a bigger practice.

We explore why having a clear focus in your business can help you attract more of the right people, rather than shutting opportunities down. Mark shares how he discovered the value of having a niche through his own experience as a children's entertainer, and why accountants and bookkeepers need to think carefully about who they want to work with. We also get into the challenges of marketing professional services, setting fair fees and recognising that being brilliant at your job doesn't automatically mean people will find you. Then we turn our attention to LinkedIn, where Mark shares insights from more than seven years of tracking his post performance. His findings challenge some of the usual advice about images, engagement and impressions.

Of course, we couldn't talk about LinkedIn without getting into my Roast My Post feature! We discuss why so many people publish content and simply hope the right audience will see it. Mark explains why commenting thoughtfully on relevant people's posts can be far more valuable than posting and praying. We also talk about why viral numbers aren't necessarily useful if they're reaching the wrong people. If you're an accountant, bookkeeper, consultant or business owner who wants to build better relationships, attract the right clients and use LinkedIn more purposefully, there's plenty here to take away and put into practice.

Timestamps

00:53 – Introducing Mark Lee
01:31 – Mark's journey into accountancy and mentoring
04:08 – Redefining what business growth means
09:10 – Finding your niche
17:38 – Roast My Post and LinkedIn engagement
20:12 – Seven years of LinkedIn post tracking
24:22 – Repurposing content
29:11 – Why posting and praying doesn't work
30:17 – Where to find Mark

Guest contact details

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07769 692890
Website: www.BookMarkLee.co.uk
LinkedIn: /bookmarklee

Listen, subscribe and join the conversation. I'd love to hear what you think, so leave a comment with your biggest takeaway from the episode.

Students Aren’t Defiant, They’re Disconnected with Shaun Weatherhead

Here’s another episode of Live & Linking, and this week I’m joined by Shaun Weatherhead, founder of Fierce & Fearless and author of Students, They’re Not Defiant, They’re Disconnected. Shaun works with young people across schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision, helping them recognise who they are, what they can offer and where they belong. We had a really interesting chat about why some young people can be labelled as disengaged or difficult when there may be a lot more going on underneath.

We talked about belonging, identity, social media and the pressures young people face today. Shaun shared the story of a student who was being disciplined for being late, only for it to become clear that he was taking his younger brother to school before arriving himself. We also heard about a young man who had taught himself to play the piano while dealing with the loss of his granddad. Nobody at school knew about his talent until someone took the time to ask a question and give him a safe space to show it. That story really brings home Shaun’s message about seeing the person rather than simply judging the behaviour.

And, of course, because this is Live & Linking, we finished with a bit of LinkedIn. Shaun and I looked at one of his posts about identity, belonging and what young people wear, and talked about why personal stories can create such a strong connection on LinkedIn. There’s plenty to take away from this conversation, whether you work with young people, you’re a parent, or you simply want to get better at understanding the people around you.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Live & Linking
01:17 – Meet Shaun Weatherhead
04:33 – Shaun’s book and the idea of disconnection
11:16 – The student who was late for a reason
16:54 – The question every adult can ask
20:41 – The young pianist
25:08 – The impact of music
28:02 – Roast My Post
30:03 – Identity, belonging and LinkedIn
34:13 – How to contact Shaun

Guest contact details

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fierceandfearless.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-weatherhead-197748158

LinkedIn Isn’t Just a Job Site: Building Relationships with Gus Bhandal

This week on Live & Linking I’m joined by Gus Bhandal, Founder of The M Guru and a marketing strategist with 30 years of experience. Gus knows LinkedIn inside out, so naturally we had plenty to talk about. We started with something I think a lot of people get wrong: LinkedIn isn’t just a job site. It’s a place to build your personal brand, start conversations and develop relationships with people who might eventually become customers, suppliers, collaborators or simply good connections.

We got into the practical stuff too. Gus shared his four-step approach to LinkedIn: optimise your profile, curate your audience, create useful content and engage with other people. We talked about why your headline and About section matter, why commenting is such an underrated way of getting noticed, and why you should think about LinkedIn like a networking event. We also covered content consistency, with Gus recommending at least one useful post a week rather than going mad for 30 days and then disappearing. There was even time for an unexpected visit from Andrew and Pete to talk about Atomicon.

And then we roasted one of Gus’s LinkedIn posts. A simple, funny comment on a post about LinkedIn becoming a dating site ended up generating around 13,000 impressions. It was a great example of the point we’d been discussing all along: you don’t always need to create huge amounts of content to get noticed. Sometimes joining the right conversation is enough. If you want practical ideas for using LinkedIn more confidently, building genuine relationships and letting a bit more of the real you come through, this is well worth a listen.

TIMESTAMPS

00:23 – Welcome to Live & Linking
01:26 – Meet Gus Bhandal
02:16 – What LinkedIn is really for
05:12 – Where to start with an old profile
07:37 – Gus’s four-step strategy
08:18 – The power of commenting
09:09 – LinkedIn as a networking event
15:03 – Creating consistent content
16:13 – Content albums
32:06 – The Squeeze membership
33:11 – Roasting Gus’s post
34:07 – The LinkedIn dating site post
36:28 – Wrapping up

Watch the show on YouTube

Connect with Ashley:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/
Website: https://just.15mins.day
Live & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

Guest contact details

Gus Bhandal
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07958 477 890
Website: https://www.themguru.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mguruuk

In this episode of Live & Linking, I’m chatting with Ross Kelway, Creator & Director of That Honest Car Guy. Ross helps people choose and buy their next car without actually being a car dealer. He works as a car-buying concierge, helping people work out what they really need, find the right options and take away some of the pressure that comes with buying a car. And as we both love cars, there was plenty for us to talk about.

We get into why buying a car can take 20 to 30 hours once you include all the scrolling, searching, travelling around and looking at cars that turn out not to be what you expected. Ross explains how he starts with a one-hour conversation about your lifestyle and what you actually need from a car before narrowing down the choices. We also talk about EVs, hybrids, petrol and diesel, cash versus finance, buying privately and why the pressure of needing a car can so easily lead you into buying the wrong one. There are a few car stories along the way too, including Ross’s Mitsubishi Lancer purchase, which clearly didn’t go according to plan.

And of course, because this is Live & Linking, we couldn’t finish without talking about LinkedIn. Ross admits he doesn’t particularly enjoy putting his face on posts, but he understands that people need to know who they are dealing with, particularly when his business is built around trust. We talk about showing up, being visible and getting comfortable with putting yourself out there. If you’re thinking about buying a car, love talking about cars, or simply want a good honest conversation about making better decisions, there’s plenty here for you.

Timestamps

00:13 Introduction to Ross
01:33 What does That Honest Car Guy actually do?
03:29 The 20 to 30 hours involved in buying a car
04:25 How Ross works with clients
06:58 Ross’s worst car purchase
10:55 The biggest mistake people make
13:51 EVs and hybrids
17:39 Cash versus finance
20:17 Buying a car today
23:30 The £7,000 car question
25:10 Ross’s favourite classic cars
27:10 Talking LinkedIn content
27:45 Why Ross needs to show his face
31:11 Where to find Ross

Guest contact details

Ross Kelway
Role: Creator & Director
Business: That Honest Car Guy
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07421 509795
Website: www.thathonestcarguy.co.uk
LinkedIn: Ross Kelway on LinkedIn
Instagram: That Honest Car Guy on Instagram
Facebook: That Honest Car Guy on Facebook

Networking, LinkedIn and Building Relationships with Richard Carpenter

This week on Live & Linking I’m chatting with Richard Carpenter, Director of Enterprise Assist Limited and someone I’ve known for a long time. Richard describes himself as a business consultant, but there’s a lot more to what he does. He works with businesses at different stages of maturity, looking at what they already do well and where they need additional skills, experience or support. He’s also been involved in starting around 36 companies, so when Richard talks about learning business, he really does mean learning it the hard way.

Naturally, we spent quite a bit of time talking about networking because Richard is, in my opinion, a networking king. What I particularly enjoyed was hearing about how nervous he was when he first started. He actually turned up at a networking event, sat in the car and drove home without going in. His solution was simple but brilliant: arrive early, get into the room before everyone else and start building conversations before it becomes a room full of strangers. Richard also shares his idea of finding the "beacons" in a room, the people who seem to know everyone and are having a good time. Find one, get introduced and suddenly the room becomes a much easier place to navigate.

We also get into why networking isn't simply about finding clients. It's about relationships, knowledge, friendships, introductions and being around people who can help each other. Then we turn that thinking towards LinkedIn, including Richard's hugely successful post which generated 241 comments, 704 likes and around 18,000 impressions. The question is, if networking is something Richard is brilliant at, why isn't he doing more of it on LinkedIn? There's a lot here for anyone who feels nervous about networking, isn't sure which events to attend or wants to start treating LinkedIn more like a real networking event.

Timestamps:
00:45 Richard Carpenter
02:07 Business consulting and business maturity
03:20 Operations, marketing and finance
07:05 Richard's networking journey
08:43 Overcoming networking anxiety
12:15 Finding the "beacons"
14:20 What networking is really about
16:31 What makes a good networking event
20:16 Networking over a meal
25:28 Roast My Post
26:03 Richard's successful LinkedIn post
27:22 Why Richard doesn't post more
28:01 Turning networking into LinkedIn content
31:06 How to contact Richard

Guest contact details

Richard Carpenter
Director, Enterprise Assist Limited
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07904245948
Website: www.enterpriseassist.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcarpenterenterpriseassist

Connect with Ashley:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/
Website: https://just.15mins.day
Live & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

Burnout, Nutrition and Small Changes That Make a Difference with Dr. Kiri Blight

This week I’m joined by Dr. Kiri Blight, an A&E doctor based in Exeter, as well as a lifestyle and nutrition coach. Kiri has spent years working in a high-pressure environment and knows exactly what it feels like when you are the person everyone relies on, while your own needs slowly get pushed further and further down the list. We chat about her own experience of high-functioning burnout, where she could still go to work and keep functioning, but had very little left to give when she got home. As Kiri explains, there is a difference between being exhausted and being burnt out, and sometimes a holiday or a quiet weekend just is not enough to bring your energy back.

We also get into the practical side of feeling better. Kiri talks about the changes she made to her nutrition and lifestyle, starting with manageable steps rather than trying to change everything overnight. We discuss drinking more water, reducing hidden sugar, looking more closely at convenience foods and finding ways to make healthy eating easier when life is busy. Batch cooking gets a mention, as does sleep and why a poor night's sleep can affect your energy, food choices and ability to cope with pressure the following day.

And because I like to keep things practical, we also talk about exercise and why you do not need to suddenly become a marathon runner. Starting where you are, doing something you enjoy and making small improvements can all add up. Kiri also explains why strength and flexibility matter alongside simply counting steps. It is a really honest conversation about looking after yourself without adding even more pressure to your already busy life. If you are feeling like you are constantly running on empty, this one is definitely worth a listen.

Guest contact details

Dr. Kiri Blight
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07775838828
Website: https://www.elitelifestylemedicineltd.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkirilifestyle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkirilifestyle

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drkirilifestyle

Live & Linking with Trudie Hills: Disability Inclusion Starts With a Conversation

Here’s another episode of Live & Linking, my regular chat with people who have something interesting to say about business, LinkedIn and the world around us. This week I’m joined by Trudie Hills, a Disability Consultant & Trainer who spent 14 years working in disability, inclusion and diversity at Lloyds Banking Group before setting up her own consultancy. We had a proper conversation about what disability inclusion actually looks like in the real world, and Trudie was brilliant at turning what can sometimes feel like a complicated subject into some very practical advice.

We talked about accessibility in shops, offices, websites and online training, but one of the biggest messages from Trudie was that it starts with talking to people. Don't make assumptions. Ask what someone needs. Don't assume that every person with the same disability will need the same adjustment. We also talked about non-visible disabilities, the importance of simple language, captions, alt text, accessible PDFs, colour contrast and making LinkedIn content easier for people using screen readers. And yes, I got a little LinkedIn roast of my own too, with Trudie explaining why CamelCase hashtags matter and why emojis aren't always the brilliant bullet points we think they are.

There are loads of practical takeaways in this conversation, whether you're running a small shop, employing people, delivering training online or simply creating content on LinkedIn. We also get onto Trudie's biggest beef, cars parked on pavements, and why accessibility improvements often help far more people than those they were originally designed for. Most importantly, this isn't about getting everything perfect. It's about being curious, having the conversation and being prepared to do something differently. If you want a straightforward, human conversation about disability, accessibility and inclusion, have a listen.

Timestamps

00:38 - Meet Trudie Hills
02:30 - Accessibility for smaller businesses
03:08 - Non-visible disabilities
05:38 - Why a ramp isn't enough
07:10 - Making adjustments part of everyday business
10:20 - Website accessibility
15:38 - Making online training accessible
17:28 - Accessible LinkedIn content
21:02 - Checking AI-generated captions
22:06 - Trudie's biggest accessibility frustration
24:47 - Breaking down the stigma
26:25 - Roasting Trudie's LinkedIn post
29:27 - Final thoughts

Guest contact details

Trudie Hills
Disability Consultant & Trainer
Trudie Hills Consulting
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07747 026202
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudie-hills-5b070612/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trudie.hills