Want to use LinkedIn more intentionally in 2025? After writing 1000 LinkedIn posts for the gaming industry, here is what the most successful accounts do step by step.

A little context on me: I ghostwrite for gaming industry founders and have coached over 20 gaming CEOs on using LinkedIn effectively. Since posting regularly, I have grown from 2750 to 12500 followers, and I help other founders do the same. I also host the Gaming Playbook Podcast, which I promote on the platform.

First. Why are we on LinkedIn? 

I built my marketing agency purely using LinkedIn, enabling me to work remotely with gaming industry titans and host events. Without LinkedIn, this would be impossible. You are ultimately on LinkedIn to have conversations with your dream employer, talent, peers, or ideal persona. For me, that is the CEO and Founder who serve gaming companies. Create profiles, files, and content with your perfect persona in mind.

Let's do this.

LinkedIn Profile 101 - Establishing clarity.

Lead with what you do. Don't try to be smart. I used to have emojis in my LinkedIn headline. When I saw someone read it before me at a conference, he skipped right over them. I was confusing people for MONTHS. Keep it simple and clear. 

Example Headline: Job Role | Credibility.

About section: I have a 30 second pitch of me and my services. 

I recommend quick authority building to my clients and why they should connect or speak with you. You can use your featured section to highlight client work or call to actions. If you have an offer to sell, you can use your banner to give context and authority in 3-5 seconds.

What do I post?

That milestone you hit after 6 months? That is a story worth sharing. That bug you just fixed? That's a post. The process that saved your team hours? That's valuable content. The reality is that other gaming professionals face the same challenges you do. They're not looking for perfectly polished success stories - they want real insights from the trenches. Think of your content like the sawdust from your calendar: what problems did you solve? What approaches didn't work? What surprised you? Keep a note on your phone for these moments - they're gold for LinkedIn posts. Remember: what seems obvious to you is often exactly what others struggle with. When starting, aim to document over creating new content. It will make the habit easier to start and therefore stick. I recommend seperating this ideation part of LinkedIn to writing to avoid LinkedIn fatigue.

If you are asking from your LinkedIn network, expect to give first to avoid crickets. By treating your LinkedIn like a radio station, playing music over ads for 80% of the time, you will grow your ideal network. Ten to fifteen posts later, you can start remixing your greatest hits with new takeaways, making content easier with time.

Writing tips for LinkedIn

There is no "correct" way to write a post. You will see BIG paragraphs. You will see broetry style where it looks like a waterfall of words. Everyone has their style, but there are writing principles to be aware of.

Your content will benefit from the following structure:

- Hook: First 3 lines on desktop. First line on mobile.

Can use a free tool like Kleo to preview this.

This is to give the reader a reason to click "see more"

Use numbers, open curiosity gaps, "How I" works well.

- Story: What you tried, what failed, and what worked.

Be specific (dates, numbers), and bonus points for having a hero journey-type flow. 

- Lesson: The key takeaway for the reader. I default to 3 steps or a list of reminders. Make this practical for today to increase the impact of your post.

Remember to format your post for mobile using a free tool like Kleo. Over 70% of readers will read that there, so make it easy for them.

Note on AI. When starting, I would advise against using Claude/GPT to START writing. AI is good as a writing tool for expanding or offering angles you may not have seen on your unique input (recordings, older writing). It is incredibly obvious if you start with AI and then post with minimal editing. 

Networking on LinkedIn 101

LinkedIn serves your content first to your connections. You must build your network with intention. This will help build your core audience. I recommend 100+ blank connections a week to your ideal persona. You can build a list using Sales Navigator or use LinkedIn's basic search to find your ideal audience. A quick and dirty way is to go to "My Network" scrolling down to "People you may know based on your activity." The algorithm is surprisingly good here.  

Before a conference, search the event name (e.g., "PGC London") on LinkedIn and connect with relevant attendees, using this specific connection note: "might see you at a party in [conference], see you in [city]." When using the conference meeting platform, brief requests, personalize your compliments, and lead with your value/results. Add a PS saying you're flexible to meet at parties if they're fully booked. I then followed with a LinkedIn connection request  hilghitlnig that I sent them a meeting request, and looking forward to see you in "city". Get photos with people you meet specifically for LinkedIn content during the event. When introducing yourself, use this formula: "I am a [role] for [target audience]. Basically, I help people [specific outcome]." For follow-up, avoid vague "let's continue this" messages - instead, schedule a specific call 2-3 days after the conference while you're still face-to-face, and use the photos you took at the event in your LinkedIn posts to maintain visibility.

At conferences, start with a simple "Why are you here?" instead of trying to pitch yourself. Follow up with genuine curiosity about their challenges. When connecting on LinkedIn, mention specific aspects of their work that interest you. After events, share your learnings and tag people you met. Remember,r it's not showing of;, it's helping others who couldn't attend and showing you in action. 

Next steps.

The hardest part? You guessed it, starting.

Start with two posts a week - here are two post ideas to get you started.

1. Introduce yourself to your network. 

Who am I, truly? Who do I serve? How I got here?

2. My 1st [attempt] failed and I [bad result]: here's what I've learned. Show expertise through storytelling.

If you simply posted twice a week for the next two weeks, you would be ahead of 99% of your network, helping you have more conversations and help more people.

You got this!

Follow Harry Phokou on LinkedIn for more tips, and listen to The Gaming Playbook Podcast here.

Hear from more Cyprus-based mobile gaming experts - secure your Gamesforum Cyprus 2025 tickets here. Early bird pricing is available until February 15.