The Human Advantage: Building Brands With Intention and Heart | 125: Michelle J Raymond

Michelle J Raymond is the Company Page Queen, global speaker, podcast host, and your go-to B2B LinkedIn bestie. She’s the founder of B2B Growth Co, co-host of The LinkedIn Branding Show, and author of two best-selling books on LinkedIn strategy. With over a decade on the platform, Michelle has built a global community by helping businesses and their people grow with confidence. Her mission is simple: show up consistently, build trust, and turn LinkedIn into a powerful business tool, no gimmicks, just results. In this episode, we unpack Michelle’s journey and explore how to grow personal and company brands in a way that feels real, sustainable, and human. She shares practical advice on staying visible in the age of AI, building community, and showing up without burning out. It’s an honest, energising conversation with someone who leads with positivity, experience, and zero fluff. Connect with Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejraymond/ https://www.instagram.com/good_trading_co/ https://www.youtube.com/@michellejraymond More: https://b2bgrowthco.com/ https://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/ https://michellesquared.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6861434915754528768/ https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-linkedin-branding-show/id1622751326 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-media-for-b2b-growth-linkedin-strategies-and-tips/id1603908569 Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold open: Helping people grow, one business at a time 00:54 – Why LinkedIn? Why now? 01:26 – Meet Michelle: LinkedIn strategist, speaker, chocoholic 02:31 – The story behind the “J” in Michelle J. Raymond 03:48 – Her first LinkedIn success story — from 80 clients to online community 05:50 – The turning point: Losing her job, starting her business 07:38 – How LinkedIn changed over the last 10 years 08:43 – What’s going wrong with LinkedIn in 2025? 10:11 – Algorithm shifts: Reach vs. relevance 11:25 – The video rollercoaster on LinkedIn 12:47 – Why Gen Z is reshaping LinkedIn’s future 13:48 – Real talk: Will a LinkedIn alternative rise? 15:05 – Pay to play? Boosting posts and changing dynamics 17:14 – The dangerous illusion of “just boost it” 18:11 – AI on LinkedIn: Are we still talking to humans? 19:16 – Will people pay to work with real people? 20:51 – LinkedIn “success” is often a lie 22:21 – Growing on LinkedIn is slower than ever — here’s why 24:10 – The real reason Michelle shows up every day 26:03 – Would she leave LinkedIn? Here's her honest answer 27:08 – Let’s talk… Tim Tams?! 🍫 28:18 – What makes your content stick 29:45 – Be memorable: Create your LinkedIn “thing” 31:04 – The Chicago Uber story (yes, it involves Tim Tams) 32:43 – Standing for something on LinkedIn (even if it’s chocolate) 33:13 – Want to grow? Here's what Michelle actually tells people 34:19 – The power of strategic community 35:16 – Automation ≠ relationships 35:51 – Why viral posts hurt your business 36:43 – Is your engagement real… or bots? 37:27 – LinkedIn is more fun with the right people 38:25 – Be human: share the messy parts 39:58 – Even LinkedIn pros lose motivation 41:17 – Be your digital twin — not a LinkedIn robot 42:35 – Off the clock: chocolate, travel, and never been to London?! 43:31 – Why Italy has her heart 45:14 – The weirdest job offer ever: Chief Sunshine Officer 🌞 46:00 – Where to follow Michelle + her newsletter + podcast 47:10 – Don’t forget her books (and where to find them) 48:39 – Final message: Stop skipping LinkedIn company pages! Connect with Tommen: X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠ Stan: https://stan.store/Tommen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠ More: Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠ FenPost: https://fenpost.com/?via=tomas Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠ Tools & gear that support the show: Neon Now: https://neonnow.co.uk/ Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZK Ulanzi: https://www.ulanzi.com?aff=2611 Apex Comfort: https://apexcomfort.co.uk/ Midland Flowers: https://midlandsflowerwallco.co.uk/ iQ HEALTH: https://www.iqhealth.co.uk/PRODUCED_BY_PODCAST RA Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19 Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.