My first business talk

My first ever business talk, and why it mattered more than I expected

Today was one of those quiet milestone moments. The kind you feel in your chest before you fully understand why it matters.

I had the absolute pleasure of giving my first ever business talk at the Eastleigh Business Network, during International Networking Week, and I can honestly say I loved every minute of it.

There were nerves, of course, but mostly there was excitement. Excitement to share something useful, practical and confidence building with a room full of brilliant business owners.

Why LinkedIn keeps coming up

The focus of the talk was LinkedIn. Not the overwhelming, algorithm heavy version people often dread, but LinkedIn as a practical business tool.

Time and time again, I hear the same things.

“I know I should be using it more.”
“My profile feels like an online CV.”
“I’m not sure if I’m doing it right.”



So instead of diving into tactics or trends, I shared a simple, visual way to think about optimising your LinkedIn profile

A framework, not a formula

The worksheet shows LinkedIn at the centre, surrounded by the core areas that really make a difference. Things like your headline and about section, visibility settings, professional images, recommendations, and how you use the featured section.

It is not a checklist to rush through. It is a framework. One that helps you step back and see how all the parts connect, without feeling overwhelmed.



That big picture view is often the missing piece.

What I shared, and what I didn’t

During the talk, I talked through why these areas matter and how they support visibility, credibility and confidence on LinkedIn. I shared examples, common mistakes, and small mindset shifts that can make a big difference.

What I did not do was give away everything.

There is much more depth behind each of those sections, and that is exactly what I will be exploring properly in my LinkedIn workshops later this month. The talk was designed to spark clarity and confidence, not to overload people with detail.

Sometimes knowing where to focus is the biggest win.

A room full of energy

What made the experience even better was the room itself. Thoughtful questions, nods of recognition, and that feeling of shared relief when people realise they are not the only ones who have been feeling stuck.

It reminded me why I do this work. Marketing, and LinkedIn in particular, does not need to feel intimidating. With the right structure and support, it can feel manageable and even enjoyable.

Missed the talk?

If you were not at the Eastleigh Business Network event, you will have another chance to catch this session.

I will be delivering my second talk with the Federation of Small Businesses (Southampton) on 11 March.

That session will again focus on clarity, confidence and practical foundations, with a deeper dive available through my upcoming LinkedIn training.

A proud first step

Giving my first business talk felt like a real step forward. One of those moments where you realise you are building something, not just talking about it.

If LinkedIn has been sitting on your to do list for far too long, keep an eye out. There is more support coming, and it is designed to meet you exactly where you are.