Too Busy to Engage on LinkedIn? Here's What You're Really Missing
I hear it at least once a week from smart, accomplished professionals: "J.T., I'd love to build my brand on LinkedIn, but I just don't have the time."
And every time, I want to shake them by the shoulders and ask: Are you too busy to answer the phone when that executive recruiter calls about a role paying $100K more than you're making now?
Are you too busy for the board seat offer that comes with a five-figure retainer for showing up twice a quarter?
Are you too busy to field inquiries about paid speaking engagements where companies actually pay you to share your expertise?
Of course you're not. Nobody's too busy for those opportunities.
Here's What You're Really Saying
When you tell me you're "too busy" for LinkedIn, what you're actually saying is one of three things:
You don't believe it will work for you
You're afraid of looking self-promotional or desperate
You genuinely don't know what to post or how to do it efficiently
I get it. The thought of crafting the "perfect" LinkedIn post, worrying about engagement, and putting yourself out there feels overwhelming. It feels time-consuming. It feels...cringey.
But here's what you need to hear: While you're keeping your head down and "staying too busy," professionals less qualified than you are spending five minutes a day on LinkedIn and landing those killer opportunities you think should come to you automatically.
The LinkedIn Landscape Has Changed Forever
We're living in the age of AI, and that changes everything. In 2025 and beyond, nobody trusts anybody anymore unless they can see the proof that you're real, that you know what you're talking about, and that you're actively engaged in your field.
The days of having a stellar resume and waiting for opportunities to find you? They're over.
Today's opportunities go to the people who are documenting their knowledge and demonstrating their expertise in real time. They're not necessarily the smartest people in the room; they're just the ones who decided to show up consistently in the digital room where decisions are being made.
It Only Takes Five Minutes (Really)
This isn't about becoming a LinkedIn influencer or posting three times a day. This isn't about crafting viral content or obsessing over your engagement metrics.
This is about a strategic five minutes or less per day that positions you as the expert you already are.
Think about what you're already doing: You're solving problems, having insights, learning lessons, and developing expertise every single day in your work. LinkedIn is simply about documenting those things in a way that's authentic and professional—not cringey, not narcissistic, not desperate.
When you learn how to do this properly, those five minutes become the highest-ROI activity in your entire day.
The Real Cost of Being "Too Busy"
Let me paint you a picture of what "too busy" actually costs you:
The recruiter searching for someone with your exact background scrolls past your outdated profile and finds someone who's been actively sharing their insights. They get the call. You don't.
The board looking for someone with your expertise Googles potential candidates and finds professionals who've established themselves as thought leaders. They make the shortlist. You don't.
The conference organizer sourcing speakers sees someone consistently sharing valuable content in your space. They get a speaking role. You don't.
Your competitors and peers are building relationships with the very people you'd love to connect with—but they're the ones showing up where those relationships are formed.
It's Time to Get Real
Stop telling yourself that opportunities will magically appear because you're good at your job. Being excellent at what you do is table stakes—it's the baseline, not the differentiator.
The professionals winning in today's market are the ones who combine excellence with visibility. They're not better than you. They're just more strategic about making sure the right people know they exist.
So ask yourself: Am I really too busy, or am I just uncomfortable with what needs to be done?
Because if you can find five minutes to scroll social media, check sports scores, or browse news headlines, you can find five minutes to invest in your professional future.
Your Voice Is Your Advantage
If this message resonates with you, if you're ready to stop being "too busy" and start getting visible to the people who matter, I wrote my book PRO VOICE: Turn What You Know Into What You Earn specifically for professionals like you.
Inside, I'll show you exactly how to build digital proof of your expertise, create content that attracts the right opportunities, and turn your knowledge into real income—all without feeling like a narcissist or self-promoter. You'll learn my G.L.O.W. Method™ for strategic content creation, how to identify your unique value add, and how to structure your personal brand like a business-of-one.
This isn't about going viral. It's about getting visible, in five minutes or less per day, to the recruiters, decision-makers, and collaborators who can transform your career.
Your knowledge is valuable. Your voice is powerful. It's time to turn both into your greatest advantage.
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
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