Digging into LinkedIn Cringe or Conversion? How to Win the Feed

LinkedIn: love it, hate it, or scroll it with one eyebrow raised — it’s still the place for B2B professionals to connect. But let’s be honest, the feed can feel like a weird mashup of humblebrags, motivational memes, and posts that make you wonder, Did this need to be shared?

In her Demand XChange session, LinkedIn: Cringe or Conversion?, Trish Lindo, Founder of TooAMBITOUS Consulting, broke down how to cut through the noise, show up authentically, and actually win the LinkedIn feed. From avoiding viral missteps to sharing industry expertise, her advice is equal parts practical and refreshing.

Let’s dig into her biggest insights.

LinkedIn has changed, and if your content hasn’t, it’s time to catch up

The LinkedIn you joined 10 years ago isn’t the LinkedIn you’re scrolling today. Trish Lindo opened her Demand XChange session with a reminder that the platform has evolved dramatically — an evolution that was largely accelerated by the pandemic. As remote work blurred the lines between personal and professional, people started getting real and vulnerable.

And while some users complain that LinkedIn is starting to feel like Facebook, Trish argues that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The platform remains one of the most powerful places to build a personal brand, precisely because of this shift. Audiences crave realness, and LinkedIn has become a rare space where professionals can blend career milestones with meaningful storytelling.

LinkedIn is still a professional platform — and it rewards humanity

Professionalism has evolved. Today’s most effective LinkedIn content still builds credibility, but it does so with personality. Polished headshots and jargon-laced updates don’t perform like they used to. The sweet spot now is thoughtful, human-centered content that shows who you are and why your work matters.

This change opens the door to new voices — especially those who might’ve felt left out of the “traditional” thought leadership space. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, mid-career marketer, or team lead at a massive organization, bringing your story to LinkedIn is the best way to connect with others.

Key takeaways:

• LinkedIn’s tone and culture changed significantly during the pandemic.
• More authentic, personal storytelling is now welcome and expected.
• Adapting your content to this shift can help you stay relevant and build stronger connections.

Yes, some LinkedIn posts are cringe, but avoiding the cringe is possible

We’ve all seen it: the overly earnest selfie, the dramatic layoff story, the oddly emotional announcement. Trish brings up the infamous “crying CEO” post as a prime example. It’s a post that exploded online and earned widespread mockery for its tone-deaf vulnerability. But here’s the thing: the problem wasn’t that he shared something emotional. The problem was how he did it.

Being cringe on LinkedIn usually comes down to misaligned intent and tone. Trish doesn’t want you to avoid posting altogether out of fear — you just need to post with intention. When you own your voice, connect your story to your audience, and stay grounded in purpose, you can create content that feels powerful instead of performative.

There’s a difference between oversharing and real sharing

Cringe isn’t about being personal. It’s about being uncalibrated. A post might feel awkward if it’s deeply emotional but disconnected from any clear message or if it reads more like a therapy session than a conversation starter. The fix? Ask yourself, is this story for me or is it for my audience?

Trish encourages creators to be real, not reckless. Vulnerability is valuable when it’s anchored in relevance. When your post ties back to a broader point — something helpful, reflective, or empowering — it stops being cringe and starts being meaningful. 

Key takeaways:

• Cringe happens when tone and content don’t match audience expectations.
• The goal is authenticity, not attention-seeking.
• You can share personal moments, just anchor them in purpose.

Don’t want to get personal? Let your industry expertise do the talking.

You don’t need to bare your soul on LinkedIn to be successful. Trish emphasized that showcasing your professional knowledge is just as valuable as personal storytelling, especially for those who’d rather keep things buttoned up. Your point of view matters, and LinkedIn is a prime spot to share it.

Think about what only you can speak to. A recent trend in your field. A lesson from your latest project. A shift you’re seeing in the market before others catch on. Whether it’s in text, video, or a carousel post, there’s power in putting your insights out there. If you’re trying to build trust with buyers, this kind of content shows what you do and how you think.

Not every post has to be personal to be powerful

If your comfort zone is strategy, not storytelling, don’t force it. There’s more than one way to be visible. Posting about emerging trends, industry benchmarks, or new tools in your space shows leadership just as clearly as a personal anecdote.

Even better? Expertise posts naturally invite engagement. You’re likely answering questions your audience already has or introducing ideas they hadn’t considered yet. That kind of value-add keeps your brand top-of-mind. No oversharing required.

Key takeaways:

• Sharing your take on industry news builds credibility.
• Expertise-driven content works well for lead generation and brand awareness.
• Video, images, and text-only posts can showcase your professional point of view.

Your feed reflects you. Cringe in, cringe out.

Why is your LinkedIn feed full of nonsense? Spoiler: the algorithm is just doing its job. Trish reminds us that your engagement tells the algorithm what to show you. So if you’re commenting on that absurd post just to say, “This is why I’m leaving LinkedIn,” you just invited more of it into your feed.

Want a better LinkedIn experience? Start engaging intentionally. Save and like the kinds of posts you want to see. Spend time in comment sections that align with your values. The algorithm is trained on your behavior, so teach it what you actually want. Your feed will start to reflect not just your preferences, but your potential.

Key takeaways:

• LinkedIn shows you more of what you interact with—good or bad.
• Liking, saving, and commenting influences the quality of your feed.
• Thoughtful engagement leads to a more relevant and productive experience.

LinkedIn doesn’t have to be a minefield of cringe — or a graveyard of missed opportunities.

As Trish Lindo reminds us, the feed rewards authenticity, consistency, and value. Whether you’re leaning into personal storytelling or doubling down on industry expertise, the key is showing up with intention. The more strategic you are with your content and engagement, the more LinkedIn works for you.

Want the playbook from Trish’s session? Watch the full Demand XChange recording and learn exactly how to turn LinkedIn from scroll fatigue into conversion gold.