Why I left LinkedIn, why I’m back — and why I hope you’ll join me there, even though social media sucks
In 2026, the idea of putting time or energy into social media feels like trudging into toxic sludge.
I get it. Despite the fact that I’ve spent 20 years championing of the power of telling our stories online — leading workshops at Harvard’s Kennedy School and advising change-makers around the world — even I found myself taking a long break from social media recently, including my once beloved LinkedIn. There were just so many superficial, AI-generated posts. Add to that the suppression of posts by women, and it was just all so gross.
But now I’m back.
Here’s why:
All the old systems are failing us, and we need to imagine and create better ways forward.
And despite the algorithmic, ethical mess of social media today, it is still possible for authentic messages and stories about important things to break through.
And we need those messages and stories to break through.
LinkedIn under the microscope
Let’s talk about LinkedIn in particular. While the consensus seems to be that it’s the “cleanest” or “least corrupt” social network, I’m still disappointed in its evolution. And yet, it remains the most efficient way to reach and expand our professional networks. When we cede our presence on LinkedIn, or use it without much intention or sincerity, then we hurt our cause. Because our stories, our messages — the ones that will fuel our impact — they travel through networks.
If the words “network” and “networking” give you hives, please stay with me. On the one hand, I really understand: I hear these terms, and part of me is transported back to wearing pinchy business attire in stale hotel ballrooms, strangers parroting rehearsed elevator pitches shoving business cards into my hand. (Shudder.) But another part of me knows that we make change in relationship with other people, and the collection of relationships we build on purpose around our work forms our network — the people we want to learn from, be inspired by, and create influence with. When we get our heads in the right place about them, networks aren’t superficial, they’re strategic.
If you’re still thinking, “Yeah, but social media, Amanda — nooooooo,” consider: How many 1:1 coffee dates would it take to reach as many people as you could with a single LinkedIn post, even taking all of the platform’s pitfalls into account? Do you want to schedule and show up for and go to all those coffee dates? What will all that caffeine do to your nervous system?!? jkjk
It’s not a zero-sum game. I’m all for connecting with people on person, and on Zoom, and in all of the ways. And, I would posit that there is simply an efficiency to the social network of LinkedIn that it is impossible to achieve any other way.
For all of these reasons, in this moment, I feel called to begin offering LinkedIn support again.
My offerings
I’m here to help you wrap your head around how to show up on LinkedIn in authentic, strategic, and sustainable (non-depleting) ways. I’ve been doing this with change-makers for years, before my recent hiatus. My clients include CEOs of global nonprofit organizations; founders of small nonprofits and socially conscious startups; and entrepreneurial, mission-driven managers inside tech and media companies, committed to using their corporate platform to drive change. I’ve also helped lots of “solopreneurs" and coaches who are on a mission to help other people. You can read client testimonials and get a sense of how it feels to work with me here.
I am committed to making my business accessible to you and sustainable for me. Below, I’ve noted the payment plans that are available for each offering, which I hope bring the investment more easily into reach for many of you. If you require financial assistance, please let me know, and I will reach out to clients in my community who might be able to help sponsor your work with me. And if you’re reading this and are in a place of financial abundance, please consider making a donation to help sponsor someone else’s ability to strengthen their LinkedIn presence, in service of their mission-driven work. There are, to state the obvious, a lot of people with enormous expertise who are out of work right now, or struggling to cover expenses, and it helps all of us if they get the support they need to share their expertise and work with the world.
With all that said, in April and May 2026, I’m offering the following:
1-hour intro session ($350, or two monthly payments of $175, or three monthly payments of $150/$100/$100) - a crash course to teach you to begin showing up more authentically and strategically on LinkedIn. After you share your goals — the things you’re working towards — we’ll explore your relationship to social media and I’ll help you reframe and find a “way in” that feels authentic and sustainable. We’ll explore the values you want your LI presence to embody and the things you want to use your platform to talk about and spotlight and I’ll suggest things for you to post about.
1-month LinkedIn upgrade ($1,350 or three monthly payments of $450, or five monthly payments of $270) - a short, powerful coaching journey for those who learn best in a container where there’s space to dig in deeper and talk things through, and who want feedback as they practice writing posts that are both authentic and strategic. You’ll emerge with a practical on-ramp to help you put what you learn into action, so you can start showing up more authentically and strategically on LinkedIn. After you share your goals, we’ll dig into your values and vision and clearly define why showing up on LinkedIn matters for you personally, and for those you most want to serve. We’ll explore your authentic voice so we can set you up to allow that voice to shine through on LinkedIn; this often means shedding some jargon and un-learning some of the “professional speak” we’re taught early on. I’ll create a personalized roadmap for your LinkedIn presence that provides guidance around what to post about, with what frequency, as well as how to both engage and cultivate your network in service of your goals. In between sessions, you’ll have a chance to write practice posts and get feedback to build your clarity and confidence.
The whole juicy LinkedIn upgrade ($2,400 or three monthly payments of $800, or five monthly payments of $480) - a three-month transformation that includes everything in the 1-month upgrade, plus: I rewrite your LinkedIn profile for you (including your headline, a key way of conveying your purpose, and the About section, which can also function as a bio you use beyond LinkedIn); I help you plan two months’ worth of posts; and I am right there with you for two months as you practice putting your strategy into action. Through two extra coaching sessions, collaboration in Google Docs, and spot support via email and phone, I’ll show up as part thought partner and sounding board, part editor (helping you communicate in the most compelling way possible, while staying true to your voice and the things that matter to you most), and part cheerleader, I’ll help you follow through and shine.
I’ll be honest: I may very well need a break from LinkedIn again, and if I do, I’ll take one — that’s “allowed”! We set our own boundaries with how we show up in the world, and that applies to social media, too.
So if now is a moment where you just can’t, then good for you for taking care of yourself; I mean that very sincerely. On the other hand, if you find that the things I’m saying resonate, and this work is calling to you, then let’s talk.
Please schedule a virtual coffee date if you’d like to explore receiving my support.If you don’t see convenient options in the near future, feel free to email me and I’ll see if I can make something work sooner.
Warmly,
Amanda
P.S. I follow the work of New_Public and others who are reimagining a better social media for all of us. You might want to do the same!
