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Why I started on social media too late and what I'd do differently today

Jan 24, 2026
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Dear reader,

Let me share something personal.

For many years, LinkedIn was not part of my daily routine.
Not because I didn’t believe in visibility — but because I didn’t need it.

I was busy.

Corporate leadership roles. International responsibility.
Meetings, clients, travel.

No posts.
No audience.
No presence at all.

When I returned to Europe after 20 years abroad, I started my own consulting business by using LinkedIn tactically:

first for recruiting as a headhunter,
later to connect with senior executives who could become B&P Partners.

So far I still wasn’t building anything with purpose on LinkedIn. 
To better understand, let's shoot us few years back...


The shift I was slowly recognizing 

Years ago, LinkedIn had a simple purpose:

You showed up as a professional.
You connected with peers and recruiters.
You became visible for your next job.

That was the game.

Today, it’s different.
LinkedIn is no longer a digital CV.
It’s a business platform.

Trust is built before the first conversation.
Expertise is visible before a mandate or a next job opportunity.
Decisions are made long before you speak.
That’s why visibility is no longer optional.


What I underestimated 

Coming from corporate leadership, I expected three things to transfer easy:

  • credibility
  • reputation
  • momentum

They did — just not fast enough.

In entrepreneurship, none of this is granted upfront.
It has to be earned again — visibly.

What I learned in this respect was also here the power of compounding:

  • learning from people who already walked the path
  • applying what actually works today
  • committing to ongoing learning and testing

Two decisions that changed everything

24 months ago, I started posting daily on LinkedIn.

Career development. Leadership. Consulting.
And very clearly: how to start your own consulting business.

Today, people already know:

  • what I stand for
  • what I did before
  • how I think

That’s the power of visibility.
I’m connected with 19,000 people that follow me.

Six months ago, I added another channel I truly enjoy: this newsletter, The Expert Shift.

You are now one of 500 senior executives worldwide who receive it.

It’s a way to stay in touch beyond short posts.
To share deeper insights.
To learn from your feedback — and adjust.

No pressure.
If it stops being relevant, leaving is one click away.
That openness matters to me.

👉 You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — but you do need to run yours earlier and smoother.


If you're still "preparing"

Many senior executives delay visibility.

“I’ll start once things are clearer.”
“I need more time.”
“I’m not ready yet.”

I thought the same.

But the truth simply is:

  • Visibility is not a luxury — it’s part of the business today
  • Learning is not a phase — it’s a system
  • Momentum comes from doing what works

It was never easier to reach your audience worldwide.
And never riskier to stay invisible.

Those who move faster don’t know more.
They learn earlier.


Let's go deeper – together

This is exactly what I’ll share in my upcoming live webinar:

đź“… From Executive to Entrepreneur

We’ll cover this and other key topics:

  • how experienced executives shorten the transition
  • which early actions create momentum fastest
  • why the ideal customer and a clear positioning matters most

No theory.
No hype.
Just what works.

👉 Join the live session if you want to start earlier — and smarter.
Secure your spot here: https://caerus.academy/webinar/

I’m looking forward to seeing you there,

Dieter


PS: If this resonates, forward it to someone who’s still “thinking about starting.”

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