Tea Time with Ayesha – On Starting Scared, Staying Consistent & Growing on LinkedIn

So the story started like this...

Mid-February. I had just decided to show up on LinkedIn and explore what this mysterious platform was all about. Like many of us, I did the classic newbie scroll: watching what others posted, trying to decode what works, feeling a little overwhelmed.

That’s when I came across Ayesha. Top voice on LinkedIn? Check.

Consistent, authentic, and quietly empowering hundreds of others? Double check.

Naturally, I subscribed to her newsletter. Fast forward a few weeks, and I reached out to her with a simple ask:

"Ayesha, there are so many people starting from scratch like me. They feel lost, on the verge of giving up. We need more stories like yours: real, unfiltered, and grounded."

She agreed immediately. No fluff, no filters. Just the truth about building a brand, the challenges behind the scenes, and the kind reminder we all sometimes need to just begin.

So brew yourself a cup of tea, Ayesha’s gonna tell us some important stuff.

We All Start Somewhere

No, Ayesha didn’t have a strategy when she began. No offer. No polished content plan. Just an advice from her apprenticeship mentor to "try LinkedIn."

“I didn’t know what I was doing. I just started observing others. I posted something about productivity, it wasn’t even related to what I do now!”

And that’s the thing: you don’t need to have it all figured out to start showing up.

Over time, through trial, error, and lots of quiet learning, she discovered her interest in personal branding. She kept going, and eventually built Mentoria Digitals, her own agency helping others grow their personal brands too.

You Don’t Need a Perfect Plan

Ayesha’s journey is proof that clarity comes from action.

“You don't need to have an offer to start posting. LinkedIn is where you explore, experiment, and evolve.”

She didn’t wait to feel “ready.” She just kept sharing what she was learning. Slowly, she pivoted. Shifted. Grew. Today? She continues to adapt her strategy, because the platform (and people) are always changing.

“Be flexible. You can’t rely on one format or one idea forever. Keep learning, keep evolving.”

What About Going Viral?

Let’s be honest, we all secretly hope for that viral post. But for Ayesha?

“It was never about virality. It’s about the quality of consistent content that builds a real community over time.”

Don’t get distracted by numbers. Focus on providing value. Virality might come and go, but trust and community? That sticks.

Dealing with Doubt, Comparison & the Noise

One of the hardest parts of starting on LinkedIn? The comparison trap.

“You scroll, you see others succeeding, and it feels like you’ll never get there. But remember, they’ve been doing this for years. Don’t compare your Day 1 to someone’s Year 4.”

She admits it wasn’t easy at first: feeling overwhelmed, receiving negative comments from strangers, questioning her own voice. But over time she learned:

• Don’t spend energy on people who try to bring you down.

• Surround yourself with supportive people.

• Learn to filter out the noise.

“You came to the platform for a reason. Don’t let fear stop you.”

For the Shy, Introverted, or Unsure

To the people who think: “I don’t know what to post.” “I’m afraid this isn’t valuable.” “I don’t sound like everyone else.”

Ayesha’s advice?

Post anyway.

“Sometimes we don’t even realize how valuable our thoughts are for others. You just have to start.”

And once you do, take your own path. You don’t need to mimic every “LinkedIn guru.” 

Instead:

• Focus on real conversations

• Share your unique perspective

• Be human (yes, that means skipping the ‘Great post!’ comments)

One Secret to Growth? Collaboration

One unexpected thing that helped Ayesha grow? Collaborating with others.

“When you collaborate, you not only share your knowledge with a new audience, you learn too. And that’s how you reach more people in a meaningful way.”

Forget competition. Start co-creating.

Staying Grounded Behind the Scenes

Building a presence online is not just about posting. Behind the scenes, Ayesha has systems to stay sane:

• Creating and scheduling content

• Delegating when needed

• Taking real breaks to recharge

• Talking with loved ones when she feels stuck

“Balancing life and work isn’t a luxury, it’s necessary. Otherwise, you burn out.”

Final Words: Know Your Mission

“Before chasing followers or virality, ask yourself, what’s your goal? Do you want to build a community? Hit an income target? Then align your actions with that.”

And maybe the most important reminder?

Growth takes time. 

But it can be accelerated with the right mindset, consistent effort, and a willingness to keep learning.

The Last Sip

Starting on LinkedIn feels scary. Showing up consistently takes courage. But if there’s one thing Ayesha’s story proves, it’s this:

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to know everything. You just have to begin.

That’s the last sip of tea for today, see you soon for the next cup.

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