Here’s Episode 100 of Live & Linking and what a brilliant way to celebrate the milestone.

This week I’m joined by Melanie Goodman, LinkedIn trainer, marketing consultant, and one of the leading voices helping professionals understand how to use LinkedIn and Substack together. Melanie has spent years helping businesses turn connections into conversations and conversations into real opportunities. We talked about how LinkedIn has evolved far beyond being just a job hunting platform and why so many business owners are still missing the real opportunity sitting right in front of them.

A big part of the conversation focused on content creation and why long form content is becoming more important than ever. Melanie explained how she uses Substack alongside LinkedIn to build a stronger community, create recurring revenue opportunities, and grow an email list that she actually owns. We also explored repurposing content properly, avoiding SEO problems, and why writing one great long form article can create multiple LinkedIn posts. There’s loads in here for anyone who struggles with consistency or feels overwhelmed trying to keep up with every social media platform.

We also chatted about the reality behind personal content on LinkedIn, why impressions don’t always equal clients, and how genuine engagement still matters most. Melanie shared practical advice about standing out online simply by being human, replying properly to people, and building long term relationships rather than chasing vanity metrics. If you want a smarter, calmer approach to LinkedIn marketing and content creation, this episode is packed with ideas you can use immediately.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Episode 100

00:59 Meet Melanie Goodman

05:28 Why Melanie started using Substack

11:47 What Substack actually is

14:53 Building a long form content strategy

16:00 Repurposing content with AI

17:36 Personal content vs business content

19:29 Why birthdays matter on LinkedIn

21:03 Growing your own email list

24:18 Roast My Post

28:40 Final thoughts

Guest contact details

Melanie Goodman

Email: melaniegoodman@trevisanconsulting.com

Phone: 07555106642

Website: https://www.trevisanconsulting.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniegoodman-training-marketing-employeeadvocacy/

Other: https://substack.com/@melaniegoodmanlinkedinconsultant

This week’s episode is all about one thing Accountex.

I sat down with Caroline Hobden, Portfolio Director behind one of the biggest accounting events in the world, to talk about what actually goes into making it happen and why it keeps getting bigger every year. From the moment you walk into the Excel to the buzz on the show floor, Caroline gives a real behind-the-scenes look at what makes this event tick and why it’s become such a key date in the calendar.

We get into the practical side as well. How do you deal with over 400 speakers and 16 stages? What should you plan before you even arrive? And what are the small things that can make a big difference on the day like downloading the app, wearing the right shoes, and knowing where to go when you need a break. Caroline also shares what’s new this year including the FD Show, the AI advisory hub, and a more accessible HMRC presence where you can actually speak to someone face-to-face.

If you’ve ever been overwhelmed at a big event or felt like you missed more than you saw, this episode will help you approach it differently. It’s about having a plan, knowing your priorities, and making the most of every conversation. Whether you’re attending Accountex this year or just curious about how events like this work, there’s plenty in here you can take away and use straight away.

Guest contact details

Email: chobden@divcom.co.uk

Phone: 07740104215

Website: https://www.accountex.co.uk/london/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-hobden-62888519/

This week, I’m chatting with Justin Ricklefs, founder of Guild Collective and author of Give a Damn. Justin joins me bright and early from Kansas City, coffee in hand, and we get straight into what really matters. Not just business, but life. Family, leadership, and why who you are matters far more than what you do. It’s one of those conversations that makes you stop and think about how you’re showing up, both online and offline.

We dig into Justin’s core idea that care can actually be a competitive advantage. Sounds simple, but most businesses completely miss it. He breaks down his four Cs: curiosity, compassion, clarity, and consistency. We talk about why clarity is often the missing piece, how consistency actually drives results, and why businesses that ignore the human side are leaving opportunities on the table. There’s also a brilliant discussion around personal branding and why people connect with people, not polished corporate noise.

And of course, we couldn’t leave it there. We put one of Justin’s LinkedIn posts under the spotlight in Roast My Post. It’s a proper, honest breakdown of why good content sometimes doesn’t land and what to do differently. If you’re trying to build your presence, connect with your audience, and actually stand out, there’s plenty here you can take and use straight away.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/

Website: https://just.15mins.day

Live & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

Guest contact details

Email: justin@guildcollective.com

Website: justinricklefs.com

Website: guildcollective.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinricklefs/