For Writers Who’d Rather Do Dishes Than Post on Social Media (But Still Want Clients)

If you’re a freelance writer who really doesn’t like social media, you’re not alone.  I know I don’t.  I’d rather read a book.  Or even wash the dishes.  Anything, but scroll endlessly through inane comments or silly videos or pictures of who had what for breakfast.  All in the name of trying to find potential clients.

But that’s me.  If YOU don’t love social media, maybe it’s because you find it draining. Maybe it feels fake. Maybe you don’t like shouting into black holes or worrying about how many “likes” a post gets. Or maybe you’re just already juggling enough and the thought of “needing to post more” makes your brain want to go hide in a coal mine somewhere.

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to become a LinkedIn influencer to find great clients.

What you do need is a simple way to stay on the radar of the right people.  Without turning LinkedIn into a time-sucking, soul-sapping anxiety-inducing obligation.

In this post, I’ll share a 15-minute-a-day routine you can use to quietly and effectively build client relationships on LinkedIn, even if you’re not a big fan of social media. No selfies. No big content strategy. And absolutely no dancing.  Just a calm, consistent presence.  

And the icing on the cake is that there’s a chance … a good chance … that you’ll end up feeling like those 15 minutes are one of the more satisfying parts of your workday.

A Gentle Reframe: LinkedIn as a Quiet Place to Be Useful

What if LinkedIn wasn’t a performance space?

What if you treated it more like a familiar coffee shop or a local cafe where you regularly drop in for 15 minutes.  You walk in, grab your favourite drink, say hi to a few people, join a conversation, maybe mention something you’ve been working on.

And that’s it.  You leave before it gets too noisy.

This shift in mindset can make a world of difference.  I know it did for me.  Especially after I realisled that LinkedIn was far more than a place for resumes to go to die.  It’s actually a great place to connect with people.  Genuine people.

You’re not on LinkedIn to “go viral.” You’re there to:

• Build relationships with people who might hire you
• Remind old contacts you’re still around
• Show that you’re thoughtful and reliable (without saying so directly)

And when you approach LinkedIn this way, those 15 minutes can actually feel... peaceful. Intentional. Even energising.

A 15-Minute LinkedIn Routine That Won’t Drain You

When you make your coffee shop stops fit your personality, they don’t drain you.  And neither should the time you spend in LinkedIn.  

Here’s what this approach COULD look like, step by step. Feel free to copy this into a checklist or save it in your notes app.

Minutes 1–3: Check Notifications and Messages

You’ll want to start small. Just check:

• Who’s interacted with you recently?
• Did someone comment on something you shared?
• Did you get any new connection requests or messages?

Respond to them briefly, kindly, and genuinely. This can be as simple as:

“Thanks for commenting.  I really appreciate your thoughts!”

I always try to send through a thank you note when someone asks for a connection or says yes to a connection.  It’s a nice way to acknowledge their presence without hitting them up with a slimy “buy my stuff” note.  Which far too many people do, by the way.  Just don’t.

Because this is where the connection happens. No pitch. Just being a real person.

Minutes 4–7: Visit 3–5 Profiles and Leave a Comment or “Like”

This is your “be seen” time.

Pick 3–5 people, maybe former clients, potential new ones, or people you admire, and see what they’ve posted lately.

If something resonates, leave a thoughtful comment. It doesn’t have to be profound. Just human.

“This is such a helpful breakdown—thank you for sharing it!” “I hadn’t thought about it that way before. Bookmarking this!”

This isn’t small talk. This is you building quiet familiarity and trust.

Pro Tip: Save a small list of people you want to keep in touch with. That way, you’re not relying on the feed’s algorithm to show you the right stuff.

Minutes 8–10: Connect With One Person (No Pitch!)

This part might feel a little more vulnerable, but it’s also where the magic happens.

Each day (or a couple times a week), look up someone new:

• A content manager at a company you’d love to write for
• A founder who shares thoughtful posts
• Someone who just hired a writer (a personalised congrats comment + a connection can be golden)

My trigger for connecting with or following someone is often after I’ve interviewed them on my podcast (if I haven’t already done it BEFORE interviewing them.  It makes the connection request so much easier when they see your connection request and know that accepting it will be beneficial to them.

But you don’t have to have a podcast to use as an excuse to reach out.  When you send a connection request, make it short and personal. No pressure. Just a friendly tap on the shoulder.

“Hi [Name], I’ve been following your work and really enjoy your posts. I’m a freelance writer focused on [your niche]. Thought I’d say hi and connect!”

Then let it sit. You’re planting seeds, not forcing sales.

Minutes 11–13: Share Something Small (Optional)

Only do this if you feel like it.  And trust me, some days you WON’T feel like it.  There’s no need to force things.  In fact, it’s better if you don’t.

It’s not necessary to post daily, or even weekly. But now and then, it definitely feels nice to put something out there.

Not to impress. You can go dance on TikTok if you want to do that.  No, it’s just to let people know what you’re about.

You can try:

• A little story about a client win or lesson learned
• A quick writing tip or “here’s what I’ve been noticing”
• A relevant article with one line of insight

Or you can even reuse something from your email newsletter or blog.  It only takes a small bit of effort to whip something you’ve already written into shape and pop it up as a post.

Treasa Edmond often uses this approach to share tips or talk about something that’s a bit controversial.

Optional format you could try if you’ve helped a client:

“This week, I helped a client turn a messy brain-dump into a polished white paper. The trick? Treating their notes like a conversation, not a draft. Writers: this mindset shift made it flow.”

That’s it. You’re sharing, not shouting.

Minutes 14–15: Look at Your Own Profile (Just for a Minute)

So, now is a good  time to give your profile a quick glance:

• Is your headline clear and client-focused?
• Do you have anything featured that shows your work or personality?
• Is there anything that feels out of date?

You don’t need to overhaul your profile every week. But tiny updates, like tweaking your headline or adding a link, help keep things fresh.

What If You Really, Truly Dislike LinkedIn?

Let’s be honest here.  Some days, even 15 minutes might feel like a lot.

On those days, skip the post. Just check your messages, leave one comment, and call it good.

Or batch your LinkedIn time and only log in 2–3 times a week. Personally, I’m in the “2-3 times a week” camp.  I don’t have the time (or patience) for much more than that.  The great thing is, It’s your business. You get to set the rhythm.

The goal isn’t to turn yourself into someone who loves social media. It’s to build a sustainable way to show up—in a way that feels good to you, and that steadily brings in work you actually want.

Make It Enjoyable: Tips for Building the Habit

If you’ve ever read Atomic Habits by James Clear (affiliate link) you’ll know that the best way to make a new habit stick is to pair it with something enjoyable.  Here are a few ways you can do that.

• Set a timer for 15 minutes. Let that be your boundary (then celebrate this small win.
• Make a ritual of it. Morning coffee? Put on music, open LinkedIn, and move through your steps.
• Reflect at the end of the week. What did you enjoy? What connection sparked something?

When you make the process light, purposeful, and yours… it stops feeling like a grind.  Especially when you follow it up with something enjoyable, it really does help.  It’s like getting to eat chocolate after you’ve eaten your greens.

Try It This Week

So…if you’ve been avoiding LinkedIn because it feels like a noisy room full of loud people shouting (or selling) things, give this quieter approach a try.

Set a 15-minute timer each weekday. Follow the steps. Track what you notice:

• Did someone respond to a comment?
• Did a connection turn into a conversation?
• Did someone check out your profile after you posted?

Sometimes the results are instant. Often, they’re delayed. But they do come.  Especially when you keep showing up as yourself.

And your time on LinkedIn will turn into a “no pressure”. Just progress.

Author's Bio

Trudy Rankin is an online business strategist and content creator who loves writing about quirky or funny experiences that teach life lessons. She helps service-based business owners attract the right leads using smart systems, quizzes, and AI, without adding to their sense of overwhelm. She and her husband live in Melbourne Australia and enjoy renovating camper vans and traveling, especially to visit family.