How to Attract Your Ideal Clients on LinkedIn Without Relying on Demographics

February 4, 2025

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Hi, I'm Trilce
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Let’s get real about LinkedIn. 

LinkedIn can feel like a digital minefield of awkward introductions and humblebrags that make you want to roll your eyes into next week.

It’s easy to get caught up in the “look at me, look at me!” game, but honestly, who has the energy for that?

If you’re anything like me, you’d rather skip the superficial small talk and dive straight into meaningful conversations with people who genuinely vibe with your work.

But how do you attract ideal clients on LinkedIn who are actually excited about what you offer?

Ditch the Data Snoozefest: Why Demographics Are So Overrated

Listen, I get it. We’re all obsessed with data these days. Age, location, job title – these things can seem so important. But they only scratch the surface. It’s like trying to understand a book by just reading the table of contents. You get the basic structure, but you miss the story.

LinkedIn can be great for getting the “table of contents” of someone’s professional life, but to truly connect, we need to dive deeper. We need to understand the “why” behind their actions, the dreams that drive them, the challenges they face.

Think of it this way: demographics tell us “who” someone is, but true engagement comes from understanding “what” they want.

And that’s where psychographics come in.

Psychographics are all about those juicy details that reveal your audience’s inner world: their values, their passions, their fears, their dreams.1 I’m going to teach you how to use psychographics to find your ideal clients on LinkedIn!

In other words, demographics are like, “Hey, you’re a 30-something marketing manager in Denver!” But consumer psychology (psychographics) is all about, “Girl, tell me what makes your heart sing!” 🎤

And that’s where things get really interesting — the platform can help us find the right people, but it’s those deeper conversations, the real human connections, that will help us understand them and ultimately build stronger client relationships on LinkedIn.

The same goes for LinkedIn. Just because someone fits your ideal client profile on paper doesn’t mean they’re actually a good fit for your business. You need to go beyond the surface and understand what makes them tick.

The LinkedIn Lowdown: Why It’s the Holy Grail for Creative Entrepreneurs

First things first, let’s talk about why LinkedIn is such a goldmine for creatives.  Unlike those other social media platforms where everyone’s busy posting pictures of their avocado toast and #blessed lifestyles, LinkedIn is where professionals come to get down to business.

Think of it as your virtual networking event, except you can wear your pajamas and no one will judge you for having spinach in your teeth. (Bonus points if you actually do wear your pajamas to your next Zoom meeting.) 🤫

But here’s the real magic of LinkedIn: it’s not just about connecting with potential clients.  It’s about building a community of like-minded individuals who can support you, inspire you, and even recommend you to their own networks. (Hint, hint:  This is where those “recommend others” features come in handy.)

Forget the Demographics, Embrace the Psychographics: Unlocking Client Engagement on LinkedIn

Now, before you start spamming every connection with your latest offer, let’s talk about how to actually attract those dream clients who are a perfect fit for your business.  And no, it’s not just about targeting people based on their job title and location. (Yawn.)

This is where you get to play detective and uncover the hidden motivations, desires, and quirks that make your ideal clients tick — leading to deeper engagement and stronger connections. Think of psychographics as your secret weapon for crafting a message that speaks directly to their soul (without sounding like a creepy stalker, of course.)

LinkedIn Psychographics: A Cheat Sheet for Creative Entrepreneurs

LinkedIn client values: What are their non-negotiables? What causes do they care about?  Are they all about sustainability, social impact, or maybe just making a damn good living doing what they love?

LinkedIn client interests: What gets them fired up? What kind of books do they read?  What podcasts do they listen to?  (Bonus points if you can sneak in a reference to their favorite Netflix show.)

LinkedIn client attitudes: What are their opinions on the world? What are their biggest challenges and frustrations? Are they optimistic, skeptical, or somewhere in between? (Hint: If they’re constantly ranting about bad design, you might want to highlight your impeccable aesthetic skills.)

LinkedIn client lifestyle: How do they spend their days?  What are their priorities outside of work?  Are they all about hustle and grind, or do they value work-life balance? Are they workaholics, digital nomads, or somewhere in between? (Knowing this can help you tailor your offers to their specific needs and availability.)

LinkedIn client personality: Are they bold and adventurous, or more cautious and analytical? Are they introverts, extroverts, or a delightful mix of both? (This can influence how you approach them and the type of content you share.)

LinkedIn Polls: Your Secret Weapon for Mind-Reading (Without the Creepy Vibes)

Okay, so how do you actually gather all this juicy information about your audience? 

You could stalk their profiles and try to decipher their every post and comment (not recommended 😬.) Or, you could take the easier route and use LinkedIn polls to find clients.

Think of LinkedIn polls as your own personal market research tool.  They’re a fun, engaging way to get your audience to spill the tea on what matters most to them. And the best part?  They give you valuable insights that you can use to tailor your messaging, create killer offers, and position yourself as the go-to expert in your field.

Effective LinkedIn Poll Examples for Creative Entrepreneurs

Need some inspiration?  Here are a few examples of how you can use LinkedIn polls to tap into your audience’s psychographics:

Example 1: A photographer specializing in personal branding shoots for professionals could ask:

“What’s your biggest fear when it comes to having your photo taken?”

A. Looking awkward or unnatural.

B. Not knowing how to pose.

C. Feeling self-conscious about my appearance.

D. Not capturing my true personality.

Why it works: This poll helps you understand your audience’s deepest insecurities and concerns, allowing you to address them head-on in your marketing and create a more comfortable and empowering experience for your clients.

Example 2: A social media manager who helps businesses grow their engagement on LinkedIn could ask:

“What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to creating engaging content?”

A. Coming up with fresh ideas.

B. Finding the time to post consistently.

C. Getting my content seen by the right people.

D. Measuring the results of my efforts.

Why it works: This poll reveals your audience’s pain points and priorities, allowing you to tailor your services and content to address their specific needs.

Example 3: A freelance writer who specializes in crafting compelling website copy could ask:

“What’s the #1 thing you look for when hiring a freelance writer?”

 A. Strong writing skills and attention to detail.

 B. Ability to capture my brand voice and tone.

 C. Understanding of SEO and content marketing.

 D. Reliable communication and project management.

Why it works: This poll helps you identify the qualities and skills that your ideal clients value most, allowing you to highlight your strengths and position yourself as the perfect solution to their needs.

Example 4: A Career Coach who helps clients build lucrative relationships on LinkedIn could ask:

“What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to networking?”

A. Feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

B. Not knowing what to say.

C. Following up with contacts.

D. Turning connections into clients.

Why it works: This poll helps you identify the specific areas where your audience needs support, allowing you to position yourself as the expert who can help them overcome their networking challenges.

From Poll to Payday: Cha-Ching Your Way to Client Connection!

Now, here’s the crucial part: Don’t just collect this valuable data and let it gather dust in your LinkedIn analytics. Use it to fuel your marketing strategy and create a truly irresistible offers for your dream clients.

Put to work your newfound knowledge to:

Speak their language: Craft compelling content in social media updates, blog posts, and articles by using words and phrases that resonate with their values, interests, and personality.

Develop irresistible offers: Design programs and services that address their specific needs and desires.

Highlight client pain points: Show them that you understand their challenges and have the solutions they need.

Position yourself as the go-to expert: Share your knowledge and insights on LinkedIn groups and in conversations with potential clients.

Showcase your unique value proposition: Explain how your services can help them achieve their goals and overcome their obstacles.

Build genuine connections with clients: Engage in conversations that demonstrate your understanding of their world.

Build a strong referral network: Encourage your satisfied clients to recommend you to their connections.  (Remember those “recommend others” features?)

By truly understanding your audience on LinkedIn, you can ditch the generic marketing messages and the awkward “salesy” approach to create a personalized experience that lands higher-paying clients. So, go ahead, and start polling your way to success!

Psst… wanna know a secret? 🤫 My free LinkedIn checklist is the real secret weapon to figuring out if this platform is your jam. It’s packed with juicy tips and insider knowledge to help you decide if LinkedIn is your soulmate or just a casual fling. (No pressure either way!) You can find it here.


¹ Psychographics is “the study and classification of people according to their attitudes, aspirations, and other psychological criteria, especially in market research.” [Source: Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries]

Hey there, gorgeous! If we haven’t had the chance to *virtually* meet yet, hi! I’m Trilce—Career Coach, LinkedIn strategist and bold wine lover. I’m obsessed with helping creatives and career professionals like YOU conquer LinkedIn and turn those scrolls into dolla dolla bills! If you’re vibin’ with my content and want more of this playful, rebellious energy in your life, here’s how we can connect:

  • Join my LinkedIn for Creatives waitlist! Want to become a LinkedIn legend and attract lucrative clients? This course spills ALL the secrets. 🤫 Click here to join the waitlist! 
  • Dive into my blog! A place to learn, laugh, and level up your career or biz. It’s home to everything from LinkedIn strategy, marketing magic, and branding wisdom…… if you like this post, you’ll love the blog.

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