Key Takeaways from PrintPulse Live with Leslie Hughes
Staying visible on LinkedIn does not require becoming a content machine or a full-time self-promoter. That was one of the clearest messages from OPIA’s latest PrintPulse Live webinar, “Building Visibility on LinkedIn in 2026: How Print Professionals Attract Clients and Win Work,” presented by LinkedIn Top Voice and digital branding expert Leslie Hughes.
The session was hosted by Lee Eldridge, who guided the discussion and helped frame the conversation around the realities facing print and graphic communications professionals today. Designed for an industry built on relationships and long sales cycles, the webinar focused on practical, sustainable ways to stay credible, relevant, and top of mind without adding unnecessary complexity to already busy schedules.
Why Visibility Matters More Than Ever
Leslie began by reframing LinkedIn as a trust-building platform rather than a popularity contest. While follower counts and impressions can be encouraging, she cautioned against relying on vanity metrics. What matters most is whether the right people, including clients, prospects, and partners, are seeing and engaging with your content.
As LinkedIn’s algorithm continues to evolve, the platform now favors relevance over reach. The key takeaway for print professionals was straightforward. Being specific about who you serve, what you do, and where you add value makes it easier for the right audience to find and remember you.
Getting the Fundamentals Right
A significant portion of the session focused on LinkedIn profile fundamentals. Leslie emphasized that your profile photo, headline, and About section do much of the heavy lifting when it comes to credibility and discoverability. These elements should clearly communicate who you help, how you help them, and why your experience matters.
Rather than viewing accomplishments as self-promotion, Leslie encouraged attendees to think of them as proof points. On LinkedIn, sharing experience, results, and perspective is how trust is built, especially with people who have not worked with you before.
Building a Meaningful Network
Visibility is also influenced by who you are connected to. Leslie reinforced the importance of quality over quantity when building a LinkedIn network. Thoughtful connection requests, shared context, and genuine engagement are far more effective than mass outreach.
She also shared practical guidance on working within LinkedIn’s platform limitations, particularly for users on basic accounts, and offered strategies for staying intentional without feeling pressure to connect with everyone.
Consistency Without Overwhelm
When the conversation turned to content, Leslie reassured attendees that frequent posting is not required to stay visible. Posting occasionally, engaging thoughtfully with others’ content, and sharing insights drawn from real work can be enough to maintain a strong presence.
The session closed with a reminder that progress matters more than polish. Consistency, authenticity, and relevance will always outperform perfection.
Continuing the Conversation
This webinar is now available on OPIA’s YouTube channel as part of the PrintPulse Live playlist, making it easy for members and industry professionals to revisit key insights or share them with colleagues.
PrintPulse Live will continue to explore timely topics affecting Ontario’s print and imaging industry, with upcoming sessions focused on workforce development, sales, technology, and automation.
Image by Leslie Hughes
