Why Your LinkedIn Strategy Needs a Refresh

LinkedIn isn’t the quiet professional network it used to be. It’s now a battleground for attention, and the rules have changed. AI-generated posts are flooding every feed, making it harder than ever to stand out. But here’s the thing: LinkedIn has also rolled out a suite of new features that can help your brand break through the noise.

From collaborative posts to the creator marketplace, and a new analytics metric that shows whether your content reaches beyond your existing network, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dig in.

Collaborative Posts: The New Way to Amplify Reach

Collaborative articles are one of LinkedIn’s most intriguing recent additions. These are AI-generated prompts that invite experts to contribute their insights. When you add your perspective, your network sees it, but so does the audience of the original poster and anyone else who engages.

This is a low-effort, high-reward play. You don’t need to create a full post from scratch. You just add your expertise to an existing conversation. The result? Your name gets in front of people who wouldn’t normally see your content.

How to Make Collaborative Posts Work for You

Don’t just drop a one-liner. Treat it like a mini-article. Share a specific example, a lesson learned, or a contrarian take. The more value you add, the more likely others are to engage, which pushes your contribution higher in the feed.

Also, monitor the topics that align with your niche. Set aside 10 minutes a day to respond to relevant collaborative posts. Consistency matters more than volume.

The Creator Marketplace: Your Ticket to Paid Opportunities

LinkedIn’s creator marketplace is a game-changer for freelancers and consultants. It’s a space where brands can find creators to collaborate on sponsored content, product launches, and thought leadership campaigns. If you’ve built a following and have consistent engagement, you might already be eligible.

To get the most out of it, optimize your profile. Make sure your headline clearly states what you help with, and that your featured section showcases your best work. LinkedIn’s algorithm matches you with brands based on your niche and activity, so stay active and relevant.

What to Expect from the Creator Marketplace

The marketplace is still evolving, but early adopters are already landing paid partnerships. You’ll get access to campaign briefs, direct messages from brands, and the ability to pitch your own ideas. It’s like a freelancing platform, but built into LinkedIn.

If you’re not seeing the marketplace tab yet, don’t panic. It’s being rolled out gradually. Focus on building your authority in the meantime.

Out-of-Network Reach: The Metric That Matters

Here’s a metric you probably haven’t been tracking: out-of-network reach. This shows you how many people outside your direct connections saw your content. It’s a crucial number because it tells you whether your content is breaking beyond your echo chamber.

Previously, you could only see total impressions. Now, LinkedIn breaks it down. If your out-of-network reach is low, it means your content is only resonating with people who already follow you. That’s not growth. That’s just maintenance.

How to Boost Your Out-of-Network Reach

Start by analyzing which posts perform best outside your network. Look for patterns in topics, formats, and posting times. Then, double down on what works.

Engage with content from people outside your industry. Comment thoughtfully on posts from adjacent niches. This exposes your profile to their audiences, which can drive new followers and engagement.

Standing Out in an AI-Flooded Feed

AI-generated content is everywhere on LinkedIn now. Some of it is good, but most of it is generic. That’s your opportunity. If you can be authentic, specific, and human, you’ll stand out.

Here are a few tips to keep your content from blending in:

• Share personal stories. AI can’t fake lived experience. A specific anecdote about a client win or a failure teaches more than any generic tip.
• Use data and screenshots. Show your results. A screenshot of a campaign’s performance or a chart of your growth adds credibility.
• Ask real questions. End your posts with a question that invites discussion. The more comments, the more reach.
• Be consistent. Posting once a week won’t cut it. Aim for 3-4 times a week if you can.

Putting It All Together: Your New LinkedIn Playbook

So, what’s the takeaway? LinkedIn is no longer a place to just post your resume and hope for the best. It’s a platform where collaboration, paid opportunities, and data-driven growth are all within reach.

Start by experimenting with collaborative posts. They’re the easiest way to get in front of new eyes without creating content from scratch. Then, check your out-of-network reach metric. If it’s low, adjust your strategy. And if you’re a freelancer or consultant, don’t sleep on the creator marketplace.

The professionals who adapt to these changes will be the ones who thrive. The ones who don’t will keep shouting into the void. Your move.

For more insights on social media strategy, check out our guide on social media marketing tips and how to measure social media ROI.

Smart Plugs Are Handy — But Not Universal

Smart plugs are one of the cheapest ways to make an old device feel new. Plug in a lamp, a fan, or a string of holiday lights, and suddenly you’ve got app control and voice commands for less than the cost of a nice dinner out.

But just because a device can plug into one doesn’t mean it should. In fact, some appliances can overload a smart plug, causing overheating, short circuits, or even fires. The risk is real, and it’s often overlooked.

Here’s what you need to know before you start smartening up every outlet in your home.

Know Your Smart Plug’s Limits

Most standard smart plugs are rated for 15 amps and 1,800 watts. That sounds like a lot, but it’s not unlimited. High-draw appliances like space heaters, air conditioners, and refrigerators can easily exceed that, especially on startup.

When a motor starts, it draws a surge of current — often two to three times its running wattage. A refrigerator, for example, might run at 600 watts but spike to 1,200 or more when the compressor kicks in. If you add that to anything else on the same circuit, you’re asking for trouble.

Check the wattage on the appliance label. If it’s close to or above the smart plug’s rating, don’t use it.

Appliances You Should Never Plug Into a Smart Plug

Some devices are simply too risky. Here’s the list of what to avoid:

• Space heaters and other heating appliances: They draw massive current and are a leading cause of house fires. Smart plugs can’t handle the load, and the heat can damage the plug itself.
• Refrigerators and freezers: Besides the startup surge, a power cut can leave your food spoiling if the smart plug doesn’t restore power properly. Plus, the compressor can be damaged by frequent on/off cycling.
• Air conditioners and dehumidifiers: These have large motors that draw high current. Smart plugs aren’t designed for that kind of sustained load.
• Microwaves and toaster ovens: High wattage and heat. The plug can melt or catch fire.
• Hair dryers and curling irons: They pull 1,500 watts or more. Not safe.
• Power strips and extension cords: Plugging a smart plug into a power strip — or vice versa — can overload the circuit and is a fire hazard.

Why These Appliances Are Dangerous

The problem isn’t just wattage. Smart plugs are small devices with limited heat dissipation. When you push high current through them, they heat up. Over time, that heat can degrade the internal components, leading to arcing and fires.

Also, many smart plugs are made with plastic housings that can melt. A smart plug fire risk isn’t just theoretical — there have been recalls and reports of incidents.

What You Can Safely Plug In

Don’t throw away your smart plugs just yet. They’re perfect for low-power devices:

• Lamps and LED bulbs
• Fans (small ones, not industrial)
• Phone chargers
• Televisions and entertainment centers
• Coffee makers (with a timer, not left on)
• String lights and holiday decorations

These draw minimal wattage and won’t stress the plug. You can even use smart plugs to automate your morning routine — coffee starts brewing before you wake up, lights turn on at sunset, and fans shut off when you leave.

Smart Plug Safety Tips to Follow

If you’re going to use smart plugs, do it right. Here are a few rules of thumb:

• Always check the wattage rating on both the plug and the appliance.
• Never daisy-chain smart plugs or connect them to extension cords.
• Keep smart plugs away from water and heat sources.
• Inspect plugs regularly for signs of discoloration or melting.
• Use a smart plug with a built-in fuse or surge protector for extra safety.
• If a plug feels hot to the touch, unplug it immediately and stop using it.

These smart plug safety tips can prevent most problems before they start.

The Bottom Line

Smart plugs are a great entry into home automation, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. For high-power appliances, leave them on a standard wall outlet and skip the smart features. Your safety — and your home — are worth more than the convenience.

When in doubt, check the manual or consult an electrician. A little caution goes a long way.

Investors wanted numbers. They got a vision.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel spent Monday’s Q2 earnings call talking about the future of Specs, the company’s long-awaited smart glasses. What he didn’t do? Give investors any concrete details about preorder demand.

That’s notable, given the device’s September launch event is just weeks away.

When pressed on how early orders are tracking, Spiegel deflected. “What we’re hearing from folks is really that they want to try Specs,” he told investors. “It’s obviously a high consideration purchase at $2,195.”

That price point is the elephant in the room. It’s more than six times the cost of most Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, which start around $350. It’s cheaper than Apple‘s Vision Pro at $3,500, but that’s a low bar. The real question is whether consumers will pay premium-device money for a first-generation wearable from a company better known for filters than hardware.

The “try before you buy” problem

Spiegel’s core argument is that Specs is a product people need to experience in person. “Developers and folks who are familiar with the platform really understand it and understand the technical leaps we’ve made with this generation,” he said. “I think for the broader public and consumers, it’s going to be really important for folks to go hands-on.”

That’s a reasonable stance for a $2,195 gadget. But it also means Snap is betting heavily on its launch event to generate the kind of buzz that translates into orders. A demo can win people over. A spec sheet, apparently, cannot.

Spiegel acknowledged as much: “Our upcoming launch event will be an important sort of starting point for that consumer-oriented journey.”

Why go it alone?

Investors didn’t just want preorder numbers. They also pushed Spiegel on the broader strategy. Why is Snap, a company with a market cap dwarfed by its rivals, trying to build the next computing platform on its own? Why not partner with someone bigger?

Spiegel’s answer was part confidence, part history lesson. He reminded investors that Snap was a late entrant in social media, competing against established players like Facebook and Instagram. “We had to really innovate to continue to grow,” he said. “What’s so unique about this opportunity for us is really that we’re a first mover, and that really plays to our strengths as an innovator.”

The implication is clear: in social, Snap was the underdog. In smart glasses, it’s the pioneer. And being first, Spiegel argues, is where the company shines.

The technical hurdle is real

He also pushed back on the idea that building Specs is just another hardware project. “I think what some folks maybe don’t understand yet, especially because Specs are so new and we’re really the first mover in this category, is how difficult the product is to execute from a technical perspective,” Spiegel said.

That’s a fair point. Snap has spent more than a decade developing this device, unveiling the current generation in June. The engineering challenges — optics, battery life, weight, processing power — are substantial. But investors are less interested in the difficulty than in the payoff.

Mass-market adoption is years away

When asked about product-market fit, Spiegel offered a sobering timeline: don’t expect Specs to hit the mainstream until closer to the end of the decade. “I think things, for example, like weight and cost are going to have to come down to see unit volumes really meaningfully pick up,” he said.

Translation: this is a long game. Snap is positioning Specs as a platform play, not a quick-hit product. The company’s bet is that developers will build the ecosystem that makes the glasses indispensable — and that Snap’s head start will matter once the market matures.

“We do have, I think, a real advantage here in that developers have been building on the Specs platform now for several years,” Spiegel added.

What to watch at the September launch

Spiegel’s non-answers may frustrate investors, but they also set the stage for the launch event. Here’s what matters:

• Preorder numbers: If Snap shares any early demand figures, that will move the stock. If it stays quiet, expect more questions.
• Developer momentum: The quality of third-party apps will signal whether the platform has legs.
• Pricing strategy: Any hints of a cheaper model or carrier subsidies could change the conversation.
• Competitive response: Meta and Apple aren’t standing still. Their next moves will shape the market.

For now, Snap is asking the market to trust its vision. That’s a harder sell than a spec sheet — but it’s the only one Spiegel is offering. If you’re tracking the broader smart glasses market trends, this launch is the one to watch. And for context on how Snap’s strategy compares to rivals, check out our breakdown of Meta Ray-Ban vs. Apple Vision Pro.