I'm an independent LinkedIn® trainer, offering training sessions, consultations and workshops for individuals and businesses who need support on the latest best practices on LinkedIn. I've researched LinkedIn deeply since 2017 and am now an international speaker, author, podcaster, conference organiser and community manager.

👦🏻🧒🏽  𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗢+ 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬
Our private community includes two live Q&A calls per month, a discussion group, a video library with 200+ premium pieces of content with captions and transcripts, a podcast, and other member benefits. This is the best place for ongoing learning and support around LinkedIn best practice and online business promotion.
£42/month, no minimum contract

🟦   𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦
⚙️   Group training: best for corporations and organisations. Usually works best with up to 12 people on each session but I can train much larger groups on request.
Starts at £799

⚙️   Consultations: best for self-employed business owners.
60 mins: £199
20 mins: £79

🟩   𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗠𝗘? 
I used to be a software and hardware tester before becoming a technical copywriter and editor, including being a director of the UK's largest membership organisation for editors and proofreaders. I've since specialised in organic visibility on LinkedIn, bringing all of my technical communication expertise combined with a deep knowledge of how the LinkedIn platform works.

I have trained hundreds of clients on LinkedIn best practice, including training other LinkedIn trainers in advanced strategies. I now have 120+ LinkedIn recommendations and 60+ guest appearances on podcasts.

My personal branding handbook Content DNA has 100+ positive ratings on Amazon. First 6 chapters are free on request.

I created and co-host the UpLift Live conference on LinkedIn best practice, the UK's only conference of its type, with 150+ attendees each year.

I'm the host of the Informed podcast, a short weekly show that shares LinkedIn tips. It's the longest-running podcast on LinkedIn best practice, with almost 500 episodes since 2013.

🟧   𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗠𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗
1.   Include the word "pineapple" in your invitation to connect.
2.   Accept with your full heart that pineapple on pizza is double delish.

🥶   𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧
🐶   Boxers: the best dog breed
⚽️   Liverpool Football Club
⚔️   The Traitors (BBC)

I used to be heavier: jesp.me/fat
I'm an actual lord: jesp.me/truth

John Espirian

⛔️ "LinkedIn security" is NOT a real account. A lot of people have been asking about comments appearing to come from an official LinkedIn account – except that the account usually has no profile pic and no followers.

It's fake and clearly set up so that it can comment on posts with the express aim of worrying members enough to get them to click on dodgy links. Don't fall into that trap.

LinkedIn should update the company page setup screens to make "LinkedIn" a reserved word that people can't use in a page name.

Also useful would be to prevent accounts with 0 followers from being able to post links, to stop the endless cycle of fake accounts being set up for spam purposes each day.

LinkedIn Help (which is a real account): please do something. We independent LinkedIn trainers are acting as your unofficial support department here.

PS. I'm going to mention the topic on this week's episode 474 of the Informed podcast.

Posted: 6 Jan 2026 at 8.54am (GMT)

Relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn® nerd. Independent LinkedIn trainer & LinkedIn speaker. Creator of Espresso+ community & UpLift Live conference. Host of Informed podcast. Not a douche canoe 🛶

🕥  Some people have asked why I put a date and time at the bottom of my posts. 

1. It's a protest against LinkedIn
The date and time is encoded into the long ID that's baked into the web address of each post. So, LinkedIn definitely have the data but choose not to display it. I think this is wrong. I'm not one to praise Twitter but they've been showing dates and times on tweets for almost TWO DECADES. It's mad that we don't see this basic info on LinkedIn. Instead, we see fuzzy relative times (6h, 2d, etc.).

2. It might help readers
If someone wants to quote something I've written, they know exactly when it was published. It's possibly hubris to think anyone would do that, but I'm just trying to be helpful in the event that I say something worthy of amplification.

———

This post's ID is 7416787304414965760. Sufficiently nerdy people know how to extract the exact date and time of posting from that number. But most don't, hence I put it in plain text at the bottom of my posts, like this …

Posted: 13 Jan 2026 at 10.24am (GMT)

PS. Annoyingly, TikTok also doesn't display a date and time on posts, but again that info is recorded and discoverable.

"Link engagement": this is even more of a reason NOT to put links in comments, as your individual post analytics now reveal how many clicks your links in posts have received.

I'd still avoid links in posts whenever possible, but if you have to include them, at least you can now see how effective they are.

Posted: 30 Jan 2026 at 3.10pm (GMT)

There are only 3 things about you that are shown on every LinkedIn screen:

Your NAME
Your PHOTO
Your HEADLINE

(We'll talk about names and photos another time …)

The HEADLINE is increasingly important because comments are being seen more than ever, and that's where a short, eye-catching line of text can encourage clicks through to your profile, which is where connections are made.

Focus on the first handful of words (~40 characters) of your headline and make a bold statement that will spark intrigue and capture brain space.

Instead of being a comedian – "oxygen consumer", "former baby" – be clear and deliver some relevant truth in the smallest space possible. Set an expectation that you're confident you can fulfil. I often refer to the headline as "the biggest promise you can keep."

My "relentlessly helpful" phrase has done a lot of heavy lifting for me since I came up with it in 2017, and it's why I wrote the book Content DNA. 

If you haven't touched your headline for ages, it's time to refresh it for 2026. If you need help, let's talk about it.

Posted: 8 Jan 2026 at 9.58am (GMT)

Reset The LinkedIn Room, in 4K.

Posted: 14 Jan 2026 at 1.32pm (GMT)

Thanks to everyone who's supported the Espresso+ community since I launched it on 31 January 2022 (while in the middle of a nasty bout of chickenpox!). We made it to four years and counting 😎

I'm currently on the way home to South Wales after delivering a LinkedIn masterclass at Inspire Day in Milan yesterday. Back in the saddle soon with our latest Espresso+ LinkedIn Roundup of all new features and news over the past month, exclusively for members. It's been a busy one!

Posted: 31 Jan 2026 at 11.17am (GMT)

I have no idea whether these numbers are good (what does that even mean?) but on the off-chance that anyone is interested, here's how the Informed podcast is doing. These stats are from Captivate FM, my host for the show.

Latest episode 474 is out today, on the topic of fake accounts. You can listen on Apple and Spotify. 

Posted: 10 Jan 2026 at 3.46pm (GMT)

Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday's open LaunchPad call ahead of the UpLift Live 26 conference, including some past and future speakers. It was a fun session and 16 lucky people out of the 130 who entered won something in our prize draw. 

Top prize was a free ticket to the conference, plus there were consultation sessions and business books being given out. If you won, look out for an email from me this morning.

We have one more LaunchPad call on the way on 20 March, exclusively for conference ticket-holders. We're also soon offering a couple of valuable bonus webinars to ticket-holders.

The main conference is on Thursday 26 March in Birmingham, but there's also a livestream+recordings ticket if you can't make it in person. Prices will be going up soon, so now is the time to hop aboard. 

If you want to level up your LinkedIn knowledge in a day, UpLift Live is the place to be. Please shout if you have any questions, and thanks again to everyone for your support.

Posted: 9 Jan 2026 at 8.56am (GMT)

TEST: posting something off-topic should not get lots of views. Let's see:

Last night's Golden Globes winners

Best film – drama
Hamnet

Best film – musical or comedy
One Battle After Another

Best male actor in a film
Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

Best female actor in a film – drama
Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

Best television series – musical or comedy
The Studio

Best television limited series, anthology series or television film
Adolescence 

Best television series – drama
The Pitt

Best female actor in a television series – drama
Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus

Best standup comedy on television
Ricky Gervais, Ricky Gervais: Mortality 

Best supporting female actor on television
Erin Doherty, Adolescence 

Best film – non-English language
The Secret Agent

Best film – animated
KPop Demon Hunters

Best director – film
Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

Cinematic and box office achievement
Sinners

Best female actor in a television limited series, anthology series or television film
Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex

Best male actor in television limited series, anthology series or television film
Stephen Graham, Adolescence

Best male actor in a film – musical or comedy
Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme 

Best female actor in a film – musical or comedy
Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You 

Best screenplay – film
Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

Best original score – film
Ludwig Göransson, Sinners

Best original song – film
Golden, KPop Demon Hunters

Best podcast
Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Best male actor in a television series – musical or comedy
Seth Rogen, The Studio

Best supporting male actor on television
Owen Cooper, Adolescence

Best female actor in a television series – musical or comedy
Jean Smart, Hacks

Best male actor in a television series – drama
Noah Wyle, The Pitt

Best male actor in a supporting role in a film
Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value

Best female actor in a supporting role in a film
Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

PS. Saw Hamnet yesterday. Didn't think it was that great. Sorry!

Posted: 12 Jan 2026 at 7.52am (GMT)

The Espresso+ community turns 4 years old next week 🎉 That prompted me to revise the Experience item about it on my profile. 

Did you know that each Experience item can be up to 2000 characters long and have media attached to it?

Here's the new text:

———

Launched on 31 January 2022, Espresso+ is an online community of 100+ small business owners and solopreneurs. 

Membership offers learning, support and accountability for those who want to grow their business visibility on LinkedIn and online in an ethical, organic way.

Community members – "Espressians" – get:

• Private discussion group
• 2 Live Q&A calls per month
• Expert Q&A calls
• Monthly roundup of new LinkedIn features
• Video library & audio podcast
• Premium blog articles
• Audio podcast
• Email updates and offers
• Other member benefits

All video content is captioned along with full written transcripts, and an audio version of all content is available via our private Espresso+ podcast.

Members are based around the world, with community call times organised to cater for as many time zones as possible. 

Approximately one-third of members are LinkedIn trainers/specialists, meaning that Espresso+ is the home for some of the most experienced and knowledgeable power users on this platform; however, people of all technical abilities are welcome in the community. The golden rule is: don't be a douche canoe.

The discussion group is an ideal place to get quick, authoritative answers on common questions about building an effective online presence on LinkedIn and beyond.

The community contains no ads or sponsorships, and members are not asked or expected to support other members' content. To be clear, Espresso+ is NOT an engagement pod!

Membership costs only £42/month, with no minimum contract.

———

As you can see, I don't use the traditional CV-style writing that's typical for the Experience section. As a self-employed business owner, I'm not looking for a job, and so I can use this space to give an indication of the value of the community. 

What will the new AI-powered algorithms make of this? No idea yet. But it's all true and if it moves anyone to find out more about the community, it's done its job.

I hope this post might spur some of you to consider reviewing your own Experience items for 2026(?)

Posted: 21 Jan 2026 at 12.49pm (GMT)

On recommendations and video testimonials as powerful but underused marketing tools.

Posted: 15 Jan 2026 at 10.54am (GMT)

One of the best ways to build trust in your product or service is to get others to do your marketing for you. It's why we look at restaurant reviews r

Open article: LinkedIn recommendations and video testimonials by John Espirian • 5 min read

LinkedIn recommendations and video testimonials

Oh, Bending Spoons, why did you have to come for my beloved Vimeo? 


I've been a Vimeo power user for more than a decade. Now, the platform is likely to go the way of Evernote, StreamYard and WeTransfer, all of which have previously been acquired by BS (a fitting initialism 💩). 

Eventbrite is also moving to BS in 2026, and now the shambles is beginning at Vimeo with layoffs. I'm expecting feature cuts and a tripling of the price soon, which means that I'll have to look seriously at moving my Espresso+ video estate elsewhere.

Not happy at all 😡

Posted: 23 Jan 2026 at 2.00pm (GMT)

🆓 Until 28 February, eligible college and university students can get 12 free months of Microsoft 365 Premium and LinkedIn Premium Career.

Here are the details just posted on LinkedIn Help: 

• You must verify eligibility using a valid college or university email address.
• The offer isn’t available if you currently have or recently had a LinkedIn Career, LinkedIn Business, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter Lite subscription.
• After 12 free months, both subscriptions renew at standard pricing unless cancelled in your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts.
• Offer available through February 28, 2026, or while quantities last.
• Sign up with your college or university email to redeem this promotional offer.

Get your kids to hop on this in the next month.

Posted: 25 Jan 2026 at 8.10am (GMT)

💾  I've finally got a LinkedIn feature that many people in my Espresso+ community had a couple of months ago: the ability to see how many saves and sends an individual post has had on LinkedIn.

These are useful metrics for understanding how valuable your audience finds your content. They'd be even more powerful if the numbers were shown publicly alongside the stats for reactions and comments. The only possible downside I could think of there (apart from slightly more noise on the screen) is that these stats could give engagement pod users a bad new incentive to maximise the numbers ("make sure you like/comment AND save/send all of my craptacular content").

I'd like to see a combined set of saved and sent posts in the main analytics dashboard, instead of having to click into each post's analytics. That would be an easier way of tracking the perceived usefulness of your content over time.

Thanks to Espressian and UpLift Live 26 speaker Tony Restell for the reminder to check this. I had forgotten all about it!

Posted: 28 Jan 2026 at 9.00am (GMT)

Bonus webinar for UpLift Live 26 ticket-holders on 5 February at 4pm UK time: Illiya Vjestica is going to give us the low-down on how to transform our boring presentations into something memorable and impactful. 

He did an amazing job with Michelle J Raymond's presentation at UpLift Live 25 last year, and now he's going to be sharing his wisdom with everyone coming to this year's event.

Get your in-person or virtual ticket in time for this webinar so that we can invite you to attend (we'll send the Zoom via email). 

Thanks for supporting us, Illiya, and for making the UpLift Live conference even more valuable!

Posted: 22 Jan 2026 at 10.50am (GMT)

On tomorrow's LaunchPad call, we're drawing winners for our prize draw to give away a free ticket to the UpLift Live 26 conference, along with other prizes such as consultations and business books. 

There's still time to enter if you're quick. It's completely free, as is the 30-min Zoom call where the draw is happening. Get your name in and good luck!

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄
https://lnkd.in/edAeNsuJ

𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗣𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹
𝟴 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝟭𝗽𝗺–𝟭.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗨𝗞
https://lnkd.in/ejevFB-f

(If you haven't come across the LaunchPad before, it's a set of calls for ticket-holders to the conference, but our next call tomorrow is open to everyone. So, if you're on the fence about coming to Birmingham on 26 March, this is a great way to see who else is going to be in the room.)

Posted: 7 Jan 2026 at 11.14am (GMT)

Microsoft's latest earnings results (FY26 Q2) relating to LinkedIn:

• Double-digit member growth in LinkedIn, with 30% growth in paid video ads. 
• Strong adoption of LinkedIn Hiring Assistant, with weekly users growing 17% w/w on average.
• LinkedIn Marketing Solutions revenue grew 15% year over year.
• LinkedIn revenue increased 11% and 10% in constant currency driven by Marketing Solutions.
• Microsoft expect LinkedIn revenue growth in the low-double digits.

No news yet on LinkedIn member numbers, though the Q1 results put membership at 1.3 billion. I'll update when I have more. 

Going to be on my travels for a few days now, as I'm speaking at Inspire Day in Milan tomorrow 🇮🇹

Posted: 29 Jan 2026 at 6.35am (GMT)

Episode 476 of the Informed podcast came out on Saturday, where I revealed the name of our final speaker for UpLift Live 26 on 26 March 2026 in Birmingham. 

Listen now to see who's joining us for the UK's original conference on LinkedIn best practice. You'll also find out about a free bonus we're sharing with all ticket-holders.

The weekly Informed show is available on Apple, Spotify and all major podcast platforms. It's only 15 minutes and this week's main tip is about audio pronunciations on your LinkedIn profile.

If you're coming to Birmingham, please grab your ticket now as prices go up soon!

Posted: 26 Jan 2026 at 8.50am (GMT)

This year I want to do more to help people directly with their LinkedIn and online business strategy, so I'm offering 20-minute and 60-minute consultations. For experimentally backed answers without any fluff, grab a spot: tidycal.com/espirian

Posted: 5 Jan 2026 at 9.26am (GMT)

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲.
I’m a human content writer and local business community champion. I help people and businesses show up with confidence – online, on LinkedIn and in person. From personality-led writing to buzzing business expos, I’m all about real connection. No fluff. No waffle. Just people talking to people – and getting stuff done.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. I work with business owners and professionals who want to share what they do without sounding robotic, salesy or like they’ve copied it from someone else. I write LinkedIn posts, blogs, newsletters, web copy, lead magnets, direct mail and more – anything that helps you communicate clearly and consistently with the people you want to reach.

My content is 95% human (me), with just a light sprinkle of AI when it earns its keep.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
I run 3 Counties Expo – a high-energy business exhibition connecting ambitious businesses across Herts, Beds and Bucks. It sparks conversations, raises profiles and grows networks.

I also run Padel Business Connect, smashing business and sport together.

And I'm co-organiser of UpLift Live – the UK’s first and flagship conference dedicated entirely to LinkedIn. It’s for professionals who want to use the platform more confidently, creatively and strategically. 

𝗟𝗶𝗽 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
Slightly more niche – I'm an expert witness forensic lip reader. Since 2008, I’ve written over 1,000 reports for legal, media and healthcare clients. I’ve lipread for print and entertainment media, legal, sport and health sectors. It’s highly specialist work – and not something AI can do (yet).

I'm profoundly deaf and use speech to communicate – not sign language. 

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀
I speak at events and workshops on being human in the age of AI, building business communities, making content more inclusive, and networking in a way that actually works – always with practical advice and just enough humour to keep it lively.

𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗙𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀)
Because business isn’t the whole story... Long-suffering Middlesex CCC and Watford FC supporter (sympathy welcome). I once ran one of Watford’s top digital agencies, sold out of bubble liquid on Amazon, and built and sold toy shops. I’ve handled logistics, warehousing, manufacturing – and helped raise millions for good causes. All before lunch. (Well, nearly.)

Fancy a chat? Book a Zoom call with me here: https://calendly.com/businessbrainbox

Jeremy Freeman

Doing something mad today.

I’m having a day off in the company of my son, Eytan.

Nothing mad about that.

What is mad is that we’ve taken advantage of a cheap flight and we’re off to Copenhagen for the day (the car parking cost more than the flights).

Back home this evening. A proper little adventure.

Human Content Writer & People Champion. Words that resonate. Events that connect. Communities that grow.

My flabber was gasted when I read The Times on Monday.

I was genuinely filled with shock and horror.

Deaf people across the UK are being forced to turn off their hearing aids because of a nationwide NHS battery shortage. Some are being rationed to one pack per week. Others are making repeated trips to hospitals and GP surgeries, paying parking and travel costs, just to keep their hearing aids alive.

I do not think I have ever come across a situation like this in all my years on this planet.

Let me be clear. Hearing aids are not a “nice to have”. They are essential.

I am profoundly deaf. I rely on hearing aids every single day. Without them, I could not function properly. I would become isolated very quickly. And yes, if this were happening to me, I know I would spiral into depression.

This is about safety. This is about dignity. This is about people being able to communicate, work, socialise and live independently.

We talk a lot about accessibility and inclusion. This is what it looks like when those words fail in practice.

People in their eighties are switching off their hearing aids to save battery life.

Read that again.

Wes Streeting, this needs sorting. Urgently.

Hearing aids change lives. Batteries power those lives. This should not be happening in 2026.

If you rely on hearing aids, know someone who does, or work in healthcare, I would genuinely like to hear your experiences.

I’ll be honest. These days I very rarely attend early morning breakfast networking meetings.

But Moor Park Business Club is one exception I’m always happy to make.

The venue alone is worth it. Moor Park Mansion is genuinely stunning. It feels more like you’re arriving at a stately home than a networking event. 

And Annick Devillard is a wonderful host. She creates a relaxed atmosphere where people actually connect properly, not just hand over business cards and disappear.

And the breakfasts are properly posh. Think Eggs Royale. Eggs Hollandaise. Not a sad croissant in sight.  

I’m speaking at the first face-to-face Moor Park Business Club meeting of 2026 at Moor Park Mansion on Wednesday 28 January, 7:00 to 9:15. (£22)

My talk is called VCP:
Visibility + Credibility = Profitability

I’ll be sharing practical tips on how I’ve grown my business online and offline, and what you can take into 2026 to grow yours too.

If you’d like to come along, drop me a message and I’ll send you the booking details.

Photo - selfie of me on the balcony outside Parliament.  I get multiple invitations to the House of Lords as a result of my visibility and credibility!

“It’s a waste of money.”
"You're mad."
“You won’t save that much.”
“Are you sure you’ll get your money back?”

These are just some of the negative reactions I’ve had since mentioning we’re installing solar panels.

Well… the scaffolding is up, and tomorrow the panels and battery storage go in.

I’m not an eco-warrior.

Yes, I was an early adopter of electric cars. I’ve driven five over the past 14 years and saved several thousand pounds along the way. Yes, I recycle as much as I can at home. But I’m also old fashioned. I still print and file invoices (I know, mad) and I prefer real books to another glowing screen in my hand.

I’m also deeply uncomfortable with green-washing. The virtue signalling. The “I planted a tree” fanfare. I don’t pretend to understand carbon calculations or footprint dashboards.

So this isn’t about chasing eco badges.

It’s about doing something practical. Helping the planet in a small way. And yes, saving money each month on electricity, even in the UK with our unpredictable weather. I’m anticipating a minimum saving of around £50 per month, and time will tell.

Thanks to Gary Brown, I was introduced to a company offering solar installation with zero upfront cost. Literally zero. No catch. Which means we should be saving from day one. 

I’m happy to introduce anyone who’s curious, although I’m not naming them here as there’s a referral scheme involved (you and I get rewarded).

The real reason for this post is simple.

I’m going to share occasional updates. The savings (if any). The logistics. What actually works. What doesn’t. No hype. No spin. Just real-life experience.

So over to you.

Who already has solar?
Who’s thinking about it?
And who’s still convinced it’s all a terrible idea?

I’ve been waiting to share this one.

We’ve just confirmed our final speaker for UpLift Live 2026, and I’m genuinely delighted to welcome Phill Agnew to the stage in Birmingham.

Phill is the creator and host of Nudge Podcast, one of the most listened-to marketing podcasts in the world. 

What I love about Phill’s work is how he takes behavioural science and marketing psychology and turns it into practical ideas you can actually use. No fluff. Just clear thinking about how people really make decisions.

Over the years, Phill has interviewed some seriously impressive minds, including Rory Sutherland, Daniel Pink, Christopher Voss, Jonah Berger, Richard Shotton and Robert Cialdini. That gives you a good sense of the calibre of conversation he brings.

This feels like a real coup for us, and exactly the kind of thinking we want at UpLift Live.

Phill joins us in Birmingham on 26 March 2026, and I have no doubt his session will be one people are still talking about long after the day itself.

Welcome to UpLift Live, Phill.

71 days to go until UpLift Live.

Now that 2026 has arrived, John, Gus and I are properly ramping things up as we head towards the third edition of UpLift Live in Birmingham.

First of all, a huge congratulations to Tori Lancaster, who won our prize draw last week and bagged herself a ticket to UpLift Live 2026. And well done to the runners-up too, who won books generously donated by our author friends.

What I loved most about the draw is that it didn’t just reward one person. Everyone who entered received a little gift too. It felt like a nice way to start the year and say thank you.

Over the next couple of months, you’ll probably see plenty of posts from me preaching the benefits of UpLift Live. Fair warning.

Because where else will you get 8+ masterclasses on LinkedIn in one day, all designed to give you practical actions you can take away and use immediately to support your business?

This short video testimonial from MARK LEE FCA sums it up brilliantly. He’s coming to his third UpLift Live and what the video doesn’t show is something he said afterwards:

It’s the first conference he plans to attend this year. He’s cutting down on events in 2026, but he’s still making time for this one.

That meant a lot to hear.

UpLift Live takes place on Thursday 26 March 2026 in Birmingham.

BREAKING NEWS: We’ve added an extra UpLift Live Live speaker…

And yes, I already know who it is.

No, I’m not allowed to tell you yet.

But I can drop a few clues…

Our mystery speaker is:

💥 someone who understands human behaviour better than most.

💥 someone who turns marketing thinking into practical, usable ideas.

💥 someone who doesn’t do fluff, and doesn’t do noise.

💥 someone with a huge following that stretches well beyond the UK.

💥 someone who will give you a talk you’ll be quoting afterwards.

That’s all you’re getting from me for now.

More clues later this week.

Any guesses?

taplio

The Battle

John Espirian

Jeremy Freeman

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreJohn Espirian's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJeremy Freeman's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

John Espirian

Jeremy Freeman

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}John Espirian's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJeremy Freeman's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJohn Espirian's LinkedIn Performance