[Episode Sixty-Five of ‘The Employee Advocacy and Influence Podcast] 🎧
In this episode of The Employee Advocacy & Influence Podcast, Lewis Gray and Elliot Elsley sit down with Sarah Clay, CEO of Sarah Clay Social, to uncover how to turn even the most reluctant employees into confident LinkedIn advocates.
Sarah is one of the UK’s leading LinkedIn trainers, helping large organizations launch and sustain successful employee advocacy programs. In this conversation, she shares her proven methods for breaking down posting fears, demystifying LinkedIn, and teaching employees to build habits that last. From passive advocacy (engaging without posting) to her step-by-step process for getting first posts live, Sarah offers invaluable advice for marketers, HR teams, and leaders running advocacy initiatives.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why passive advocacy (likes, comments, shares) matters just as much as posting.
- How to help employees overcome the fear of “not being clever enough” on LinkedIn.
- Sarah’s hands-on training techniques that build posting confidence.
- The role of executives in leading advocacy by example.
The Power of Passive Employee Engagement on LinkedIn
A major insight from this episode is Sarah Clay’s emphasis on passive advocacy, proving that employees don’t need to post to make an impact on LinkedIn. Simple actions like liking, commenting, or sharing company posts create valuable visibility that helps amplify reach. Passive engagement also acts as a stepping stone for employees who are hesitant to post, building confidence over time and encouraging deeper involvement in advocacy programs and highlighting that even the smallest engagement can snowball into a huge win for brand reach.
Overcoming LinkedIn Posting Fears
Many employees are reluctant to post on LinkedIn due to fear of judgment, uncertainty about what to say, or feeling like they don’t have enough connections. These fears can be overcome with the right training and support, helping employees see LinkedIn as an approachable space. Sarah’s approach tackles this head-on with hands-on coaching. Sarah reframes LinkedIn as “a networking party,” teaching people to show up online just as they would in real life. By building confidence step by step, they begin to share their voices authentically and contribute more actively.
Executive Leadership Drives Advocacy Culture
Another key takeaway is that executive involvement isn’t optional; it’s essential. Sarah stressed that leaders must lead by example, because if senior figures aren’t visibly engaged, employees won’t be either. When executives actively engage in an advocacy program, they set the tone for the entire organization. Their visible involvement encourages participation at all levels and reinforces that advocacy is a priority. Without leadership support, programs struggle to gain traction; with it, advocacy becomes embedded in company culture. That visible top-down support not only legitimizes the program but also sparks widespread participation from employees at every level.
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Selina Sher Gill
Selina has a Master's Degree in Marketing and Brand Management, and is DSMN8's Digital Marketing Executive. She's a pro at creating and editing video content, using these skills to create short-form social media videos and edit the Employee Advocacy and Influence podcast.
