Mastering LinkedIn with Authenticity: How Natasha Walstra Helps Professionals Build Their Personal Brands
Interview by Heather Anderson
Navigating the world of LinkedIn can feel like a mystery to many professionals. For Natasha Walstra, founder of NearPoint Strategies, it’s second nature. With a career spanning Silicon Valley, Argentina, and France, Natasha has developed a unique, relationship-centric approach to sales and personal branding. From her early days struggling in cold calling to pioneering an empathetic, results-driven LinkedIn strategy, she’s now guiding professionals, business owners, and teams to leverage their digital presence for success.
Let’s dive into how Natasha mastered LinkedIn and why she believes a personal brand is the key to business growth.
Can you take us back to the beginning—what sparked your interest in sales and personal branding, and how did your journey lead you to specialize in LinkedIn sales and growth strategy?
It actually started out of fear and competition. I moved back from Argentina after six years and was bartending while trying to figure out my next step. My dad and brother were both in tech sales, and being in Silicon Valley, I thought, 'Why not try it?'
But I am an introvert and used to be super shy—so stepping into sales, especially as a sales development rep (SDR) making 100 cold calls a day, was a nightmare. I hated it. It felt unnatural, like I was annoying people. I knew there had to be a better way. That’s when I started experimenting with LinkedIn as a way to warm up connections before calling them. It was a game-changer. People were much more receptive, and I realized that relationship-building, not just volume, led to real results. That shift became the foundation for everything I do now.
You’ve had significant roles at both Carbon and Forbes Books, where you led shifts in sales strategies and personal branding. How did your work at these companies shape your LinkedIn strategies today?
At Carbon, a leading 3D printing company specializing in digital light synthesis technology, I had zero technical experience—I had studied geography and anthropology in school. So I had to find a way to establish credibility with VPs and CTOs. I started sharing insights from our clients, partners, and CEO, essentially borrowing credibility while providing value. That made me the face of Carbon on LinkedIn, and eventually, even the CEO asked me to teach him and the rest of the company how to use the platform effectively.
At Forbes Books, I realized that even the most successful CEOs and thought leaders struggled with digital presence. Writing a book wasn’t enough—without an engaged audience, it wouldn't reach anyone. That’s when I saw the gap: professionals needed to build their personal brands first to create opportunities later.
“Action is greater than perfection. Start with simple, fact-based content: share industry updates, event takeaways, or newsjacking”
Your background spans multiple cultures and industries. What key lessons from Argentina, France, and Silicon Valley do you apply most frequently when working with LinkedIn clients?
Argentina taught me two crucial things. First, in film production, I was constantly second-guessing myself until a director told me, "Don’t ask—resolve." That mindset shift to trusting myself has stayed with me ever since. Second, learning Spanish forced me to stop being afraid of making mistakes. For the first six months, I barely spoke because I was scared to sound stupid. But once I let go of that fear, I became fluent within months. That’s exactly how LinkedIn works—people hesitate because they don’t want to ‘mess up,’ but progress comes from showing up consistently.
Who are the typical clients that come to you for LinkedIn help, and what are they struggling with when they first reach out?
Many assume LinkedIn is just for CEOs, but I work with leaders, consultants, entrepreneurs, and entire sales teams. Most struggle with visibility—they don’t know how to position themselves, create content, or engage in conversations that lead to business opportunities. My job is to help them build confidence, refine their messaging, and develop a system that works for them.
What does working with you look like? Walk us through your process.
I break it down into five phases:
Mindset Reframe: Many professionals hesitate to put themselves out there. We start by addressing their comfort levels and reworking their approach so LinkedIn doesn’t feel like a chore.
Personal Branding: We optimize their profile to serve as a personal landing page. It’s not about a resume—it’s about making it clear who they serve and how they help.
Content Creation: Many struggle with writing. I help clients structure their thoughts into LinkedIn-friendly content and incorporate video to build trust and authority.
Social Selling: Posting isn’t enough; engagement is key. I teach them how to start and maintain meaningful conversations that turn into opportunities.
Accountability & Consistency: The biggest challenge is follow-through. We have bi-weekly meetings to track progress, troubleshoot issues, and refine their approach.
What are some of the biggest mistakes professionals make on LinkedIn?
Relying on automation and AI-generated comments. Relationships can’t be outsourced. I see so many AI-generated responses on posts—it’s obvious, and it doesn’t inspire trust. Instead of trying to game the system, professionals should focus on real engagement, even if that means posting less often but with more intention.
Can you share a success story of a client who transformed their LinkedIn presence through your strategies?
One of my first clients was frustrated with business development. He hated cold outreach and didn’t know how to generate leads. I had him reframe his approach—no more pitching, just reconnecting with former colleagues who already trusted him. A few months later, he landed a high-paying corporate workshop through one of those reconnections—no cold outreach required. It was proof that an authentic, relationship-first approach works.
For professionals who feel overwhelmed by LinkedIn, what’s your top piece of advice?
Action is greater than perfection. Start with simple, fact-based content: share industry updates, event takeaways, or newsjacking (adding your insights to trending topics). This helps you get comfortable before diving into more original thought leadership. The key is consistency—onlike around 1% of LinkedIn users post original content, so just showing up puts you ahead.
What do you find most rewarding about helping others succeed on LinkedIn?
Seeing my clients go from feeling lost to thriving. Many start off dreading LinkedIn but end up loving it because they see results. Helping them reframe sales and relationship-building in a way that feels good to them is what keeps me excited about this work.
Ready to turn LinkedIn into a powerful tool for your business?
Connect with Natasha Walstra on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
Book a free 20-minute strategy call with her here.
You can also her on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with her inside The Club membership for women founders.