Unlocking LinkedIn’s Power: Natasha Walstra’s Approach to Social Selling
Natasha Walstra
On this episode of Badass Women in Business, Aggie and Cristy welcome Natasha Walstra, the founder of NearPoint Strategies, to dive into her innovative approach to LinkedIn and social selling. Natasha’s journey from reluctant salesperson to sought-after strategist is a testament to resilience, creative thinking, and the power of relationships. Her mission? To help others leverage LinkedIn as a tool for authentic connection and measurable business growth.
If you’re looking for inspiration and practical advice to transform your LinkedIn game, this episode is packed with actionable strategies.
From Reluctant SDR to LinkedIn Strategist
Natasha’s professional journey didn’t start with a love for sales. In fact, as an introvert, her first job as a Sales Development Representative (SDR)—making 100 cold calls a day—was an uphill battle. It wasn’t just the volume of calls that felt draining; it was the impersonal nature of the approach. Determined to find a better way, Natasha turned to LinkedIn as a platform to connect with prospects more genuinely.
Her experiment paid off. By focusing on personal connections, she not only hit her sales targets but also discovered a method that felt aligned with her values. Over the next decade, Natasha refined her system, ultimately creating the Nearbound strategy that is now the foundation of NearPoint Strategies.
The Nearbound Approach
The Nearbound approach flips the script on traditional sales tactics. Instead of relying on cold outreach or mass automation, Natasha emphasizes the power of building relationships and leveraging networks. Her strategy combines personal branding with intentional connection to create a process that’s sustainable and effective.
Here are the pillars of Natasha’s Nearbound strategy:
Personal Branding: Showing up authentically and positioning yourself as a credible expert in your field. This includes sharing valuable insights, personal stories, and relatable content that builds trust.
Relationship-Building: Engaging meaningfully in comments, direct messages, and behind-the-scenes conversations to cultivate connections that matter.
Sustainability: Natasha spends less than an hour a day on LinkedIn, proving that with the right strategy, you can generate significant results without living on the platform.
Results That Matter: Her clients have seen measurable ROI, from landing new clients and referral partnerships to booking speaking engagements, podcast appearances, and beyond.
Natasha is quick to point out that social selling is not about vanity metrics. While likes and impressions have their place, the true value lies in the quality of conversations and opportunities that happen off-platform.
Lessons in Entrepreneurship
As a business owner herself, Natasha knows the challenges of building something from the ground up. In the episode, she opens up about her own fears and hurdles, including the leap of faith it took to start her business and the ongoing balance of working in the business versus on the business.
One of her key takeaways? The importance of support. Natasha credits much of her recent success to hiring a virtual assistant (VA), a move she initially hesitated to make. That decision, however, freed up her time and allowed her to focus on high-value activities like strategy and client acquisition.
Natasha also emphasizes that building a business requires flexibility and a willingness to iterate. Her journey included pivots in service offerings, meeting cadences, and even pricing structures—all based on client feedback and the natural evolution of her work.
Empowering Women Globally
Beyond NearPoint Strategies, Natasha serves as the Executive Director of the Inner Mountain Foundation, a global community dedicated to empowering women. In this role, she leads initiatives that support women in finding their voices and navigating their own professional journeys. Natasha also hosts the foundation’s podcast, The Climb, where she shares stories of resilience and growth.
This dual role reflects Natasha’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections and uplifting others, whether through LinkedIn strategies or broader empowerment efforts.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
Conversations Matter: Focus on building meaningful relationships, both online and offline, rather than chasing vanity metrics.
Consistency Over Perfection: Showing up regularly—even for just 10 minutes a day—can yield significant results over time.
Invest in Support: Whether it’s a virtual assistant, a mentor, or a coach, surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate your growth.
Iterate as You Grow: Business strategies evolve, and that’s okay. Be open to refining your process based on real-world feedback and opportunities.
The Future of NearPoint Strategies
As Natasha continues to grow her business, her focus is on scaling intentionally. She envisions expanding her team to include like-minded individuals who can help bring her Nearbound system to more organizations and leaders. With a baby on the way and new opportunities unfolding, Natasha is leaning into this next chapter with the same authenticity and strategic thinking that has defined her journey so far.
Ready to Transform Your LinkedIn Strategy?
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to use LinkedIn effectively, Natasha’s insights offer a refreshing perspective. Her approach proves that with authenticity, consistency, and the right strategy, you can create meaningful connections and achieve real business results—all without sacrificing hours of your day.
Tune in to this inspiring episode to learn how to elevate your LinkedIn game, grow your network, and drive sustainable business growth. Listen on [Spotify] or your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to follow Natasha’s journey on LinkedIn at Natasha Walstra.
Stay badass, and we’ll see you next time!
