Why Most MSPs Struggle With Growth (and How Employee-Generated Content Could Be the Fix)

Most MSPs are fighting the same two battles: Breaking free from the referral trap Standing out when everyone looks identical Your website promises expert IT services. So does everyon...

Junaid Khalid
6 min read
(updated )

Most MSPs are fighting the same two battles:

  1. Breaking free from the referral trap

  2. Standing out when everyone looks identical

Your website promises expert IT services. So does everyone else's.

Your LinkedIn company page showcases client testimonials. Just like your competitors.

Your cold outreach emails highlight your certifications and experience. The same as hundreds of others.

Most MSPs hit a growth ceiling and can't figure out why. You've invested in marketing. You've optimized your sales pitch. You've even rebuilt your website.

But what if your most powerful marketing asset isn't hiding in your SEO strategy or your sales scripts?

What if it's walking around your office right now?

Your team. The individuals who solve client problems every day. The ones who represent your brand in every email, ticket, and Zoom call.

The MSP Market in 2025

The numbers paint an interesting picture. MSP revenue is projected to grow about 13% in 2025, reaching US$595 billion globally. Sounds promising until you consider:

  • Your margins face pressure from low-cost providers

  • M&A activity means competing against larger entities with deeper pockets

  • Your clients are tightening budgets due to economic uncertainty

  • Finding and keeping good technical talent grows increasingly difficult

Meanwhile, traditional marketing effectiveness continues to decline. People have developed immunity to corporate messaging after seeing countless "trusted partner" headlines and "client-focused solutions" taglines.

What clients actually seek? Genuine human connections.

Employee-Generated Content: Your Hidden Advantage

Stand out, show your teamThis is where employee-generated content (EGC) comes in. Not corporate content pushed through employee accounts. Real, authentic content created and shared by your team members.

Think about it: Who do clients actually interact with? Not your company page. Your engineers. Your account managers. Your help desk specialists.

These are the people your clients trust to solve their problems. Why not leverage that trust?

LinkedIn Ads vs. Employee-Generated Content: The Numbers

Approach Cost Engagement Trust Factor ROI
LinkedIn Ads $6-$10 per 1,000 impressions Lower (corporate messaging) Low (people expect to be sold to) Directly measurable but typically low
Employee Content $0 for organic reach 2x higher than company posts High (comes from real people) Higher but less directly measurable
5 Employees Posting Weekly Only time investment Thousands of organic impressions Builds personal connections Compounds over time

Sources: LinkedIn, Refine Labs

Beyond the Numbers: Strategic Benefits

1. Client Retention Through Relationship Building

When was the last time a client mentioned your company's social media presence as a reason for staying?

Probably never.

But they do stay when relationships are strong. EGC creates multiple natural touchpoints between service tickets. When clients regularly see helpful content from your technicians and account managers, they build deeper connections with your team.

These connections work by:

  • Keeping you in mind without scheduling another check-in call

  • Showcasing your team's expertise in helpful, non-promotional ways

  • Building personal connections beyond the service contract

  • Delivering value even between support interactions

2. Natural Upsell Opportunities

Few clients check your website after onboarding. But they do scroll LinkedIn while waiting for meetings.

When your cybersecurity specialist shares content about ransomware threats, you're planting seeds. When your cloud engineer explains Azure cost optimization, you're educating. Neither feels promotional, but both establish groundwork for future service discussions.

3. Talent Acquisition Advantage

Finding IT talent continues to challenge MSPs. Culture visibility matters more than ever.

EGC serves dual purposes:

  • It provides your current team with a professional platform (increasing retention)

  • It showcases your company culture to potential hires who see your team's content

The compounding effect: better employer branding → better talent → better service → happier clients → sustainable growth.

Why Most Employee Advocacy Programs Disappear Quickly

"I'll just ask my team to start posting!" If you've tried this approach, you know what happens next:

Initial enthusiasm → sporadic posting → participation drops → program abandoned

Most MSP employee advocacy efforts fade quickly for predictable reasons:

1. Time Limitations

Your engineers already juggle tickets, projects, and client emergencies. Adding "content creator" to their responsibilities often proves unsustainable.

2. Authenticity Challenges

"We wrote this technical post about Azure security for you to share!" This approach satisfies no one. The content doesn't reflect the employee's voice, the employee feels uncomfortable sharing it, and their connections can recognize corporate messaging immediately.

3. Feedback Gaps

Without seeing what resonates, motivation diminishes. Most technical staff don't track content metrics independently or know how to interpret them effectively.

4. Perceived Burden

When content creation feels like another corporate requirement rather than a professional development opportunity, enthusiasm quickly dissipates.

Even organizations with dedicated social media resources struggle with these challenges. The conventional approach contains fundamental flaws.

Successful MSP Approaches to EGC

MSPs succeeding with EGC aren't simply motivating harder or conducting more training. They're fundamentally transforming the equation by providing their teams with:

1. Tools That Preserve Individual Voice

Effective platforms help technical professionals produce content that reflects their unique expertise and personality without requiring them to become part-time marketers.

2. Strategic Framework, Not Vague Directives

"Post about tech!" leads to paralysis. Successful programs offer team members specific guidance on topics, audiences, and objectives aligned with both company goals and personal interests.

3. Streamlined Creation Process

When content creation takes minutes instead of hours, participation increases dramatically. Optimal systems convert brief thoughts into polished, shareable posts with minimal effort.

4. Performance Visibility

Seeing content impact motivates continued participation. Forward-thinking MSPs provide straightforward analytics showing results without requiring marketing expertise.

Tools like LiGo address these challenges effectively. Using AI that understands both technical subject matter and personal communication style, these platforms enable busy engineers to maintain consistent professional presence without sacrificing personal time.

Building Your EGC Growth Strategy

For MSPs looking to differentiate in 2025, employee-generated content offers a substantial competitive advantage.

MSPs who implement effective EGC programs gain multiple strategic benefits:

  • Stronger client relationships reducing churn

  • Natural service expansion pathways

  • Enhanced visibility to prospects and potential hires

  • Genuine thought leadership demonstrating expertise

The most successful managed service providers now build relationship networks powered by the authentic voices of their team members.

Moving Forward

Consider whether another generic marketing campaign or company blog post is your best investment.

A sustainable system that empowers your team as your marketing channel offers significantly more long-term value.

The technology to implement this approach exists today. LiGo's Chrome extension makes LinkedIn engagement accessible for busy technical professionals, while the analytics platform provides the feedback mechanisms that sustain participation.

In an industry where differentiation grows increasingly challenging, employee-generated content provides a distinct competitive edge. Building this capability now positions you ahead of competitors who continue investing primarily in traditional marketing approaches.

Want to learn exactly how LiGo helps MSPs implement successful employee advocacy programs without overwhelming their teams? Read our follow-up article: How LiGo Helps MSPs Build Employee-Generated Content Engines Without Overwhelming Their Teams


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Junaid Khalid

About the Author

I have helped 50,000+ professionals with building a personal brand on LinkedIn through my content and products, and directly consulted dozens of businesses in building a Founder Brand and Employee Advocacy Program to grow their business via LinkedIn

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