I break down what works on LinkedIn so you can create content that resonates.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The profile audit checklist: 15 things to fix this week

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

The Profile Audit Checklist: 15 Things to Fix This Week

Your content is great.

Your posts are solid. Your hooks are sharp. You’re showing up consistently.

But something’s off.

People see your posts. They click your profile. And then... nothing. They don’t follow. They don’t connect. They don’t reach out.

The problem isn’t your content.

It’s your profile.

Your profile is your landing page. Every post, every comment, every DM leads people back to it. If your profile is confusing, boring, or unclear, you’re leaking opportunities every single day.

I’ve audited hundreds of profiles. Most have the same problems.

Today I’m giving you the checklist I use. 15 things to fix. You can do all of them this week.

Let’s go.

Part 1: The First Impression

1. Profile Photo: Is it clear, professional, and friendly?

Your face should take up 60-70% of the frame.

Good lighting. Simple background. Looking at the camera.

No sunglasses. No group photos. No logos. No photos from 10 years ago.

Smile. People connect with people who look approachable.

If your photo is outdated or blurry, replace it today. Takes 5 minutes.

2. Banner: Does it have a clear message and CTA?

99% of LinkedIn banners are wasted space.

A nice landscape photo. A company logo. Random graphics.

Useless.

Your banner should tell visitors:

• What you do

• Who you help

• What to do next (CTA)

Example: “I help B2B founders generate leads with LinkedIn content. Download my free guide → link”

One clear message. One clear action.

3. Headline: Does it speak to your ideal client?

Most headlines are job titles.

“Marketing Manager at Company X”
“Founder & CEO”
“Sales Professional”

Boring. Tells me nothing about how you can help me.

Better formula: I help [who] do [what] through [how].

“I help founders build personal brands that generate leads”
“Helping freelancers land clients without cold outreach”
“LinkedIn content strategist for B2B companies”

Your headline should make your ideal client think: “This person gets me.”

4. Name Field: Is it clean?

Your name should be your name. That’s it.

Don’t stuff it with emojis, credentials, or keywords.

Bad: “John Smith 🚀 | LinkedIn Expert™ | Author | Speaker | Coach”

Good: “John Smith”

Keep it clean. Keep it professional.

Part 2: The About Section

5. First Line: Does it hook them?

Most people won’t click “see more” on your About section.

So your first line needs to grab attention.

Don’t start with: “I am a passionate professional with 15 years of experience in...”

Boring. Next.

Start with something that pulls them in:

“I’ve helped 50+ founders turn LinkedIn into their #1 lead source.”
“Most LinkedIn advice is garbage. Here’s what actually works.”
“I was mass-rejected 200+ times on Upwork. Then everything changed.”

Hook first. Bio second.

6. The Story: Do you explain why you do this?

People don’t just want to know what you do.

They want to know why.

What’s your story? What led you here? What problem did you face that you now solve for others?

Share the journey. Make it human.

2-3 short paragraphs max. No walls of text.

7. The Offer: Is it crystal clear what you do?

After your story, get specific.

Who do you help? What do you help them do? What’s the outcome?

“I help B2B founders create LinkedIn content that books calls.”
“I work with freelancers who want to land premium clients without cold outreach.”

One core offer. Clear outcome. No confusion.

8. The CTA: Do you tell them what to do next?

End your About section with a clear next step.

“DM me ‘CONTENT’ and I’ll send you my free guide.”
“Book a free call: [link]”
“Follow me for daily LinkedIn tips.”

Don’t leave them hanging. Tell them exactly what to do.

Part 3: The Featured Section

9. Featured Section: Is it set up?

Most people ignore this completely. Big mistake.

Your Featured section is prime real estate. It’s visible right at the top.

Use it to showcase:

• Your best-performing posts

• Your lead magnet or free resource

• A link to book a call

• Your newsletter or website

1-3 items max. Keep it focused.

10. Order: Is your most important item first?

The first featured item gets the most clicks.

Put your highest-priority CTA first. Lead magnet. Booking link. Best content.

Don’t bury the good stuff.

Part 4: Experience & Credentials

11. Current Position: Does it match your offer?

Your current position should reinforce what you do.

If you’re a freelancer or founder, don’t leave an old corporate job as your current position.

Create a position for your business. Use it to describe what you do and who you help.

12. Past Experience: Is it relevant?

You don’t need to list every job you’ve ever had.

Keep the positions that build credibility for what you do now.

Remove the random summer jobs from 15 years ago. They’re not helping.

13. Skills: Are your top 2 skills relevant?

LinkedIn shows your top 2 skills prominently.

Make sure they match what you want to be known for.

Go to your Skills section. Reorder them. Put the most relevant ones first.

Part 5: The Small Details

14. Custom URL: Is it clean?

Your LinkedIn URL should be: linkedin.com/in/yourname

Not: linkedin.com/in/john-smith-8374629172634

Go to Edit Profile → Contact Info → Edit your custom URL.

Clean URLs look more professional. And they’re easier to share.

15. Creator Mode: Is it on (if it makes sense)?

Creator Mode changes a few things:

• “Follow” becomes the default button (instead of “Connect”)

• Your Featured section moves higher

• You can add topics you post about

If you’re building an audience, turn it on.

If you’re mainly networking or job hunting, maybe leave it off.

Decide based on your goals.

The Quick Audit

Here’s the full checklist in one place:

First Impression:
☐ Profile photo is clear, professional, friendly
☐ Banner has a message and CTA
☐ Headline speaks to ideal client
☐ Name field is clean

About Section:
☐ First line hooks attention
☐ Story explains why you do this
☐ Offer is crystal clear
☐ CTA tells them what to do next

Featured Section:
☐ Featured section is set up
☐ Most important item is first

Experience & Credentials:
☐ Current position matches your offer
☐ Past experience is relevant
☐ Top 2 skills are relevant

Small Details:
☐ Custom URL is clean
☐ Creator Mode is on (if applicable)

How Long This Takes

You can fix all 15 things in 1-2 hours.

Some items take 5 minutes (custom URL, reordering skills).

Some take longer (rewriting your About section, creating a new banner).

Block 2 hours this week. Do the full audit. Fix everything.

Then revisit every 3 months. Your profile should evolve as you evolve.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Print out the checklist (or save it somewhere).

2. Go through your profile item by item.

3. Fix everything that needs fixing.

4. Check out more examples of good profiles here. Seeing what works helps you apply it to your own.

5. Ask a friend or peer to review it. Fresh eyes catch things you miss.

6. Watch what happens to your profile views and follow rate.

Your profile is working 24/7. Even when you’re sleeping.

Make sure it’s working for you, not against you.

That’s it for this week.

If you do the full profile audit, reply and tell me what you changed. I’d love to hear what you fixed.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

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Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I analyze what works on LinkedIn to help you create content that connects.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 30 minute daily LinkedIn routine (steal my exact schedule)

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

The 30 minute daily LinkedIn routine (steal my exact schedule)

“I don’t have time for LinkedIn.”

I hear this constantly.

People think you need hours every day to grow on this platform. That it’s a full-time job. That only people with no life can succeed here.

Not true.

I’ve been posting for over 2 years. I’ve built a real audience. Generated leads. Landed clients.

And most days? I spend 30 minutes on LinkedIn.

That’s it.

The secret isn’t more time. It’s using your time better.

Today I’m sharing my exact daily routine. Minute by minute. Steal it.

Why Most People Waste Time on LinkedIn

Here’s what happens.

You open LinkedIn “to engage a bit.”

You start scrolling. You see an interesting post. You read the comments. You click on someone’s profile. You check their featured section. You wonder what they do. You scroll some more.

45 minutes later, you’ve done nothing productive.

No posts. No comments. No DMs. No progress.

Just scrolling.

Sound familiar?

The problem isn’t LinkedIn. The problem is no structure.

When you don’t have a routine, you default to passive scrolling. And passive scrolling doesn’t grow your business.

The 30-Minute Daily LinkedIn Routine

Here’s my exact schedule.

30 minutes. 4 blocks. Every workday.

Block 1: Check Notifications (5 minutes)

First thing I do: check what happened since yesterday.

• Who commented on my posts?

• Who replied to my comments?

• Who mentioned me?

• Any new connection requests?

I’m not scrolling the feed yet. Just checking notifications.

For comments on my posts: I reply to all of them. Quick replies are fine. Just acknowledge people.

For connection requests: I accept if they look relevant. Ignore if they look like spam.

5 minutes. Done.

Block 2: Engage With Strategic Accounts (10 minutes)

This is where most growth happens.

I have a mental list of accounts I engage with regularly:

• 5-10 ideal clients

• 5-10 creators in my niche

• 5-10 peers at my level

• A few smaller creators I want to support

I check their recent posts. I leave thoughtful comments. Not “Great post!” but actual value.

I aim for 10 comments in this block. About 1 minute per comment.

This puts me on their radar. Their audience sees me. My network sees my comments.

10 minutes. 10 comments. Done.

Block 3: Check Profile Views and DMs (5 minutes)

Now I check who’s been looking at me.

Profile views are warm signals. These people are curious about me. They clicked on purpose.

If someone fits my ICP, I send a quick DM:

“Hey [name], saw you checked out my profile. Curious what brought you here?”

Simple. No pitch. Just opening a conversation.

For existing DM conversations: I reply to anyone waiting on me. Keep conversations moving.

5 minutes. Done.

Block 4: Post or Prep Content (10 minutes)

Last block is for content.

Some days I post. Some days I prep for tomorrow.

If I’m posting today:

• Final review of my scheduled post

• Make sure it looks good

• Add any last tweaks

If I’m prepping:

• Dump raw ideas into Posthero

• Turn one idea into a rough draft

• Schedule it for later

I batch my content weekly (that’s a separate 60-minute session). But this 10-minute daily block keeps things moving.

10 minutes. Done.

The Full Breakdown

Here it is in one view:

Block

Time

Activity

1

5 min

Check notifications, reply to comments

2

10 min

Comment on 10 strategic accounts

3

5 min

Check profile views, send/reply to DMs

4

10 min

Post or prep content

Total

30 min

That’s the routine.

30 minutes. Every workday. Consistent growth.

When to Do Your 30 Minutes

Timing matters.

I do my 30 minutes in the afternoon Bali time. That hits morning in Europe and early morning in the US. Peak scrolling hours for my audience.

But here’s what matters more than perfect timing: doing it at the same time every day.

Build the habit. Make it automatic.

Some options:

• First thing in the morning (before your brain gets busy)

• Right after lunch (natural break in your day)

• End of workday (transition ritual)

Pick one. Stick to it. Same time every day.

What If You Have More Time?

30 minutes is the minimum.

If you have more time, here’s how to use it:

45 minutes: Add more commenting. Go from 10 to 20 comments.

60 minutes: Add 15 minutes for DM outreach. Proactively message warm leads.

90 minutes: Add 30 minutes for content batching. Write 2-3 posts instead of prepping one.

But don’t feel like you need more than 30. Consistency beats intensity.

30 focused minutes every day will outperform 3 random hours twice a week.

What NOT to Do During Your 30 Minutes

A few traps to avoid:

Don’t scroll the main feed aimlessly. Go straight to notifications, then to specific accounts. No browsing.

Don’t read posts without engaging. If you read something, comment. Otherwise you’re just consuming.

Don’t spend 10 minutes on one comment. Keep comments to 1 minute each. Good enough beats perfect.

Don’t check LinkedIn outside your 30-minute block. This is key. One block per day. Then close it.

The goal is focused action, not endless scrolling.

The Compound Effect

Here’s what happens when you do this for a year.

30 minutes x 5 days = 2.5 hours per week

2.5 hours x 50 weeks = 125 hours per year

In 125 hours you’ll have:

• Replied to hundreds of comments

• Left 2,500+ comments on others’ posts

• Sent hundreds of DMs

• Posted 250+ times

• Built real relationships

That’s a serious LinkedIn presence. Built in just 30 minutes a day.

It compounds. Every comment, every reply, every DM adds up.

Most people overestimate what they can do in a week. They underestimate what they can do in a year.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Set a daily 30-minute LinkedIn block. Put it in your calendar.

2. Follow the 4-block structure: Notifications (5) → Comments (10) → DMs (5) → Content (10)

3. Track how many comments you leave each day. Aim for 10 minimum.

4. At the end of the week, notice the difference. More replies. More profile views. More conversations.

30 minutes. That’s all it takes.

Stop telling yourself you don’t have time.

You do. You just need a system.

That’s it for this week.

If you try the 30-minute routine, reply and let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what results you see.

See you next time.

I study what performs on LinkedIn to help you write content that lands.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• 7 writing rules I’ll never break (and why they work)

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

7 writing rules I’ll never break (and why they work)

I’ve written hundreds of LinkedIn posts.

Some flopped. Some went viral. Most landed somewhere in between.

But over time, I noticed patterns.

The posts that performed well? They all followed certain rules.

The posts that flopped? They broke those rules.

After years of writing, I now have a set of non-negotiable rules. I never break them. Ever.

These aren’t fancy tricks. They’re fundamentals.

But fundamentals win games.

Here they are.

Rule 1: Always Make Your Hook a One-Liner

Your first line is everything.

It determines whether someone clicks “see more” or keeps scrolling.

One line. One idea. One punch.

Bad: “I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the importance of consistency and how it affects our ability to grow on LinkedIn and build a personal brand over time.”

Good: “I almost quit LinkedIn last month.”

See the difference?

The first one is a paragraph pretending to be a hook. The second one is a hook.

Short. Punchy. Creates curiosity.

One line. That’s the rule.

Rule 2: First 3 Lines = Outline Your Entire Post

Most people bury the value.

They start with a long intro. Then some context. Then more setup.

By the time they get to the point, the reader is gone.

Flip it.

Your first 3 lines should tell people exactly what they’re getting.

Think of it as an outline:

Line 1: Hook (grab attention) Line 2-3: Re-hook (make a promise, set up what’s coming)

If someone only reads your first 3 lines, they should know what the post is about and why they should keep reading.

Don’t make them guess. Tell them.

Rule 3: Use Listicles for Steps

When you’re explaining a process, use a numbered list.

Not because it’s trendy. Because it works.

Lists are:

• Easy to scan

• Easy to follow

• Easy for AI to parse (good for SEO)

• Easy to remember

“Here are 5 ways to improve your hooks.”

That’s clearer than burying the 5 ways in paragraphs of text.

When in doubt, list it out.

Rule 4: Never Start Posts With “Stop,” “Don’t,” or “Quit”

This one surprised me at first.

But it’s true.

Starting with negative words puts people in a defensive mindset. They feel attacked. They resist.

“Stop making this mistake.” “Don’t do this on LinkedIn.” “Quit posting boring content.”

These hooks feel aggressive. Even if the advice is good, people bounce.

Instead, flip to positive framing.

“Here’s a better way to do X.” “Try this instead of X.” “What if you did X differently?”

Same message. Different energy.

Invite people in. Don’t push them away.

Rule 5: Add Signposting

This is one of the most underrated writing techniques.

Signposting means showing your credibility naturally within your content.

Not bragging. Not flexing. Just... context.

Bad (no signposting): “Here’s how to write better hooks.”

Good (with signposting): “After writing 500+ LinkedIn posts and working with dozens of clients, here’s what I’ve learned about hooks.”

See the difference?

The second one tells the reader: “This person has experience. They’ve done the work. I should listen.”

You’re not saying “I’m an expert!” You’re showing it through context.

Weave your experience into your content. Let people know why you’re qualified to teach this.

Rule 6: Keep It Short. Make It Choppy.

Too much copy? Cut it.

Long sentences? Break them up.

Big paragraphs? Split them.

LinkedIn is a scrolling platform. People skim.

If your post looks like a wall of text, nobody reads it.

White space is your friend.

Short paragraphs. Short sentences. Choppy rhythm.

It’s not how you learned to write in school. But it’s how you write for attention.

Rule 7: Always End With a Question or Info in the P.S.

Your ending matters.

Most people just... stop. The post fizzles out.

Don’t do that.

Two ways to end strong:

Option 1: Ask a question.

“What’s a writing rule you swear by?”

“Have you tried this? Let me know below.”

“Which of these surprised you?”

Questions invite comments. Comments boost reach. Reach brings followers.

Option 2: Add a P.S. with extra value.

“P.S. I’m hosting a free workshop on this next week. Link in comments.”

“P.S. If you found this helpful, repost it for your network.”

“P.S. Save this post. You’ll need it later.”

The P.S. is prime real estate. Use it.

Bonus Rule: Never Bait and Switch

This one’s important.

Bait and switch = start with a cool story, then pivot to selling something unrelated.

“I climbed Mount Everest last year. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Anyway, here’s why you should buy my LinkedIn course.”

What?

The reader feels tricked. They came for the mountain story. They got a sales pitch.

Trust destroyed. Instantly.

If you’re going to sell, connect it to your content naturally. Or don’t sell at all in that post.

Never trick your reader. They won’t forget it.

Why These Rules Work

These aren’t arbitrary.

They’re based on how people actually read on LinkedIn.

People scroll fast. They skim. They have short attention spans.

Your job is to:

1. Stop their scroll (hook)

2. Keep them reading (structure)

3. Make it easy to consume (short and choppy)

4. Give them a reason to engage (question or P.S.)

5. Not break their trust (no bait and switch)

Follow these rules and your posts will perform better. Guaranteed.

The “Read It Out Loud” Test

Here’s how I check my posts before publishing.

I read them out loud.

If I stumble on a sentence, it’s too long. I cut it.

If something sounds awkward, I rewrite it.

If I get bored reading it, I know others will too.

Your writing should sound like you’re talking to a friend.

Natural. Conversational. Easy.

If it sounds like a textbook, rewrite it.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Write your next post using all 7 rules.

2. Check your hook. Is it one line? Does it grab attention?

3. Check your first 3 lines. Do they outline the post?

4. Check your structure. Is it scannable? Are there lists where needed?

5. Check your ending. Is there a question or P.S.?

6. Read it out loud. Does it flow?

7. Publish and see what happens.

I promise you’ll notice the difference.

That’s it for this week.

If you have a writing rule you swear by, reply and share it. I’m always looking to add to my list.

See you next time.

I uncover what works on LinkedIn so you can create content people engage with.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The “Reply Guy” strategy done right (without looking desperate)

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

The “Reply Guy” Strategy Done Right (Without Looking Desperate)

You know that person who comments on everything?

“Great post!”
“Love this!”
“So true 👏”

Under every single post. From everyone. Multiple times a day.

That’s the “Reply Guy.” And everyone hates them.

Not because they comment. But because their comments are useless.

They’re not adding value. They’re not starting conversations. They’re just... there. Visible. Desperate for attention.

But here’s the thing:

The strategy itself isn’t broken. The execution is.

Commenting on other people’s posts is one of the best ways to grow on LinkedIn. It gets you in front of new audiences. It builds relationships. It shows up in feeds.

You just have to do it right.

Let me show you how to be a “Reply Guy” without looking desperate.

The Difference Between Spam and Value

Here’s how you can tell if a comment is spam:

If you deleted the comment, would anyone notice?

If the answer is no, it’s spam.

“Great post!” — spam.
“Love this!” — spam.
“Thanks for sharing!” — spam.

These comments don’t add anything. They’re just noise.

The post author ignores them. Other readers scroll past them. The algorithm barely registers them.

Now compare that to this:

“This reminds me of when I tried the same approach last year. Worked great for the first 3 months, then engagement dropped. Turns out I was optimizing for the wrong metric. Curious if you’ve seen this pattern too?”

That’s a comment.

It adds perspective. It asks a real question. It starts a conversation.

If you deleted it, people would notice. The discussion would lose something.

That’s the difference.

How to Pick Which Posts to Comment On

You can’t comment on everything. You’ll burn out. And you’ll look desperate.

So you need a filter.

Here’s mine:

1. Only comment on posts from 4 types of people

• Your ideal clients. People you actually want to work with. Engage with their posts to stay on their radar.

• Creators who attract your ideal clients. Their audience is your audience. Show up in their comments to get discovered.

• Peers at your level. Build relationships with people in your niche. Support each other.

• Small creators. They remember who showed up early. This is relationship building for the long game.

Everyone else? Scroll past.

2. Only comment when you have something real to say

If your first instinct is “Great post!” - don’t comment.

Wait until you read a post and think: “Oh, that’s interesting. I have a take on this.”

That’s when you comment.

If you don’t have anything meaningful to add, just like it and move on.

3. Avoid posts that already have 100+ comments

Your comment will get buried. Nobody will see it. It’s wasted effort.

Instead, look for posts with 5-20 comments. That’s the sweet spot.

Early enough that your comment gets seen. Active enough that there’s real engagement happening.

The “Mini-Post” Comment Format

The best comments are mini-posts.

They’re not replies. They’re standalone pieces of content that happen to be in someone else’s comment section.

Here’s the structure:

1. React to the post (1-2 sentences)
Show that you actually read it. Reference something specific.

2. Add your perspective or experience (2-3 sentences)
Share your take. Tell a quick story. Offer a related insight.

3. Ask a question or make a point (1 sentence)
End with something that invites conversation or adds a new angle.

That’s it. Keep it tight. Keep it valuable.

Real Examples

The Post: “Most founders waste time on content that doesn’t convert. Here’s how to fix it...”

Bad comment:
“Great advice! Thanks for sharing 🙏”

Good comment:
“The conversion point is huge. I spent 6 months creating content that got views but zero clients. The shift happened when I stopped writing for ‘everyone’ and started writing for one specific person. Suddenly my DMs turned into actual calls. Do you find that niche-ing down feels scary at first for most people?”

See the difference?

The bad comment adds nothing. The good comment could be its own post.

Threading Strategies (When to Keep Going)

Sometimes a comment turns into a conversation.

The original poster replies. Other people jump in. You’ve got a thread going.

This is gold. But most people blow it.

Here’s how to handle threads:

1. Always reply to the author’s response

If the post author replies to your comment, reply back. Always.

This shows respect. It continues the conversation. And it increases the chances they’ll remember you.

2. Engage with other commenters (selectively)

If someone replies to your comment with something thoughtful, engage.

If someone just drops a “👏” or “Agreed!” — you can skip it.

3. Know when to take it to DMs

If the conversation gets deep or personal, move it to DMs.

Example:

You’re going back and forth about a specific strategy. After 2-3 replies, say:

“This is turning into a great conversation. Mind if I DM you to dig into this more? Would love to hear how you’re applying this.”

That’s how you turn a comment into a relationship.

4. Don’t dominate the thread

If you’ve replied 3-4 times in the same thread, stop.

You’re starting to look like the Reply Guy again. Let other people have space.

When to Stop Engaging

This is the part nobody talks about.

Knowing when to walk away.

Here are the signals:

1. The conversation is going in circles

If you’re saying the same thing in different ways, stop.

You’ve made your point. Move on.

2. Someone is being argumentative

If someone replies with “Actually, you’re wrong...” or starts nitpicking, don’t engage.

Just like their comment and move on. Don’t get pulled into a debate.

LinkedIn arguments make both people look bad.

3. Your comment got ignored

If you write a thoughtful comment and nobody reacts to it (no likes, no replies), that’s fine.

Don’t leave a second comment trying to get attention. That’s desperate.

Just move on to the next post.

4. You’ve engaged with this person 3+ times this week

If you’re constantly commenting on the same person’s posts, you’re becoming predictable.

Spread your engagement around. Don’t hover.

The Weekly Commenting System

Here’s how I structure my engagement:

Monday-Friday: 30 minutes of commenting per day

I set a timer. I scroll my feed. I leave 5-10 thoughtful comments.

That’s it. No more, no less.

Saturday-Sunday: No commenting

I take weekends off from engagement. I read. I don’t comment.

This keeps me from burning out. And it keeps my comments fresh.

The 80/20 split:

• 80% of comments on smaller creators and peers (5-20 comments on their posts)

• 20% of comments on bigger creators (100+ comments on their posts)

Why? Smaller posts = higher visibility for your comment. Bigger posts = potential for massive reach if your comment gets traction.

What Good Commenting Actually Gets You

Let’s be clear about why you’re doing this.

Commenting isn’t about “being nice” or “supporting the community.”

It’s a growth strategy.

Here’s what happens when you comment consistently:

1. People check out your profile

Every thoughtful comment is a mini-ad for your profile.

If someone reads your comment and thinks “This person gets it,” they click your name.

2. You build familiarity

When people see your name pop up in comments regularly, they start to recognize you.

By the time you DM them, you’re not a stranger anymore.

3. Your own posts get more engagement

The people whose posts you comment on will often return the favor.

It’s not guaranteed. But it happens enough to matter.

4. You get invited into conversations

When you consistently add value in comments, people start tagging you in posts.

“Hey @Anton, curious what you think about this...”

That’s when you know it’s working.

The Reply Guy Test

Before you hit “Post” on your next comment, ask yourself:

• Would I send this comment if I was DMing this person directly?

• Does this add something new to the conversation?

• If someone read only my comment, would they get value from it?

If the answer to any of these is “no,” rewrite it or skip it.

Your comments are part of your brand.

Every “Great post!” makes you forgettable.

Every thoughtful comment makes you memorable.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

Step 1: Make a list of 10 people whose content you want to engage with regularly.

Mix of ideal clients, peers, and creators who attract your audience.

Step 2: Set a 20-minute timer each day.

Scroll through your feed. Leave 3-5 mini-post comments. Then stop.

Step 3: Track what happens.

How many profile views did you get? How many new connection requests? How many DMs?

See if thoughtful commenting moves the needle more than posting.

I bet it does.

That’s it for this week.

If you’ve been the “Great post!” person and want to level up your commenting game, reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what changes when you start treating comments like mini-posts.

See you next week!

I study what performs on LinkedIn to help you write content that lands.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The Anti-Viral Strategy: how to build a business with ‘only’ 500 views per post

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

The Anti-Viral Strategy: how to build a business with ‘only’ 500 views per post

Everyone wants to go viral.

I see it every day. Founders obsessing over view counts. Comparing their 300 views to someone else’s 50K. Feeling like failures because their post didn’t blow up.

Here’s the truth nobody wants to hear:

Going viral is probably the worst thing that could happen to your business.

I know that sounds crazy. But hear me out.

I’ve watched dozens of founders chase virality. They post something that gets 100K views. The dopamine hits. The likes flood in. Everyone’s tagging them.

And then... nothing.

No clients. No leads. No revenue.

Just a bunch of strangers who saw a meme and moved on.

Meanwhile, there’s another group of creators. The ones getting 500 views per post. Maybe 1,000 on a good day.

They’re quietly building six-figure businesses.

Let me show you why.

The Virality Trap

Here’s what happens when you chase virality:

You start posting for reach. Not for your audience.

You write hooks designed to get clicks. You share takes you don’t really believe. You talk about trending topics that have nothing to do with your business.

And it works. Sometimes.

You get 50K views. Your follower count jumps by 2,000. You feel amazing.

But here’s the problem:

Those 2,000 new followers have no idea what you do.

They followed you because of one viral post. Not because they need your service. Not because they’re your ideal client.

They’re just... there.

So you keep posting. Trying to recreate that viral moment. Chasing the high.

And your content drifts further and further from what you actually sell.

Six months later, you have 10K followers and zero revenue to show for it.

That’s the trap.

The Math Nobody Talks About

Let’s do some simple math.

Scenario 1: The Viral Post

• 50,000 views

• 0.1% conversion rate (because the audience is random)

• 50 people click your profile

• 2% book a call

• 1 lead

Scenario 2: The Niche Post

• 500 views

• 10% conversion rate (because you’re speaking directly to your ideal client)

• 50 people click your profile

• 20% book a call

• 10 leads

Same profile clicks. Wildly different results.

The viral post gave you a dopamine hit and one lead.

The niche post gave you 10 leads and built your business.

Which one would you rather have?

The 100 True Fans Strategy

Kevin Kelly wrote about “1,000 True Fans” back in 2008.

The idea: you don’t need millions of followers. You need 1,000 people who truly care about what you do. Who trust you. Who buy from you.

On LinkedIn, that number is even smaller.

You need 100 true fans.

100 people who:

• Read every post you write

• Comment regularly

• DM you with questions

• Refer you to their network

• Buy from you when you launch something

100 true fans will make you more money than 10,000 random followers.

And here’s the best part: building 100 true fans is way easier than going viral.

What The Anti-Viral Strategy Actually Looks Like

Forget virality. Focus on depth.

Here’s how:

1. Write for one specific person

Not “founders.” Not “marketers.” Not “entrepreneurs.”

One person. Your ideal client. The person you actually want to work with.

When you write for everyone, you reach no one.

When you write for one specific person, you reach everyone like them.

Example:

Generic: “5 tips to grow your business”

Specific: “If you’re a solo founder doing $50K/year and want to hit $200K without hiring, here’s what worked for me...”

The second one gets fewer views. But it gets the right views.

2. Go deep on one topic

Most people post about everything. Marketing. Productivity. Leadership. AI. Crypto. Whatever’s trending.

You become the “guy who posts stuff.”

Instead, own one topic. Go so deep that you become the obvious expert.

When someone thinks of that topic, they think of you.

Example:

Broad: Posting about marketing, productivity, and AI

Deep: Posting only about LinkedIn outreach systems for B2B founders

The first person has 10K followers who barely remember them.

The second person has 500 followers who send them referrals.

3. Engage with the right 20 people

Stop trying to engage with everyone.

Find 20 people who fit your ideal client profile. People who are already posting about the problems you solve.

Comment on their posts. Not “Great post!” comments. Real, valuable comments that add to the conversation.

Do this every day.

Within 30 days, those 20 people will know your name. They’ll check out your profile. Some will DM you.

That’s how you build true fans. One relationship at a time.

4. Track business metrics, not vanity metrics

Views and likes don’t pay your bills. Clients do.

Stop checking your view count. Start tracking:

• Profile views from your ideal clients

• DMs that turn into calls

• Calls that turn into clients

• Revenue per post

A post with 500 views that books 3 calls is infinitely better than a post with 50K views that books zero.

Change what you measure. Change what you optimize for.

Real Example

Let me show you two real creators.

Creator A:

• 25K followers

• Posts go viral regularly (20K+ views)

• Talks about trending topics

• Posts 5x per week

• Revenue: $30K/year

Creator B:

• 2K followers

• Posts get 300-800 views

• Talks about one specific niche

• Posts 3x per week

• Revenue: $180K/year

Same platform. Completely different strategies.

Creator A optimized for reach. Creator B optimized for revenue.

Who won?

The Contrarian Truth

Here’s what most people won’t tell you:

The best LinkedIn content doesn’t go viral.

It resonates deeply with a small group of people who actually matter.

It starts conversations in DMs. It leads to coffee chats. It turns into consulting calls.

It builds businesses. Not follower counts.

Going viral is easy. Anyone can post a hot take or a meme and get 50K views.

Building a business from LinkedIn? That’s hard. That requires focus. Discipline. The willingness to ignore vanity metrics.

Most people aren’t willing to do that. They’d rather chase the dopamine of going viral.

That’s fine. Let them.

While they’re chasing views, you’ll be building a business.

Your Anti-Viral Action Plan

This week, try this:

Step 1: Define your one person.

Who is your ideal client? Get specific. Write down their exact situation, problems, and goals.

Step 2: Write 3 posts that speak directly to that person.

Don’t worry about going viral. Worry about being so specific that your ideal client thinks: “Did they write this for me?”

Step 3: Find 20 people who fit your ideal client profile.

Follow them. Engage with their content. Add value in their comments.

Step 4: Track what matters.

How many profile views did you get from your ideal clients? How many DMs? How many calls booked?

Forget the view count. That’s not the game.

That’s it for this week.

If you’re tired of chasing virality and want to build something real, reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what happens when you focus on the right 100 people instead of the wrong 10,000.

See you next week!

I explore what works on LinkedIn to help you craft content that connects.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3-Post Rotation System (Never Run Out of Ideas Again)

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

The 3-Post Rotation System (Never Run Out of Ideas Again)

“I don’t know what to post.”

This is the #1 thing I hear from founders trying to grow on LinkedIn.

They stare at a blank screen. They scroll through other people’s content for inspiration. They write something, delete it, write it again.

An hour later, they give up.

Or they create AI slop and give up a day later when no one reacts to it.

Here’s the problem: you’re starting from scratch every single time.

No wonder you’re burned out.

What if you never had to think about “what to post” again?

What if you had a simple system that told you exactly what type of content to create each day?

That’s what the 3-Post Rotation does.

You’re not guessing. You’re not hoping. You’re just following the pattern.

Let me show you how it works.

Why Most Content Strategies Fail

Most people try to post “whatever feels right.”

Monday: tips about their industry.
Wednesday: a story from their weekend.
Friday: ...nothing, because they ran out of ideas.

No pattern. No strategy. Just chaos.

The result? Inconsistent engagement. Confused audience. And you, wondering why LinkedIn isn’t working.

Here’s what actually works:

Rotation.

Top creators don’t post randomly. They rotate between 3 types of content. Same pattern. Week after week.

And it works because each post serves a different purpose.

The 3 Types of Content

Every post you write should fall into one of these categories:

1. The Expertise Post

This is where you show you know your stuff.

Tips. Frameworks. How-tos. Data. Insights.

The goal: build authority.

Examples:

• “The 5-step system I use to write viral hooks”

• “Here’s the LinkedIn algorithm change nobody’s talking about”

• “3 pricing mistakes that cost me $50K last year”

2. The Story Post

This is where you show you’re a real human.

Personal experiences. Struggles. Wins. Lessons learned.

The goal: build connection.

Examples:

• “I almost quit LinkedIn after 6 months. Here’s what changed.”

• “My first $10K client came from a LinkedIn comment, not a post”

• “I turned down a $200K job offer to build my own thing. Here’s why.”

3. The Engagement Post

This is where you start conversations.

Questions. Polls. Hot takes. Controversial opinions.

The goal: build community.

Examples:

• “Unpopular opinion: most LinkedIn advice is terrible”

• “What’s the worst cold DM you’ve ever received?”

• “Is it just me or has LinkedIn’s algorithm completely changed?”

Why This Rotation Works

Each type of post attracts different behavior.

Expertise posts get saved and shared. People bookmark them for later. They think: “This person knows what they’re talking about.”

Story posts get comments and DMs. People relate to your experience. They think: “I’ve been there. I like this person.”

Engagement posts get conversations. People reply with their own takes. They think: “I want to be part of this.”

When you rotate through all three, you hit every angle.

You’re not just an expert. You’re not just a storyteller. You’re not just starting debates.

You’re all three. And that’s what builds a complete personal brand.

The Weekly Pattern

Here’s how to apply this in practice.

Monday: Expertise
Start the week strong. Share something valuable. A tip. A system. A lesson.

Wednesday: Story
Mid-week is when engagement dips. Stories pull people back in. They’re easier to read. More relatable.

Friday: Engagement
End the week with conversation. Ask a question. Share a hot take. Get people talking.

That’s 3 posts per week. Sustainable. Effective.

You’re not burning out trying to post daily. You’re showing up consistently with content that actually works.

How to Batch This in 2 Hours

Here’s the process I use every Sunday.

Step 1: Pick your topics (20 minutes)

Grab a doc. Write down:

• 1 expertise topic (something you know well)

• 1 story from your life (doesn’t need to be dramatic)

• 1 question or opinion (something you actually wonder about)

Step 2: Write the first drafts (30-60 minutes)

Don’t edit. Just write. Get the ideas out.

Or draft ideas and use an LLM or AI tool to speed up the process (I use Posthero).

• Expertise post: 200-300 words

• Story post: 250-350 words

• Engagement post: 100-150 words

Step 3: Edit and schedule (30 minutes)

Go back through. Tighten the hooks. Cut the fluff. Fix typos.

Then schedule them for Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Done.

You just created a week of content in 2 hours.

The Biggest Mistake People Make

They try to make every post “go viral.”

Stop.

Not every post needs to hit 10K views. That’s not the goal.

The goal is consistency. Balance. Building a relationship with your audience.

Some posts will blow up. Most won’t. That’s fine.

What matters is showing up with the right mix of content. Week after week after week.

Expertise builds authority.
Stories build connection.
Engagement builds community.

Do all three, and you win.

Real Example

Let me show you how this looks in practice.

Monday (Expertise):
“The 3-second rule: if your first sentence doesn’t hook people in 3 seconds, they scroll. Here’s how to fix it...”

Wednesday (Story):
“I spent $5K on a LinkedIn coach last year. Worst investment I ever made. Here’s what I learned...”

Friday (Engagement):
“Honest question: Is LinkedIn getting more corporate or less corporate in 2026? I can’t tell anymore.”

See the pattern?

Teach. Share. Engage. Repeat.

Your Homework

This week, try the rotation.

Monday: Post one expertise piece. A tip, a framework, something you know.

Wednesday: Share a story. Something real. Something human.

Friday: Ask a question or share an opinion.

That’s it. 3 posts. Follow the system.

Track what happens. I bet you’ll see more engagement, more profile views, and more DMs than when you were posting randomly.

The system works. You just have to use it.

That’s it for this week.

If you try the 3-Post Rotation, reply and let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear which post type gets the best response for you.

See you next week!

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I study what works on LinkedIn to help you create content that connects.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• 26 LinkedIn rules for 2026 (the only guide you need this year)

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

26 LinkedIn rules for 2026

Most LinkedIn users are lost right now.

The platform keeps changing. The algorithm shifts. What worked last year doesn’t work anymore.

People are confused. Frustrated. Posting into the void.

I get it.

So I put together this guide. 26 rules for LinkedIn in 2026.

I was inspired by a recent post from Jasmin Alic, one of the top LinkedIn creators. He shared his take on what’s working now. I’ve added my own experience and organized it into something you can use.

This isn’t fluff. This is the playbook.

Save it. Bookmark it. Come back to it.

Let’s go.

Profile Rules

1. Align your topics with your profile.

The algorithm doesn’t reward fitness tips from finance experts anymore.

If your profile says “marketing consultant,” your content should be about marketing. Stay in your lane. Build topical authority.

2. Your headline draws people IN. Your banner and story make them STAY.

Your headline gets them to click. But once they’re on your profile, the headline becomes irrelevant.

Your banner and About section do the heavy lifting. Make them count.

3. Design a banner with a call to action.

95% of LinkedIn banners I see have no CTA.

What a waste.

Your banner should tell visitors what to do next. “Download my free guide.” “Book a call.” “Join my newsletter.”

Make every visit count.

4. Add a link to your profile.

Send visitors to your most important offer. A lead magnet. A booking page. Your website.

Track clicks if you can. Measure what’s working.

5. Pick ONE core offer.

Even if you do multiple things, model your profile around one offer.

Confusion kills conversion. Clarity wins.

6. Re-optimize your profile every 3 months.

Your profile isn’t “set and forget.”

Every quarter, review it. Update your headline. Refresh your banner. Tweak your About section.

You’re evolving. Your profile should too.

Content Rules

7. Add links to your posts.

People used to say “links kill reach.”

Not anymore. Adding links is fine. Do it when it makes sense.

8. Comment more than you post.

This is the most underrated rule.

You can only post 3-5 times a week. But you can comment 20-50 times a day.

Engage with 4 groups: your ideal clients, big creators, peers, and small creators.

9. Forget posting every day.

3-5 posts per week is enough. Quality over quantity.

Good content lives longer in the feed now. Frequency won’t change that.

10. Add visuals when needed.

Faces are the most powerful. Show yourself.

But don’t force it. Only add images or videos when they support the message.

11. Stop sharing contextless selfies.

Unless selfies are part of your brand, stop posting random photos of your face.

Every image should have a purpose.

12. Text posts are making a comeback.

Write more. Carousels and videos are fine, but text posts are working again.

Don’t overcomplicate it.

13. Share your opinions, not just tips.

Information is everywhere. Your perspective is what makes you unique.

Hot takes. Unpopular opinions. Your point of view.

That’s what people remember.

14. Ask better questions.

Stop asking “What do you think?”

Ask nuanced questions. Questions that spark real conversations.

“What’s a common practice in your industry that you secretly think is BS?”

That’s way better than “Thoughts?”

15. Stop using AI for comments.

Just... stop.

People can tell. It’s lazy. It doesn’t build relationships.

Your fingers. Your brain. Your words.

16. Write for the first 3 lines.

Everything else is irrelevant if they don’t click “see more.”

Obsess over your hook and re-hook. That’s the game.

17. Share moments, not just tips.

“Just last week, I took time off and flew across the world.”

Moments stick. Tips are forgettable.

Share what’s happening in your life. Make it real.

18. Optimize your settings for visibility.

Most people don’t know this, but your settings affect who sees you.

Enable “InMail” so non-connections can message you. Make sure your profile is public.

Be findable.

19. Write longer posts from time to time.

Short posts are great. But long-form content builds authority.

Mix it up. Some short. Some long.

20. Post at least 1 video per month.

Video builds trust faster than text.

You don’t need fancy production. Just your phone and something valuable to say.

Engagement Rules

21. Write every day, even if you don’t publish.

Writing is a muscle. Practice daily.

Publish your best. Shelve the rest.

22. Stop trying to appease the algorithm.

The algorithm changes constantly. If you’re chasing it, you’ll never succeed.

Focus on creating valuable content. The algorithm will follow.

23. Talk about your failures more.

Not everything can be a highlight reel.

Failures connect. They humanize you. They make people think “this person is real.”

24. Flex more. Not less.

I know this sounds weird. But hear me out.

Talk about what you’ve done and what you’re doing. Nobody else will do this for you.

It’s not bragging. It’s showing people why they should listen to you.

25. Support and connect with new creators daily.

Every day, find someone new. Comment on their post. Send a connection request.

Small creators remember who supported them early.

26. Support small creators. Daily.

This is so important it gets its own rule.

Big creators don’t need your comments. They get hundreds already.

Small creators? Your comment might be the encouragement they need to keep going.

Lift people up. It comes back around.

The Mindset Behind All 26

Here’s the thing.

These rules aren’t magic tricks.

They won’t make you go viral overnight. They won’t get you 10K followers in 30 days.

But if you follow them consistently, for 300 days, for a year, for two years...

Everything changes.

LinkedIn rewards consistency. Not hacks.

Show up. Stay patient. Trust the process.

Your Homework

Don’t try to do all 26 at once. You’ll burn out.

Pick 5 rules to focus on this month.

Maybe it’s:

• Re-optimize your profile (rules 1-6)

• Write for the first 3 lines (rule 16)

• Comment more than you post (rule 8)

• Support small creators daily (rule 26)

• Post 3-5 times per week (rule 9)

Start there. Build momentum. Add more later.

Consistency beats intensity.

That’s it for this week.

If any of these rules made you go “a-ha!” or “huh?!”, reply and let me know. I’d love to hear which ones hit.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

P.S. How do you find the newsletter without top weekly posts? Do you prefer it with only main topic or main topic + 3 viral post breakdowns?

I break down top LinkedIn posts so you can craft content that resonates.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The 13-Step Warm Outreach System (How to Never Send a Cold DM Again)

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. I just discovered a brand new (and totally fascinating) way to come up with content ideas for your blog.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 1,280 likes in 4 days. It received 9-55 times more reposts than other Tim’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post turns an AI failure (hallucinated links) into an SEO opportunity. It’s a genuinely novel insight that most marketers have never considered.

BREAKDOWN

• Discovery hook: “I just discovered a brand new (and totally fascinating) way to come up with content ideas” - promises novelty

• Unexpected answer: “It’s your 404 pages. (Stay with me...)” - weird enough to keep reading, asks for trust

• Story setup: Randomly checked if Ahrefs Blog had 404s with backlinks - shows authentic curiosity

• Surprising find: Hundreds of them - stakes raised

• Plot twist: “None of it was ever alive” - URLs never existed, all hallucinated by AI

• Explains the phenomenon: AI-generated articles link to URLs that don’t exist because AI “thinks” they should

• Mind-blown reframe: The hallucinated URLs actually reveal content gaps - AI is accidentally doing content research

• Actionable insight: “We’re going to publish articles on all these topics and turn hundreds of broken hallucinated links into real backlinks”

TRY THIS

• Frame discoveries as stories - “I randomly checked...” feels more authentic than “Here’s a hack”

• Use “stay with me” when your idea sounds weird at first - it buys you trust

• Show your thought process including the “mind-blown” moment - let readers experience the discovery with you

• Give the exact steps to replicate - no vague advice

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. At PandaDoc, we made a decision that felt wrong - but was completely rational.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got 168 likes in 3 days and performed 10 times better than Dima’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post works because it turns a painful business trade-off into a founder origin story.

BREAKDOWN:

• Tension hook: “A decision that felt wrong - but was completely rational” - creates immediate curiosity about what happened

• Introduces the conflict: As company grew, the math became impossible to ignore - cost of human sales couldn’t justify small contracts

• Shows the hard decision: Raised sales-assisted threshold, pushed small companies to self-serve

• Reveals the painful outcome: Conversion rates dropped, churn increased, no cost-effective way to close the gap

• The nagging feeling: “But it kept bothering me“ - signals this story isn’t over

• Introduces the solution: Naoma AI - an AI sales agent that can have that conversation for every segment, at any hour, in any language

TRY THIS

• Start with a decision that created internal conflict - “felt wrong but was rational” is a powerful tension

• Tell a specific story from a previous company to explain why you’re building what you’re building now

• Show the real business trade-offs: math, thresholds, what you sacrificed

3. BREAKING: Iranian strikes just hit AWS data centres in the Middle East. First time in history that cloud infrastructure becomes a military target

Why this post?

• This post got 1.5-150 times more comments than Ruben’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post newsjacks a major geopolitical event and reframes it for a tech/AI audience.

BREAKDOWN:

• Breaking news hook: “BREAKING: Iranian strikes just hit AWS data centres“ - urgent, immediate, demands attention

• Historic framing: “First time in history that cloud infrastructure becomes a military target” - elevates the significance

• Quick bullet facts: Objects struck, zones lost power, AWS failover instructions - fast, scannable updates

• Expands the scope: Alphabet, Microsoft, Alibaba also have facilities there - shows this isn’t just an AWS problem

• Market signals: US futures down, oil up, gold up - adds financial stakes for business audience

• Provocative question: “What happens when the cloud stops being safe?” - makes readers think bigger

TRY THIS

• Jump on breaking news fast and reframe it for your specific audience - find the angle others missed

• Use “BREAKING” and “first time in history” sparingly but effectively for truly significant events

• Connect dots that aren’t obvious - military strikes → cloud infrastructure → AI dependencies

• Add market signals (futures, oil, gold) to make business audiences pay attention

LinkedIn Guide

The 13-Step Warm Outreach System (How to Never Send a Cold DM Again)

I hate cold DMs.

You know the ones.

“Hey, I help founders like you 10x their revenue. Want to hop on a call?”

Delete.

“Hi! I noticed your profile and thought we could collaborate.”

Delete.

“Hey Anton! Quick question for you...”

It’s never a quick question. Delete.

Cold outreach feels gross. For the sender and the receiver.

But here’s the thing: DMs actually work. They’re one of the best ways to start conversations and land clients on LinkedIn.

The problem isn’t DMs. The problem is sending them cold.

What if every DM you sent was warm?
What if people already knew who you were before you reached out?
What if they were actually happy to hear from you?

That’s what the Warm Outreach System does.

No cold messages.
No pitchslaps.
No desperation.

Just real conversations with people who already recognize your name.

Let me show you how it works.

Why Cold Outreach Fails

Cold outreach has a fundamental problem.

There’s no trust.

You’re a stranger. They don’t know you. They don’t know if you’re legit. They don’t know if you can actually help them.

So they do the safe thing: ignore you.

It doesn’t matter how good your offer is. It doesn’t matter how personalized your message sounds. If they’ve never seen your name before, you’re fighting uphill.

The math is brutal.

Cold outreach: 1-3% response rate. Warm outreach: 20-40% response rate.

Same message. Completely different results.

The difference? Familiarity.

The Warm Outreach Formula

Here’s the system in one line:

Familiarity → Filtering → Permission → Trust → Client

Before you ever send a DM, you need to be familiar. They should have seen your name. Your face. Your content. Your comments.

Then you filter for the right people. Not everyone. Just your ideal clients.

Then you ask for permission to continue the conversation. No pitching. No assuming.

Then you build trust through real conversation.

Then, and only then, some of them become clients.

This takes longer than blasting 100 cold DMs. But it actually works.

The 13-Step Warm Outreach System

Here’s the exact process.

Step 1: Start With Familiar Faces

Most people reach out to complete strangers.

That’s why “selling” feels odd. There’s no trust.

Flip it.

Focus on people who have already interacted with you:

• People who liked your posts

• People who commented on your content

• People who viewed your profile

• People who sent you a connection request

• People you’ve engaged with in comments

These people already know who you are. The conversation starts warm.

Step 2: Filter for Engagement

Not everyone who engages with you is a potential client.

You need to filter.

Look at who’s engaging with your content. Check their profiles. Do they match your ideal client profile?

If yes, add them to your list.

If not, appreciate the engagement and move on.

You’re not trying to DM everyone. You’re trying to DM the right people.

Step 3: Match Your ICP

Get clear on who you’re looking for.

Your Ideal Client Profile should include:

• Job title or role

• Industry or niche

• Company size

• Pain points they have

• Goals they’re trying to achieve

When someone engages with your content, check if they fit. If they do, they go on the list.

This is filtering in action. Quality over quantity.

Step 4: Feed Into Your CRM

Track your potential leads somewhere.

This can be a simple spreadsheet. Or a tool like LinkedIn Sales Navigator.

For each person, note:

• Their name and profile link

• How you found them (liked a post, commented, etc.)

• Where they are in the conversation

• Any relevant details from their profile

You can’t keep this in your head. You’ll forget. Track it.

Step 5: Become “Top of Mind”

Before you DM someone, warm them up.

How?

Show up in their world.

• Comment on their posts

• Reply to their comments

• Like their content

• Engage with them publicly

Do this for a few days or a week before reaching out.

When you finally DM them, they’ll think: “Oh, I’ve seen this person around.”

That’s familiarity. That’s the warm-up.

Step 6: Attract Profile Views

Every profile view is a warm signal.

When someone views your profile, it means they’re curious about you. They want to know more.

That’s an invitation to reach out.

You can now send a DM like:

“Hey, I noticed you checked out my profile. Thanks! Curious what brought you here?”

That’s not cold. That’s responding to interest.

To get more profile views:

• Post consistently

• Comment on relevant posts

• Engage with your ideal clients’ content

Your activity drives profile views. Profile views give you warm DM opportunities.

Step 7: Send DMs Daily

Make this a daily habit.

Not 100 DMs. Not spamming.

5-10 thoughtful DMs per day to warm leads.

That’s it.

Yes, it feels angsty at first. Yes, you’ll feel weird.

Do it anyway.

The more you do it, the easier it gets. I promise.

Step 8: Never Pitch in the First Message

This is where most people blow it.

First message = start a conversation. That’s all.

Not: “Hey, I help founders 10x their revenue. Here’s a link to book a call.”

Yes: “Hey Sarah, saw you liked my post on LinkedIn outreach. Curious, is that something you’re working on right now?”

Open-ended. Conversational. No pitch.

You’re not trying to sell in message one. You’re trying to start a dialogue.

Step 9: Follow the PBS Psychology

PBS = Permission-Based Selling (more about it here).

The rule is simple: never assume they want something. Always ask first.

“Would it be okay if I shared an idea?”
“Mind if I send over a quick suggestion?”
“Would you be open to a short call to explore this?”

Every step is an invitation. Not a demand.

If they say no, you stop. No guilt trips. No follow-up pressure.

This builds trust. People feel in control.

Step 10: Separate DMs Into Folders

As you have more conversations, things get messy.

You’re talking to leads, clients, collaborators, random connections.

Use a tool like Kondo to organize your inbox.

Create folders:

• Warm leads

• Active conversations

• Follow-up needed

• Clients

• Networking

This keeps you sane. You’ll know exactly who to message and when.

Step 11: Set Follow-Up Reminders

People don’t always reply immediately.

That doesn’t mean they’re not interested. They’re just busy.

Set reminders to follow up.

If someone doesn’t reply after 3-4 days, send a gentle nudge:

“Hey, just floating this back up. No pressure either way!”

Sometimes people need a reminder. Don’t take silence personally.

But also: if they don’t reply after 2 follow-ups, let it go. Move on.

Step 12: Track Progress

Your outreach should be measurable.

Track:

• How many DMs you sent this week

• How many responses you got

• How many conversations turned into calls

• How many calls turned into clients

This shows you what’s working. And where you’re losing people.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

Step 13: Feed Back Into Your Network

A lead that says “No” today isn’t “No” forever.

Their situation changes. Their needs evolve. Their budget frees up.

Keep them in your network. Keep showing up in their feed. Keep engaging with their content.

When they’re ready, you’ll be top of mind.

The system is a loop. Not a one-time blast.

Familiarity → Filtering → Permission → Trust → Client → Back to Familiarity

Why This Works

Three reasons:

1. No more cold starts.

Every conversation begins warm. They already know your name. They’ve seen your content. They recognize your face.

2. No more sleazy pitches.

You’re not pushing. You’re inviting. You’re asking permission. It feels good for both sides.

3. No more wasted time.

You’re only reaching out to qualified people. Not spraying and praying. Every DM is targeted.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Make a list of 10 people who engaged with your content recently.

2. Check their profiles. Do they match your ICP?

3. For the ones who fit, engage with their content for a few days.

4. Then send a warm DM. No pitch. Just start a conversation.

5. Track everything in a simple spreadsheet.

See how different it feels.

No more cold outreach. No more being ignored.

Just real conversations with people who already know who you are.

That’s it for this week.

If you try the Warm Outreach System, reply and let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what conversations you start.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I research top LinkedIn posts and show you how to create content that lands.

What’s hot this week: OpenClaw is still trending. More and more people are posting tips and use cases for creating LinkedIn content with it.

OpenClaw is the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• LinkedIn SEO: How to make your content rank in AI search

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. Excited to share that we just raised $6M to build the first autonomous business.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 1,206 likes in 3 days. It received 5-17 times more reposts than other Amos’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post isn’t just a funding announcement - it’s a manifesto for a new way to build companies with memorable video.

BREAKDOWN

• Funding hook with bold claim: “$6M to build the first autonomous business” - not just another raise, it’s a new category

• Audacious goal: “2,000 customers without a single new hire“ - makes you stop and question if that’s even possible

• Proof of concept with receipts: 0 to 200+ customers, 5 continents, $1.5M monthly pipeline, just 3 founders + AI agents, zero employees, zero SDRs, zero marketing budget - overwhelming evidence

• Simple analogy: “Developers got Claude Code. Revenue teams got Swan.” - instantly explains the product

• Tags believers: Names investors (Boaz Fachler, Zaki Djemal, etc.) who “were crazy enough to bet $6M on this thesis” - gives them credit while expanding reach

• Scroll-stopping video: Guy in blonde wig and leather vest - bizarre, memorable, demands a click

TRY THIS

• Frame your funding announcement as the start of a new category, not just growth capital

• Set a goal that sounds almost impossible - it forces people to engage

• Use an unexpected or absurd visual to break the pattern of boring LinkedIn content

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. This is getting ridiculous. Nano Banana 2 just dropped.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got almost 1.6k likes in just 14 hours and performed 2-11 times better than Charlie’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post captures a “holy shit” moment in AI progress. The bottom image is so realistic it’s unsettling - visible pores, natural skin redness, condensation on the cup, accurate real-world location details.

BREAKDOWN:

• Disbelief hook: “This is getting ridiculous” - emotional reaction that makes you want to see why

• News peg: “Nano Banana 2 just dropped” - timely, first-mover content on a new release

• Fair comparison: Same exact prompt on both models - makes the improvement undeniable

• Insanely detailed prompt: Location, clothing, lighting, skin texture, camera type, film grain - shows what good prompting looks like

TRY THIS

• Jump on new AI tool releases fast - being first matters for this type of content

• Use comparison images to make progress undeniable - before/after or old/new

• Share your exact prompt or method - transparency builds trust and adds value

3. If you are using AI, you’re early.

Why this post?

• This post got 2-20 times more comments than Jon’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post makes every AI user feel like an early adopter - which is flattering and motivating.

BREAKDOWN:

• Reassurance hook: “If you are using AI, you’re early” - immediately makes readers feel ahead of the curve

• Perspective shift: “For billions of people, this hasn’t even started yet” - reframes the AI hype as still incredibly niche

• Specific percentages: 84% never used AI, 16% free users, 0.3% paying, 0.04% coding with AI - makes the scale undeniable

• Brilliant visualization: 2,500 dots representing 8.1 billion humans - instantly shows how small the “AI crowd” really is

TRY THIS

• Use “you’re early” framing to make your audience feel ahead, not behind

• Visualize scale in a way that makes abstract numbers feel real - dots representing millions hits harder than percentages alone

• Challenge the assumption that “everyone is doing X” by showing the real numbers

LinkedIn Guide

LinkedIn SEO: How to make your content rank in AI search

Something big is happening.

And most LinkedIn creators are completely missing it.

AI search is taking over.

People aren’t just Googling anymore. They’re asking ChatGPT. They’re using Perplexity.

And here’s the thing: AI doesn’t read content the same way humans do.

If your content isn’t optimized for AI search, you’re becoming invisible.

Not today. Not tomorrow. But slowly, quietly, you’re disappearing from the results.

I’ve been paying attention to this shift for a while. LinkedIn just released their official guide on “How to optimize your content for AI search” (link).

This isn’t a theory anymore. It’s happening now.

Let me show you how to stay visible.

How AI “Reads” Your Content

AI doesn’t read like humans.

Humans skim. They look for bold text. They jump around. They get the vibe.

AI parses. It looks for structure. It looks for clear statements. It looks for specific, actionable information.

If your content is vague, fluffy, or poorly structured... AI skips it.

If your content is clear, specific, and well-organized... AI loves it.

That’s the difference between being cited and being ignored.

8 Rules for LinkedIn SEO in 2026

Here’s how to optimize your content so AI can find it, read it, and rank it.

Rule 1: Write Steps as Imperatives

This is a small change that makes a big difference.

Imperatives are commands. “Do this.” “Write that.” “Start here.”

Not “doing this” or “writing that” or “starting here.”

Active verbs. Direct instructions.

Bad: “Writing better hooks is important for engagement.”

Good: “Write better hooks to increase engagement.”

AI understands imperatives more clearly. They’re easier to parse, quote, and summarize.

Go through your content. Find the “-ing” verbs. Change them to commands.

Rule 2: Add ALT Descriptions to Your Images

Most people skip this completely.

When you upload an image to LinkedIn, you can add ALT text. It’s meant for accessibility. Screen readers use it to describe images to visually impaired users.

But here’s the thing: AI reads ALT text too.

If your image has no description, AI has no idea what it’s about. It can’t index it. It can’t reference it.

If your image has a clear, descriptive ALT text, AI can understand and cite it.

This takes 10 seconds per image. Start doing it.

Rule 3: Max 20 Words Per Sentence

Readability matters. For humans AND for AI.

Long, complex sentences confuse everyone. Short sentences are easier to parse.

The rule: no more than 20 words per sentence.

If a sentence is longer, break it up. Two short sentences beat one long one.

This also makes your content easier to quote. AI loves pulling clean, standalone statements.

Rule 4: Optimize Your Visual Structure

AI needs to understand the hierarchy of your content.

What’s the main point? What’s a subpoint? What’s an example?

If everything looks the same, AI gets confused.

How to fix this:

• Use clear sections with headers (if writing articles or newsletters)

• Use numbered lists for steps

• Use bullet points for related items

• Put the most important information first

• Make your structure scannable

AI should know exactly what’s first, second, third.

Rule 5: One Topic Per Post

It’s essential for AI.

If your post covers 3 different topics, AI doesn’t know how to categorize it. It won’t rank for any of them.

If your post goes deep on one specific topic, AI can index it properly. It knows exactly what this content is about.

One post = one topic = one clear takeaway.

Save the other ideas for other posts.

Rule 6: Provide Actionable Steps

AI search is often looking for “how to” content.

“How do I write better LinkedIn posts?”
“How do I optimize my profile?”
“How do I get more engagement?”

If your content answers these questions with specific, actionable steps... you win.

Vague advice doesn’t rank. Specific actions do.

Bad: “You should focus on creating valuable content.”

Good: “Write one tactical post per week that solves a specific problem. Include 3-5 actionable steps. End with a question to drive comments.”

See the difference? One is fluff. One is useful.

Rule 7: Rename Carousels as “Article Titles”

Here’s a trick most people don’t know.

When you upload a carousel (PDF) to LinkedIn, you can rename it after uploading.

Don’t leave it as “Document.pdf” or whatever your file was called.

Rename it to a clear, descriptive title. Like an article headline.

“7 Steps to Write Better LinkedIn Hooks”
“The Complete Guide to LinkedIn Profile Optimization”
“How to Get More Engagement on Your Posts”

This helps LinkedIn (and AI) understand what your carousel is about.

Same goes for video posts. The first textual line of your video post acts as the “title.”

Make it clear and descriptive.

Rule 8: Format Long-Form Content Like a Blog

If you write LinkedIn articles or newsletters, treat them like blog posts.

That means:

• Clear headline with your main keyword

• Subheadings that break up sections

• Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)

• Bullet points for lists

• Bold text for key points

• A clear conclusion

This structure helps AI parse your content. It can pull specific sections. It can quote specific points.

Wall-of-text articles don’t rank. Well-structured articles do.

Bonus: Use the Post Itself as a Demonstration

Here’s a meta trick.

If you’re teaching something, demonstrate it in the same post.

Writing about hooks? Make your hook great.
Writing about structure? Make your structure perfect.
Writing about SEO? Optimize the post for SEO.

This does two things:

1. It proves you know what you’re talking about.

2. It makes the post itself more likely to rank.

Your content becomes both the lesson and the example.

Why This Matters Now

Some people think this is future stuff.

“AI search isn’t mainstream yet.”
“I’ll worry about it later.”
“My content is fine for now.”

That’s the wrong mindset.

The content you create today will be indexed for years. If it’s not optimized for AI, it won’t rank when AI search fully takes over.

And that takeover is happening faster than you think.

Start optimizing now. While your competitors are still sleeping on this.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Go back to your last 5 posts. Check if your sentences are under 20 words. Fix the long ones.

2. Next time you post an image, add ALT text. Describe what’s in the image clearly.

3. Next time you post a carousel, rename it to a clear, descriptive title.

4. Write your next post with one topic only. Go deep. Add specific, actionable steps.

5. Structure everything clearly. First, second, third. Make it scannable.

Small changes. Big impact over time.

AI search is coming. Make sure your content is ready.

That’s it for this week.

If you start optimizing for AI search, reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what changes you make.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I analyze top LinkedIn posts to help you create content that truly connects.

What’s hot this week: conversations around Openclaw’s founder and the move to OpenAI. Anything related is getting strong traction on LinkedIn.

OpenClaw is currently the most advanced AI assistant framework, and you can try it without code using this 1-click setup on ClawPlane.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The 1,000 comments per week strategy: how to grow without posting more

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. > Be Peter Steinberger

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 1,095 likes in a day. It received 21-60 times more reposts than other Nishant’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post tells OpenClaw founder’s legendary story in the most efficient format possible.

BREAKDOWN

• Greentext format: Uses “> “ to tell a story - feels like internet lore, not a LinkedIn post

• Opens with a name: “Be Peter Steinberger” - implies this is a blueprint worth studying

• Ultimate ending: “Join OpenAI to double down on the project’s mission” - acquired by the biggest name in AI

TRY THIS

• Use greentext format (”> “) to compress a long story into punchy one-liners

• Tell someone else’s story - celebrating others often performs better than self-promotion

• End with a climactic outcome that feels earned by everything before it

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. OpenAI just acquired OpenClaw (Clawdbot). Built by 1 guy. In Austria. With $0 funding.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got almost 1.2k likes in 4 days and performed 2-100 times better than Semir’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post turns a tech acquisition into a takedown of every piece of conventional startup advice.

BREAKDOWN:

• News hook with disbelief: “OpenAI just acquired OpenClaw. Built by 1 guy. In Austria. With $0 funding.” - four punches that challenge everything you think you know

• Myth-busting list: You don’t need big VC, 100-person team, or Silicon Valley - directly attacks common startup advice

• Specific stats: 3 months to build, 180,000 GitHub stars - makes the achievement concrete

• Social proof stack: Anthropic sent legal letters, Sam Altman called him a genius, Meta came knocking - shows how big this really was

• Humor break: “Oh, and the guy is absolutely jacked. Clearly not skipping the gym to grind 20-hour days.” - unexpected, memorable, humanizing

• Contrarian framing: Lists what “founder-fluencers” told us was impossible, then shows Peter did the opposite

TRY THIS

• Use breaking news as a hook, then immediately extract the contrarian lesson

• Challenge conventional wisdom with specific proof points, not just opinions

• Add an unexpected human detail (like being jacked) to make the story memorable

3. Poland has joined the G20 this year, but that was just the warm-up

Why this post?

• This post got 3 times more comments than Aleksandra’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post works because it’s a personal career milestone wrapped in national pride.

BREAKDOWN:

• National pride hook: “Poland has joined the G20 this year, but that was just the warm-up” - ties personal news to bigger moment

• Personality detail: “I put my red suit to good use” - small human touch that makes it memorable

• Bold announcement: Joined the Prime Minister’s Council - immediately establishes significance

• Acknowledges pioneers: “Standing on the shoulders of giants who have fought for a better innovation ecosystem for years” - shows humility and respect

TRY THIS

• Tie personal announcements to a larger movement or national moment - it makes your news feel more significant

• Add a small personal detail (red suit) to make formal news feel human

• Tag influential people who are genuinely part of the story - it expands reach authentically

LinkedIn Guide

The 1,000 comments per week strategy: how to grow without posting more

“I need to post more.”

That’s what most people think when their LinkedIn isn’t growing.

More posts. More content. More ideas.

But what if I told you there’s a faster way to grow?

One that doesn’t require writing more posts. Doesn’t require more content ideas. Doesn’t require staring at a blank screen.

It’s commenting.

Not “Great post!” commenting.

Strategic, valuable, consistent commenting.

I studied creators who are crushing it on LinkedIn right now. The ones growing fastest aren’t posting more. They’re commenting more.

For example, Jasmin Alic leaves 1,000+ comments per week. He spends 2-3 hours daily in comments and DMs. No automation. No AI. No VA.

Just his fingers on the keyboard.

The result? 250,000+ comments over time. Thousands of warm DMs. A fully booked business.

Let me show you how this works.

Why Commenting Beats Posting

Here’s something most people don’t realize.

Only 2-5% of your followers see your posts.

That’s the algorithm. You post something, and most of your audience never sees it.

But comments? Different story.

When you comment on someone’s post, that comment shows up in YOUR network’s feed too. “Anton commented on this.”

Your connections see it. Your followers see it. People who’ve never heard of you see it.

Every comment is a mini-post that reaches a completely different audience.

Now do the math.

You can post maybe 5 times a week. Max.

But you can comment 20, 30, 50 times a day.

That’s 10x more visibility. Without creating any new content.

The Problem With Most People’s Comments

Here’s why commenting doesn’t work for most people.

They write garbage.

“Great post!”
“Love this!”
“So true!”
“👏👏👏”

These comments are invisible. The algorithm ignores them. The post author ignores them. Everyone scrolls past.

You might as well not have commented at all.

A good comment is a mini-post.

It adds something. A perspective. A story. A question. An insight.

It makes people think: “Who is this person? Let me check their profile.”

That’s the goal.

The 1,000 Comments Per Week System

Here’s how to make commenting your growth engine.

Step 1: Block 1 Hour Daily for Engagement

This isn’t optional. It’s the job.

If you want to grow on LinkedIn, you need to show up in comments. Every single day.

Block 1 hour. Split it however works for you:

• 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the afternoon

• 15 minutes four times a day

• 1 hour in one focused block

Workdays only are fine. That’s still 5 hours a week of engagement.

Consistency matters more than duration.

Step 2: Optimize Your Feed

You can’t comment on good posts if your feed is full of garbage.

Most people’s feeds are cluttered with irrelevant content. Old connections. Random viral posts. Stuff that has nothing to do with their niche.

Fix this.

4 actions to optimize your feed:

1. Engage with relevant posts daily. LinkedIn shows you more of what you engage with.

2. Engage with new people daily. This expands your reach and variety.

3. Hit the 3 dots and click “Unfollow” on irrelevant content. This is a super-strong signal to the algorithm.

4. Hit the 3 dots and click “Save” on great content. This is the strongest signal. LinkedIn will show you more like it.

Better feed = better posts to comment on = more enjoyable engagement.

You’ll save hours every week just by not scrolling through junk.

Step 3: Comment on 4 Types of Accounts

Not all comments are equal.

Be strategic about WHO you engage with.

4 groups to focus on:

1. Your ideal clients. Comment on their posts. Get on their radar. Build familiarity before you ever DM them.

2. Creators who attract your ideal clients. Their audience is your audience. Show up in their comments and you’ll be seen by the right people.

3. Peers at your level. Support each other. Engage with each other’s posts. Grow together.

4. Small creators. This is underrated. Small creators remember who supported them early. And they often become big creators later.

Mix it up. Don’t just chase the big accounts.

Step 4: Write Comments That Actually Add Value

Here’s what a good comment looks like:

• Share your perspective. Agree or disagree. Add your take.

• Tell a quick story. “This reminds me of when I...”

• Ask a thoughtful question. Not “What do you think?” but something specific.

• Add an insight they missed. Extend their point.

• Respectfully challenge their idea. Start a conversation.

A good comment should be 2-5 sentences. Long enough to add value. Short enough to get read.

Think of it this way: if someone reads your comment, would they want to check out your profile?

If not, rewrite it.

Step 5: Reply to Comments on Your Own Posts

This is where most people drop the ball.

You post something. People comment. And you... disappear.

Big mistake.

Replying to comments on your own posts does two things:

1. It boosts your post’s reach. More comments = more visibility.

2. It builds relationships. The people who comment are your warmest leads. Don’t ignore them.

Reply to every single comment. Even if it’s just a quick thank you.

But better: add something. Continue the conversation. Ask a follow-up question.

Some creators get most of their engagement from replies, not original comments. 90% of their “comments” are just replies on their own posts.

That’s still powerful.

Step 6: Aim for 20 Comments Per Day Minimum

Set a number and stick to it.

20 comments per day is a good starting point.

That’s 100 per week. 400 per month. 5,000 per year.

Imagine being visible in 5,000 conversations over a year. That compounds.

If you want to go harder, aim for 50 per day. Or 100.

The more you comment, the faster you grow.

But 20 is the minimum. Non-negotiable.

Why This Works Better Than Posting

Three reasons:

1. You control your reach.

Posting is a gamble. Sometimes the algorithm picks it up. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Commenting is guaranteed visibility. Every comment puts you in front of people. No algorithm luck required.

2. You build relationships, not just followers.

Posts attract followers. Comments build relationships.

When you show up in someone’s comments consistently, they remember you. They trust you. They think of you when they need what you offer.

That’s how you get warm DMs instead of cold outreach.

3. You grow your authority.

Your comments show how you think. Your expertise. Your perspective.

People see your comments and think: “This person knows their stuff.”

That’s authority. Built one comment at a time.

The “No Automation” Rule

One more thing.

Do this manually.

No automation tools. No AI-generated comments. No virtual assistants writing for you.

Why?

Because people can tell.

Automated comments are generic. They don’t add value. They feel fake.

And LinkedIn is cracking down. Accounts using automation are getting restricted.

Do it yourself. Your fingers. Your brain. Your voice.

It takes more time. But it actually works.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Block 1 hour daily for engagement. Put it in your calendar.

2. Clean up your feed. Unfollow 20 irrelevant accounts. Save 10 posts you love.

3. Leave 20 comments per day. Real comments. Not “Great post!”

4. Reply to every comment on your own posts.

5. Track how it feels at the end of the week.

I promise you’ll notice the difference.

More profile views. More connection requests. More DMs.

All without writing a single extra post.

That’s it for this week.

If you try the 1,000 comments strategy, reply and tell me how it goes. I’d love to hear what happens.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I explore what works on LinkedIn to help you create content that connects

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• Why your “Expert” content is pushing people away

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. 2021 Turned down Meta’s $1M offer. Started my first startup.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 590 likes in 3 days. It received 19-50 times more reposts than other Ethan’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This is the classic “overnight success that took 5 years” story - but told with brutal honesty.

BREAKDOWN

• Big sacrifice hook: “Turned down Meta’s $1M offer. Started my first startup.” - immediately establishes stakes and commitment

• Year-by-year timeline: 2021 → 2026 format makes the journey easy to follow

• Shows the dark years: 2022-2023 full of rejection (20+ VCs, then 10+ more), no revenue, no PMF - doesn’t skip the pain

• Turning point moment: “2024 - Did 100+ user calls. Pivoted. Something finally clicked.“ - the grind that led to growth

• Milestone markers: $1M ARR in 2025, $5M ARR in 2026 - concrete proof it worked

TRY THIS

• Use a year-by-year timeline to show your journey - it’s easy to follow and shows the real duration of struggle

• Start with a bold sacrifice or risk that establishes stakes

• Don’t skip the failure years - they make the success credible

• Include specific rejection numbers (20+ VCs, 10+ more) - vague “it was hard” doesn’t land the same way

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. Most people don’t realize how easy it is to find recruiters on LinkedIn.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got almost 543 likes in 2 days and performed 8-22 times better than David’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post solves a real problem job seekers have: how do I actually reach the right people? Instead of vague advice like “network more,” it gives exact steps anyone can follow in 5 minutes.

BREAKDOWN:

• “Hidden knowledge” hook: “Most people don’t realize how easy it is to find recruiters” - implies you’re about to learn something most don’t know

• Origin story for credibility: “I shared this in a comment a while back and people found it useful” - social proof before the content

• Clear numbered list: 4 ways to find recruiters - easy to skim, easy to save

• Step-by-step instructions: Each method includes exact clicks and filters - no guesswork required

• Specific search syntax: (”hiring” AND “JOB YOU WANT”), (”talent” or “recruit”) - copy-paste ready

• Pro tip embedded: “Jobs posted in personal feeds of recruiters/employers vs doom-scrolling LinkedIn’s job boards” - reframes the approach

TRY THIS

• Share “hidden” knowledge that’s actually just underused features - people love feeling like insiders

• Mention that you’ve shared this before and it helped people - social proof before the content

• Give exact steps with specific search syntax people can copy-paste

3. LinkedIn has changed a TON.

Why this post?

• This post got 3-15 times more comments than Devin’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

Everyone posting on LinkedIn is secretly wondering: is my reach good or bad? This post answers that question with hard data.

BREAKDOWN:

• Validates the pain: “LinkedIn has changed a TON. Everyone’s reach is down.” - says what everyone’s feeling

• Promises clarity: “Here’s what good looks like” - offers a solution to the uncertainty

• Data credibility: “Based on an analysis of 50,000 posts” - not opinion, it’s research

• Benchmark table: Breaks down impressions by follower range (0-1k through 50k-100k) with Typical, Strong, and Top reach - instantly useful

• Interprets the data: “If you have 5k-10k followers and you’re hitting 1,000-2,000 impressions? You’re in the top 25%.” - makes raw numbers meaningful

• Key insight: “The hardest part about LinkedIn is that no one tells you if you’re winning“ - names the real problem

TRY THIS

• Validate a frustration your audience is feeling before offering a solution

• Use real data with a large sample size - “50,000 posts” beats “in my experience”

• Interpret the data for people - don’t just show numbers, tell them what the numbers mean

LinkedIn Guide

Why your “Expert” content is pushing people away

You want to be seen as an expert on LinkedIn.

So you post tips. Frameworks. How-tos. Industry insights.

Professional stuff. Serious stuff. “Valuable” stuff.

And you never show your face. Never share a personal story. Never crack a joke.

Because experts don’t do that. Right?

Wrong.

That’s exactly why people scroll past your content.

You’re not boring because you lack expertise. You’re boring because you’re hiding the one thing that makes people care.

You.

The Expert Trap

Here’s what happens.

You start posting on LinkedIn. You want to build authority. You want people to take you seriously.

So you play it safe.

You write about industry trends. Best practices. Data-backed insights.

Every post sounds like it could be in a textbook.

And it gets... crickets.

A few likes from colleagues. Maybe a “Great post!” comment. Nothing real.

Meanwhile, someone else posts about burning out, taking a month off, and what they learned from it. Thousands of likes. Hundreds of comments. Real conversations.

What’s the difference?

They showed up as humans. You showed up as a content machine.

People Follow Humans, Not Experts

Here’s the truth.

LinkedIn is full of experts.

Everyone has tips. Everyone has frameworks. Everyone has “5 things I learned about X.”

Expertise is table stakes. It’s the minimum. It doesn’t make you stand out.

You know what does?

Being a real person.

People don’t connect with credentials. They connect with stories. With humor. With vulnerability. With the weird, specific, human details that make you... you.

Think about the creators you actually enjoy following.

I bet they share more than just advice. They share who they are.

The Human Side Builds Your Brand AND Your Business

This isn’t just about engagement.

It’s about business.

When you show your human side, something interesting happens.

People remember you.

And when they’re ready to buy, they think of you first. Not because you had the best tips. But because they feel like they know you.

I’ve seen this over and over.

The founders and creators who share their personality - their jokes, their struggles, their real life - they build deeper relationships.

And those relationships turn into clients, partnerships, and opportunities.

All that “serious expert content”? It gets forgotten by tomorrow.

What Showing Your Human Side Actually Looks Like

This doesn’t mean oversharing.

You don’t need to post about your divorce or your childhood trauma.

It just means letting people see the person behind the posts.

A few examples:

1. Humor in the comments.

Crack jokes. Be playful. Don’t take yourself so seriously.

Some of the best LinkedIn relationships start with a funny comment. It breaks the ice. It makes you memorable.

2. Behind-the-scenes moments.

Share what your day actually looks like. The messy desk. The weird coffee order. The 3pm slump.

It’s not about being polished. It’s about being real.

3. Personal stories that connect to your message.

Don’t just say “consistency is important.”

Say “I almost quit posting after 6 months. Here’s what kept me going.”

Same lesson. Completely different impact.

4. Opinions that aren’t safe.

Experts play it safe. Humans have opinions.

Share your real take on something. Even if it’s controversial. Even if some people disagree.

That’s what makes people lean in.

5. Meet people in real life (or on calls).

The relationships that matter most aren’t built in the feed. They’re built in conversations.

Grab coffee with followers when you travel. Jump on a quick call just to say hi. No agenda. Just connection.

These moments turn followers into real relationships.

The “Expert vs. Human” Test

Look at your last 10 posts.

Ask yourself:

• Could anyone have written this? Or does it sound like me?

• Is there any personality in this? Or is it pure information?

• Would someone laugh, nod, or feel something? Or would they just think “okay, useful”?

If your content is all tips and no personality, you’re falling into the expert trap.

Time to break out.

But Won’t I Look Unprofessional?

This is the fear, right?

“If I joke around, people won’t take me seriously.”
“If I share personal stuff, I’ll look unprofessional.”
“If I’m too casual, I’ll lose credibility.”

Here’s the reality:

The opposite is true.

The most successful people on LinkedIn - the ones with huge audiences AND real businesses - they all show their human side.

They share jokes AND insights. Personal stories AND professional wins. Humor AND expertise.

It’s not either/or. It’s both.

Being human doesn’t kill your credibility. It amplifies it.

The Balance: Expert + Human

You don’t have to choose.

The goal is to be BOTH an expert AND a human.

Here’s a simple mix:

• 70% of your content: Share your expertise. Tips, frameworks, lessons learned.

• 30% of your content: Show your human side. Stories, humor, behind-the-scenes, opinions.

Or better yet, combine them.

Start with a personal story. End with a lesson.

Share an opinion. Back it up with experience.

Make a joke. Then drop some real value.

That’s the formula that builds authority AND connection.

Real Connection Beats Perfect Content

At the end of the day, we’re all humans.

Humans who love to laugh. Who crave connection. Who are tired of corporate speak and polished nonsense.

When you show up as a real person, you give people permission to do the same.

And that’s when real relationships start.

Not from your perfectly crafted carousel. Not from your “10 tips for success” post.

From the moment someone thinks: “I like this person. They feel real.”

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Post one thing that shows your personality. A story. A joke. An opinion. Something that’s YOU.

2. Leave 5 comments that aren’t just “Great post!” - add some humor, some personality, some realness (not generic AI comments).

3. Reach out to one follower just to say hi. No agenda. No pitch. Just connection.

See how it feels. See how people respond.

I bet you’ll notice the difference.

Expertise opens the door.

Being human is what makes people stay.

That’s it for this week.

If you try showing more of your human side, reply and tell me how it goes. I’d love to hear what happens.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I break down top LinkedIn posts so you can craft content that resonates.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• Permission-based selling: how to DM without being sleazy

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. Our AI bill just hit $50K in a single month.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 987 likes in 4 days. It received 13-17 times more reposts than other Amos’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

Everyone talks about AI agents in theory. This post shows what it actually costs to run a business on them.

BREAKDOWN

• Shocking number hook: “$50K in a single month“ - makes you stop and read

• Reality check frame: “This is what building with agents actually looks like” - cuts through the hype

• Shows where the money goes: Support. Sales. Onboarding. Product. - proves it’s not waste, it’s infrastructure

• Quotable insight: “Every part of the business now runs on intelligence - and intelligence isn’t free” - reframes cost as investment

• Vulnerable honesty: “This number still makes me blink” - admits it’s uncomfortable even for him

• Screenshot proof: Actual Anthropic invoice - undeniable, specific, real

TRY THIS

• Share a real number that feels uncomfortable - invoices, costs, revenue - specificity builds trust

• Frame a potential negative (big expense) as a positive signal (intelligence at scale)

• Use screenshots of real documents - receipts beat claims every time

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. We just won a hackathon at OpenAI HQ and met Sam Altman.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got almost 1.5 likes in 8 hours and performed 10 times better than Philip’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post has everything: a young underdog (college student skipping a midterm), a prestigious venue (OpenAI HQ), a clear win ($10K prize), famous people (Sam Altman photo), and a genuinely impressive technical project explained simply.

BREAKDOWN:

• Double hook: “Won a hackathon at OpenAI HQ and met Sam Altman” - two impressive things in one line

• Relatable sacrifice: “I skipped my midterm” - college student energy, shows commitment, makes him rootable

• Stakes and outcome: “Finalists out of hundreds of teams... winning $10,000” - context that makes the win impressive

• Simple “how it works”: Five-step breakdown anyone can follow - paste URL, extract frames, auto-label, export dataset, train detector

• Impact statement: “Days of painstaking manual labeling into a single repeatable pipeline which takes minutes” - shows the value

TRY THIS

• Lead with your biggest win and your most famous interaction in the same sentence

• Include a small personal sacrifice or risk that shows commitment - it makes you relatable

• Tag everyone involved - teammates, judges, people you met - it expands reach and gives credit

3. Message to remote workers.

Why this post?

• This post got 7-10 times more comments than Jordan’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post is designed to start a fight. “Stop looking like a bum” is the kind of statement that forces people to either defend their sweatpants or admit he has a point.

BREAKDOWN:

• Direct address hook: “Message to remote workers” - calls out a specific audience immediately

• Provocative statement: “Stop looking like a bum on your calls” - blunt, slightly offensive, impossible to ignore

• Softens the take: “I’m all for tech bro casual gear. If you’re doing well and performing, great.” - shows nuance, not just judgment

• Vivid example: “Looks like they should be a personal trainer and not a business growth consultant” - funny, specific, visual

• Core principle: “There’s an element to look good feel good“ - simple truth underneath the hot take

TRY THIS

• Start with a direct, slightly provocative statement - it forces people to keep reading

• Add nuance so you don’t seem like you’re just judging everyone

• Tie your advice to outcomes - “if you’re not performing, try this” is more useful than “do this”

LinkedIn Guide

Permission-Based Selling: How to DM Without Being Sleazy

“Hey Anton, love your content! Quick question - are you open to a conversation about how we can help you 10x your revenue?”

Delete.

“Hi! I noticed you’re a founder. I help founders like you scale. Here’s a 7-minute Loom video explaining how.”

Delete.

“Hey! Just wanted to reach out and see if you need help with your LinkedIn strategy. We’ve helped 500+ clients...”

Delete. Block. Report.

Sound familiar?

We all get these DMs. Every. Single. Day.

And we all hate them.

But here’s the thing: DMs actually work. They’re one of the best ways to start conversations and land clients on LinkedIn.

The problem isn’t DMs. The problem is HOW people send them.

Today I’m sharing a different approach. It’s called Permission-Based Selling (PBS).

No pitchslaps. No sleaze. No desperation.

Just real conversations that lead to real opportunities.

Why Most DMs Fail

Let’s be honest.

Most LinkedIn DMs are garbage.

They fail for three reasons:

1. Pitchslaps 5 seconds into the conversation.

You just connected. You know nothing about each other. And suddenly they’re asking for a call to “explore synergies.”

That’s not a conversation. That’s an ambush.

2. Assumptions done with zero research.

“I noticed you might need help with X.”

Did you? Did you really notice? Or did you just blast the same message to 500 people?

People can smell copy-paste from a mile away.

3. Unsolicited links, Loom videos, or voice notes.

Nobody asked for your 7-minute video. Nobody wants to open a random link from a stranger. Nobody has time to listen to your voice note pitch.

This isn’t outreach. It’s spam with extra steps.

The Psychology Behind Bad DMs

Here’s why people send terrible DMs:

They’re scared.

Scared of rejection. Scared of wasting time. Scared the prospect will say no.

So they skip the relationship part and jump straight to the ask. “Let me pitch before they lose interest.”

But that’s backwards.

When you pitch too early, you guarantee rejection. Because there’s no trust. No context. No reason for them to care.

It’s like proposing marriage on a first date.

Slow down.

What Is Permission-Based Selling?

PBS is simple.

Instead of pushing your offer, you ask for permission to continue the conversation.

At every step.

It’s based on psychology and human behavior. People are more likely to say yes when they feel in control. When they don’t feel trapped or pressured.

The framework has 3 parts:

1. Ask for permission

2. Get the first Yes fast

3. Get the next Yes sooner

Let me break it down.

Step 1: Ask for Permission

Before you pitch anything, ask if they’re open to it.

This feels counterintuitive. “What if they say no?”

Good. Then you saved your time.

But most people won’t say no. They’ll appreciate that you asked.

Examples:

“Hey [name], I have an idea that might help with [specific thing]. Would you be open to hearing it?”

“I noticed [something specific about them]. I have a few thoughts. Mind if I share?”

“Would it be okay if I sent over a quick suggestion? No pressure either way.”

See the difference?

You’re not demanding their time. You’re requesting it.

That tiny shift changes everything.

Step 2: Get the First Yes Fast

The first Yes should be easy.

Don’t ask for a 30-minute call right away. Don’t ask them to watch a video. Don’t ask them to read a case study.

Ask for something small.

“Would you be open to a quick 2-line idea?”

“Can I share one observation?”

“Mind if I ask one question?”

“Mind if I tell you more about this project?”

Easy to say yes to. Zero commitment. No risk.

Once they say yes to something small, they’re more likely to say yes to something bigger. That’s psychology.

Step 3: Get the Next Yes Sooner

Now you build momentum.

Each Yes leads to the next Yes.

Small Yes → Bigger Yes → Call → Client.

But you never skip steps. You never push. You always ask.

“Cool. Would it be helpful if I showed you an example?”

“Glad that resonated. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call to explore this?”

“I have a few more ideas. Want me to put together a short doc for you?”

Every step is an invitation. Not a demand.

If they say no at any point, you stop. No hard feelings. No guilt trips.

That’s the game.

Example: A PBS Conversation

Here’s what this looks like in practice.

Message 1 (after they accept connection):

“Hey Sarah, thanks for connecting! Curious - what made you reach out?”

(Simple. No pitch. Just a genuine question.)

Their reply:

“Hey! I saw your post about LinkedIn content. Really liked it.”

Message 2:

“Appreciate that! I took a quick look at your profile. You’re doing interesting work in [their field]. One thing jumped out at me - would you be open to a quick observation?”

(Asking permission. Not assuming they want feedback.)

Their reply:

“Sure, I’d love to hear it.”

Message 3:

“Your headline is solid, but it’s focused on what you do, not who you help. A small tweak could make it way more compelling. Want me to share a quick suggestion?”

(Delivering value. Asking permission to continue.)

Their reply:

“Yes please!”

Message 4:

[Share the suggestion]

“Hope that helps! If you ever want to go deeper on your LinkedIn strategy, I’m happy to chat. No pressure - just let me know.”

(Soft offer. No push. They’re in control.)

See how that feels different?

No pitchslap. No desperation. Just a real conversation.

Why PBS Works

Three reasons:

1. It builds trust before you ask for anything.

By the time you make an offer, they already see you as helpful. Not salesy.

2. It puts them in control.

People hate being pushed. They love being asked. PBS lets them feel in charge of the conversation.

3. It filters out bad fits.

If someone says no early, great. You didn’t waste time on someone who was never going to buy. You focus on people who actually want to talk.

The Daily PBS Habit

Here’s how to make this part of your routine:

1. Check your profile visitors daily.

2. Look at who liked or commented on your posts.

3. Review new connection requests.

If someone fits your ideal client profile, start a conversation.

Not a pitch. A conversation.

Send 5-10 PBS-style DMs per day. That’s it.

Over 300 days, that’s 1,500+ real conversations. Some will become clients. Many will become connections. All of them will remember you as someone who wasn’t sleazy.

What Not to Do

A few things to avoid:

• Don’t send a DM immediately after they accept. Wait a few hours or a day. Don’t look desperate.

• Don’t use templates that sound like templates. Personalize at least one line. Mention something specific about them.

• Don’t follow up 17 times. If they don’t reply after 1-2 follow-ups, let it go. They’re not interested. Move on.

• Don’t pitch in the connection request. That’s the fastest way to get ignored.

• Don’t send voice notes or videos unless they ask. It’s presumptuous. Text first. Always.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Pick 5 people who engaged with your content recently.

2. Send them a PBS-style message. No pitch. Just start a conversation.

3. Ask for permission before sharing any ideas or offers.

4. Track how different the responses feel.

I promise you’ll notice the difference.

DMs don’t have to be sleazy. They don’t have to feel gross.

When you lead with permission, everything changes.

That’s it for this week.

If you try Permission-Based Selling, reply and let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what conversations it starts.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I explore what works on LinkedIn to help you create content that connects.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The 300-day LinkedIn program: what it actually takes to grow in 2026

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. Apparently, LinkedIn can’t figure out I’m real. 💔

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 4.3k likes and 567 reposts in a day. It received 10-30 times more reposts than other Jasmin’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post is a public showdown between a top LinkedIn creator and LinkedIn itself. Jasmin has 57,000+ trained, is a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and gets featured by the platform - yet he’s being restricted for being “too engaging.”

BREAKDOWN

• Attention-grabbing hook: “Apparently, LinkedIn can’t figure out I’m real. 💔” - immediately creates intrigue and sympathy

• Stacks the absurdity: Restricted 5 times, post locked for 52% engagement rate, zero automation tools - builds the case fast

• Direct callout: Tags LinkedIn and Ryan Roslansky (CEO) by name - raises the stakes publicly

• “I will NOT stay silent anymore”: Declares a turning point - signals this isn’t a complaint, it’s a stand

• Numbered grievances: 5 specific problems with LinkedIn’s system - organized, clear, hard to dismiss

• Bold offer: Will fly to NYC or Sunnyvale HQ, spend unpaid time, use his own money to help fix it - shows he’s serious

• Raises legal stakes: “I’ve looked at legal counsel on this matter too” - adds pressure without being threatening

• Emotional close: “Enough is enough. Thank you.” - exhausted but dignified

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. We run 35+ social media accounts.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got almost 644 likes in 3 days and performed 3-20 times better than Chris’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post solves a problem every content team has - too many ideas, not enough output.

BREAKDOWN:

• Scale hook: “We run 35+ social media accounts” - immediately establishes credibility and scale

• Volume follow-up: “Post 2-3 times a day” - makes readers wonder how that’s even possible

• Core thesis: “Distribution is everything“ - three words that frame the entire post

• Diagnoses the problem: “Most teams have plenty of ideas. What they don’t have is speed and consistency.” - names the real bottleneck

• Question + answer: “The fastest way to scale distribution? AI.” - clean setup and payoff

• Names the tool: name the tool he uses, not vague “use AI tools”

• Memorable framework: “Create once. Distribute as much as possible.” - quotable, actionable

TRY THIS

• Lead with scale numbers that make people ask “how?” - it creates instant curiosity

• Name the real bottleneck your audience faces - ideas vs execution, quality vs speed

• Share specific tools, not generic advice - “I use X” beats “use AI”

3. 2024: Checking the bank account every morning with anxiety.

Why this post?

• This post got 5-6 times more comments than Daniel’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post is anti-LinkedIn in the best way.

BREAKDOWN:

• Before/after hook: “2024: Checking the bank account every morning with anxiety. 2025: Profitable. Calm. Actually sleeping.“ - instant emotional contrast

• Curiosity question: “What changed?“ - reader has to keep reading to find out

• Subverted expectation: “Nothing.” - surprise answer that catches you off guard

• Reframe: “We just stayed in the trenches” - the boring truth is the real answer

• Simple actions stacked: Talked to customers, fixed bugs, shipped features they needed - nothing fancy

• Anti-hype list: “No fancy growth tactics. No viral marketing. No VC fundraising.” - defines success by what he didn’t do

• Memorable framework: “Listen. Build. Ship. Repeat.” - four words that capture the whole philosophy

TRY THIS

• Use a before/after format with emotional states, not just metrics - anxiety vs calm hits harder than revenue numbers

• Set up a curiosity question, then subvert expectations with your answer

• Define your success by what you didn’t do - it stands out in a sea of “hacks”

LinkedIn Guide

The 300-Day LinkedIn Program: What It Actually Takes to Grow in 2026

“How long until I see results?”

I get this question all the time.

And I get it. You start posting. You put in the effort. You want to know when it pays off.

Here’s the honest answer:

Longer than you think.

I’ve been posting for over 2 years. I just hit 10K followers this month.

Not 10K in 30 days. Not 10K in 90 days.

Over 2 years.

And I’m going to tell you something most LinkedIn gurus won’t: the slow path is the right path.

Let me explain.

The Myth of Fast Growth

Everyone wants to go viral.

I did too.

In my first 100 days, I actually went viral. A few posts blew up. Thousands of likes. Hundreds of new followers.

Sounds great, right?

Here’s the problem: those posts were about AI hype.

They had nothing to do with my actual service. Nothing to do with LinkedIn content or personal branding.

I attracted people who wanted AI tips. Not people who needed what I actually offer.

Vanity metrics. Empty growth. 0 clients.

So I made a decision.

I stopped chasing virality. I stopped posting about whatever was trending.

I started posting about what I actually do. Even if it meant slower growth.

That’s when things changed.

What Actually Happened Over 300+ Days

Let me be real with you.

The first 100 days? Confusing.

I was experimenting. Trying different topics. Chasing likes. Some posts flopped. Some went viral for the wrong reasons.

Days 100-200? Frustrating.

I narrowed my focus. Stopped the hype posts. Started talking about what I actually do. Growth slowed down. Way down.

I wondered if I made a mistake.

Days 200-300? Clarity.

Things started clicking. The right people found me. DMs changed from “cool post” to “can you help me with my LinkedIn?”

Leads came in. Clients signed up. Not because I went viral. Because I stayed consistent with the right message.

Days 300+? Compound growth.

Now it feels easier. I know what works. I know who I’m talking to. Posts don’t need to go viral to bring results. The system works on its own.

That’s what the 300-day journey actually looks like.

Why 30-Day Results Are a Lie

Here’s what nobody tells you.

30 days is not enough time to:

• Figure out your voice

• Understand what resonates

• Build trust with your audience

• Attract the right followers

• Convert followers into clients

It’s barely enough time to get started.

The people selling “grow fast” programs are selling a fantasy. Or they got lucky with one viral post and think they cracked the code.

Real growth is slow. It’s boring. It’s showing up when nobody’s watching.

But it compounds.

Day 30? You’re invisible.
Day 100? A few people notice.
Day 200? You start getting recognized.
Day 300? Opportunities find you.

You can’t skip the early days. You have to earn them.

The 7-Step Plan to Win Your 300 Days

Here’s the exact playbook I’d follow if I started from zero today.

Step 1: Turn Your Profile Into a Landing Page

Before you post anything, fix your profile.

Everyone who sees your content will visit your profile. If it’s confusing, they won’t follow.

Your profile should answer:

• Who are you?

• What do you do?

• Who do you help?

• What should they do next?

This means:

• A clean banner with a positioning statement

• A headline that speaks to your ideal client (not just your job title) [Tip: Not sure what to write? Here’s a free LinkedIn headline generator.]

• A clear About section with your story and offer

• A featured section with your best content or lead magnet

Your profile works for you 24/7. Make it count.

Step 2: Build Your Content Engine

Without consistency, nothing else matters.

Commit to posting 3-5 times per week. Not random topics. A strategic mix.

Use the 4-pillar framework:

• Tactical: Tips and how-tos your audience can use immediately

• Transformation: Case studies and success stories

• Insightful: Your opinions and industry hot takes

• Personal: Your story and lessons learned

For each pillar, define 3 topics. That’s 12 content ideas ready to go.

Batch your content weekly. One hour. Posts done.

Tip: I use Posthero to do this. It’s a tool I originally built for myself to fix my own content bottlenecks and now use to repurpose LinkedIn posts across platforms in a few clicks.

Step 3: Expand Your Network Daily

Posting isn’t enough. You need to grow your network.

Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator (or search filters) to find your ideal audience. Send 50-100 connection requests per week.

Don’t add a message to the request. Unless it’s hyper-personalized, it looks like spam and decreases acceptance rates.

Once they accept, start a light conversation. No pitching. Just connect.

Step 4: Do Signal-Based Outreach (30 min/day)

Every day, spend 30 minutes on this:

• Check who viewed your profile

• Check new connection requests

• Look at who liked or commented on your posts

If they fit your ideal client profile, send them a quick message.

Something like: “Hey [name], thanks for connecting. Curious what brought you to my profile?”

That’s it. No pitch. Just start a conversation.

This turns passive followers into real relationships.

Step 5: Comment Like It’s Your Job

This is the most underrated growth hack.

Commit to commenting on 10 posts per day. Not “Great post!” but actual value.

Two types of accounts to engage with:

1. Your ideal clients

2. Creators who attract your ideal clients

Your comments should:

• Share your perspective

• Add an insight or story

• Ask a thoughtful question

Every comment is a mini-post. Your network sees it. It builds visibility without posting.

Step 6: Track and Iterate Monthly

Don’t check stats daily. You’ll go crazy.

Instead, review monthly:

• Which posts performed best?

• Which topics got the most comments?

• Which format worked (text, carousel, video)?

• How many profile views? Connection requests? DMs?

Double down on what works. Drop what doesn’t.

This isn’t a “set and forget” game. You need to adapt.

Step 7: Play the Long Game

Here’s the truth.

The longer you run this system, the more everything compounds.

• Your posts get better

• Your network grows

• Your authority builds

• Opportunities find you

I ran this playbook for 2+ years. It generated 3.9M views and 10K+ inbound leads for one client alone.

But none of that happened in 30 days.

It happened because I kept showing up. Day after day. Month after month.

That’s the game.

Your Homework

If you’re just starting out (or starting over), do this:

1. Fix your profile this week. Make it a landing page.

2. Set up your 4-pillar content engine with 12 topics.

3. Block 1 hour weekly for content batching.

4. Spend 30 minutes daily on comments and outreach.

5. Review your stats monthly. Adjust accordingly.

6. Commit to 300 days. Not 30. Not 90. 300.

300 days from now, you’ll thank yourself.

Or you can keep looking for shortcuts. Keep starting and stopping. Keep wondering why it’s not working.

Your choice.

That’s it for this week.

If you’re on your own 300-day journey, reply and tell me what day you’re on. I’d love to cheer you on.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I break down top LinkedIn posts so you can craft content that resonates.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The weekly content ritual: my 60-minute system for never missing a post

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. In 2026, any founder can build an MVP without writing a single line of code

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 1.2k likes in 5 days. It received 10-30 times more engagement and views than Elena’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

Vibe-coding is one of the hottest topics in tech right now, and most people don’t know where to start.

BREAKDOWN

• Timely hook: “In 2026, any founder can build an MVP without writing a single line of code“ - taps into a hot trend

• Personal curation angle: “Resources I personally keep sending to beginners“ - feels like insider knowledge, not a generic list

• Clear learning framework: Breaks vibe-coding into steps - follow courses, steal prompt patterns, learn workflows, copy from demos

• Organized categories: Groups 18 resources into 6 clear sections - courses, prompting playbooks, tool docs, agent workflows, planning helpers, demos

• Concrete timeline: “In 2 weeks, you can have a working MVP. In 2 months, you can have your first paying users.” - makes the outcome feel real

TRY THIS

• Curate resources around a trending topic before the market gets saturated with guides

• Frame it as “what I personally use/send” - it adds trust and feels less like content marketing

• Include direct links to everything - no friction, no gatekeeping

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. My LinkedIn tells you I’m a founder who raised $3M+, backed by a16z speedrun, living the dream in SF.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got almost 1k likes in 4 days and performed 3-20 times better than Daniel’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

Everyone sees founder success stories and assumes it was smooth. This post pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes.

BREAKDOWN:

• Pattern interrupt hook: Opens with the polished LinkedIn version - $3M raised, a16z, SF - then flips it with “But here’s what it doesn’t tell you”

• Raw struggle list: 8 YC rejections, 100+ VC nos, sleeping on a mattress, $15K in debt - stacks the pain fast

• Admits mistakes: Almost killed the company, delayed launches, ignored users - shows he’s not just unlucky, he messed up too

• Payoff moment: “Today, Rork has 1M+ users and multiple millions $ in ARR” - the contrast hits hard after all the struggle

• Four clear lessons: Retention matters, talk to users, persistence beats talent, have a reason to keep going - actionable takeaways

• Meta insight: “LinkedIn compresses years of struggle into a single outcome“ - names the thing everyone feels but doesn’t say

• Encouraging close: “You might be just one iteration away from smth big” - leaves readers motivated

TRY THIS

• Start with the “highlight reel” version of your story, then flip to reality - the contrast creates tension

• Stack specific struggles fast - numbers hit harder than vague “it was hard”

• Admit your own mistakes, not just external bad luck - it builds more trust

3. I keep thinking of that quote

Why this post?

• This post got 2-17 times more comments than Julien’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post works because of who’s saying it and when. The CTO of one of the biggest AI companies sharing a warning about machines and enslavement from a 1965 sci-fi novel feels loaded.

BREAKDOWN:

• Minimal intro: “I keep thinking of that quote” - just 6 words, pure curiosity bait

• Perfect quote selection: Dune on machines and freedom - written decades ago, hits different in 2026

• Source credibility: CTO of Hugging Face posting about AI and power - the subtext writes itself

• Simplicity as strategy: Entire post is 4 lines - stands out in a sea of long-form content

TRY THIS

• Find a quote from literature, history, or philosophy that captures the current moment perfectly

• Let your job title or position add meaning you don’t have to spell out

• Sometimes the best commentary is no commentary - just the quote

• Use fiction to talk about reality - it creates distance and feels less preachy

LinkedIn Guide

The Weekly Content Ritual: My 60-Minute System for Never Missing a Post

“I just don’t have time to post.”

I hear this every week.

Founders. Freelancers. Busy professionals. Everyone says the same thing.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

The people who post consistently aren’t less busy than you. They just have a system.

Consistency isn’t about willpower. It’s about ritual.

Today I’m sharing my exact weekly process. 60 minutes. One block. Content done for the week.

No more scrambling. No more guilt. No more “I’ll post tomorrow.”

Let’s break it down.

Why Willpower Doesn’t Work

Most people try to create content “when they have time.”

Spoiler: You never have time.

Monday you’re busy with client work. Tuesday you have meetings. Wednesday you’re tired. Thursday you finally sit down to write... and your brain is empty.

So you skip it. Again.

Then you see other people posting daily and think: “How do they do it? They must have more time than me.”

They don’t.

They just don’t rely on motivation. They rely on a system.

A repeatable ritual that happens the same time, same way, every single week.

That’s the secret.

The 60-Minute Weekly Content Ritual

Here’s my exact process.

I block 60 minutes once a week. Same day. Same time. Non-negotiable.

During that hour, I do 5 things:

1. Review (5 minutes)

2. Ideate (10 minutes)

3. Write (30 minutes)

4. Edit (10 minutes)

5. Schedule (5 minutes)

That’s it. One hour. Content done.

Let me walk you through each step.

Step 1: Review (5 minutes)

Before I create anything new, I look at what worked.

I check my posts from last week:

• Which post got the most engagement?

• Which one got the most comments?

• Which one felt flat?

I’m not looking for deep analytics. Just patterns.

Did a personal story perform better than a tactical tip? Did a question at the end spark more comments?

This takes 5 minutes max. But it keeps me from repeating mistakes and helps me double down on what works.

Step 2: Ideate (10 minutes)

Now I brainstorm ideas for this week.

I don’t start from zero. I use my 4 content pillars:

• Tactical (tips, how-tos, frameworks)

• Transformation (results, wins, success stories)

• Insightful (opinions, trends, hot takes)

• Personal (stories, lessons, behind the scenes)

I pick which pillars I want to hit this week. Then I write down 3-5 rough ideas.

They don’t need to be perfect. Just a sentence or two.

Examples:

• “Post about the client who ghosted me and what I learned”

• “Share my process for writing hooks”

• “Hot take: engagement pods are dead”

10 minutes. Ideas captured. Move on.

Step 3: Write (30 minutes)

This is the main block.

I pick 2-3 ideas from my list and turn them into drafts.

Here’s my shortcut: I use Posthero. Full disclosure: I built this tool because I was tired of staring at blank pages myself.

I dump my raw thoughts into the tool. Messy bullet points. Half-finished ideas. Voice notes. Whatever I have.

Posthero gives me an initial draft based on my inputs. It’s not perfect, but it gets me 80% there.

Then I take that draft and make it mine. My stories. My examples.

This saves me so much time. Instead of staring at a blank page, I’m editing and improving.

A few rules I follow:

• One idea per post. No cramming.

• Short sentences. Short paragraphs.

• Write like I’m talking to one person.

30 minutes. 4-5 rough drafts done.

Step 4: Edit (10 minutes)

Now I clean things up.

I read each draft out loud. If it sounds weird, I rewrite it.

I check for:

• Is the hook strong? Does line 2 keep you reading?

• Is there one clear point?

• Is it too long? (If it doesn’t fit on a phone screen, it’s too long.)

• Does the ending invite a response?

I cut anything that doesn’t need to be there. Shorter is almost always better.

10 minutes. 5 posts polished.

Step 5: Schedule (5 minutes)

Last step. I schedule everything.

I use Posthero for this too. I can convert my LinkedIn posts into Twitter and Threads posts with one click. Then schedule all of them in one place.

I post Monday to Friday, afternoon Bali time. That hits morning in Europe and early morning in the US. Peak scrolling hours.

I load the posts. Set the times. Done.

5 minutes. Week sorted.

Now I don’t think about the content until next week’s ritual.

When to Do Your Ritual

Pick a time that works for you and protect it.

Some options:

• Sunday noon (prep for the week ahead)

• Monday morning (start the week with content done)

• Friday afternoon (end the week strong)

Doesn’t matter which day. What matters is that you do it at the same time every week.

Put it in your calendar. Treat it like a client meeting. Don’t cancel on yourself.

What If You Miss a Week?

It happens.

Life gets crazy. You skip your ritual. You miss a few posts.

Don’t spiral. Don’t feel guilty. Just get back to the ritual next week.

One missed week doesn’t ruin your momentum. Quitting does.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is a system you can return to.

Why This Works

Three reasons:

1. You remove daily decisions.

You’re not waking up every day wondering “should I post today?” The decision is already made. You just follow the ritual.

2. You batch your creative energy.

Writing 3 posts in one focused hour is easier than writing 1 post on 3 different days. Your brain stays in content mode.

3. You build a habit that compounds.

The more you do your ritual, the easier it gets. After a few months, 60 minutes feels like nothing. And you’ll have months of consistent content behind you.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Pick a day and time for your weekly ritual. Put it in your calendar.

2. Block 60 minutes. No distractions.

3. Follow the 5 steps: Review, Ideate, Write, Edit, Schedule.

4. Post your content and see how it feels.

One hour a week.

That’s all it takes to be more consistent than 90% of people on LinkedIn.

Stop waiting for motivation. Build a ritual instead.

That’s it for this week.

If you try the 60-minute ritual, reply and tell me how it went. I’d love to hear if it helped.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I study top LinkedIn posts to help you create content that really connects.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• Why your “helpful” content is actually forgettable

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. We just raised $100,000,000 from Ribbit, Sequoia, Evantic, Conviction, and Pear.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 2k likes in 2 days. It received 6-25 times more engagement and views than Alfred’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

Fundraising announcements usually feel like bragging. This one works because it leads with struggle, not success.

BREAKDOWN

• Massive hook: “$100,000,000” with big-name VCs (Sequoia, Ribbit) - stops the scroll instantly

• Tension builder: “But it almost didn’t happen” - makes you want to know the story behind the number

• Vulnerable backstory: 18 months in limbo, unreliable models, customers unsure, hiring struggles - shows the messy middle

• Turning point: “About 9 months ago, it finally clicked” - satisfying narrative shift

• Proof stack: 15x revenue, 8 figures, 1M+ interviews, Microsoft/Sweetgreen/Perplexity as customers - overwhelming evidence

• Explains the problem: Traditional research costs $50-100k and takes months, so teams skip it and guess wrong - makes the product make sense

TRY THIS

• Lead with the big number, then immediately add tension - “but it almost didn’t happen”

• Share the unglamorous middle - limbo, doubt, struggles - before the win

• Stack proof points fast - revenue, customers, scale - don’t make people guess if it’s real

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. I passed on Airbnb in 2008.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got 1.1k likes in a day and performed 10times better than Mike’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

Everyone loves a “the one that got away” story - especially when it’s a legendary VC admitting he passed on a $100B+ company.

BREAKDOWN:

• Confession hook: “I passed on Airbnb in 2008“ - famous VC admitting a massive miss is irresistible

• Shows the receipts: Includes the actual rejection note to Brian Chesky - proves it’s real, not just a story

• Self-deprecating honesty: “A masterpiece of missing the point“ - owns the mistake completely

• Time creates credibility: “I’ve thought about that mistake for 16 years“ - this isn’t a hot take, it’s hard-won wisdom

• Reframes common advice: “Most founders are told to find painful problems“ - sets up the contrarian insight

• Key distinction: Pain invites you to improve the current game. Contradictions invite you to change which game gets played. - this is the gold

• Concrete example: “Nobody said ‘I wish I could sleep in a stranger’s apartment‘” - makes the abstract idea click

• Explains why he missed it: His identity was tied to old beliefs about marketplaces - goes deeper than surface analysis

TRY THIS

• Share your biggest miss or mistake - but only if you can extract a real lesson from it

• Turn a personal failure into a framework others can use

• Explain WHY you made the mistake, not just THAT you made it - self-awareness builds trust

3. Apollo crossed $150M ARR by doing something most B2B SaaS companies still don’t understand

Why this post?

• This post got 1.6-4 times more comments than Zack’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post reverse-engineers a successful company’s growth playbook in a way that’s both educational and actionable.

BREAKDOWN:

• Big number hook: “$150M ARR” - specific, impressive, gets attention

• Contrarian setup: “By doing something most B2B SaaS companies still don’t understand” - creates curiosity gap

• Origin context: Started in 2016 in a crowded market, now powering millions of GTM professionals - shows the journey

• Names the strategy: “People-led distribution engine“ - gives the approach a memorable label

• Four-part framework: Breaks down exactly how Apollo did it - structured and easy to follow

• Names real people: Tim Zheng, Jennifer Rhima, Brianna Chapman, Katie Parkes - makes it tangible and tags them for reach

• Specific proof points: 50K+ weekly AI users, 500% YoY AI growth, 47M prospecting actions - overwhelming evidence

TRY THIS

• Reverse-engineer a company’s success into a clear framework others can learn from

• Give your strategy a name - “people-led distribution engine” is memorable and shareable

• Stack specific numbers to prove your points - vague claims don’t stick

LinkedIn Guide

Why Your “Helpful” Content Is Actually Forgettable

I had coffee with a founder friend last month.

Smart guy. Successful business. Knows his stuff.

But his LinkedIn content? Completely forgettable.

I asked him why he never talks about himself in his posts.

He said: “I don’t want to come off as arrogant.”

So instead, he posts generic advice. Leadership tips. Business wisdom. Stuff that sounds nice but could’ve been written by anyone.

I opened his profile later. Post after post of the same thing.

“A good leader needs to be empathetic.”
“Communication is key to success.”
“Always put your team first.”

Cool. But who are you? Why should I listen to you? What have you actually been through?

No answers.

Just advice floating in the air with no story attached.

The Irony of Playing It Safe

Here’s what’s funny.

My friend avoids personal stories because he thinks it’ll make him look arrogant.

But the opposite is true.

Generic advice without context actually makes you sound MORE arrogant. Not less.

Why?

Because you’re telling people what to do without showing how you earned the right to say it.

It’s like a fitness coach who never shows their own transformation. Or a business mentor who never talks about their failures.

You’re asking people to trust you. But you’re not giving them a reason to.

Why Your Story Matters

Let me be blunt.

Advice is everywhere.

Open LinkedIn right now. You’ll find 10,000 posts telling you to “be consistent” and “add value” and “build relationships.”

None of it is wrong. But none of it stands out either.

You know what’s rare?

Your story.

Only you got fired from that job. Only you failed that launch. Only you had that conversation with your dad that changed everything. Only you built your business while going through a divorce.

That’s the stuff people can’t copy.

That’s the stuff that makes them think: “I need to follow this person.”

Story + Advice = Magic

I’m not saying stop giving advice.

Advice is valuable. People need frameworks and tips and how-tos.

But advice alone is forgettable.

Advice connected to your story? That’s magic.

Look at the difference:

Without story: “Consistency is the key to growing on LinkedIn.”

With story: “I posted for 6 months with zero results. I almost quit. Then on month 7, everything changed. Here’s what I learned about consistency.”

Same advice. Completely different impact.

The second one makes you lean in. You want to know what happened. You trust the person because they’ve been through it.

What Happens When You Share Your Story

Three things:

1. People remember you.

Facts fade. Stories stick. When you attach your advice to a real experience, it becomes memorable.

2. You attract the right audience.

Your story acts as a filter. People who resonate with your journey will follow you. People who don’t will move on. Both are good outcomes.

3. You become impossible to copy.

Anyone can steal your tips. No one can steal your story. It’s your unfair advantage.

“But It Feels Weird Talking About Myself”

I hear this a lot.

My founder friend said the same thing. “It doesn’t feel natural.”

Here’s what I told him:

You’re not bragging. You’re explaining.

There’s a difference between:

“Look how successful I am.” (bragging)

and

“Here’s what I went through and what I learned.” (sharing)

One is about ego. The other is about helping people.

When you share your story, you’re giving context. You’re showing people why your advice matters. You’re letting them see the human behind the content.

That’s not arrogant. That’s generous.

How to Add Story to Your Content

You don’t need to write a memoir.

Just add small story moments to your posts.

Here’s a simple formula:

1. Start with a moment.

“Last year, I lost my biggest client.”
“I used to think hustle culture was the answer.”
“My first business failed in 6 months.”

2. Share what happened.

Give a few details. Make it real. Let people see the situation.

3. Connect it to the lesson.

What did you learn? What changed? What do you do differently now?

That’s it.

You’re not writing a novel. You’re just giving your advice some roots.

The Question to Ask Yourself

Before you hit publish on your next post, ask this:

“Could anyone have written this? Or does it sound like me?”

If a stranger could post the same thing with their name on it... you’re missing your story.

Add it.

Your experience is the thing that makes your content yours.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Pick one piece of advice you always give.

2. Think about how you learned it. What happened? What did you go through?

3. Write a post that starts with that story, then leads to the advice.

Watch how differently people engage with it.

Advice is abundant.

Your story is scarce.

Start using it.

That’s it for this week.

If you try adding more story to your content, reply and let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what you come up with.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I analyze top LinkedIn posts to help you create content that truly connects.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The 4-Pillar content system: A simple framework for endless content ideas

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. Christmas 8 years ago, we got offered $25 million in cash

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 474 likes in 23 hours. It received 21-58 times more engagement and views than Steve’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post combines two things people can’t resist: huge money and a counterintuitive decision.

BREAKDOWN

• Massive hook: “$25 million in cash” - big numbers stop the scroll instantly

• Underdog origin: “Homeless stand up comic in back of Starbucks” - extreme contrast makes the story compelling

• Stakes get higher: Adds another $30 million potential on top - now it’s $55 million total he’s walking away from

• The unexpected decision: Turned it down cold - creates tension because most people would take the money

• Core message: “I just wanted to bet on myself” - simple, emotional, aspirational

• Validates the risk: “I was right :)” - confirms the bet paid off without bragging.

TRY THIS

• Lead with a specific, surprising number - it creates instant curiosity

• Share your lowest moment to make your wins feel earned

• Show the internal struggle, not just the outcome - doubt makes you relatable

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. Most CMOs can’t execute anymore.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got 703 likes in 2 days and performed 15-29 times better than Alexy’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post challenges a title that thousands of people either hold, aspire to, or hire for. It’s spicy enough to spark debate but backed by a clear pattern anyone in startups has seen.

BREAKDOWN:

• Controversial hook: “Most CMOs can’t execute anymore” - attacks a senior role directly, demands attention

• Softens the blow: “Not because they’re bad. AI is changing everything.” - blames the system, not the person

• Establishes credibility: “I work with 30+ companies a year” - shows pattern recognition from real experience

• Shows the broken pattern: Hire CMO → months of prep → teams spin up → growth stalls → quiet exit - familiar story for founders

• Explains the root cause: Good marketers get promoted to managing people, then stop building for 10 years

• Tests the claim: Ask a CMO about AI workflows, modern tech stacks, AI SaaS GTM - they can’t answer

• Bold prediction: Early-stage companies skip CMO hires in the next 24 months - gives a timeline

• Offers the alternative: Head of Growth + specialists + lean team + AI tools - actionable replacement

TRY THIS

• Challenge a well-known role or common practice - controversy drives engagement

• Back up your take with pattern recognition from real work - “I’ve seen this 30 times”

• Explain WHY the problem exists, not just THAT it exists - root cause analysis builds trust

3. Everyone’s an “AI expert” now.

Why this post?

• This post got 3 times more comments than Maxim’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

LinkedIn is flooded with people calling themselves AI experts after watching a few tutorials. This post says what everyone is thinking but is too polite to say.

BREAKDOWN:

• Sarcastic hook: “Everyone’s an ‘AI expert’ now” - calls out a trend everyone has noticed

• Sharp re-hook: “Until you ask a real question“ - immediately separates real from fake

• Defines the problem: “They’re not an expert, they’re a presenter“ - gives people language for what they’ve been feeling

• Red flags list: Four specific signs of fake experts - makes it easy to spot them

• Key insight: “Attention on LinkedIn is not the same as expertise“ - quotable truth bomb

• Contrasts real vs fake: Real expertise is “boring on the surface” - mental models, constraints, business impact

TRY THIS

• Call out a trend that’s annoying your audience - say what they’re thinking

• Create a clear distinction between real and fake (expert vs presenter)

• Give specific red flags people can use to evaluate others

LinkedIn Guide

The 4-Pillar Content System: A Simple Framework for Endless Content Ideas

You sit down to write. You open LinkedIn. You stare at the blank screen.

30 minutes later? Nothing.

Sound familiar?

Most people treat content like a guessing game. They wait for inspiration. They post random stuff. They hope something sticks.

That’s not a strategy. That’s a lottery ticket.

Today I’m sharing a framework that changed how I create content.

It’s called the 4-Pillar Content System.

Once you set it up, you’ll never run out of ideas again.

Why Most People Struggle with Content

Here’s the problem.

You try to be “creative” every time you sit down to write.

But creativity without structure is exhausting.

You end up posting once, then disappearing for two weeks. Or you post random thoughts that don’t connect to anything.

Your audience gets confused. They don’t know what you’re about.

And you burn out because every post feels like starting from zero.

The fix? A simple system that tells you exactly what to write about.

What Is the 4-Pillar Content System?

It’s a framework with three parts:

1. Your purpose statement

2. Your core insight

3. Your 4 content pillars

Let me break down each one.

Step 1: Your Purpose Statement

This is your anchor. One sentence that sums up what you do and who you help.

Every piece of content should connect back to this.

Examples:

“I help freelancers land clients without cold outreach.”
“I teach founders how to build in public.”
“I help marketers create content that actually converts.”

Keep it simple. If it takes more than one sentence, it’s too complicated.

Your purpose statement answers: “Why should anyone follow me?”

Step 2: Your Core Insight

This is the step most people skip.

And it’s the reason most content sounds the same.

Your core insight is your main belief that goes against common practice in your niche.

It’s the thing you see differently. The hill you’re willing to die on.

Everyone in your space is saying one thing. You’re saying the opposite. That’s your edge.

Examples:

Common practice: “Post every day to grow.”
Your core insight: “Posting 3x per week with high quality beats daily mediocre content.”

Common practice: “You need a big audience to make money.”
Your core insight: “100 true fans is enough to build a six-figure business.”

Common practice: “Hook your readers with clickbait.”
Your core insight: “Honest hooks outperform clickbait in the long run.”

Your core insight does three things:

1. It makes your content instantly recognizable

2. It attracts the right people (and repels the wrong ones)

3. It gives you a point of view to anchor every post

Ask yourself: “What do I believe that most people in my niche disagree with?”

That’s your core insight.

Step 3: Your 4 Content Pillars

Now you build your content engine.

These are the four types of content you’ll rotate through. Each pillar serves a different purpose. Together, they create a complete picture of who you are.

Pillar 1: Tactical

Actionable advice people can use right now.

Tips. How-tos. Frameworks. Step-by-step guides.

This is the stuff that makes people save your post.

Examples:

“How I write a LinkedIn post in 15 minutes”
“The 3-step system I use to find content ideas”
“My exact morning routine for deep work”

Tactical content proves you know what you’re talking about.

Pillar 2: Transformational

Stories of growth and transformation.

Paint a picture of what success looks like. Show people what’s possible.

This is the stuff that makes people want what you have.

Examples:

“How I went from 0 to 10K followers in 6 months”
“How my client landed her first $5K deal using this strategy”
“What changed when I finally started posting consistently”

Transformational content inspires people to take action.

Pillar 3: Insightful

Industry trends. Hot takes. Thought-provoking opinions.

This is where your core insight shines. Share how you see the world differently.

Examples:

“Why I think cold DMs are dead in 2025”
“The biggest mistake I see new creators make”
“Unpopular opinion: You don’t need a niche to grow”

Insightful content positions you as a thought leader.

Pillar 4: Personal

Anecdotes. Lessons learned. Behind-the-scenes moments.

This is the stuff that makes you human.

Examples:

“I almost quit last month. Here’s what happened.”
“What my dad taught me about business”
“The embarrassing failure that taught me everything”

Personal content builds trust and connection.

How to Put It All Together

Here’s the simple process:

Step 1: Write your purpose statement.

One sentence. Who do you help and how?

Step 2: Define your core insight.

What do you believe that goes against the norm? What’s your contrarian take?

Step 3: List 3 topics for each pillar.

That’s 12 topics total. Your content roadmap for weeks.

Step 4: Rotate through the pillars.

Don’t post 5 tactical posts in a row. Mix it up.

Monday: Tactical
Wednesday: Personal
Friday: Insightful / Aspirational

Step 5: Revisit quarterly.

Your pillars aren’t set in stone. Every 3 months, update your topics. Remove what’s stale. Add what’s resonating.

Why This Works

Three reasons.

1. You never start from zero.

When you sit down to write, you already know the category. You just pick a topic from your list and go.

2. Your content has a point of view.

Your core insight runs through everything. People know what you stand for.

3. Your audience knows what to expect.

They follow you because they know what you’re about. Not because you got lucky with one viral post.

Your Homework

Do this today:

1. Write your purpose statement (one sentence)

2. Define your core insight (what do you believe that others don’t?)

3. Create your 4 pillars with 3 topics each

4. Schedule your first 4 posts (one from each pillar)

40 minutes of work. Weeks of content ideas.

Stop guessing. Start systematizing.

The blank screen won’t beat you anymore.

That’s it for this week.

If you try the 4-Pillar System, reply and tell me how it goes. I’d love to hear what pillars you came up with.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I research top LinkedIn posts and show you how to create content that lands.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The Re-Hook Method: why your second line matters more than your first

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. After stepping back from posting and just observing LinkedIn for 3 months…

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 348 likes in 3 days. It received 18-58 times more engagement and views than Tara’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post works because everyone on LinkedIn has opinions about what’s working on LinkedIn.

BREAKDOWN

• Observer hook: “Stepping back for 3 months and just observing” - positions her as a researcher, not just another poster

• Simple list format: 7 short trends - easy to skim, easy to react to

• Each trend is a mini hot take: Videos dying, carousels over, text is back - each one could spark its own debate

• Contrarian observations: Goes against what most “LinkedIn gurus” have been saying (post videos! make carousels!)

• Punchy language: “Shorter and sharper” / “structured, opinionated, intentional” - memorable phrases

TRY THIS

• Frame insights as observations, not rules - it feels less preachy

• Make each point short enough to be its own debate

• Include at least one contrarian take that challenges common advice

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. Only 37 % of reps still rely on the phone to book meetings.

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got 1k likes in 2 days and performed 8-23 times better than Benjamin’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post goes against the current “automate everything” trend in sales. It tells people that the old-school, uncomfortable thing actually works better - and most people are too soft to do it.

BREAKDOWN:

• Stat hook: “Only 37% of reps still rely on the phone“ - specific number grabs attention and sets up the contrast

• Creates two camps: Cold callers vs everyone hiding behind automation - forces readers to pick a side

• Reframes the hard thing as an edge: Most people avoid cold calls - that’s exactly why it works

• Simple action steps: “Pick up the phone. Hit 50 dials. Repeat tomorrow.” - no complexity, just do it

• Us vs them energy: “They play it safe. You play to win.” - tribal, motivating

• Core insight: “Cold calling is hard. That is why it works.” - simple truth that reframes difficulty as advantage

TRY THIS

• Use a specific stat to set up your argument

• Frame the hard or unpopular path as the competitive advantage

• Create clear “us vs them” energy - make readers want to be in your camp

3. Linkedin: “We want you to engage in more conversation”

Why this post?

• This post got 4-8 times more comments than Liam’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

Everyone who posts on LinkedIn has felt this exact confusion. The platform tells you to engage, then flags you for engaging too much. It tells you to post consistently, but ghosting kills your reach.

BREAKDOWN:

• Dialogue format: Uses a fake conversation between “LinkedIn” and “Members” - feels like a comedy sketch

• Highlights absurdity: Shows LinkedIn giving contradictory advice - engage more, but not too much, but don’t ghost either

• Perfect meme choice: The confused little girl image matches the tone exactly - everyone knows this meme

TRY THIS

• Use dialogue format to show absurd or contradictory situations

• Call out frustrations your audience secretly feels but hasn’t articulated

• Pick a meme that matches the emotional tone of your message

LinkedIn Guide

The Re-Hook Method: why your second line matters more than your first

Everyone’s obsessed with hooks.

“Write better hooks!”
“Your hook is everything!”
“No hook = no engagement!”

Yeah, yeah. We get it.

But here’s what nobody tells you:

A great hook with a weak second line is like a movie trailer that’s better than the movie.

People click. Then they bounce.

I studied Jasmin Alic‘s content this week. He’s got 340K+ followers and is ranked #1 copywriter on LinkedIn.

And he says hooks alone won’t save your posts.

His secret? The “re-hook.”

Let me explain.

What’s a Re-Hook?

Simple.

The hook gets you in the room.

The re-hook slams the door behind you.

Most people write a killer first line. Then line 2 is... generic. Boring. Safe.

And the reader leaves.

Jasmin’s approach:

Line 1 = grab attention (the hook)
Line 2-3 = crush objections and make a promise (the re-hook)

Your re-hook should make people think: “Okay wait, now I HAVE to read this.”

Why This Matters on LinkedIn

Here’s the thing.

LinkedIn shows different amounts of text depending on your device:

Mobile (text only): 2-3 lines visible
Desktop (text only): 3 lines visible
Mobile with image: 1-2 lines
Desktop with image: 2 lines

So before anyone clicks “see more”... they only see your hook AND your re-hook.

If line 2 doesn’t deliver? They scroll.

Your re-hook is literally the make-or-break moment.

Bad vs. Good Re-Hooks

Let me show you the difference.

BAD:

“I want to share some thoughts about leadership.”

(Cool. So does everyone. Moving on.)

GOOD:

“I got fired on a Monday.
Best decision my boss ever made.”

See how line 2 flips it? Now you’re curious.

Another one.

BAD:

“Networking changed my life.
Here are some tips.”

(Boring. Predictable. Dead.)

GOOD:

“Networking changed my life.
But not in the way the LinkedIn gurus told me it would.”

Now there’s tension. There’s a story. You want to know what happened.

The Re-Hook Formula

Here are 3 ways to write re-hooks that lock people in:

1. Flip the expectation

Hook: “I applied to 1,600 jobs on LinkedIn.”
Re-hook: “Only won 1.”

You expect a success story. The re-hook says “nope, this is about failure.” Instant curiosity.

2. Add a “but” or “twist”

Hook: “I made $10K last month.”
Re-hook: “But I almost quit the week before.”

The twist creates tension. People need to know what happened.

3. Make a specific promise

Hook: “Stop wasting time on hooks.”
Re-hook: “Here’s the 3-line formula that gets me 1M+ views.”

Specific numbers. Clear outcome. People know exactly what they’re getting.

How to Practice This

Next time you write a post, do this:

1. Write your hook (line 1)

2. Write 3 different re-hooks (lines 2-3)

3. Pick the one that creates the most “wait, what?” reaction

4. Read lines 1-3 out loud. Would YOU click “see more”?

If the answer is “meh”... rewrite the re-hook.

The hook opens the door.

The re-hook locks them in.

Nail both = people actually read your stuff.

Quick Homework

Go look at your last 3 posts.

Read only the first 2-3 lines.

Ask yourself: “Does line 2 make me want to keep reading? Or is it just... there?”

If it’s just there, now you know why engagement was low.

It wasn’t your hook.
It was your re-hook.

That’s it for this week.

Go fix your second lines. They’re doing more damage than you think.

See you next time.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I research top LinkedIn posts and show you how to create content that lands.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The anatomy of a viral LinkedIn post

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. We’re about to witness the largest workforce disruption in modern history.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 205 likes in 5 days. It received 3-40 times more engagement and views than Mark’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post puts words to a fear most people feel but can’t express. It’s not just “AI will take jobs” - it goes deeper into what happens to identity and purpose when work disappears.

BREAKDOWN

• Alarming hook: “Largest workforce disruption in modern history“ - big, scary, impossible to ignore

• Sets up the threat clearly: AI agents are capable, work 24/7, cost almost nothing - three punches in one sentence

• Makes it personal: “The cognitive work that millions of Americans currently do” - now it’s about real people, not abstract tech

• Stacks powerful questions: Asks about mortgages, society, purpose - hits practical fears AND existential ones

• Reframes the moment: Says this isn’t like past tech shifts - AI targets thinking, the thing we thought made us safe

• Shows vulnerability: “I don’t have answers yet” - feels honest, not preachy

TRY THIS

• Make a bold prediction about something everyone senses but isn’t talking about

• Use a series of questions to pull readers deeper into the topic

• Go beyond surface-level takes — hit emotional and existential angles

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. Can we talk about how crazy it is that LinkedIn premium business is $69.99 a month?

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week - it got 1.8k likes in 2 days and performed 7-55 times better than Emily’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post hits a universal pain point - LinkedIn Premium is expensive and most people aren’t sure what they’re paying for. The one feature that actually matters (seeing profile viewers) is huge for people who sell high-ticket B2B services on LinkedIn - that’s their lead source.

BREAKDOWN:

• Conversational hook: “Can we talk about how crazy it is...” - feels like venting to a friend, not a lecture

• Shows her thought process: Logged in to check what she’s actually paying for - brings reader along

• Dismisses the features: “A badge? AI writing? InMail credits?” - quick, punchy, sarcastic

• Admits the one thing that matters: Seeing who viewed her profile - honest about the real value

• Adds humor: “(Because, what are y’all doing. 👀)“ - makes it fun, not preachy

• Does the math: $840 per year - makes the cost feel bigger and more real

TRY THIS

• Call out a shared frustration people feel but rarely say out loud

• Walk through your thinking like you’re talking to a friend

• Be honest about what actually matters to you (even if it’s small)

• Use quick, punchy questions to dismiss weak points

• Do the yearly math on monthly costs - it hits harder

3. there’s a reason companies everywhere are suddenly “desperate” for storytellers.

Why this post?

• This post got 5-18 times more comments than James’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post rides a credible news story (WSJ) and uses it to make a bigger point that marketers are desperate to hear. Everyone feels like their content isn’t working anymore - and this explains why.

BREAKDOWN:

• News hook: Opens by referencing a WSJ article - borrows credibility and ties into a trending topic

• Reframes the “why”: Says it’s not about better copy - it’s because old systems stopped working

• Stacks the problems: Attention fragmented, ads ignored, feeds saturated, trust harder to earn - fast punches

• Adds the AI twist: AI makes infinite content, so content alone isn’t the advantage anymore

• Reveals the real answer: Meaning and emotion - short line, big idea

• Elevates the concept: Brands should think like studios, not content factories

TRY THIS

• Attach your take to a news article or trend - it gives you instant relevance

• Reframe the obvious explanation (”they want better copy”) with a deeper one

• Stack short problems in a row to build momentum

LinkedIn Guide

The anatomy of a viral LinkedIn post

You’ve seen them.

Those posts with 5,000 likes. Thousands of comments. People share it like it’s the last pizza slice at a party.

And you’re sitting there like... “I posted about my promotion and got 12 likes. Three were from my mom.”

What’s the secret?

Let me break it down.

1. The Hook (First 2 Lines)

This is everything.

LinkedIn only shows the first 2 lines before the “see more” button. If your hook is boring, you’re dead.

Bad hook: “I want to share some thoughts about leadership.”

Good hook: “I got fired on a Monday. Best thing that ever happened to me.”

See the difference?

Make people curious. Make them NEED to click.

2. Short Paragraphs

One sentence.

Maybe two.

That’s it.

Big walls of text are scary. People scroll past them faster than I scroll past my ex’s wedding photos.

White space is your friend.

3. Tell a Story

Nobody cares about your tips.

(Okay, they care a little.)

But they LOVE stories.

“5 tips for productivity” = boring.

“I worked 80 hours a week and ended up in the hospital. Here’s what I learned.” = people are hooked.

Start with a struggle. End with a lesson.

4. Make It Relatable

The best posts make people think “omg that’s SO me.”

Talk about common frustrations. Shared experiences. Universal feelings.

Job rejections. Imposter syndrome. Pretending to look busy on Zoom calls.

We’ve all been there.

5. End With a Question

LinkedIn loves comments.

More comments = more reach.

So ask something at the end. Make it easy to answer.

“What’s the worst job advice you’ve ever received?”

“Have you experienced this too?”

Boom. Engagement.

6. Post at the Right Time

Tuesday to Thursday. Morning hours.

That’s when people are at work, “working” (scrolling LinkedIn).

Weekend posts? Good luck. Everyone’s touching the grass.

The Formula

Hook + Story + Short paragraphs + Relatable moment + Question = Viral potential.

Will every post blow up? Nope.

But you’ll get way more traction than “Excited to announce I completed a certificate!”

(Nothing against certificates. But nobody’s sharing that.)
_

Now go write something that makes people stop scrolling.

You got this.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!

What’d you think of today’s edition?

Help me to understand what you think about this episode. Just reply with a number (1, 2, or 3) to this email.

• 1 - Damn good

• 2 - Meh, do better

• 3 - You didn’t cook it

Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

Hi there,

I analyze top LinkedIn posts to help you create content that truly connects

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• LinkedIn content that books meetings: 5 post formulas that work

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. We’ve tested AI-generated and human-written SEO (and GEO) for 6 months — and the results are genuinely shocking.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 774 likes in 3 days. It received 60 times more engagement and views than Andrew’s posts this month.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post hits a nerve. Everyone in marketing is wondering if AI content actually works - and Andrew ran the experiment and showed receipts.

BREAKDOWN

• Hook with tension: Opens with a 6-month test and promises “shocking“ results - makes you want to know what happened

• Sets the scene: Tells you they started from 0 (no visitors, no content) so you understand the stakes

• Clear test setup: 28 human articles vs 192 AI articles - simple comparison anyone can follow

• Drops the bomb: Shows the huge gap (722 clicks vs 9 clicks) — this is the “wow” moment

• Adds a real-world proof: People who book meetings always mention the human-written posts

• Visual proof: Includes a chart that makes the difference impossible to ignore

TOGETHER WITH POSTHERO

Grow your audience faster on LinkedIn. With an AI-powered tool that helps you create content and grow on LinkedIn.

• Create high-converting content that helps you grow on LinkedIn

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

• AI Voice assistant for creating content in seconds

Try PostHero for free ->

2. If your LinkedIn reach suddenly dropped…

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week—it got 311 likes in 3 days and performed 18 times better than Stan-Louis’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

A lot of creators on LinkedIn have noticed their reach dropping and been frustrated about it. This post says out loud what people are thinking but can’t prove.

BREAKDOWN:

• Hook that validates a pain: Opens with “If your LinkedIn reach suddenly dropped...“ - speaks directly to something people are worried about

• Instant reassurance: “You’re not imagining it” - makes the reader feel seen and sane

• Names the villain: “LinkedIn wants you to pay now” - gives people something to blame

• Explains the pattern: Shows this isn’t new - Meta, TikTok, now LinkedIn all do the same thing (give reach, then take it away)

• Gives simple advice: Three easy things to do instead (behind-the-scenes, teach, keep going)

3. You can do just about anything to make $10k/month these days.

Why this post?

• This post got 1.5-28 times more comments than Michael’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post makes money feel easy and boring businesses feel exciting.

BREAKDOWN:

• Bold opening claim: “You can do just about anything to make $10k/month“ - makes money feel accessible, not hard

• Numbered list promise: “7 simple services“ - people love lists, and “simple” lowers the barrier

• Repeatable structure: Each service follows the same format - what it is, why it works, then 3 benefits

• Picks unsexy businesses: Sign cleaning, graffiti removal, parking lots — these feel doable because no one’s talking about them

• Highlights hidden demand: Points out things like “businesses HAVE to do it” or “required by law” - shows guaranteed customers

• Adds personal proof: Says he scaled home cleaning to $40k/month in 9 months — makes it real

LinkedIn Guide

LinkedIn content that books meetings: 5 post formulas that work

I posted on LinkedIn for 18 months trying different content styles.

Some posts got 100+ likes. Others barely hit 10.

But only 5 specific post formulas consistently booked meetings for me and my clients. Everything else was just noise.

Here’s what I discovered: The posts that book meetings don’t look like typical LinkedIn content. They look like case studies disguised as advice.

Quick note: I’m not including lead magnets in this list - they also book meetings (I wrote about that here).

The Meeting-Booking Problem

What most founders post:

• Generic business lessons

• Motivational stories

• Industry commentary

• Company updates

Why this doesn’t book meetings:

• Doesn’t show you solve specific problems

• No proof of capability

• Doesn’t make prospects self-identify

• No reason to reach out

The reality: Prospects book meetings when they see themselves in your problem and believe you can solve it.

The 5 Post Formulas That Book Meetings

Formula #1: The Metric Transformation Post

Structure: [Specific metric before] → [Same metric after] in [timeframe] + [What everyone tries] + [What actually worked] + [Counterintuitive insight]

Why it books meetings:

• Specific metrics attract people tracking same KPIs

• Shows proof of capability

• Counterintuitive approach creates curiosity

• Makes them want to know “how”

Template:

“[Metric]: [Before number] → [After number] in [timeframe].

Everyone told us to [common approach]. We did the opposite.

Instead of [obvious solution], we [unexpected solution].

The result:

• [Metric 1]: [before] → [after]

• [Metric 2]: [before] → [after]

• [Metric 3]: [before] → [after]

The surprising part: [counterintuitive finding].

The lesson: [one-sentence takeaway].

Anyone else [specific situation that indicates same problem]?”

Real example:

“Sales cycle: 4.5 months → 2.1 months in 90 days.

Everyone told us to improve our sales process. We did the opposite…”

Formula #2: The Failed Attempt Story

Structure: [What we tried] + [Why it failed] + [What we discovered] + [What actually worked] + [Specific results]

Why it books meetings:

• Shows you’ve tried obvious solutions

• Builds credibility through shared struggle

• Creates “me too” moment

• Positions your approach as proven alternative

Template:

“We spent [$amount] on [obvious solution] to fix [problem].

[What we did in detail].

Result: [Metric] improved from [X] to [barely better Y]. Barely moved.

Then we discovered [unexpected insight].

We changed [one thing] that had nothing to do with [original approach].

[What we actually did].

Result after [timeframe]:

• [Metric]: [before] → [after]

• [Additional impact]

The lesson: [Counterintuitive takeaway].

Who else has tried [obvious solution] and hit the same wall?”

Real example:

“We spent $15K on landing page optimization to improve our conversion rate.

Hired a designer. Ran 12 A/B tests. Changed copy 8 times. Tweaked colors, buttons, headlines…”

Formula #3: The Specific Symptom Diagnosis

Structure: If [very specific situation], you don’t have [symptom problem]. You have [underlying problem] + [Why this matters] + [Quick fix preview]

Why it books meetings:

• Hyper-specific symptom = only people with exact issue relate

• Reframes the problem (creates insight)

• Positions you as diagnostician

• Makes them want deeper diagnosis

Template:

“If [very specific situation with multiple qualifying details], you don’t have a [what they think] problem.

You have a [what it actually is] problem.

Here’s how I know:

[Data point or pattern that proves it]

Most companies try to solve this by [common approach]. But that treats the symptom, not the disease.

The actual fix: [High-level approach].

We implemented this for [type of company] and saw [specific result] in [timeframe].

Anyone else seeing [specific symptom]?”

Real example:

“If your customers engage heavily in month 1 then disappear in month 2, and cite ‘too complex’ as the churn reason, you don’t have a retention problem…”

Formula #4: The Hidden Cost Calculator

Structure: [Common situation] + [Hidden cost most don’t calculate] + [How to calculate it] + [What it reveals] + [Solution impact]

Why it books meetings:

• Makes them realize problem is bigger than thought

• Provides immediate value (calculation method)

• Creates urgency (quantified loss)

• Positions solution as ROI play

Template:

“If you’re [common situation], here’s a cost you’re probably not tracking:

[Hidden cost category].

Here’s how to calculate it:

Most companies we work with discover they’re losing [X−X- X−Y] annually to [problem].

We helped [type of company] reduce this cost [percentage] in [timeframe] by [high-level approach].

ROI: [Specific return].

Anyone tracking [this cost category]?”

Real example:

“If your CS team is answering 200+ support tickets per week, here’s a cost you’re probably not tracking:

The repetitive question tax…”

Formula #5: The A vs B Comparison

Structure: [Common approach A] vs [Your approach B] + [Why everyone does A] + [Why B works better] + [Specific results from B]

Why it books meetings:

• Clear differentiation from standard approach

• Shows independent thinking

• Provides decision framework

• Makes them question current approach

Template:

“[Common approach A] vs [Your approach B]:

Most companies do A because [common belief].

We tried A for [timeframe]. Result: [underwhelming outcome].

Then we switched to B.

The key difference: A: [How it works] B: [How it works]

Results after switching:

• [Metric 1]: [A result] vs [B result]

• [Metric 2]: [A result] vs [B result]

• [Metric 3]: [A result] vs [B result]

The lesson: [Why B beats A].

Who else is still using [approach A]?”

Real example:

“Hiring more CSMs vs Building better product guidance:

Most SaaS companies scale customer success by hiring more CSMs. Makes sense - more customers need more support.”

The Post Structure That Maximizes Meeting Requests

Opening (First 2 lines): Specific metric or situation that makes ICP stop scrolling

Problem (Middle section): What they tried, why it failed, what they discovered

Solution (Second half): Your approach, specific results, counterintuitive insight

Close (Last 2 lines): Qualification question that makes them self-identify

No explicit CTA needed. The qualification question is enough.

Common Mistakes That Kill Meeting Requests

Mistake #1: Too Generic

“We improved our customer retention” - Who cares? What metric? By how much?

Fix: “Customer churn: 18% → 6% in 90 days for B2B annual contracts”

Mistake #2: No Counterintuitive Element

“We followed best practices and it worked” - Boring, unhelpful

Fix: “We ignored best practices and got better results. Here’s why...”

Mistake #3: Missing the Qualification Question

Post ends with no way for prospects to self-identify

Fix: “Anyone else seeing [specific symptom that indicates same problem]?”

Mistake #4: Pitching in the Post

“Book a demo to learn more” - Kills the natural conversation flow

Fix: Let them reach out. The post is the pitch.

Real Meeting-Booking Results

Generic content (6 months):

• Average post engagement: 10 likes

• Meeting requests per month: 1-2

• Qualified prospects: 0-1

Formula-based content (3 months):

• Average post engagement: 20 likes

• Meeting requests per month: 12-15

• Qualified prospects: 8-10

The insight: 2x engagement, 10x the meetings.

The Meeting-Booking Content Formula

Specific Metrics (numbers they track) + Failed Attempts (builds credibility) + Counterintuitive Solution (creates curiosity) + Concrete Results (proves capability) + Qualification Question (makes them self-identify) = Content that books meetings

Stop creating content for likes. Start creating content for conversations.

P.S. If you want more templates that actually book meetings on LinkedIn, check out this free post-templates library.

That’s a wrap for today.

See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).

If you love this episode and want to support us, spread the word about us by sharing The LinkedIn Secrets with colleagues. I really appreciate it!

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Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov

I break down top LinkedIn posts to help you craft content that connects.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week

• The smart LinkedIn outreach: how to turn profile views and engagement into conversations

The 3 high-performing posts this week

1. I saw this today and instantly laughed.

Why this post?

• This post went viral, receiving 1.3k likes in a week. It received 9-16 times more engagement and views than Blaine’s posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post perfectly captures why startups beat big companies using a simple visual anyone can understand.

BREAKDOWN

• Casual discovery hook: “I saw this today and instantly laughed” - feels like sharing with a friend

• Personal memory tie-in: “It reminded me of the early days when people would say: ‘But why won’t XYZ large corporation just do this?’”

• Clear takeaway: “This is exactly why small teams win”

• Visual metaphor: Three-panel image showing cart stuck in mud with different approaches

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2. Shoutout to MANSCAPED

Why this post?

• Another post that went viral this week—it got 466 likes in 4 days and performed 2.7-40 times better than Evan’s previous content.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post shows how to break down someone else’s creative work in a way that educates your audience.

BREAKDOWN:

• Casual hook: “Shoutout to MANSCAPED“ and “Hella funny“ - informal tone grabs attention

• Hidden depth reveal: “These ads may not seem like they’re that serious, but one of my favorite things about Manscaped is they have some crazy smart creative strategy behind their ads“

• Entertainment + education: Shows funny video but explains the data-driven strategy behind it

• Surprising stat: “51% of men have sent unsolicited photos, just 4% of women respond positively”

• Quote from company: Direct insight from Manscaped exec explaining their research-backed approach

• Video content: Funny ad called “The Boys” - entertaining to watch

3. Many founders confuse marketing strategy with tactics

Why this post?

• This post got 3.8-12 times more comments than Pierre’s other posts this week.

WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL

This post solved a real confusion that costs founders time and money every day.

BREAKDOWN:

• Common mistake called out: “Many founders confuse marketing strategy with tactics” - identifies widespread problem

• Specific examples: “They think ‘running ads’ is a strategy; They think ‘posting daily’ is a strategy” - makes it concrete

• Missing elements listed: Who are we helping, for what problem, how we solve it differently, what do we say

• Consequence of confusion: “they lack focus and direction” - shows why this matters

• Reactive loop explained: No clear direction → Something external happens → React → Try new tactic → Intensify lack of direction

• Simple distinction: Strategy = high-level plan for revenue goals. Tactics = specific actions to execute strategy

• Visual diagram: Shows flow from Business Strategy → Strategy → Tactics → Operations

LinkedIn Guide

The smart LinkedIn outreach: how to turn profile views and engagement into conversations

I used to send 100 cold connection requests per week.

Response rate: 2%. Most ignored me completely.

Then I switched to trigger-based outreach - only reaching out to people who already showed interest.

Response rate jumped to 37%. Completely different results.

Here’s what changed: I stopped interrupting strangers. Started responding to signals.

The Outreach Problem

What most founders do:

• Send cold connection requests to anyone in their ICP

• Generic messages to people who don’t know them

• Mass outreach hoping 1-3% respond

• Same message regardless of context

Why this fails:

• No existing awareness of who you are

• No reason for them to care

• Feels like spam

• Zero context for the conversation

The reality: The best outreach doesn’t feel like outreach. It feels like a natural response to something that already happened.

The Trigger Signal System

The 5 High-Intent Signals to Track

Signal #1: Profile Views
They looked at your profile. They’re curious.

Signal #2: Post Likes
They engaged with your content. They found it valuable.

Signal #3: Post Comments
They took time to respond. Highest intent signal.

Signal #4: Follows
They want to see more from you. Clear interest.

Signal #5: Content Shares
They found your content valuable enough to share with their network.

Why these matter: Each signal shows increasing levels of intent and awareness. They already know who you are.

How to Respond to Each Signal

Signal #1: Profile View Response

The context: Someone viewed your profile but didn’t connect.

What most founders do: Ignore it or send generic “I saw you viewed my profile” message.

The smart approach:

Step 1: Check if they’re in your ICP

• Job title matches?

• Company size fits?

• Industry relevant?

Step 2: If yes, send contextual message

Message template:

“Hey [Name], noticed you stopped by my profile.

I see you’re leading [function] at [Company]. We work with a lot of [similar role] at [similar company type] on [specific problem].

Curious - what brought you to my profile? Happy to share any resources if something specific caught your attention.”

Why this works:

• Acknowledges the signal without being creepy

• Shows you understand their role

• Opens conversation naturally

• Offers value, doesn’t pitch

Response rate: 30-40%

Signal #2: Post Like Response

The context: Someone liked your post about a specific problem.

What most founders do: Nothing. Maybe a generic “thanks for engaging.”

The smart approach:

Step 1: Check if they’re in your ICP

Step 2: Check their recent activity

• Did they post about related problems?

• Any signals they’re dealing with this issue?

Step 3: Send value-first message

Message template:

“Hey [Name], saw you liked my post about [specific topic].

Quick question - are you currently dealing with [related problem] at [Company]? Asking because I noticed [something specific from their profile/activity].

If so, I have a [resource/framework/case study] that might help. Happy to share.”

Why this works:

• References specific content they engaged with

• Shows you did homework on them

• Qualifies before offering anything

• No pitch, just value

Response rate: 30-35%

Signal #3: Post Comment Response

The context: Someone commented on your post. Highest intent signal.

What most founders do: Reply “Thanks!” and move on.

The smart approach:

Step 1: Reply publicly with additional value

Public reply: “Great point about [their comment]. We actually saw something similar - [additional insight]. The key difference was [specific detail]. Curious how you’re currently handling this at [Company]?”

Step 2: Check if they’re in your ICP

Step 3: If yes, continue in DMs

DM template:

“Hey [Name], really appreciate your comment on my [topic] post.

Your point about [specific thing they said] got me thinking. We worked with a company facing the exact same challenge - [one sentence about the situation].

I actually wrote a deeper breakdown of how they solved it. Want me to send it over?”

Why this works:

• References their specific words

• Shows genuine interest in their perspective

• Offers exclusive value

• Natural transition to conversation

Response rate: 45-55%

Signal #4: New Follower Response

The context: Someone just followed you. They want more of your content.

What most founders do: Nothing. Or immediate sales pitch.

The smart approach:

Step 1: Check if they’re in your ICP

Step 2: Check what content they recently engaged with

Step 3: Send welcome + value message

Message template:

“Hey [Name], thanks for the follow.

Noticed you engaged with my post about [topic]. That’s actually something I write about a lot - [specific problem for their role/industry].

Any particular challenges you’re trying to solve around [topic area]? Always looking for content ideas from people actually dealing with this stuff.”

Why this works:

• Acknowledges the follow naturally

• Shows you noticed their specific interest

• Invites them to share challenges

• Positions you as helpful, not salesy

Response rate: 30-40%

Signal #5: Content Share Response

The context: Someone shared your content with their network. Strongest endorsement.

What most founders do: Like their share and move on.

The smart approach:

Step 1: Thank them publicly (comment on their share)

Public comment: “Really appreciate you sharing this, [Name]. Glad it resonated.”

Step 2: Send a DM with exclusive value

DM template:

“Hey [Name], just saw you shared my post about [topic]. Really appreciate that.

Since you found it valuable, thought you might want the extended version. I have a full breakdown with [templates/framework/case study] that goes deeper.

Want me to send it over?”

Why this works:

• Shows genuine appreciation

• Offers exclusive content they can’t get elsewhere

• Natural reason to continue conversation

Response rate: 50-60%

The Daily Trigger Tracking System

Morning routine (10 minutes):

Step 1: Check profile views

• Filter for ICP matches

• Note 3-5 worth reaching out to

Step 2: Review post engagement from last 24 hours

• Who liked?

• Who commented?

• Anyone share?

Step 3: Check new followers

• ICP matches?

• Relevant titles?

Step 4: Prioritize and reach out

• Comments first (highest intent)

• Profile views second

• Likes third

• Followers fourth

Weekly target:

• 5-10 trigger-based outreach messages

• Track response rates by signal type

• Double down on what works

The Trigger Outreach Rules

Rule #1: Speed Matters
Respond within 24 hours of the trigger. After 48 hours, the context is stale.

Rule #2: Always Reference the Trigger
Make it clear why you’re reaching out. No generic messages.

Rule #3: ICP Only
Don’t waste triggers on non-buyers. Check before reaching out.