I analyze what makes LinkedIn posts go viral, so your content gets noticed.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The Content Autopsy: How to Analyze Why a Post Flopped (or Popped)

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 Content Autopsy: How to Analyze Why a Post Flopped (or Popped)

You post something. You check back a few hours later.

47 impressions. 2 likes. No comments.

“Huh. Guess that one didn’t work.”

And then you move on. Write the next post. Hope it does better.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the problem with that.

You just wasted the most valuable thing that post gave you: data.

Every post you publish is an experiment. It tells you something about your hook, your topic, your audience, your timing. But only if you actually look.

Most people don’t. They glance at a number, feel good or feel bad, and keep guessing.

That’s why they’re still guessing two years later.

Today I’m giving you a 10-minute post-mortem you can run on any post. Flop or hit. Both teach you something.

Let’s cut it open.

Why Most People Skip This

Two reasons.

Reason 1: It feels bad.

Looking closely at a post that flopped is uncomfortable. Easier to blame the algorithm and move on.

Reason 2: They don’t know what to look at.

They open analytics, see impressions, and have no idea what to do with that number.

Both are fixable.

The autopsy isn’t about judging yourself. It’s about finding one thing to fix next time.

One small fix per post, 3 posts a week, for a year. That’s 150 improvements.

That’s how people get good at this.

When to Run the Autopsy

Wait 24-48 hours after posting.

Not 2 hours. Early numbers lie. A slow start can turn into a strong post. A fast start can stall.

Give it a full cycle. Then look.

I do mine once a week. I open my last 3-4 posts and run through the same checklist for each.

10 minutes total. That’s it.

The 5-Step Autopsy

Here’s the checklist. Same questions every time.

Step 1: Check the impressions-to-engagement ratio

Don’t look at raw numbers. Look at the ratio.

A post with 3,000 impressions and 8 likes is a different problem than a post with 200 impressions and 15 likes.

High impressions, low engagement = LinkedIn showed it to people, but they didn’t care. Your topic or your body copy is the problem. The hook worked. The rest didn’t.

Low impressions, high engagement = the people who saw it loved it. LinkedIn just didn’t push it. Often a timing issue, or you didn’t engage after posting.

Low impressions, low engagement = the hook died. Nobody clicked “see more.” Start there.

This one check tells you where to look next.

Step 2: Reread your first three lines. Out loud.

Cover everything below line 3. Read only what shows before “see more.”

Now ask: would I click?

Be brutal here. This is where most posts die.

Common killers:

• The hook is a setup, not a hook (”I want to share some thoughts on...”)

• Line 2 kills the momentum from line 1

• You explained instead of intrigued

• It’s three lines of context before anything interesting happens

If your hook is weak, nothing else in the post matters. It was never read.

Step 3: Look at WHO engaged, not how many

This is the step nobody does. And it’s the most important one.

Click into the reactions. Scroll the names. Look at their headlines.

Are these your ideal clients? Or are they other creators, random connections, people from a completely different industry?

A post with 15 likes from your exact target audience is worth more than 200 likes from people who’ll never buy.

I’ve seen posts “flop” on paper that generated two client calls. And posts “pop” that generated nothing but ego.

Vanity metrics lie. Audience quality doesn’t.

Track this every time. Patterns show up fast.

Step 4: Check what you did in the first hour

Pull up the post. Look at the timestamps on the comments.

Did you reply quickly? Did you reply at all?

Did you leave a pinned comment?

Were you even online when it went live?

Posts don’t succeed on their own. The first 60 minutes shape the reach.

If you posted and vanished, that’s your answer. It’s not the content. It’s the follow-through.

Easiest fix on this whole list.

Step 5: Ask the honest question

Last one. And it’s the hardest.

“Was this actually good?”

Not “did I work hard on it.” Not “is the advice correct.”

Was it interesting? Was it specific? Was it something only I could have written?

Or was it another generic take that could have come from anyone?

Sometimes the post flopped because the post wasn’t good. That’s fine. That’s normal. But you have to be able to say it.

If you can’t tell, use this test: would you have stopped scrolling for this if someone else wrote it?

Don’t Skip the Winners

Everyone autopsies the flops. Almost nobody autopsies the hits.

Big mistake.

When a post pops, run the exact same 5 steps. You need to know WHY it worked so you can do it again.

Was it the hook format? The topic? The story? The timing? The fact that you replied to 40 comments in an hour?

If you don’t know why it worked, you can’t repeat it. You just got lucky and you’ll spend the next month trying to catch lightning again.

Write down the reason. Keep a running list.

Over time that list becomes your personal playbook. Not generic advice from the internet. What works for YOUR audience.

The One-Line Log

Here’s how to make this stick.

After each autopsy, write one line in a doc:

“Jul 14 — story hook, tactical topic — 2.1K impressions, 30 comments, mostly founders — worked because the first line was a specific number”

“Jul 16 — question hook, opinion topic — 400 impressions, 4 comments, mostly creators — hook was too vague, didn’t create tension”

That’s it. One line per post.

After 20 posts you’ll see it. The hook types that work. The topics that land. The days that hit.

You stop guessing. You start knowing.

Most people have published 200 posts and learned nothing from any of them, because they never wrote anything down.

The Trap to Avoid

One warning.

Don’t overcorrect after a single post.

One flop doesn’t mean the topic is dead. One hit doesn’t mean you found the formula.

LinkedIn is noisy. Individual posts are random. A great post can flop because you published during a holiday, or because someone big posted at the same time, or for no reason at all.

Look for patterns across 10+ posts. Not signals from one.

If three posts on the same topic all flopped, that’s a pattern. If one did, that’s noise.

Patience with the data. Same as patience with the growth.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Open your last 3 posts. Run all 5 steps on each. Takes 10 minutes.

2. For each one, write down ONE thing you’d change.

3. Start your one-line log. Even a note on your phone works.

4. Include at least one post that did well. Figure out why.

5. Apply what you learned to your next post. Just one change. Not five.

Every post you’ve already published is sitting there with lessons in it.

Go read them.

That’s it for this week.

If you run an autopsy and find something surprising, reply and tell me what it was. I’d love to hear.

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 proven LinkedIn strategies, so you can get noticed and land more clients.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The 4 custom feeds that put you in front of the right people every day
• The 10 rules of commenting that turn one comment into more reach than a whole 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 Commenting System LinkedIn Doesn’t Want You to Miss

Here’s a wild story.

Jasmin Alic built a commenting strategy so effective that LinkedIn featured it to their entire user base. Over a billion people.

He woke up to 10,000+ notifications.

Then LinkedIn’s own product team invited him to a private call. They wanted to dissect his commenting workflow. To understand what he was doing.

And since then? LinkedIn has made every possible move to get YOU to comment more.

Ever noticed that 90% of your notifications are about comments? That’s not an accident.

LinkedIn knows something most creators don’t:

Your comments matter more than your posts.

I’ve talked about the power of commenting before. But today I want to go deeper. Not just why you should comment, but the exact system to do it efficiently.

Let’s get into it.

Why Comments Beat Posts

Quick refresher on why this matters.

When you post, only a fraction of your followers see it. Maybe 2-5%.

But when you comment on someone else’s post, their whole audience sees you. Especially on big posts.

That means every comment puts you in front of new people. People who’ve never heard of you. In new circles. New regions.

Comments let you grow beyond your own audience.

Posts keep you inside your bubble. Comments break you out of it.

That’s why one great comment can bring more profile views than a whole post.

The Problem With Most Commenting

Here’s where people go wrong.

They open LinkedIn. They scroll the feed. They comment on whatever happens to show up.

Random posts. Random creators. No strategy.

This is slow. It’s inefficient. And it puts you in front of the wrong people.

The fix? A commenting system.

Specifically, custom feeds that show you exactly the posts you want to comment on.

Let me show you how to build them.

Build Your Commenting Feeds

This is the game-changer most people miss.

Instead of scrolling the messy main feed, you create custom feeds using LinkedIn search.

Two ways to do it:

By keyword: Search a topic in your niche. Hit “Posts.” Sort by “last 24 hours.” Now you see fresh posts on your topic.

By creator: Use the “From member” filter. Add the creators you want to engage with. Sort by “top match.” Now you see posts from your target people. Or add creators you like to Posthero and create your own commenting feed

Simple. Fast. Strategic.

No more hunting through random content. You go straight to the posts that matter.

The 4 Feeds You Need

Don’t just make one feed. Make four.

Each serves a different purpose:

1. Peers and competitors

People at your level. Engaging here builds relationships with others in your space. You learn from each other. You cross-pollinate audiences.

2. Prospects and ideal clients

The people you actually want to work with. Commenting on their posts puts you on their radar. Warmly. Without pitching.

3. Bigger influencers

Creators with large audiences. A great comment here exposes you to thousands of potential followers. This is your reach play.

4. Small creators

Up-and-coming people. Supporting them builds loyalty. They remember who showed up early. And they often become your biggest advocates.

Pro tip: Bookmark all 4 searches in your browser. Now your entire commenting system is four clicks away.

The 10 Rules of Great Commenting

Once your feeds are set up, here’s how to actually comment.

Rule 1: Add, don’t just respond

This is the #1 rule.

“Great post!” adds nothing. It’s invisible.

Instead, contribute. Expand on the idea. Share your own experience. Offer a different angle.

Make your comment valuable on its own. Like a mini-post.

Rule 2: Try to be early

Commenting 20 hours after a post went live? Nobody sees it.

Commenting in the first hour? Way more visibility.

It’s not a strict rule. But early comments get seen more. Your custom feeds make this easy - just check them a few times a day.

Rule 3: Never post and ghost

This applies to your own posts too.

After you publish, stay for 30-60 minutes. Reply to every comment. Keep the conversation going.

If a creator with 370K followers makes time for this, so can you.

Rule 4: Use pinned comments

Every time you post, add a pinned comment.

This is a “self-comment” that adds bonus value: extra information, behind-the-scenes context, a link to a resource.

It gives people more without cluttering your main post.

Make it a habit. Never miss one.

Rule 5: Find new people daily

Don’t just comment on the same 10 people every day.

Actively look for new faces in your feed.

This constantly puts you in new circles and regions. It’s one of the biggest reach hacks there is.

Rule 6: Repurpose comments into posts

Your best comments are basically free content.

If you wrote a thoughtful comment that got attention, turn it into a post.

Some creators make 80% of their posts from previous comments. You’re already writing the content. Reuse it.

Rule 7: Block the haters

Comment sections attract negativity. Every platform has them - people who think they know better.

You don’t have to engage. You don’t have to tolerate it.

Block and move on. Protect your energy. It’s more than fine.

Rule 8: Comment on 4 account types

This ties back to your feeds. Spread your comments across peers, prospects, big influencers, and small creators.

Each type serves a different goal. Together they build reach, relationships, and leads.

Rule 9: Quality over everything

A few great comments beat 50 lazy ones.

Don’t spam “🔥” on every post. That does nothing.

Write comments that make people stop and think “who wrote this?”

Rule 10: Have fun

Don’t overthink it.

Comment because you actually understand the topic. Because you have something to say.

Remember what commenting does for you:

• Puts you in new circles daily = more reach

• Puts you in front of prospects = new clients

• Lets you grow beyond posting = no dependence on the algorithm

When you see it that way, commenting stops feeling like a chore. It becomes the smartest thing you do all day.

Why This System Works

Most people treat commenting as an afterthought.

They post their content, then maybe leave a few random comments if they have time.

Backwards.

The creators who win treat commenting as a primary strategy. They have a system. They show up in the right feeds every day. They add real value.

And they grow. Not because of the algorithm. In spite of it.

Your custom feeds make this repeatable. Instead of relying on willpower and random scrolling, you have a clear path: open your four bookmarks, comment on the best posts, done.

Systems beat motivation. Every time.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Build your four custom feeds using LinkedIn search. Peers, prospects, big influencers, small creators.

2. Bookmark all four in your browser so they’re one click away.

3. Each day, open your feeds and leave 10 comments that ADD value. No “great post.”

4. On your next post, stay for 30-60 minutes and reply to everyone.

5. At the end of the week, check your profile views. Watch them climb.

Stop treating comments as an afterthought.

Build the system. Show up daily. Grow beyond your own audience.

That’s it for this week.

If you set up your custom feeds, reply and let me know how it changes your commenting. I’d love to hear.

See you next time.

I uncover the strategies behind LinkedIn growth, so you can win more clients.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• How to Sign a Client This Week (5 Tactics That Actually 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 ->

How to Sign a Client This Week (5 Tactics That Actually Work)

Let’s say you needed a new client fast.

Not in 6 months. Not “eventually.” This week.

What would you do?

Most people panic. They start blasting cold DMs. They post a desperate “I have availability!” message. They lower their prices.

None of that works.

But there are tactics that do. Fast ones. Tactics that use the audience and relationships you already have.

I studied how top creators approach this. Jasmin Alic with 360K+ followers shared his exact playbook for signing a client ASAP. It worked for my clients too.

Here are 5 tactics you can start using today. Plus a bonus that ties them all together.

Tactic 1: Revive Old DM Conversations

You’re sitting on gold and you don’t even know it.

Go into your LinkedIn DMs right now. Scroll through old conversations.

You’ll find people who were interested but never took the next step. Conversations that just... stopped. Leads sitting there doing nothing.

They didn’t say no. They just went quiet. Life happened. The timing wasn’t right.

Here’s the thing: most of them are still there. Still potential clients. They just need a reason to talk to you again.

So give them one.

“Hey [name], was just thinking about our conversation from a while back. How’s [their project/goal] going?”

No pitch. Just reopening the door.

You’d be surprised how many leads are sitting in your DMs waiting for you to message first.

Start there. It’s the fastest win available to you.

Tactic 2: Post Client Results (Without Being Salesy)

Social proof sells. But most people do it wrong.

They post obvious “look how great I am” testimonials that make everyone cringe.

Better approach: weave client results into problem-solving content.

Instead of: “Another happy client!”

Try: “A client came to me with [problem]. Here’s how we solved it. [Breakdown of the solution.] The result: [outcome].”

Now you’re teaching AND showing proof at the same time.

The reader learns something useful. And they see that you get results.

This doesn’t feel like a sales post. It feels like a value post. But it does the selling for you.

Include a client quote if you have one. Real words from real people build instant trust.

Tactic 3: Go Live and Sell On the Call

This one scares people. Which is exactly why it works.

A LinkedIn Live stream lets you demonstrate your expertise in real time.

No editing. No hiding. Just you, showing what you know.

When people watch you solve problems live, answer questions on the spot, and share real knowledge, something shifts. They stop wondering if you’re legit. They can see it.

And here’s the key: you can sell ON the call.

Not in a sleazy way. Just naturally.

“If you want help with this, I have a few spots open. DM me after.”

People who watched you demonstrate value for 30 minutes are warm. They’ve seen what you can do. The sale feels easy.

Live video feels uncomfortable at first. Do it anyway. It compresses the trust-building timeline like nothing else.

Tactic 4: Message Your Profile Viewers

Someone viewed your profile.

That’s not random. That’s a signal.

They saw your name somewhere - a post, a comment, a connection - and were curious enough to click. To learn more about you.

That’s a warm lead handing you an invitation.

So start a conversation. Casually.

“Hey [name], noticed you stopped by my profile. What caught your eye?”

Or: “Hey [name], saw you checked out my profile. Anything I can help with?”

Simple. Friendly. Human.

But here’s the rule: don’t pitchslap.

Do NOT immediately hit them with “I help people like you achieve X, want to book a call?”

That kills it instantly.

Start the conversation. Build rapport. Let it develop naturally.

The warm signal is an opening, not a green light to sell.

Tactic 5: Write the Best Comments on the Platform

This is the one people sleep on.

Everyone’s focused on their own posts. Nobody’s thinking about comments.

Big mistake.

A single great comment can bring you more profile views than any post you write.

Here’s why: when you leave a thoughtful comment on a big creator’s post, their whole audience sees it. Thousands of your ideal clients, all in one place.

If your comment adds real value, people click your name. They check your profile. Some follow. Some DM.

Comments are content too.

So don’t just write “Great post!” That’s invisible.

Contribute. Add something. Share your own take. Expand on the idea. Disagree respectfully.

Make your comment so good that people want to know who wrote it.

Do this on 5-10 big posts per day, and watch your profile views climb.

The Bonus That Ties It Together

Here’s a challenge that makes all of this work:

Get on one call a day. Just 10 minutes.

That’s it.

Not a sales pitch. Just a conversation. A quick chat with a lead, a connection, a potential client.

Why does this work?

Because signing clients requires talking to people. Real conversations. Not just posting into the void.

One 10-minute call a day is 5 calls a week. 20 calls a month.

Some of those calls turn into clients. It’s just math.

Most people never get on calls. They hide behind their content. They wait for clients to come to them.

The people who actually sign clients are the ones having conversations.

One call a day. 10 minutes. That’s the challenge.

Why These Work Together

Notice a pattern in all 5 tactics?

None of them are about creating more content.

They’re about using what you already have:

• The leads already in your DMs

• The results you’ve already delivered

• The expertise you already possess

• The people already viewing your profile

• The audiences already gathered on big posts

You don’t need a bigger audience to sign a client.

You need to actually use the audience and relationships you have.

Most people are sitting on opportunities they never act on.

These tactics are about acting on them.

The Mindset Shift

Signing a client ASAP isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing the right things.

Cold outreach to strangers? Slow and painful.

Reviving warm leads, showing proof, demonstrating expertise, talking to interested people? Fast and effective.

Stop trying to fill the top of your funnel when you have warm leads sitting untouched at the bottom.

The client you need this week is probably already in your network.

You just have to go get them.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Open your DMs. Find 5 old conversations that went cold. Revive them today.

2. Write one post that shares a client result through a problem-solving angle.

3. Check your profile viewers. Message 3 who fit your ideal client. Casually, no pitch.

4. Leave 10 thoughtful comments on big posts in your niche. Make them add value.

5. Take the challenge: get on one 10-minute call every day this week.

The tactics are simple. The results are real.

But only if you actually do them.

That’s it for this week.

If you sign a client using one of these tactics, reply and tell me which one worked. I’d love to hear about it.

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 viral LinkedIn content, so your posts stand out.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The “Cringe” Paradox: Why the Posts You’re Afraid to Write Are the Ones That 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 ->

The “Cringe” Paradox: Why the Posts You’re Afraid to Write Are the Ones That Work

You wrote a post.

It’s good. Maybe even great.

Your finger hovers over the publish button.

And then the voice kicks in:

“What will people think?”
“This feels like too much.”
“Isn’t this kind of cringe?”

So you don’t post it. You close the app. You tell yourself you’ll post something safer tomorrow.

I’ve been there. Everyone has.

But here’s what I’ve learned after years of watching what works on LinkedIn:

The posts you’re afraid to write are usually the ones that work best.

Let me explain this paradox.

What “Cringe” Actually Means

Let’s define it first.

When people say a post is “cringe,” they usually mean it’s:

• Too earnest

• Too personal

• Too bold

• Too enthusiastic

• Too vulnerable

• Too different from what everyone else posts

Notice something?

These aren’t actually bad things.

“Cringe” is just the feeling you get when you stop hiding behind safe, professional, forgettable content.

It’s the discomfort of being seen.

And that discomfort is exactly where the magic happens.

The Cringe Paradox

Here’s the paradox:

The content that feels cringe to YOU is often the content that connects most with OTHERS.

Why?

Because safe content is invisible. It blends in. Nobody remembers the 500th “5 tips for productivity” post.

But the post where you shared something real? Something bold? Something that made you nervous?

That’s the one people remember. That’s the one they engage with. That’s the one that builds your brand.

Jasmin Alic put it perfectly. He said being “cringe” brought him:

• International awards and recognition

• Deals and revenue he never dreamed of

• A community spanning 80 countries

• 100,000+ students

• The ability to retire his parents

All from posting stuff that felt cringe.

He still feels cringe posting certain things. But he does it anyway. Because it works.

Why We Fear Cringe

The fear of being cringe is really the fear of judgment.

We imagine people reading our post and rolling their eyes. Thinking we’re trying too hard. Judging us.

But here’s the reality:

Most people aren’t judging you. They’re too busy worrying about their own posts.

And the few who do judge? They were never going to be your clients anyway.

The people who matter - your ideal audience - don’t see cringe. They see authenticity. They see courage. They see someone willing to put themselves out there.

That’s attractive. That builds connection.

The Safe Content Trap

Here’s what happens when you only post “safe” content:

You blend in. You sound like everyone else. You’re forgettable.

Safe content gets safe results. Which is to say, no results.

Think about the posts that actually made you follow someone. Made you remember them. Made you want to work with them.

I bet they weren’t safe.

They were bold. Personal. A little uncomfortable. Maybe even cringe.

That’s what cuts through the noise.

When everyone is being safe and professional, the person willing to be real stands out.

Real Examples of “Cringe” That Works

Let me give you some examples of posts that feel cringe but perform well:

The enthusiastic post.

“I’m SO excited about this. Genuinely couldn’t sleep last night.”

Feels cringe. Too much enthusiasm. But it’s human. It’s contagious. People connect with genuine excitement.

The bold opinion post.

“Most of the advice in my industry is wrong. Here’s what I believe instead.”

Feels cringe. Who are you to challenge the norm? But bold opinions get attention and respect.

The vulnerable post.

“I failed. Publicly. Here’s what happened and what I learned.”

Feels cringe. Why would you admit failure? But vulnerability builds trust faster than any highlight reel.

The celebration post.

“I hit a huge milestone today and I’m proud of myself.”

Feels cringe. Isn’t this bragging? But celebrating your wins gives others permission to root for you.

The personal story post.

“This happened to me and it changed how I see everything.”

Feels cringe. Too personal for LinkedIn? But personal stories are the most memorable content you can create.

Every one of these feels uncomfortable to post. Every one of these works.

The Filter That Actually Matters

Now, I’m not saying post everything.

There’s a difference between “cringe that works” and “cringe that hurts you.”

Here’s the filter:

Good cringe: Feels uncomfortable because it’s bold, personal, or earnest. Serves your audience. Aligns with your brand.

Bad cringe: Feels uncomfortable because it’s actually off-brand, mean-spirited, oversharing, or purely attention-seeking.

The question isn’t “Does this feel cringe?”

The question is “Does this feel cringe because it’s real, or because it’s wrong?”

If it’s real - post it.

If it’s wrong - skip it.

Know Your Limits

One more thing.

Being willing to post cringe doesn’t mean sharing everything.

Some things are too personal. Some wounds are too fresh. Some parts of your life should stay yours.

One creator shared deeply personal posts about being a solo dad. They went viral. But he realized he never wanted to use that part of his life for content again.

That’s a healthy boundary.

You can be bold and vulnerable while still protecting what matters most to you.

Push your comfort zone. But know where your real limits are.

How to Post Through the Fear

So how do you actually do it?

Here’s what helps:

1. Notice the feeling, then post anyway.

When you feel that “this is cringe” hesitation, recognize it as a signal. Often it means you’re onto something good.

Feel the fear. Post anyway.

2. Remember nobody’s watching as closely as you think.

You’re the main character in your story. You’re a side character in everyone else’s.

People will read your post, react for a second, and move on with their day. The judgment you imagine is mostly in your head.

3. Focus on the people you’ll help.

For every person who thinks your post is cringe, there’s someone who needed to read it.

Post for them. Not for the critics.

4. Start small.

You don’t have to post your most vulnerable story tomorrow.

Start with slightly bolder content than usual. Build the muscle. Get comfortable with discomfort.

5. Look at the results.

After you post something that felt cringe, check the engagement.

You’ll often be surprised. The post you almost didn’t share becomes your best performer.

Let the results retrain your brain.

The Bottom Line

Cringe is just the feeling of being authentic in a world of safe, boring content.

The discomfort you feel before posting something bold? That’s not a warning sign. It’s often a green light.

Safe content blends in. Bold content stands out.

The creators who win are the ones willing to feel cringe and post anyway.

We all want to build a life and business we love. And being a little cringe is just part of that.

Don’t erase it. Embrace it.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Think of a post you’ve been afraid to write. The one that feels too bold, too personal, too much.

2. Write it. Don’t edit out the parts that make you nervous.

3. Before you talk yourself out of it, hit publish.

4. Check the engagement after 24 hours. Notice how it did.

5. Repeat. Build the muscle of posting through the fear.

The post you’re scared to write might be the one that changes everything.

Stop hiding. Start posting.

That’s it for this week.

If you publish something that scares you this week, reply and tell me how it went. I’d love to hear.

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 the secrets behind viral LinkedIn posts, so your content gets noticed.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• Stop Trying to Post Daily (Here’s What to Do Instead)

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 ->

Stop Trying to Post Daily (Here’s What to Do Instead)

“You have to post every day.”

It’s the #1 piece of LinkedIn advice.

Every guru says it. Every guide repeats it. Every beginner believes it.

So you try.

Day 1: Easy. You had an idea ready.
Day 3: Getting harder. Scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Day 7: You’re posting garbage just to keep the streak alive.
Day 12: You miss a day. You feel guilty.
Day 15: You quit entirely.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth nobody tells you:

You don’t need to post daily to grow on LinkedIn.

In fact, trying might be the thing holding you back.

Let me explain.

The Daily Posting Myth

Where did “post every day” even come from?

It’s based on a simple (flawed) logic: more posts = more visibility = more growth.

Sounds reasonable. But it falls apart in practice.

Here’s why:

Jasmin Alic, one of the biggest creators on LinkedIn, has never posted daily. Not once in a year. He posts 3-4 times a week. And he’s growing faster than people who post 7 times a week.

How?

Because growth isn’t about volume. It’s about quality and consistency over time.

One great post per week beats seven mediocre ones.

Why Daily Posting Backfires

Posting every day creates 3 problems.

Problem 1: Quality drops

You only have so many good ideas.

When you force yourself to post daily, you run out fast. So you start posting filler. Recycled tips. Half-baked thoughts. Stuff you don’t really care about.

Your audience notices. Engagement drops. The algorithm shows your posts to fewer people.

Now you’re posting more but reaching less.

Problem 2: You burn out

Creating content is mentally demanding.

Good posts take energy. Thinking of ideas, writing hooks, editing, engaging with comments.

Do that every single day and you’ll burn out. Fast.

And burnout doesn’t lead to “posting less.” It leads to quitting completely.

I’ve seen it dozens of times. Someone goes hard for 3 weeks, burns out, and disappears for 6 months.

Problem 3: You have no time to engage

Here’s what people forget: posting is only half the game.

Engaging is the other half. Commenting on others’ posts. Replying to your own comments. Building relationships.

If all your energy goes into producing daily content, you have nothing left for engagement.

And engagement is where the real growth happens.

What to Do Instead

So if not daily, then what?

Here’s the approach that actually works.

1. Post 3-4 Times Per Week

This is the sweet spot.

Enough to stay visible. Not so much that you burn out.

You stay top of mind without sacrificing quality.

Pick your days. Maybe Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Maybe Tuesday and Thursday. Whatever fits your schedule.

Consistency matters more than frequency. 3 posts every week beats 7 posts one week and 0 the next.

2. Put Your Energy Into Quality

With fewer posts, each one matters more.

Spend the time you saved on making each post better:

• Write a stronger hook

• Tighten your structure

• Add a real story

• End with a better question

A post you spent 30 minutes on will outperform 3 posts you rushed in 10 minutes total.

Quality compounds. Garbage doesn’t.

3. Redirect Time to Engagement

Here’s the big shift.

The time you would’ve spent forcing out daily posts? Put it into engagement instead.

Comment on other people’s posts. Reply to every comment on yours. Have conversations in DMs.

This is where relationships form. Where leads come from. Where real growth happens.

Posting builds visibility. Engaging builds business.

4. Write Daily (But Don’t Post Daily)

Here’s a nuance that matters.

Writing every day is great. Posting every day isn’t.

Write daily for practice. To sharpen your skills. To capture ideas.

But only publish your best stuff. Shelve the rest.

Think of it like a chef tasting their food before serving it. You write a lot. You serve the best.

The Consistency That Actually Matters

People hear “you don’t need to post daily” and think “great, I’ll post whenever I feel like it.”

No. That’s the other extreme.

Random posting doesn’t work either.

What works is predictable consistency.

Your audience should know roughly when to expect you. The algorithm rewards regular activity. Your habit stays intact.

3-4 times per week, every week, for months. That’s the magic.

Not 7 times one week and 0 the next. Not whenever inspiration strikes.

Regular. Predictable. Sustainable.

“But Won’t I Grow Slower?”

This is the fear.

“If I post less, won’t I grow slower than people posting daily?”

Actually, no.

Here’s why:

Quality posts get more engagement. More engagement means more reach. More reach means more growth per post.

So your 4 quality posts might reach more people than someone’s 7 rushed posts.

Plus, you’ll have energy left for engagement, which drives even more growth.

And you won’t burn out, so you’ll still be posting in 6 months when the daily posters have quit.

Slow and steady doesn’t just win. It’s also faster than you think.

The Long Game

Here’s what most people miss.

LinkedIn growth is a long game.

The person who posts 4x per week for 2 years will crush the person who posts 7x per week for 2 months and then quits.

Consistency over time beats intensity in bursts.

So stop sprinting. You’re running a marathon.

Pace yourself. Protect your energy. Play the long game.

A Simple Weekly Rhythm

Here’s a sustainable weekly structure:

Monday: Post + 30 min engagement
Tuesday: Engagement only (comment on others)
Wednesday: Post + 30 min engagement
Thursday: Engagement only
Friday: Post + 30 min engagement
Weekend: Off (or light engagement if you want)

3 posts. Daily engagement. Weekends to recharge.

This is sustainable. You can do this for years.

And years is what it takes.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Drop the pressure to post daily. Let it go.

2. Pick 3 days this week to post. Put them in your calendar.

3. On your non-posting days, spend 20-30 minutes engaging with others.

4. Make each post better than your usual. Use the saved time on quality.

5. Notice how much less stressed you feel. And watch your engagement.

You don’t need to post daily.

You need to post well, engage consistently, and not quit.

That’s the whole game.

That’s it for this week.

If you’ve been burning out trying to post daily, reply and let me know. I’d love to hear how switching to 3-4x per week works for you.

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 dive into viral LinkedIn posts to help you write content that clicks with your audience.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The LinkedIn Rules You Should Break (And the Ones You Shouldn’t)

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 LinkedIn Rules You Should Break (And the Ones You Shouldn’t)

“Post every day.”
“Use hashtags for reach.”
“DM everyone who views your profile.”
“Jump on trends while they’re hot.”

You’ve heard these rules a thousand times.

They sound smart. They sound logical. Everyone repeats them.

But here’s what I’ve noticed:

The people actually winning on LinkedIn? They’re breaking half of these rules.

I’ve been studying top creators for years. Jasmin Alic has 360K+ followers and openly admits he’s broken every “rule” in the book. Still growing. Still running a global business.

So which rules actually matter? And which ones are holding you back?

Let me break it down.

The Rules You Should Break

Rule to Break #1: “Post every day”

This is the most common advice. And it’s exhausting.

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to post daily to grow.

Some of the biggest creators on LinkedIn have never posted every single day. Not once.

Why? Because consistency doesn’t mean daily. It means regularly.

3-4 posts per week is plenty. What matters more is that your posts are good and that you show up for the long term.

Daily posting leads to burnout. Burnout leads to quitting. Quitting leads to zero growth.

Post less. Post better. Keep going longer.

Rule to Break #2: “Never miss a day”

Related to the above, but worth its own point.

Life happens. Sometimes you get sick. Sometimes work explodes. Sometimes you need a break.

And that’s okay.

Missing a few days won’t kill your account. The algorithm doesn’t punish you for taking time off.

What kills accounts is disappearing for months because you burned out trying to never miss a day.

Give yourself permission to skip when you need to. Then come back.

Rule to Break #3: “DM everyone who views your profile”

This sounds smart in theory.

Someone viewed your profile = they’re interested = send them a message.

But in practice? It often comes across as desperate. Or automated. Or salesy.

A better approach: DM people who actually engage with your content. Your regular commenters. Your fans.

These people already like you. They’re warm. The conversation feels natural.

Stop chasing cold profile viewers. Start building relationships with the people who already show up.

Rule to Break #4: “Jump on trends while they’re hot”

AI prompts are trending. Post about AI!
Carousels are hot. Make a carousel!
Video is the future. Film a video!

This is how you confuse your audience.

If you’re a sales coach and suddenly start posting about AI because it’s trending, people won’t know what you actually do.

Stay in your lane.

The creators with the strongest brands don’t follow trends. They set them. Or they ignore them completely.

Being consistent in your topic beats being trendy every time.

Rule to Break #5: “Use hashtags for reach”

This might have worked in 2019.

It doesn’t work now.

Hashtags are basically irrelevant on LinkedIn. They don’t hurt you, but they don’t help you either.

Stop spending 10 minutes researching the perfect hashtag combination. It doesn’t matter.

Put that energy into writing a better hook instead.

Rule to Break #6: “Join engagement pods”

Engagement pods are groups where everyone agrees to like and comment on each other’s posts.

Sounds like a growth hack. Actually a trap.

Pod engagement is from other creators, not your target audience. The algorithm can detect artificial engagement. And your content doesn’t actually get better.

It’s fake growth that leads to real problems.

Skip the pods. Build real relationships instead.

Rule to Break #7: “Automate your engagement”

“Use this tool to auto-comment on posts!”
“Schedule 100 DMs per day!”
“Automate your connection requests!”

No. No. And no.

LinkedIn explicitly prohibits automation. Read the User Agreement if you don’t believe me.

People get their accounts restricted. Banned. All that work, gone.

And even if you don’t get caught, automated engagement is obvious. It’s generic. It builds nothing real.

Your fingers. Your brain. Your words. That’s the only way.

Rule to Break #8: “Share vulnerable stories to connect”

Vulnerability works. I’ve said this before.

But there’s a limit.

Some creators share deeply personal stories. Divorce. Mental health struggles. Family trauma.

Sometimes it goes viral. But then what?

One top creator shared two “solo dad” posts. Both went massively viral. But he realized he never wanted to use that part of his life for personal branding again.

Be vulnerable. But know your limits.

Not everything needs to be content. Some things are just yours.

The Rules You Should Keep

Rule to Keep #1: Stay in your lane

I just said break the “chase trends” rule. This is the flip side.

Pick your topic. Stick to it.

If you’re a marketing consultant, post about marketing. Not AI. Not crypto. Not whatever’s trending.

New followers should immediately understand what you’re about.

Topical consistency builds authority. Jumping around builds confusion.

Rule to Keep #2: Serve before you sell

Give 101%.

Don’t hold back your best stuff for paid products. Don’t give “just enough” value in your free content.

Go deep. Write 3,000-character breakdown posts if needed. Coach people for free in the comments. Answer DMs with real help.

This builds trust. When people see you give so much for free, they assume your paid stuff is even better.

Serve first. The sales come later.

Rule to Keep #3: Write content worth sharing

If your content only reaches your followers, your growth will stall.

You need people to share your posts. That’s how you reach 2nd and 3rd degree connections. That’s how you get discovered.

Before you post, ask: “Would someone share this with a colleague?”

If not, make it better.

Rule to Keep #4: Engage manually

No AI comments. No automated DMs. No bots.

Spend real time in the comments. Write thoughtful responses. Have actual conversations.

This is the work most people skip. Which is exactly why it works.

Manual engagement is rare now. Be rare.

Rule to Keep #5: Never post and ghost

Posting is half the job. Engaging after is the other half.

When you publish a post and disappear, you’re signaling to your audience that you don’t care about them.

Reply to comments. Keep the conversation going. Show up.

This also helps your reach. More comments = more visibility.

Rule to Keep #6: One post, one topic, one message

The 1-1-1 rule.

Every post should focus on one topic and deliver one key message.

Don’t cram 3 ideas into one post. Don’t ramble. Don’t confuse.

Simple posts are easier to write, easier to read, and easier to engage with.

Rule to Keep #7: Make it actionable

A lot of posts make you think but don’t give you anything to apply.

Always ask: “What can the reader actually DO with this?”

If there’s no tangible takeaway, add one.

Posts with clear action steps get saved. They get shared. They get remembered.

Rule to Keep #8: Be yourself

“How can I sound more like [famous creator]?”

You can’t. And you shouldn’t try.

Your voice is your edge. Your personality is what makes you memorable.

Stop trying to copy someone else’s style. Embrace your own.

The world doesn’t need another Jasmin Alic. It needs the first you.

The Simple Filter

Not sure if a rule is worth following?

Ask yourself:

“Does this help me create better content and build real relationships?”

If yes, keep it.

“Does this just sound smart but actually leads to burnout, inauthenticity, or shortcuts?”

If yes, break it.

Most “rules” are just tactics that worked for one person in one context. They’re not universal laws.

Think for yourself. Test things. Find what works for you.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Look at your current LinkedIn habits. Which “rules” are you following that feel exhausting or fake?

2. Pick one rule to break this week. See what happens.

3. Pick one rule to double down on. Commit to it fully.

4. Notice how your content and energy change.

The best creators don’t follow every rule. They know which ones matter and ignore the rest.

Now you do too.

That’s it for this week.

If you’ve broken a LinkedIn “rule” and seen good results, reply and tell me which one. I’d love to hear what’s working for you.

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 the secrets behind viral LinkedIn posts, so your content gets noticed.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• Why Your First 100 Followers Matter More Than 10K

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 ->

Why Your First 100 Followers Matter More Than 10K

Everyone wants 10K followers.

It’s a dream. The milestone. The proof that you’ve “made it.”

People chase it obsessively. They check their follower count daily. They compare themselves to bigger creators.

“If only I had 10K followers, then I’d get clients.”
“If only I had 10K followers, then people would take me seriously.”
“If only I had 10K followers, then everything would work.”

Here’s the truth:

Your first 100 followers matter more than the next 10,000.

I know that sounds backwards. But let me explain.

The Vanity Metrics Trap

Big follower counts look impressive.

But they don’t pay bills.

I’ve seen accounts with 50K followers who can’t sell anything. Their audience is random. Unengaged. Not interested in what they offer.

I’ve seen accounts with 500 followers who are fully booked. Their audience is small but perfect. The right people. Ready to buy.

The difference isn’t size. It’s quality.

10K followers who don’t care about what you do = worthless.

100 followers who are your exact ideal clients = a business.

Why Your First 100 Are Special

Your first 100 followers are different from all the rest.

Here’s why:

1. They found you early.

These people followed you before you had social proof. Before you had big numbers. Before you were “somebody.”

They followed because they genuinely liked your content. Not because everyone else was following you.

That’s a stronger signal than any follower you’ll get later.

2. They’re paying attention.

Big accounts have followers who forgot they followed. People who scrolled past once, hit follow, and never engaged again.

Your first 100? They see your posts. They actually read them. They notice when you show up.

Attention is the real currency. And your early followers are paying it.

3. They’ll engage with you.

Early followers comment. They reply. They DM you.

Try getting a response from someone with 100K followers. Good luck.

But your first 100? They’ll have real conversations with you. They’ll give feedback. They’ll tell you what they need.

That’s invaluable.

4. They become superfans.

People who discover you early feel ownership over your success.

“I followed them before they blew up.”

They root for you. They share your content. They tell their friends. They become your biggest advocates.

You can’t buy that kind of loyalty.

The 100 True Fans Math

You’ve probably heard of the “1,000 True Fans” concept.

The idea is simple: you don’t need millions of followers. You need 1,000 people who love what you do and will buy everything you make.

But for most of us, you don’t even need 1,000.

Let’s do some math.

Say you have 100 true followers. Not casual followers. People who actually care.

If 10% of them buy something from you each year, that’s 10 clients.

If your average client is worth $2,000, that’s $20,000.

From 100 followers.

Now imagine those 100 followers each refer to one person. Now you have 200.

10% of 200 = 20 clients = $40,000.

This is how small audiences build real businesses.

You don’t need 10K. You need the right 100.

Quality vs. Quantity

Here’s the question that matters:

Would you rather have:

A) 10,000 followers who vaguely know you exist

or

B) 100 followers who read everything you post, trust your expertise, and fit your ideal client profile perfectly

Option B wins every time.

But most people chase Option A. Because it looks better. Because it feels like progress. Because follower counts are visible.

Quality is invisible. But quality pays.

How to Build Your First 100 the Right Way

If your first 100 matter most, you should be intentional about who they are.

Here’s how:

1. Define your ideal follower.

Before you worry about growing, get clear on who you want.

What’s their job? Their industry? Their problem? Their goal?

If you can’t describe your ideal follower specifically, you’ll attract random people.

Random people don’t buy.

2. Create content for that specific person.

Every post should feel like you’re talking directly to your ideal follower.

Not “everyone who wants to grow on LinkedIn.”

But “freelance designers who want to land premium clients without cold outreach.”

Specific content attracts specific people.

3. Engage where your ideal followers hang out.

Don’t just post and hope.

Go find your ideal followers. Comment on their posts. Engage with creators they follow. Show up in their feed.

Be proactive about building the right audience.

4. Prioritize connection over reach.

In the early days, a DM conversation matters more than a viral post.

A viral post brings random followers. A real conversation brings the right ones.

Focus on building relationships, not just numbers.

5. Don’t buy followers or use engagement pods.

Shortcuts kill quality.

Fake followers will never buy. Pod engagement is from other creators, not clients.

Build real. Build slow. Build right.

The Compound Effect of Quality Followers

Here’s what happens when your first 100 are the right people:

They engage → your posts get more reach → the right people see you → more right people follow → they engage → cycle continues.

Quality compounds.

But so does the opposite.

If your first 100 are random, your content gets shown to random people. Random people don’t engage. Reach drops. Growth stalls.

The foundation matters. Get it right early.

Signs You’re Building the Wrong Audience

How do you know if your followers are the wrong people?

Some warning signs:

• High follower count but low engagement

• Lots of likes but no comments or DMs

• People engaging who would never buy from you

• Followers from completely different industries

• No one asking about your services

• Viral posts that attract randoms, not ideal clients

If this is you, stop focusing on growth. Start focusing on quality.

It’s easier to rebuild with 500 right followers than to fix an audience of 10K wrong ones.

My Own Experience

I’ll be honest.

In my early days, I chased vanity metrics too.

I posted about AI because it went viral. Got followers. It felt good.

But those followers didn’t care about LinkedIn content. They didn’t need what I offered. They were useless for my business.

I had to stop. Refocus. Start attracting the right people even if it means slower growth.

It was the right decision.

Now my audience is smaller but engaged. They reply. They DM. They buy.

I’d take my current 100 engaged followers over 10K random ones any day.

Reframing Success

Here’s a mindset shift:

Stop measuring success by follower count.

Start measuring by:

• Engagement rate (are people actually interacting?)

• DM conversations (are the right people reaching out?)

• Profile views (are people curious about you?)

• Leads generated (is your content driving business?)

• Clients closed (is this actually working?)

A creator with 500 followers and 5 clients per month is more successful than one with 50K followers and zero revenue.

Numbers on your profile don’t matter. Numbers in your bank account do.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Write down exactly who your ideal follower is. Job title, industry, problem, goal. Be specific.

2. Look at your current followers. How many fit that description? Be honest.

3. Look at your recent content. Would it attract your ideal follower? Or anyone who happens to scroll by?

4. Identify 10 ideal followers you already have. Engage with them. Build the relationship.

5. Stop checking your follower count for one week. Measure engagement and conversations instead.

Your first 100 followers are your foundation.

Build it right, and everything else gets easier.

That’s it for this week.

If you’re focusing on quality over quantity, reply and tell me who your ideal follower is. I’d love to hear.

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 what works on LinkedIn so you can craft content that resonates.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The engagement ladder: from stranger to client in 5 steps

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 Engagement Ladder: From Stranger to Client in 5 Steps

Nobody buys from strangers.

Think about it.

When was the last time you bought something from someone you’d never heard of? Someone who just appeared in your DMs with a pitch?

Never.

You buy from people you know. People you trust. People you’ve been watching for a while.

That’s how LinkedIn works too.

People don’t see your post and immediately buy. They don’t connect with you and book a call the same day.

There’s a process. A ladder they climb.

From stranger to client. Step by step.

Most people don’t understand this ladder. They try to skip steps. They pitch too early. They wonder why nobody buys.

Today I’m showing you exactly how the ladder works. And how to move people up it.

Why Most People Fail at LinkedIn Sales

Here’s what most people do:

1. Post content

2. Get some engagement

3. Immediately DM everyone who liked their post with a pitch

4. Get ignored

5. Blame the algorithm

They’re trying to jump from step 1 to step 5. Skipping everything in between.

It doesn’t work.

You can’t pitch strangers. They don’t trust you yet. They don’t know if you’re legit. They have no reason to say yes.

The ladder exists for a reason.

You have to earn each step.

The 5-Step Engagement Ladder

Here’s how people actually go from stranger to client.

Step 1: The Lurker

This is where everyone starts.

They see your post in their feed. Maybe they read it. Maybe they don’t.

They don’t engage. They don’t click your profile. You don’t know they exist.

They’re invisible to you. But they’re watching.

Most of your audience is here. Silent. Observing.

Your job at this step: Create content worth stopping for. Strong hooks. Clear value. Give them a reason to pay attention.

How they move up: They see enough good content that they start engaging. A like. A comment. Now you know they exist.

Step 2: The Engager

Now they’re interacting.

They like your posts. They leave comments. They show up regularly.

You start recognizing their name. They start recognizing yours.

This is where familiarity builds. You’re no longer a stranger. You’re “that person who posts about X.”

Your job at this step: Engage back. Reply to their comments. Like their posts. Acknowledge them. Build the relationship.

How they move up: The engagement becomes mutual. They feel connected to you. They want to learn more.

Step 3: The Follower

Now they’re invested.

They follow you. They check your profile. They read your About section. They click your links.

They’re actively interested in what you do. They might join your newsletter. Download your free resource. Watch your content regularly.

They’re not just engaging. They’re paying attention.

Your job at this step: Give them more ways to go deeper. Newsletter. Free resources. Valuable content that builds trust. Show them you know your stuff.

How they move up: They realize they have a problem you can solve. They start thinking about working with you.

Step 4: The Conversation

This is where DMs happen.

But not cold pitches. Real conversations.

Maybe they reach out to you. Maybe you reach out to them (warmly, because you’ve been engaging).

You’re talking. Getting to know their situation. Understanding their problems.

No pitching yet. Just conversation.

Your job at this step: Ask questions. Listen. Understand their needs. Be helpful without expecting anything.

How they move up: They realize you understand their problem. They trust you. They’re ready to explore solutions.

Step 5: The Client

Now they’re ready.

They’ve watched you for weeks or months. They’ve engaged with your content. They’ve talked with you.

They know you. They trust you. They believe you can help.

When you mention your offer, it’s not a pitch. It’s a solution to a problem they already know they have.

The sale feels natural. Because you earned it.

Your job at this step: Make it easy to work with you. Clear offer. Clear next step. Remove friction.

The Timeline Is Longer Than You Think

Here’s what most people get wrong.

They think this ladder takes days. Maybe a week.

It doesn’t.

For most people, the journey from Step 1 to Step 5 takes weeks or months.

Some of my clients watched my content for 6 months before reaching out. Some for over a year.

That’s normal.

You’re not building a sales funnel. You’re building relationships.

Relationships take time.

How to Move People Up the Ladder

You can’t force people up the ladder. But you can make each step easier.

Lurker → Engager:

• Write better hooks (stop the scroll)

• End posts with easy questions (invite engagement)

• Be consistent (show up so they see you repeatedly)

Engager → Follower:

• Reply to every comment (make them feel seen)

• Engage with their content too (mutual relationship)

• Have a clear profile (so they know what you’re about)

Follower → Conversation:

• Offer free value (newsletter, resources, guides)

• Share behind-the-scenes (build deeper connection)

• Use DMs for conversations, not pitches

Conversation → Client:

• Understand their problem deeply (listen more than talk)

• Share relevant results and case studies (build confidence)

• Make the next step clear (how to work with you)

The Mistake That Kills Everything

Pitching too early.

I see it constantly.

Someone likes your post. You immediately DM them: “Hey, I help people like you 10x their revenue. Want to hop on a call?”

They were on Step 2. You tried to drag them to Step 5.

Now they’re gone. They’ll never engage again. They definitely won’t buy.

You burned the relationship for a shortcut that doesn’t work.

Don’t do this.

Let people climb the ladder at their own pace. Be patient. Be present.

The sales come when you stop forcing them.

How to Know Where Someone Is

Here’s a quick guide:

Lurker: You don’t know they exist. They’ve never engaged.

Engager: They like or comment occasionally. You recognize their name.

Follower: They engage regularly. They’ve visited your profile. Maybe subscribed to your newsletter.

Conversation: You’ve talked in DMs or comments. You know something about their situation.

Client: They’ve paid you or are actively discussing working together.

When you DM someone, ask yourself: What step are they on?

Then engage appropriately for that step.

The Patience Game

Here’s the hard truth.

Most of your audience will never become clients.

And that’s okay.

Some people are just here to learn. Some aren’t your ideal clients. Some won’t ever need what you offer.

Your job is to keep showing up anyway.

Because the right people are watching. They’re climbing the ladder slowly. They’ll reach out when they’re ready.

You can’t rush it. You can only stay consistent.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Look at your recent post engagement. Who’s been commenting consistently? Those are your Engagers.

2. Pick 5 Engagers who fit your ideal client profile. Start engaging with their content. Build the relationship.

3. Check your DMs. Are you having conversations? Or just pitching?

4. For any warm leads in your DMs, ask yourself: What step are they on? What do they need from me at this step?

5. Be patient. Trust the ladder.

People don’t buy from strangers.

Your job is to stop being a stranger.

That’s it for this week.

If you start thinking about your audience as a ladder, reply and let me know what shifts for you. I’d love to hear.

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 craft content that connects.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• 50 LinkedIn Post Ideas You Can Steal Today

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 ->

50 LinkedIn Post Ideas You Can Steal Today

“I don’t know what to post.”

This is the #1 reason people don’t show up on LinkedIn.

Not lack of time. Not lack of skills. Not the algorithm.

They just can’t think of what to write.

So they stare at a blank screen. They scroll instead of create. They tell themselves they’ll post tomorrow.

Tomorrow never comes.

I’m fixing this for you today.

Here are 50 post ideas you can steal. Right now. No more excuses.

I’ve organized them by category. Pick one. Write it. Hit publish.

Let’s go.

Personal Story Ideas

These posts share your journey. They build connection and trust.

1. The moment you almost quit your career (and what kept you going)

2. A failure that taught you more than any success

3. The worst job you ever had and what it taught you

4. A risk you took that changed everything

5. The advice you ignored that you wish you’d followed

6. A mentor who shaped who you are today

7. Your first week at your current job or business

8. A time you were completely wrong about something

9. The biggest lesson from your 20s (or 30s, 40s, etc.)

10. What you’d tell your younger self about your industry

Tactical Tips Ideas

These posts teach something useful. They show your expertise.

11. The exact morning routine that makes you productive

12. 5 tools you use every day and why

13. A simple hack that saves you hours every week

14. The step-by-step process for something you do well

15. Common mistakes beginners make in your field

16. How to do [specific task] in 15 minutes or less

17. A template or framework you use regularly

18. The one skill that’s made the biggest difference in your career

19. How to get started with [topic] if you’re a complete beginner

20. What you’d do differently if you started over today

Opinion/Hot Take Ideas

These posts share your perspective. They spark conversation.

21. An unpopular opinion about your industry

22. Something everyone does that you think is a waste of time

23. A common piece of advice you disagree with

24. Why [popular trend] is overrated

25. What your industry gets wrong about [topic]

26. A prediction for your industry in the next 5 years

27. Something you used to believe that you’ve changed your mind about

28. Why most people fail at [thing you’re good at]

29. The uncomfortable truth about [topic in your niche]

30. What nobody tells you about [career/industry/skill]

Behind-the-Scenes Ideas

These posts show your process. They make you relatable.

31. A day in your life (what you actually do)

32. Your workspace setup and why it works for you

33. How you plan your week

34. The process behind a recent project or win

35. What your content creation routine looks like

36. How you make decisions in your business

37. A recent experiment you ran and the results

38. What you’re currently learning and why

39. Your biggest time wasters (and how you’re fixing them)

40. What a “bad day” looks like for you and how you recover

Engagement-Focused Ideas

These posts invite conversation. They boost reach.

41. Ask: “What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?”

42. Ask: “What’s one tool you can’t live without?”

43. Ask: “What’s a hill you’ll die on in your industry?”

44. “Tell me what you do and I’ll give you a content idea” (interactive)

45. Share two options and ask: “Which would you choose?”

46. “What’s a question you have about [your topic]? I’ll answer in the comments.”

47. Controversial statement + “Agree or disagree?”

48. “What’s one thing you wish you’d learned sooner?”

49. “Drop your biggest win from this week below.”

50. “What’s your unpopular opinion about [topic]? I’ll go first...”

How to Use This List

Don’t try to write all 50. That’s overwhelming.

Do this instead:

Step 1: Scan the list. Circle 5-10 ideas that resonate with you.

Step 2: Pick one. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Write a rough draft.

Step 3: Post it. Don’t overthink.

Step 4: Next week, pick another one. Repeat.

If you post 3x per week, this list gives you 4 months of content.

No more “I don’t know what to write.”

Making These Ideas Yours

These are starting points. Not copy-paste templates.

The magic happens when you add:

• Your specific experience

• Your unique perspective

• Your real stories

• Your personality

“A failure that taught you something” is generic.

“I lost my biggest client because I ignored one email. Here’s what I learned about communication.” is yours.

Take the idea. Make it specific. Make it real.

The Content Pillars Connection

If you’ve been following my newsletters, you know I talk about the 4-pillar content system:

• Tactical (tips, how-tos)

• Transformation (wins, results, success stories)

• Insightful (opinions, observations)

• Personal (stories, lessons, behind-the-scenes)

Look at this list again. You’ll see all 4 pillars represented.

Personal stories = Personal pillar
Tactical tips = Tactical pillar
Hot takes = Insightful pillar
Behind-the-scenes = Personal pillar
Engagement posts = Can be any pillar

Use this list to fill all 4 pillars. Keep your content balanced.

One More Thing

Ideas are worthless without execution.

You now have 50 ideas. More than enough.

But nothing happens until you write. Until you post. Until you show up.

Don’t save this list and forget about it.

Open it right now. Pick one idea. Write for 15 minutes.

Post today.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Save this list somewhere you’ll actually see it.

2. Pick 5 ideas that feel easy to write.

3. Write and post one of them today. Not tomorrow. Today.

4. Post 2 more this week from your list of 5.

5. Next week, pick 5 more.

The ideas are here. The excuses are gone.

Now it’s on you.

That’s it for this week.

If you use one of these ideas, reply and tell me which one you picked. I’d love to see what you create.

See you next time.

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

In this issue, you’ll find:

• The “Build in Public” Playbook for LinkedIn

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 “Build in Public” Playbook for LinkedIn

“I don’t have anything to teach yet.”

“I’m not an expert. What would I even post about?”

“I’ll start posting when I have results to share.”

I hear this all the time.

People think they need to be successful before they can create content. They wait until they have the case studies. The credentials. The proof.

So they wait. And wait. And never start.

Here’s what they’re missing:

You don’t need to be at the finish line to create content. You can share the journey.

That’s building in public.

And it’s one of the most powerful strategies on LinkedIn right now.

What Is Building in Public?

Building in public means sharing your journey as it happens.

Not after you’ve made it. While you’re making it.

The wins. The losses. The lessons. The behind-the-scenes. The messy middle.

You’re not positioning yourself as a guru with all the answers. You’re positioning yourself as someone on the path, learning as you go.

And here’s the surprising thing:

People connect with this more than polished expertise.

Why? Because it’s relatable. Everyone is figuring things out. When you share your journey, people see themselves in you.

Why Building in Public Works

Three reasons:

1. It’s authentic.

People are tired of LinkedIn perfection.

The humble brags. The “I’m so grateful” posts. The carefully curated highlight reels.

Building in public is the opposite. It’s real. It’s messy. It’s human.

That authenticity cuts through the noise.

2. It builds trust over time.

When you share your journey, people watch you grow.

They see you struggle. They see you learn. They see you improve.

By the time you have something to sell, they already trust you. They’ve been on the journey with you.

That’s a warm audience. Not cold leads.

3. You create content from your real life.

No more staring at blank screens wondering what to write.

Your content comes from what you’re actually doing. What you tried. What worked. What didn’t.

Building in public solves the “what do I post about” problem forever.

What to Share (And What Not to Share)

This is where people get confused.

Building in public doesn’t mean sharing everything. It means sharing strategically.

What to share:

• Projects you’re working on

• Milestones and progress (even small ones)

• Experiments you’re running

• Lessons from failures

• Behind-the-scenes of your process

• Decisions you’re wrestling with

• Tools and resources you’re using

• Feedback you received and how you responded

• Goals you’ve set and progress toward them

What NOT to share:

• Personal drama that doesn’t serve your audience

• Client confidential information

• Complaints without lessons

• Constant negativity

• Anything you’d regret in 5 years

The filter: Would my ideal audience find this valuable or interesting?

If yes, share it. If not, keep it private.

The Build in Public Framework

Here’s a simple framework for turning your journey into content.

1. The Goal Post

Share what you’re working toward.

“I’m building a newsletter about LinkedIn growth. My goal is 1,000 subscribers by the end of the year.”

“I’m trying to land 5 new clients this quarter through LinkedIn content only.”

“I want to post every day for 30 days straight. Here’s why.”

This sets the stage. People know what to follow along for.

2. The Progress Post

Share updates on how it’s going.

“Week 4 of posting daily. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.”

“Just hit 500 newsletter subscribers. Halfway to my goal.”

“Tried a new content format this week. The results surprised me.”

Progress posts keep people engaged. They’re rooting for you.

3. The Lesson Post

Share what you learned from a specific experience.

“I launched my first digital product. It flopped. Here’s what I’d do differently.”

“I changed one thing about my profile and my connection requests doubled.”

“I was mass-rejected 50 times. Then I figured out what I was doing wrong.”

Lesson posts are valuable. They teach through your experience.

4. The Behind-the-Scenes Post

Show the process, not just the result.

“Here’s how I write a LinkedIn post in 15 minutes.”

“My morning routine for content creation.”

“What my weekly LinkedIn workflow actually looks like.”

Behind-the-scenes posts make you relatable. People love seeing how things actually work.

5. The Failure Post

Share what went wrong. And what you learned.

“I just lost my biggest client. Here’s what I’m taking from it.”

“My launch flopped. 3 things I’d do differently.”

“I made this mistake for 6 months before someone told me.”

Failure posts build trust. They show you’re honest and self-aware.

6. The Milestone Post

Celebrate wins. Big and small.

“Just hit 1,000 followers. Here’s what got me here.”

“Landed my first client from LinkedIn. Here’s exactly how it happened.”

“6 months of posting. Here’s what changed.”

Milestone posts inspire others. And they show your progress is real.

Real Examples

Let me show you what building in public looks like in practice.

Example 1: The Goal Post

“I’m starting a challenge.

30 posts in 30 days.

I’ve been inconsistent for months. Time to fix that.

I’ll share what I learn along the way. The wins. The struggles. What works.

Follow along if you want. Day 1 starts tomorrow.

Who wants to join me?”

Example 2: The Lesson Post

“I changed my headline 3 weeks ago.

Old headline: ‘Marketing Consultant’

New headline: ‘I help B2B founders turn LinkedIn into a lead machine’

Since then:

• Profile views up 47%

• Connection requests doubled

• 3 inbound leads

Small change. Big difference.

What does your headline say about you?”

Example 3: The Failure Post

“I sent 50 cold DMs last month.

Responses: 2

Meetings booked: 0

What went wrong:

1. I was pitching too fast

2. Zero personalization

3. No warm-up before reaching out

I’m switching to warm outreach only. I’ll report back in 30 days.

Has anyone else struggled with cold DMs?”

Example 4: The Behind-the-Scenes Post

“Here’s my actual content creation process:

Sunday: Brain dump 10 ideas into Posthero

Monday-Friday: Turn 1 idea into a post each morning (15 min)

Saturday: Review what worked, save ideas for next week

That’s it. No complex system. No content calendar.

Just show up and write.

What’s your process?”

The Mindset Shift

Building in public requires a mindset shift.

You have to be okay with:

• Sharing before you’re “ready”

• Being wrong sometimes

• Showing imperfection

• Not having all the answers

This is uncomfortable at first. But it gets easier.

And the connection you build with your audience is worth it.

People don’t follow perfect. They follow real.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being too vague.

“Working on some exciting stuff!” tells me nothing.

Be specific. What are you working on? What’s the goal? What happened?

Specificity makes content interesting.

2. Only sharing wins.

If every post is a celebration, people stop believing you.

Share the struggles too. That’s what makes the wins meaningful.

3. Making it all about you.

Building in public isn’t a diary. It needs to be valuable to your audience.

Ask yourself: What can they learn from this? What’s in it for them?

4. Sharing too much personal stuff.

Your audience doesn’t need to know everything.

Keep it relevant to your work, your niche, your journey. Not your personal drama.

5. Quitting too early.

Building in public is a long game. You won’t see results in 2 weeks.

Give it 6 months minimum. Consistency is everything.

Your Homework

This week, try this:

1. Pick one thing you’re working on right now. A goal, a project, a challenge.

2. Write a “Goal Post” sharing what you’re trying to do and why.

3. Commit to sharing 1 update per week on your progress.

4. When something goes wrong, share the lesson. When something goes right, share the milestone.

5. After 30 days, notice how your audience engages differently.

You don’t need to be an expert to create content.

You just need to be on a journey.

And share it.

That’s it for this week.

If you start building in public, reply and tell me what you’re working on. I’d love to follow along.

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

In this issue, you’ll find:

• Why nobody’s reading your posts (it’s not the algorithm)

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 ->

Why nobody’s reading your posts (it’s not the algorithm)

“The algorithm is broken.”

“LinkedIn is suppressing my reach.”

“My posts used to do well. Now nothing works.”

I hear this every week.

And I get it. It’s frustrating. You put effort into your content. You hit publish. And... crickets.

So you blame the algorithm. It’s the easy answer.

But here’s the truth:

The algorithm isn’t your problem.

Your posts are.

I know that’s hard to hear. But once you accept it, you can actually fix it.

I’ve reviewed hundreds of posts that flopped. They almost always have the same problems. Not algorithm problems. Writing problems. Strategy problems. Fixable problems.

Let me show you what’s really going on.

The Algorithm Excuse

Let’s get this out of the way.

Yes, the algorithm changes. Yes, reach fluctuates. Yes, some posts get unlucky.

But here’s what I’ve noticed:

The people who blame the algorithm usually have posts that wouldn’t perform on any platform.

Weak hooks. Unclear points. No structure. No reason to engage.

Meanwhile, others are growing just fine. Same algorithm. Different results.

The difference isn’t luck. It’s execution.

So let’s look at the real reasons your posts aren’t getting read.

Reason 1: Your Hook Is Weak

This is the #1 killer.

LinkedIn shows 2-3 lines before the “see more” button. If those lines don’t grab attention, nobody clicks.

Your post dies before it starts.

Bad hooks:

“I want to share some thoughts on leadership.”
“Today I’m going to talk about productivity.”
“Here’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

These are not hooks. They’re warm-up sentences. Delete them.

Good hooks:

“I got fired on a Monday. Best thing that ever happened.”
“Most LinkedIn advice is garbage. Here’s why.”
“I almost quit last month.”

One line. Punchy. Creates curiosity or tension.

If your hook doesn’t make someone stop scrolling, nothing else matters.

Reason 2: Your Re-Hook Is Missing

Most people focus on line 1 and forget lines 2-3.

Big mistake.

The re-hook is what keeps them reading after the initial curiosity.

Line 1 gets them in the room. Lines 2-3 slam the door shut.

Bad:

Line 1: “I failed 17 times before I succeeded.”
Line 2: “In this post, I’ll share what I learned.”

The re-hook killed the momentum. It’s boring. It tells me nothing new.

Good:

Line 1: “I failed 17 times before I succeeded.”
Line 2: “Number 12 almost made me quit forever.”

Now I need to know what happened. I’m clicking “see more.”

Every line should pull people to the next line. Especially the first three.

Reason 3: You Buried the Value

Some posts have great insights. But they’re buried in paragraph 7.

Nobody gets to paragraph 7.

Most people skim. They read the hook, scan the middle, and maybe read the end.

If your main point is hiding in the middle, they’ll miss it.

Fix: Put your best stuff early. Don’t save it.

Think of your post like a news article. Lead with the headline. Then explain.

Not: “Let me give you some context first...” (for 5 paragraphs)

Yes: “Here’s the thing that changed everything. Let me explain.”

Reason 4: You’re Writing Walls of Text

Big blocks of text are scary.

People scroll past them. They look like work.

LinkedIn is a mobile-first platform. People scroll with their thumbs. They skim.

If your post looks dense, it feels dense. Even if the content is good.

Fix: Short paragraphs. One to two sentences max.

White space is your friend.

Let your post breathe.

Like this.

Reason 5: Your Post Has No Structure

Good posts are easy to follow.

Bad posts wander. They jump from point to point. They confuse the reader.

Confused readers don’t engage. They scroll.

Fix: Use a clear structure.

Some options:

• Hook → Story → Lesson → Question

• Hook → Problem → Solution → CTA

• Hook → List of points → Summary → P.S.

Know your structure before you write. It keeps you focused.

Reason 6: You’re Writing for Everyone

“This post is for anyone who wants to improve.”

No. This post is for no one.

When you write for everyone, you write for no one. The message becomes generic. Forgettable.

Fix: Write for one specific person.

Picture them. What’s their job? Their problem? Their goal?

Write directly to that person.

The more specific you are, the more people relate. Counterintuitive but true.

Reason 7: There’s No Reason to Comment

Engagement drives reach. Comments especially.

If nobody comments, LinkedIn shows your post to fewer people.

But most posts give no reason to comment.

They end with:

“Hope this helps!”
“Thanks for reading.”
“That’s all for today.”

Dead ends. Nothing to respond to.

Fix: End with a question. Make it easy to answer.

“What’s a mistake you’ve made that turned into a lesson?”
“Have you tried this?”
“Which of these resonates most?”

Invite the conversation. Don’t just end the post.

Reason 8: You’re Not Engaging After Posting

This one surprises people.

Posting isn’t enough. What you do in the first hour matters.

If you post and disappear, LinkedIn thinks nobody cares. Reach drops.

If you reply to comments, add pinned comments, and engage with others, the post gets pushed.

Fix: Stay active for 30-60 minutes after posting.

Reply to every comment. Quickly. Keep the conversation going.

Your job isn’t done when you hit publish. It’s just starting.

Reason 9: Your Profile Is Confusing

This one’s sneaky.

People see your post. They’re intrigued. They click your profile.

And they find... a mess.

Unclear headline. No banner. Generic About section. No idea what you do.

They leave. They don’t follow. They don’t engage again.

Fix: Audit your profile. Make sure it’s crystal clear who you are, what you do, and who you help.

I covered this in detail in a previous newsletter: The Profile Audit Checklist. Check it out if you missed it.

Reason 10: You’re Not Posting Enough

Sometimes the problem is simple.

You’re not posting enough to get traction.

Once a week isn’t enough. The algorithm forgets you. Your audience forgets you.

Fix: Post 3-5 times per week minimum.

Consistency compounds. The more you show up, the more people see you.

You can’t build momentum with occasional posts.

The Real Problem

Here’s the uncomfortable truth.

The algorithm isn’t out to get you.

Your posts just need work.

And that’s actually good news. Because you can fix your posts. You can’t fix the algorithm.

Every problem I listed above is solvable. Today.

Better hooks. Clearer structure. Stronger endings. More consistency.

These aren’t secrets. They’re fundamentals.

Master the fundamentals and you’ll stop blaming the algorithm.

Your Homework

This week, do this:

1. Look at your last 5 posts that flopped.

2. Check each one against this list. Which problems do you see?

3. Rewrite one of them. Fix the hook. Fix the structure. Add a question at the end.

4. Post the new version. See what happens.

5. For your next post, write the hook first. Don’t move on until it’s great.

The algorithm isn’t your enemy.

Weak posts are.

Fix the posts. Watch the results change.

That’s it for this week.

If you figure out what was killing your posts, reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what you fixed.

See you next time.

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

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

• Create a weekly content in 76 seconds

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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