LS #21: Dakota Robertson’s Journey: from electrician to six-figure ghostwriting business
Dakota took a transformative three-month trip to Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia) that changed his perspective on life and freedom.
Hi there,
I break down top LinkedIn posts to show what makes them effective, so you can create content that resonates more powerfully.
In this issue, you’ll get:
The 3 high-performing posts this week on LinkedIn
Dakota Robertson’s Journey: from electrician to six-figure monthly ghostwriting content business
LinkedIn post template
The 3 high-performing posts this week
1. I'm calling Dakota Robertson out because he's been lying to you
Why this post?
This post went viral, receiving 723 likes in 5 days. It received 5-7 more engagement and views than Louis's posts this week.
Quick note: If you want to master LinkedIn videos, I highly recommend Louis’s content—he’s great at it!
What can we learn here?
Drama hook: "I'm calling Dakota Robertson out because he's been lying to you." This direct confrontational opening immediately creates tension and curiosity. The call-out format breaks typical LinkedIn's professional politeness while promising drama.
Storytelling structure: The post builds suspense through short, single-line paragraphs that lead readers through a journey from skepticism to surprise. Each line like "And I can prove it" and "Because I want you to know the truth..." keeps readers engaged to see what happens next.
Data-driven credibility: "Post Impressions: 657 → 455,054, Followers: 863 → 2,363" The specific numbers add authenticity to the story.
Unexpected twist: The post builds up as if to discredit someone, then suddenly pivots with "Those...those are pretty good. I guess..." This surprise ending creates humor and memorability while demonstrating professional humility.
Visual reinforcement: The video thumbnail showing impressive metrics (455,054 Impressions) with a casual image creates an intriguing contrast. The word "structure" overlaid hints at valuable content within.
Drama resolution: The post transforms from what seems like a negative call-out into a positive endorsement, creating a satisfying narrative arc that encourages sharing. The line "The dude is smarter than he looks" serves as both humor and genuine praise.
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2. Your title doesn't make you a leader
Why this post?
Another viral post this week—it got 18k likes in a week and performed 3-18 times better than Dora's other posts.
What can we learn here?
Powerful hook: "Your title doesn't make you a leader. How you choose to treat your team does." This direct challenge to traditional authority immediately grabs attention and sets up the post's core message. The two-line format creates emphasis through brevity.
Core principle: "The best leaders make people feel valued and seen." This fundamental truth acts as a bridge between the challenge and the solution. The follow-up line about appreciation costing nothing but meaning everything reinforces the accessibility of good leadership.
Visual impact: The illuminated sign against a nighttime city backdrop creates a striking visual metaphor. The quote about appreciation is enhanced by the ambient lighting and urban setting, making it feel both intimate and universal.
Structured guidance: The post uses clear checkmark (✅) and cross (❌) symbols to distinguish good practices from bad ones. Each point is followed by practical explanations that make the advice immediately actionable. This format makes complex leadership concepts easily digestible.
Emotional resonance: "Not feeling valued is a top reason people disengage and leave" connects the advice to real consequences. This statement validates employees' experiences while warning leaders of the stakes.
Actionable wisdom: The post provides specific, practical do's and don'ts, from "Appreciate impact and contributions" to "Setting unrealistic goals." Each point addresses common leadership challenges with clear, implementable solutions.
Template: Your [ROLE/TRAIT] doesn’t make you a [POSITION/STATUS].
3. You don't need all the answers to lead
Why this post?
This post performed 1.5-120 times better than Nick's other posts this week.
What can we learn here?
Disarming hook: "You don't need all the answers to lead. It's about trusting your team." This simple yet profound statement immediately challenges the common perception of leadership as omniscience. The two-line format creates a powerful pause for reflection.
Visual impact: The illuminated sign against a dark background creates a striking contrast. The message about genuine care appears as a beacon of wisdom, making the quote feel both authoritative and inspiring. The typography and lighting create a cinematic quality that draws attention.
Empathetic perspective shift: "Try being who you needed as a junior" connects leadership to personal experience. This line brilliantly transforms past challenges into present solutions, making the advice both personal and actionable.
Structured guidance: The clear separation of "DO'S ✅" and "DON'TS ❌" creates an easily digestible format. Each point is concise and actionable, from "Lead by example" to "Stay complacent." The parallel structure makes the advice memorable and implementable.
Democratic conclusion: "Allow a democratic culture to arise. You want the best people with their best ideas." This closing principle ties everything together, suggesting that true leadership creates an environment where everyone can contribute.
Dakota Robertson’s Journey: from electrician to six-figure monthly ghostwriting business
Background & Early Challenges
Growing up in Alberta, Canada, Dakota Robertson started his career path as an aspiring electrician. At 18, his life changed when a fellow student recommended "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," introducing him to the world of self-improvement.
14-hour workdays in the cold as an electrician
Blue-collar background in oil and gas industry
Limited entrepreneurial experience
Struggled with procrastination and follow-through
Faced personal tragedy with mother's unexpected death in 2018
The Turning Point
After his mother's passing, Dakota took a transformative three-month trip to Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia) that changed his perspective on life and freedom. This experience catalyzed his determination to build a different kind of life.
Key Initial Steps:
Explored multiple paths (crypto, iPhone flipping, eBay/Amazon selling)
Attempted college education for teaching
Got certified as a medic
Continued self-education through podcasts and books
Discovered social media growth strategies through a $40 ebook
The Breakthrough Journey
Year 1: Foundation Building (2020-2021)
Made crucial decision on December 4, 2020
Dropped out of college to pursue business
Invested time in X (formerly Twitter) engagement
Posted 50-100 comments daily
Grew from 750 to 4,000 followers
Made first $200 from consulting
Year 2: Taking Risks
Invested $6,000 (75% of savings) in business course
Found niche in social media ghostwriting
Launched Growth Ghosts agency
Secured first three clients within 28 days
Generated $11,000 monthly revenue initially
Year 3: Acceleration (2022-2023)
Scaled agency to $50,000 monthly revenue
Grew social following to 100K+ on X
Built 180K+ following on Instagram
Launched successful coaching cohorts
Generated $280,000 from first coaching program
Current Success & Impact
Professional Achievements
269K followers on X
162K followers on Instagram
67K LinkedIn following
11+K newsletter subscribers
48% newsletter open rate
Multiple six-figure coaching cohorts
Business Portfolio
Growth Ghosts brand
Coaching cohorts
Affiliate partnerships
Educational content
Capital Creators newsletter
Key Success Factors
Mindset
Overcame procrastination
Committed to long-term vision
Invested heavily in self-development
Maintained content consistency
Strategic Choices
Niched down from copywriting to ghostwriting
Built audience before monetization
Focused on education-based content
Leveraged multiple platforms
Daily Habits
Consistent content creation
Regular audience engagement
Newsletter publishing
Community building
Lessons & Advice
For Aspiring Creators
Build before selling
Stay consistent with content
Find a unique market position
Invest in learning
Focus on providing value
Business Development Tips
Start a newsletter for direct audience contact
Learn while earning
Create valuable educational content
Remember content's impact on people
Save goodwill for major offers
Revenue Streams
Coaching cohorts ($280K per cohort)
Affiliate partnerships
Previous agency services
Educational products
Newsletter monetization
His story demonstrates how focusing on a specific niche, building an engaged audience, and providing consistent value can lead to significant success in the creator economy.
Dakota's journey from electrician to successful content entrepreneur shows that with the right strategy and dedication, it's possible to build a thriving business in the digital space.
LinkedIn Post Template
You can use the template below to create content faster with AI. Just provide your context and copy the template. It will help you create content following a viral post structure.
Template:
In [YEAR], I started [ACTION] on [PLATFORM].
Call it [DESCRIPTION_1].
Call it [DESCRIPTION_2].
But...
[TIMEFRAME] later, this is what happened—
[ACHIEVEMENT_1]
[ACHIEVEMENT_2]
[ACHIEVEMENT_3]
[ACHIEVEMENT_4]
[ACHIEVEMENT_5]
[ACHIEVEMENT_6]
[ACHIEVEMENT_7]
And also I...
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_1]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_2]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_3]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_4]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_5]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_6]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_7]
But most importantly, this platform helped me turn [DREAM] into [REALITY].
And the best part?
I get to help others achieve the same.
[PLATFORM] was a game-changer.
And it's THE BEST platform to grow in [FUTURE_YEAR]. [GROWTH_TYPE_1] & [GROWTH_TYPE_2].
Start [ACTION_1].
Start [ACTION_2].
[TIMING].
PS: [OFFER_DETAILS] [CALL_TO_ACTION]
LinkedIn Memes
Best Costume Ever!
Is LinkedIn becoming Facebook or Twitter?
That's a wrap for today.
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Your compadre,
Anton "LinkedIn growth strategies" Cherkasov