LS #29: My biggest LinkedIn mistake (that many founders make too)
Hi there,
I break down successful LinkedIn posts to reveal their strengths, helping you create content that leaves a lasting impact.
In this issue, you'll find:
The 3 high-performing posts this week on LinkedIn
My biggest LinkedIn mistake (that many founders make too)
LinkedIn post template and memes
The 3 high-performing posts this week
We took Zoko from $0 to $3M ARR by hiring the "unemployable"
Why this post?
This post went viral, receiving 4.3k likes in a day. It received 30-220 more engagement and views than Arjun's posts this month.
BREAKDOWN:
Provocative hook: "We took Zoko from $0 to $3M ARR by hiring the 'unemployable'" - challenges conventional wisdom immediately
Real examples structure: Lists 3 specific success stories with concrete results (SEO guy "pulls in 800K to 1M visitors", engineers without degrees, AI expert hired for puzzle-solving)
Truth bomb section: "The truth about hiring that no one talks about" - exposes industry secrets
Alternative criteria: Lists unique hiring requirements ("Have you earned money outside a salary?", "Have you played competitive sports?")
Concrete results: Shows specific outcomes ("6-person engineering team outperforming teams 5x our size")
Clear narrative flow: Problem → Examples → Truth → Requirements → Results → Conclusion
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN POST:
Start with controversial success claim
Provide 2-3 specific examples
List industry 'secrets' or truths
Share your alternative approach
Show concrete results/metrics
End with provocative statement
Use short paragraphs and clear sections
Include both critique and solution
POST IDEAS FOLLOWING THIS TEMPLATE:
"We built a $2M business by only hiring career changers over 40"
"Our agency scaled to 7 figures by refusing to track employee hours"
"We reached 1M users by ignoring all traditional marketing advice"
"Our startup hit profitability by breaking every VC funding rule"
"We 10x'd our growth by firing all our project managers"
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2. A good reminder for your 2025 goals
Why this post?
Another viral post this week—it got 23k likes in 2 days and performed 7-30 times better than Reno's other posts this week.
BREAKDOWN
Timely hook: "A good reminder for your 2025 goals" - makes it immediately relevant
Strong visual metaphor: Castle tower illustration comparing "everything you can do" vs. "everything you can do TODAY"
Concise main message: "Don't try to do things all at once" followed by "Focus on what you can do today"
Practical structure: Lists 6 clear steps with explanation for each ("Set Clear, Achievable Goals", "Prioritize Tasks", etc.)
Key insight: "Taking small steps is the best way to get giant leaps" - bridges small actions to big goals
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN POST:
Start with timely, relevant hook
Include powerful visual/metaphor
State main message simply
List clear, numbered steps
Explain each step briefly
Include memorable quote/insight
Add call-to-action at end
Credit sources/collaborators
POST IDEAS FOLLOWING THIS TEMPLATE:
"The only productivity hack you need for 2025: One task at a time"
"Your career growth is like building a house: Start with the foundation"
"Why most people fail at networking and how to fix it brick by brick"
"The simple truth about salary negotiation nobody tells you"
"Stop chasing multiple side hustles: The power of deep focus"
3. Smart people aren't your competition
Why this post?
This post performed 1.5-15 times better than Ford's other posts this week.
BREAKDOWN:
Perspective-shifting hook: "Smart people aren't your competition. They're your secret to growing faster" - instantly reframes common mindset
Strong quote visual: Uses powerful quote as anchor for the message
Clear structure: Lists "6 ways smart people help you succeed" with numbered points
Dual-bullet format: Each point has two specific actionable items (e.g., "Speed Up Learning" → "Learn years of wisdom in months" + "Turn their mistakes into your shortcuts")
Reinforcing conclusion: "The smartest people never stop learning from others" ties back to main message
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN POST:
Start with mindset-shifting statement
Include powerful, relevant quote
List numbered main points (5-7)
Add two specific actions per point
Reinforce main message in conclusion
Ask engaging question
Use consistent formatting/emojis
Add clear call-to-action
POST IDEAS FOLLOWING THIS TEMPLATE:
"Failures aren't your enemy - they're your fastest path to growth"
"Your competitors aren't your obstacles - they're your best teachers"
"Time isn't your limitation - it's your most powerful advantage"
"Difficult clients aren't your problem - they're your opportunity to excel"
"Industry changes aren't threats - they're your chance to innovate"
My biggest LinkedIn mistake (that many founders make too)
The biggest mistake I made on LinkedIn (and how I fixed it):
I used to treat LinkedIn as my last priority.
As a founder, I always found "more important" things to do:
- Product development
- Team meetings
- Customer calls
- Email management
- Strategic planning
But here's the truth: I was leaving money on the table.
LinkedIn isn't just another social media platform.
It's a goldmine for:
- High-quality leads
- Strategic partnerships
- Industry connections
- Market insights
- Talent acquisition
The solution was surprisingly simple:
I blocked 1 hour every day (5-6 pm) specifically for LinkedIn:
- 20 minutes for meaningful comments
- 20 minutes for direct messages
- 20 minutes for relationship building
Note: This doesn't include content creation time. That's a separate block in my calendar.
Results after 30 days:
- 3x more meaningful conversations
- 2x increase in inbound leads
- 5 partnership opportunities
- Stronger industry presence
Key insight: Consistency beats intensity. Small daily actions compound into significant results.
What's stopping you from dedicating 1 hour daily to LinkedIn?
Post Template: Reflection post
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:
"Not a big fan of [TIME_PERIOD] [CONTENT_TYPE].
But, looking back, [YEAR] was quite something.
And I'm not talking about [ASPECT] only.
In [YEAR]:
[CHALLENGE_1]
[CHALLENGE_2]
[CHALLENGE_3]
[CHALLENGE_4]
[CHALLENGE_5]
[CHALLENGE_6]
[CHALLENGE_7]
[TIMEFRAME] later:
[ACHIEVEMENT_1]
[ACHIEVEMENT_2]
[ACHIEVEMENT_3]
[ACHIEVEMENT_4]
[ACHIEVEMENT_5]
[ACHIEVEMENT_6]
[ACHIEVEMENT_7]
But more importantly:
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_1]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_2]
[PERSONAL_GROWTH_3]
But really, the best part?
[MEANINGFUL_IMPACT]
Why share this?
Because [LESSON_1].
[LESSON_2]
[LESSON_3]
So here's my invitation— [CALL_TO_ACTION_1] [CALL_TO_ACTION_2] [CALL_TO_ACTION_3]
You'll be [ENCOURAGEMENT].
[MOTIVATION]
[CLOSING_PHRASE]!
LinkedIn Memes
LinkedIn Therapy
Someone viewed your profile
Sure, perfect LinkedIn pic
That's a wrap for today.
See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).
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Thank you for reading!
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Your compadre,
Anton "LinkedIn growth strategies" Cherkasov