I started content creation on LinkedIn. Grew to over 7k followers. Then I expanded my content to Twitter/X, Reddit, newsletters, and communities.
I learned my fundamentals on LinkedIn. Made some money. Met people whom I never thought would get access to. Got LinkedIn Top Voice. Above all, made friends.
But the growth slowed down.
To be precise, I have grown only 7% in the last 365 days.
I’ve hardly posted during this time. Maybe once in 10 days to maintain a digital presence.
It’s not because I didn’t have content. Or I was bad at it.
It’s because I resented the platform, its creators, and content for far too long.
I am a more Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter kinda guy. But lately I realised I didn’t see LinkedIn for what it is, but always complained about what it isn’t.
Even today, it’s safe to say LinkedIn is my least favourite platform.
I have a love-hate relationship. LinkedIn has one of the most beautiful algorithms as it allows you to reach third-degree connections super fast.
But I have been too stubborn to use LinkedIn as an accelerator. This might change soon.
But first…
“What was my opinion of LinkedIn?” vs My thoughts today
“LinkedIn lacks criticism. The reason I love Reddit and X is that the audience calls out bullshit. Any low-effort, basic content presented as the ‘next big strategy’ gets ruthlessly downvoted.”
People share LinkedIn profiles at work, so they want to present themselves differently from the casualness of X or the anonymity of Reddit.
It’s unfair to expect brutally honest conversations without the mask of professionalism.
“LinkedIn is too basic. Everyone repeats the same obvious points.”
Three things here.
1/ There is always room for beginner-friendly content. One person’s basic is another guy’s insight.
2/ Basics, call it fundamentals, attracts masses. Depth pushes conversions but not visibility. As creators, you have to balance both, and sadly, I optimised only for conversions.
3/ There are always 10 levels above where I am currently. I love Liberman, Nathan, and Emanuel’s content. Is it too hard to find more people like them?
The third point also applies to my next two thoughts:
“LinkedIn has way too much fluff”
“Hooks = Clickbaits. I have been active on multiple social platforms, and LinkedIn has the most absurd hooks of all.”
What changed my perspective?
Truth to be told - I was too stubborn. I wanted to create content a certain way. Nothing wrong with it, I want to give my best to my readers.
But I always expected my readers to be at their best. I assumed their complete concentration (Creator 101: Always assume your audience is distracted.)
In hindsight, I see how wrong I was to overvalue what I wanted to share over how the audience wanted to consume.
I knew this vaguely in my head, but no one could have pointed it more accurately than Diksha:
She was right.
I was ranting, but didn’t make the feed better for myself or my audience.
I knew what would bring me engagement, but that’s not what I want my content to look like. But I didn’t find a middle ground either. I abandoned a platform that gave me an initial boost and still continues to do so.
So I made peace and found a middle ground (redemption arc or something?)
Growth plan for the next three months
Solid hooks that aren’t clickbait. Been working on my intros.
Post at the same time, 9 am IST. 4x a week.
Mix of marketing, personal stories, and newsletter breakdowns. First two for newsletter subs. Third for clients.
Most posts will be listicles. Even if I had to describe pointers, it wouldn’t be long.
Will find relevant stories to add my pictures because they work.
Gists of my long-form and then redirect to my newsletters.
Strictly ToFu. Will share surface-level frameworks.
Adapt visual storytelling. Learning sketchnoting to condense large information into one picture.
Make a list of profiles I admire. Comment to direct some of their audience to my profile.
Ask many questions. Majorly when curiosity prompts “How did they do it?”
Hit not interested frequently. Feed reset kinda.
Feed my best-performing posts to AI and notice patterns. Create repeatable frameworks.
Look what topics bring large engagement; give my spin.
All this time, I tried to go against the tide. This time, the plan is to ride the wave without getting drowned.
What you can expect: My audience won’t read a post I wouldn’t read myself. I’ll respect your time.
That’s my promise.