how to actually grow on LinkedIn

A year ago, someone challenged me to a “race to 50K followers”

In order to win - I tried it all. “Hacking” the algo, “viral” trends, selfies, pretending i knew i was doing when I didn’t…

Ultimately, I did get to 50k…

But it wasn’t by accident, and It took me longer than it should’ve.

Today, I'm going to break down how I entered the top 1% of LinkedIn in less than a year without joining an engagement pod, paying for likes or talking about the 10 Ted Talks that changed my life.

The secret to growth isn’t trying to grow.

It’s trying to build authority and leverage on Linkedin.

• Authority = trust.

• Trust = engagement.

• Engagement = consistent growth

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to my favorite thing.

The power of leverage.

_{^ I won’t go all Naval on you but here’s the insight or the full explanation} 

If you want hyper-growth, focus on 4 things:

1. Outstanding content

2. Incredible engagement

3. Top creators in your corner

4. And undeniable social proof

See, “outstanding” content is the BARE minimum for growth.

The secret sauce lies in steps 2-4.

You need to become the “go-to” in your industry.

And then become the “go-to” for the leaders in your industry too.

Most people sleep on this, but that’s how LinkedIn growth actually works.

You start showing your competence, your unique skillset, and even leveraging your unfair advantages.

THEN: you start getting some traction.

↳THEN: you start engaging better and smartly.

↳THEN: a creator with 2× 3x your following discovers you.

↳THEN: you get pushed to the algorithm more because of them.

THEN: you start gathering creators like pokemon balls and adding them into a collection of pokeballs and unleashing their power with crazy good content.

ooops! sorry… too niche? anyways!

THEN: you start gaining even more traction as more creators see your content and resonate with it because you were already writing great content.

THEN: the combination of your content, good social proof and creators backing you giving you a “halo” effect type.

Finally… we arrive at the elusive momentum. Be ready for it and ride that wave! Double down on what works, ignore everything else.

That is literally it. 

No hacks, no algo boosts, no engagement pods, no distribution.

Just you, actually trying.

Winning the LinkedIn game:

You show up… but as your best self.

So, over the weekend I was snooping over the internet… and I found a lead magnet and LinkedIn playbook by a very large education company…

It’s advice was not only outdated. But it was so fluffy I almost had a stroke.

The advice went a little like:

• Post frequently

• Use active language

• Use multimedia content

multimedia content? like DVDs and stuff or ….

…

While I go find my CD player. Here’s a 60-second tutorial on a banger post that isn’t “just post” advice.

1. Find a topic: Mine today is the book deep work.

2. Go to Tweet Hunter and type it and get 100s of ideas.

   

3. Find the ones that resonate the most with you

4. Write the best piece of content you’ve ever seen.

Here’s what I wrote in 2.349485 seconds.

If you’re not using deep work everyday, you’re falling behind.

Recover your time and peace of mind.

Here are my 3 favorite lessons from the book 'Deep Work':

Honestly, this took me months to figure out. You’re getting it fast and free.

Now you’ve got the content sorted, it’s on you to do the rest.

or maybe I’ll drop another masterclass on how to do it properly too.

Depends… reply to this email with your favorite ted talk that changed your life and why, and IF I like it I’ll drop the AI-SAUCE.

That’s literally it.

Love, your literal linkedin bestie

Lara x

PS: My 7 (actually 9) week cohort has come to an end.

The reviews? mind-blowing. Felt surreal seeing something I created with materialise.

So, while I build V2 - let’s work together 🙂