The NEW Way to Grow on LinkedIn in 2026
Why Traditional LinkedIn Growth Strategies Are Obsolete in 2026
Introduction to New LinkedIn Strategies
- The speaker introduces a new framework for growing on LinkedIn, emphasizing its effectiveness with top founders.
- By the end of the video, viewers will have a complete strategy tailored for generating leads, attracting talent, or establishing authority on LinkedIn.
The Importance of Personal Branding
- Founders and executives recognize LinkedIn's significance but often struggle due to outdated approaches. Company pages are largely ineffective for growth.
- Personal accounts yield better distribution; even well-known brands like Zoom Info see more engagement from individual accounts than company pages.
Challenges in Content Creation
- Many users face difficulties in growing their personal brand despite understanding that company pages are ineffective. They may not know why their posts lack reach.
- Increased competition from AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) has made content creation easier, leading to a crowded timeline where standing out is challenging.
Shifts in Strategy and Algorithm Changes
- A strategic approach is necessary as founder-led content becomes essential; simply posting valuable content is no longer sufficient.
- Differentiation now relies on narrative and personal stories that AI cannot replicate, making storytelling crucial for engagement.
Audience Engagement and Content Strategy
- The algorithm has changed; older posts are resurfacing, requiring intentional audience design through targeted connection requests and engagement strategies.
- Building a content funnel remains vital: top-of-funnel (broad audience), middle-of-funnel (thought leadership), and bottom-of-funnel (sales-focused) content should be balanced effectively.
Content Strategy for 2026
Recommended Funnel Structure
- The speaker suggests a content funnel strategy of one top-of-funnel, three middle-of-funnel, and one bottom-of-funnel piece. This structure may vary based on specific goals but serves as a solid starting point.
- Emphasizes that the fundamentals of this approach have not changed, and further insights can be found in additional videos on the channel.
Tactical Shifts in Content Creation
Shift from "How To" to "How I"
- The first tactic is to transition from generic "how-to" posts to personal storytelling ("how I"). Personal narratives are crucial for engagement.
- Instead of stating facts (e.g., LinkedIn's importance), share compelling anecdotes that illustrate the impact of your advice, making it more relatable and engaging.
Importance of Hooks
- The second tactic focuses on enhancing the quality of hooks. The initial lines must capture attention effectively; otherwise, valuable content may go unnoticed.
- As competition increases, it's vital to utilize classic hook strategies—story-based hooks, negativity bias, lists with specific numbers—while ensuring they feel natural rather than formulaic.
Use of Media in Posts
- The third tactical shift involves incorporating media into posts whenever possible. While text-only posts are still valid, adding images or videos can significantly enhance engagement.
- Examples include using real-life photos related to content or highlighting new hires with images. Visual elements can make posts more appealing and relatable.
Audience Design Strategy
- Beyond content creation, intentional audience design is essential. LinkedIn allows greater control over who sees your content compared to other platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
- By sending targeted connection requests (e.g., heads of design at Series A startups), you can ensure your content reaches relevant audiences and builds a robust network over time.
How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Engagement and Content Creation
Connection Requests Strategy
- Aim for an average of 20 connection requests per weekday, which can be completed in about 10 minutes. This approach minimizes time spent on LinkedIn while maintaining engagement.
Importance of Thoughtful Commenting
- Avoid using AI-generated comments as they can damage your reputation; instead, focus on leaving five high-quality, thoughtful comments daily. Quality over quantity is emphasized here.
- Engage with Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) accounts by commenting on their posts or those of influencers they follow to increase visibility among potential customers. For example, engaging with influential figures like Adam Robinson can help reach a broader audience of SaaS founders.
Time Management for Engagement
- Limit your engagement activities to 20-30 minutes daily to avoid overwhelming your schedule as a founder of a fast-growing company. Balance this with content writing for effective use of time on LinkedIn.
Streamlining Content Creation
- Writing high-quality content does require time; however, it can be streamlined to just two hours weekly through efficient processes involving team collaboration or agency support. Focus solely on LinkedIn for maximum impact.
- Conduct bi-weekly content interviews with team members or agencies where you answer prepared prompts related to topics that resonate with your ICP, allowing them to create optimized content from the discussion transcripts and recordings. This method should yield enough material for five posts per week.
Finalizing Content and Feedback Loop
- After the initial content creation process, provide feedback regarding tone and style to ensure authenticity in the final drafts produced by your team or agency, leading to less required input over time as they adapt to your voice.
Bonus Tips for Bootstrap Founders
- If resources are limited and hiring an agency isn't feasible, consider using AI tools for conducting interviews based on provided prompts; this can help generate draft responses that may need some editing but still facilitate scalable content production efforts. Additionally, a list of 100 tested post prompts is available for further assistance in generating ideas efficiently.