You don't have to make carousels on LinkedIn just because it seems they work.
Or do. They might work for you too.
But if you're just trying to fit in, you'll blend in.
And blending in means people scroll right past you.
So if you're starting your LinkedIn journey or something feels off about what you're posting, I have a different approach for you.
I haven’t seen this approach in any guide. It is made by me because I thought the content I publish has to represent me. I was thinking “people have to know me for something, not just my topics, but the way I deliver them.”
This is the way to stand out:
Everybody on LinkedIn acts like at work. If you just follow the rules, never make a mistake or joke, you’re…what was you name again? Act a little bit different and you’ll stand out. (Worth to mention: A bit means a bit. I personally can’t stand when I see “Instagram photos” on LinkedIn. Don’t talk about meal prep or non-professional topics).
Ask yourself: What are people usually saying about me?
The most common compliment I got from friends through life or from strangers when I started showing up on LinkedIn,
"You have an addictive sense of humor"
That’s how I showed this trait through funny comments and usually inserted funny paranthesis in my posts. People started to recognise me for my jokes. I’ll also start a “roast your AI post” next week.
"You make connections really fast"
This feedback birthed Parallel Monday. The content pillar where I compare marketing concepts to daily life activities because at the end of the day, everything is about human nature. We just tend to forget that when we're drowning in LinkedIn advice.
"You are so passionate, and the energy you have when you talk about these subjects, what the fuck, where do you store your resources?"
That's why I write personal-professional posts where I talk about my journey, what I tried and worked, what I tried and failed.
That’s pretty much it: humor, energy, and connections.
Connect them to your niche and offer. And you have your LinkedIn content pillars.
This is not
a newsletter where I talk about “the best practices” you see everywhere. I think there are enough impersonal guides out there telling you to post at 8 on Tuesdays or use exactly 7 hashtags or whatever.
This newletter is here to help you, and I quote Louis Grenier, “stand the fuck out”.
You are not supposed to blend in.
After you do the math, drawing, i’d be thrilled to see your result. Or if it’s fuzzy, i’d love to guide you.
Your to-do list:
Remember repetitive compliments from friends, EXs, clients, colleagues.
Note them all.
Find your three: Identify the 3 that you feel are true. Those that you can express yourself. These are your content pillar candidates.
Connect them to your work: For each compliment, write one way you could express that quality in your content, niche, offer.
Reply to this email if it’s not working: If you're stuck, I'll help you figure it out.
This is it.
As I want this to be our Sunday dialogue over coffee, reply with any questions and opinions and I’d be super happy to know what you want to talk about the next Sunday.
Also, some of you asked to have a coffee that we can smell and taste (in Bucharest) and talk about this wild entrepreneurial environment, future plans, and the hard process when it feels like you're the only one who trusts in the project. So we are having our Sunday coffee today. If you want to join the next ones, I’ll make sure it happens.
I’ll be there for you…when your post only gets 12 likes ‘cause it happens to me tooooooo. (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.)
Maria
-from Brewbrand.