Help Wanted: How to Hack Growth on LinkedIn
Released on June 24, 2025
Hosts: Jason Pfeiffer (Editor-in-Chief, Entrepreneur Magazine) and Nicole Lapin (Money Expert)
Producer: Morgan Lavoy
Contact: helpwanted@moneynewsnetwork.com
Introduction
In this episode of Help Wanted, hosts Jason Pfeiffer and Nicole Lapin delve into effective strategies for growing your presence on LinkedIn. They share personal experiences, analyze successful and underperforming posts, and provide actionable insights to help listeners optimize their LinkedIn activities for better engagement and visibility.
Overcoming Hesitation: Embracing LinkedIn
Nicole Lapin expresses her initial reluctance to engage actively on LinkedIn, finding the platform somewhat unappealing and overly focused on work-centric connections. However, prompted by encouragement from figures like Gary Vee and a shift in her professional focus, she decided to give LinkedIn a dedicated effort.
Timestamp: [03:07]
Assessing and Refining Your LinkedIn Strategy
Jason Pfeiffer and Nicole Lapin discuss the importance of experimenting with various types of content to discover what resonates with your audience. They emphasize the necessity of removing barriers to posting, encouraging a trial-and-error approach to identify effective strategies.
Timestamp: [05:37]
Analyzing Successful LinkedIn Posts
The duo highlights a particularly successful post by Nicole:
"Stop asking women how they do it all. Start asking how much help they have."
Timestamp: [06:27]
This post garnered 1,841 reactions, demonstrating the power of a strong, relatable hook combined with authentic, heartfelt content. The accompanying candid photo and strategic use of hashtags further contributed to its success.
Understanding LinkedIn’s Algorithm
Jason provides an in-depth explanation of LinkedIn's algorithm based on insights from Dan Roth, LinkedIn's Editor-in-Chief. Key points include:
- Content Relevance: LinkedIn prioritizes posts that offer knowledge and advice pertinent to the user's expertise.
- Authority and Expertise: The platform assesses the author's background to ensure credibility in the posted content area.
- Engagement Quality: Meaningful comments and substantial interactions are favored over generic reactions, enhancing the post's visibility within its target audience.
Timestamp: [07:27]
The Role of Visuals in LinkedIn Posts
Visual elements are crucial in capturing attention. The hosts discuss the effectiveness of using personal photos versus AI-generated images. Personal images tend to perform better as they create a genuine connection with the audience.
Example:
Matt Adelman, a retail expert, uses images of store shelves to attract and engage his specific audience, showcasing how relevant visuals can drive meaningful interactions.
Timestamp: [18:36]
Crafting Effective Hooks
A strong hook is essential for enticing readers to engage with your content. Effective hooks should:
- Identify the Target Audience: Clearly indicate who the message is for.
- Promise Value: Offer a tangible benefit or insight that the reader will gain.
Jason’s Advice:
“The power of a good hook is it identifies the audience and then it promises some payoff for that audience.”
Timestamp: [27:06]
Replicating Successful Content Patterns
Consistency in content formatting can establish a recognizable brand presence. Jenny STOJKOVIC, a venture capitalist, exemplifies this by maintaining a uniform post structure that signals to her audience what to expect, thereby building trust and engagement over time.
Key Takeaway:
Reusing successful formulas without appearing repetitive can turn your content into a "signal in the noise," making it easily identifiable and anticipated by your audience.
Timestamp: [30:29]
Additional Tips for LinkedIn Growth
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Capture Real-Life Insights: Draw inspiration from everyday experiences and interactions to create authentic content.
Nicole emphasizes the importance of turning spontaneous thoughts into valuable LinkedIn posts.
Timestamp: [14:30]
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Optimize Visual Readability: Ensure that text within images is easy to read and visually appealing to prevent disengagement.
Jason advises on formatting hooks for better readability.
Timestamp: [32:30]
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Focus on Personal Relevance: Tailor content to reflect personal experiences and professional expertise, making it more relatable to your target audience.
Nicole discusses aligning LinkedIn content with her brand's focus on younger women seeking financial control.
Timestamp: [34:05]
Conclusion: Establishing Your Voice on LinkedIn
Jason and Nicole wrap up by reinforcing the importance of finding and maintaining a consistent voice on LinkedIn. By leveraging personal stories, understanding the platform's algorithm, and strategically using visuals and hooks, professionals can significantly enhance their LinkedIn presence and foster meaningful connections.
Timestamp: [36:14]
Key Quotes
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Jason Pfeiffer:
“A good hook is it identifies the audience and then it promises some payoff for that audience.”
[27:06] -
Nicole Lapin:
“The greatest ideas for posts are often going to come from your own life.”
[14:30] -
Jason Pfeiffer:
“Reposts is definitely a sign of success because it shows that people wanted to share this in full with their followers.”
[07:27]
Actionable Takeaways
- Experiment Freely: Don't hesitate to try different types of posts to see what resonates.
- Use Relevant Visuals: Incorporate personal, relatable images to enhance engagement.
- Craft Strong Hooks: Develop clear, audience-specific hooks that promise value.
- Understand the Algorithm: Focus on providing knowledge and fostering meaningful interactions.
- Be Consistent: Maintain a recognizable format to build a loyal audience.
By implementing these strategies, listeners can effectively hack growth on LinkedIn, expanding their professional reach and influence.