Written Communication Best Practices

Recently, I made a post about building an online presence and creating content on LinkedIn & Instagram, and I received so many questions like: 👉 How can we create engaging content? 👉 Is there any right time to post? So, let’s talk about it! First of all, there’s no fixed rule that guarantees rapid growth on any platform. From my experience, the key is simple: Create what your audience needs. But how do you figure out what your audience actually wants? 1️⃣ Pick 5-10 verticals (topics) you want to post about – This helps you stay consistent and gives variety to your content. 2️⃣ Post regularly and rotate between these topics – Try this for at least 30-45 days. This gives you enough data to analyze what’s working and what’s not. 3️⃣ Analyze your best-performing posts – Once you have a good number of posts, check which ones got the most engagement. Identify patterns in topics, formats, and writing styles that work best. 4️⃣ Test different content formats – Try text posts, carousels, polls, short videos, and storytelling-style posts. Experimenting will help you understand what your audience enjoys the most. 5️⃣ Hook your audience in the first 2-3 lines – The first few lines decide whether someone will stop scrolling or move on. Start with a question, bold statement, or interesting fact to grab attention. 6️⃣ Keep your content concise and easy to understand – Avoid overcomplicating things. The simpler and clearer your message, the better engagement you’ll get. 7️⃣ Use pointers in your posts – Structured content is easier to read and keeps people hooked till the end. 8️⃣ Engage with your audience – Reply to comments, ask questions, and keep the conversation going. Engagement builds a loyal audience over time. 9️⃣ Find the right posting time (but don’t overthink it) – Different audiences are active at different times. Test different time slots to see when your posts get the best reach. LinkedIn engagement is usually higher on weekdays, while Instagram tends to perform well in the evenings. 🔟 Stay consistent & have patience – Many people give up too soon when they don’t see instant engagement. The truth is, it takes time to build an audience. Keep posting, refining your strategy, and improving with each post. At the end of the day, there’s no perfect formula—the more you experiment, the better you’ll understand what works. Keep posting, keep learning!

5,200,000+ Posts were analysed. 59.41% had Zero engagement. (All in the last 30 days). So what does this mean? Allow me to break it down for you. Here’s how much content gets posted daily across all platforms: - X (Twitter): 500 million - Facebook: 350 million - YouTube: 216 million - Instagram: 95 million - LinkedIn: 2 million - TikTok: 23 million So yes, your content is drowning in noise. But should you stop creating? Absolutely not. Content is still one of the best ways to build: - Your personal brand - Your company brand - Your product / service visibility You just need a better strategy. Here’s how to actually break through: 1. Start with an angle others aren’t covering. (Don’t just talk about the topic, say something they haven’t considered. Make them think). 2. Take a stance. (Your opinion matters more than approval. No one remembers the neutral voice). 3. Teach something people can use today. (Share data, stats, a quick how-to, or a mindset shift. Give them a takeaway). 4. Use trends with intention. (Share when it connects to what you do, otherwise, it’s just noise). 5. Build with others. (Collaborate with people in your industry. Their audience is your audience, too). 6. Create from your own life. (Stories, failures, behind-the-scenes decisions, this is what people trust). 7. Match the message to the medium. (Every platform has a preferred style. Learn it, then speak its language). Here’s how engagement is distributed across content types: - Short form videos: 31.38% - Long form videos: 15.51% - Interviews & podcasts: 13.84% - Live video: 12.37% - Memes: 10.31% - User generated content: 10.12% So no, you’re not wasting your time. You’re just one smart shift away from being seen. – 💜 If you like this post you will love my newsletter – subscribe here [https://lnkd.in/gxkAmXSt] Source: Neil Patel's analysis of 5.2 million social media posts over 30 days, as detailed in his blog post "You’re Wasting Your Time Creating Social Media Content."

Don't try to sound smart. Try to be useful. 3 years ago, I deleted my most "impressive" newsletter. 2,000 words. Multiple frameworks. Industry jargon everywhere. 14 drafts. It felt "professional." It felt "high-level." It felt wrong. That week, a CEO guest spoke to me before our podcast: "You know why I listen to your show? Because you make things simple." Then she paused. "But your newsletter... sometimes I need a dictionary." That changed everything. I opened my analytics that night. The pattern was clear: My "smartest" content performed worst. My simplest advice spread fastest. I had been: • Writing to impress peers • Stacking jargon on jargon • Trying to sound "intellectual" • Hiding behind complexity So I started over. New rules: 1. Write like I talk 2. No words I wouldn't use at dinner 3. Every piece needs a clear "do this" Example: Before: "Contemporary market dynamics necessitate strategic pivots in content optimization." After: "Test what works. Double down on what people love." That decision? It built my entire business: • The podcast grew exponentially • The newsletter became my main lead generator • Sponsorship deals rolled in • Speaking opportunities opened up Best feedback I get: "Used your advice. Landed the client." "Finally, someone who makes this simple." "Implemented this today. It worked." The truth about expertise: • Rookies hide behind jargon • Veterans embrace simplicity • Masters focus on impact This philosophy drives everything: • How I write • How I speak • How I teach • How I coach Because here's what I learned: Value beats vocabulary. Always. 3 questions before publishing: 1. Would my mom get this? 2. Can someone use this today? 3. Did I remove all the fluff? Remember: Your audience's success is your scorecard. Not your vocabulary. Today? That decision to choose simplicity over sophistication was worth millions. But more importantly: It actually helped people. // Agree? Simple or complex content - which actually helps you more? Share below. #ContentCreation #Podcasting #Writing #ValueFirst

I’ve sent 10,000+ cold emails in my career. Those emails have generated $100M+ in revenue. Here are 11 tips to help you 10x your response rates: 1. Set Your Expectations If you're new to cold emailing, expect a 5% response rate. As you improve, you can boost that to ~20%+. It's important to know that the best cold emailers still hear "No" far more than they hear "Yes." But you only need a few "Yeses" to win. 2. Email Multiple Contacts Most people send one email to one contact and give up. Emailing multiple people increases your surface area for success. You never know who you'll catch at the right moment! I personally recommending emailing 5 different people at your target org. 3. Your Subject Line Data from multiple sources shows that subject lines with the highest response rates: - Are 2-4 words long (Boomerang) - Ask a question (Yesware) - Are ambiguous (Boomerang) My favorites are: - Quick Question? - Mentioning You? - [Result] In [Y] Time? 4. Write Like A 3rd Grader Data shows that emails written at a 3rd grade level see the highest response rates. That means: ✅ Use plain, simple language ❌ Avoid complex words and jargon I love HemingwayApp's Readability score for this. 5. Be Positive! Data also shows that a positive tone can boost response rates by ~15%. Aim to have a casual, positive vibe in your writing. To get there, pretend like you're writing this email to a friend. Also try to write the way that you speak. 6. Use A 3 Second Hook Most emails start with something like: "Hope you're having a good day!" That's boring. Instead, hook your contact with a personalized, value-driven statement. Ex: "Hey Tim, I want to help [Company] 3x your CVR in 30 days, below are 3 ways to do it." 7. Over Deliver On Value People avoid click bait. Your hook might seem that way, so follow it up with even more value: - Share relevant ideas - Show how to implement them - Provide real data The goal is to get your contact to take action and see real value. 8. Use Social Proof Social proof is one of the most effective trust builders. Weave it into your email in the form of: - Mentioning a mutual contact - Linking to case studies - Including testimonials The key is to do this naturally, not like a brand marketing email. 9. Use An "Exit Clause" No one wants to feel pressured. Everyone wants control. Tap into both by ending your email with an "Exit Clause." This is a statement when you recognize their time and give them an easy "out." 10. Follow Up! 44% of cold emailers give up after the first attempt. But 60% of prospects say "No" four times before they say "Yes." If you want to win? You need to follow up! I personally recommend four follow ups every 5 business days. Use Yesware to automate these.

Writing is at the heart of digital marketing, yet so many marketers overlook why certain content works. Effective writing isn’t about clever phrasing—it’s about shaping behavior, inspiring action, and guiding people through a logical journey. Audience-first approach: Don’t write for search engines—write for the human being. Understand their pain points, goals, and motivations. Structure matters: Organize content so it’s easy to scan, with headings, bullets, and clear takeaways. Storytelling: Facts inform, stories resonate. Show a scenario your audience can relate to—this is what makes content memorable. Clarity over cleverness: Being witty is great, but clarity wins every time. Make sure the reader can understand your message immediately. Iterate and test: Headlines, calls to action, and messaging should be tested. Small tweaks can have a huge impact on engagement and conversion. Writing skills aren’t limited to blog posts—they apply to social media, emails, ads, and even presentations. Strong writing is a strategic advantage. When you focus on the audience’s needs and use language that connects, you can turn ordinary content into a conversion machine. Always test your messaging, iterate, and refine—your best insights come from observing real responses.

I’ve written 1,000+ posts over the past 4 years. Which turned into: → Signing dream clients without chasing leads → Building an audience that engages, trusts, and buys → Writing my way to a flexible, fun business And it all comes down to this: Don’t just write posts. Tell stories. It’s the easiest way to write better content. They flow better, are easier to read, and keep people hooked. I've used this approach for years. Because it works. Here’s my 3-step process to do it: — 1/ Start with an idea I never recommend starting without an idea of what you want to write about. I started this post with the idea of writing about how to write stories. Let yourself be inspired by: → Thoughts when you’re on a walk → Other content that sparks an idea → Things you’ve done/said over the week Capture ideas before you need them, and build a bank of ideas for later. (And never ever ever just copy another post) — 2/ Structure the idea I have a list of Content Flows that I use. It’s what helps me and my clients to write in a structured way without losing authenticity. One of my favourites: P-A-S Problem - What’s the problem we’re starting with? (E.g - People struggle to write stories) Agitate - Why is that a problem? (E.g - Without them, content isn’t as good) Solution - How do you fix it? (E.g - This 3-step process) — 3/ Let your creativity flow I often write content in coffee shops, or in new environments. Feels less like ‘work’, and more fun. Once you have the topic + the structure, you write however you want. There are no rules. Only what works for you. — Don’t tell. Show. I firmly believe stories are the best way to do that. Keep people engaged = keep people ‘in’. Try this for your next post: Pick an idea → Structure it → Let it flow. You’ll thank yourself later.

I spent 100+ hours studying LinkedIn posts so you don’t have to. Here are 11 ingredients that will turn your posts into engagement magnets: 1. 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 The number one thing you need from your message is clarity. Secondarily, you need authenticity. Combine both for a powerful connection. 2. 𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐣𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 On the other hand, you want to avoid using too many emojis where your message gets lost. The classic example is overusing smiley faces or the rocket emoji. (😁🚀) Use them only to highlight any key points. 3. 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 LinkedIn is fast-paced, so a strong headline is very important. Start by making it intriguing, and then make it relevant until you capture attention. Don’t be vague, but also don’t make it too lengthy. 4. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 Stories resonate, so begin your post with one. This creates relatability, and readers will linger to see what happens next. 5. 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 Long text can be daunting. Use shorter lines to make your post easy on the eyes and enjoyable to read. Stick to less than 10 words and use paragraphing. See this post for reference. Not like this much longer sentence talking about a super complicated topic that you won't even finish reading because you got bored and turned off 6. 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Bring new eyes to your post by mentioning notable connections. This amplifies reach and can spark a lively conversation. 7. 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Want engagement? Tell readers what to do! Ask them to like, comment, or share to boost interaction. 8. 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Questions encourage dialogue, which LinkedIn loves. They also invite readers to share their viewpoints. 9. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 Don’t hold back! Share a tip or tool you’ve created. I share AI tools I use often. They have helped me save 100s of hours. This builds authority and trust in your network. 10. 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 Hashtags aren't pushed out as much as they were before. If you really need to, keep it to a max of 3. 11. 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 Keep readers on LinkedIn by not linking out. Mention external links in the comments instead to maintain post visibility. I've you've read this far: Let me know: What’s your favorite way to engage on LinkedIn? (Likes/comments/repost?)

Most cold emails don’t fail because of bad writing. They fail because they talk too much about the product… …and not enough about the problem. Here’s the cold email formula I’ve used in over 100,000 sends - including while helping scale Gong from $200K to $200M in ARR. It’s simple. It works. And it doesn’t require a single bullet point about features. The 4-part cold email formula: 1. Relevant intro Personalized and specific - not robotic. “Looks like you're hiring across your revenue org — congrats.” 2. Agitate the pain Make your prospect feel like you’ve read their internal Slack threads. “You either hit your headcount targets and sacrifice quality… Or you hire strong reps but miss your number.” 3. Paint the future state Share what you help others accomplish - not how your product works. “We’ve helped 100+ VPs reduce their miss-hire rate to single digits.” 4. The ‘Solve’ CTA End with a yes/no question - not a time request. “Is reducing sales mis-hires this quarter worth a quick chat?” You don’t need long emails. You need relevance, resonance, and a reason to reply. That’s how you build pipeline. P.S. Want to have actionable techniques, strategies, cheat sheets, & case studies to help you master your SaaS sales skills? Join 100,000+ other sellers who receive our newsletter every Tuesday: https://lnkd.in/egVNiFce

Want to write LinkedIn posts that people actually read and engage with this year? Here's the structure top creators swear by: 1️⃣ Hook Them in 3 Seconds - the first 2 or 3 lines that make them want to click ‘See more’ Start with a bold statement, a relatable question, or an intriguing fact. Example: "Most LinkedIn posts fail in the first line—here’s why yours doesn’t have to." 2️⃣ Deliver Value, Not Fluff Use short paragraphs and spacing to make your post scannable. Share insights, actionable tips, or a personal story that resonates with your audience. Keep it conversational. 3️⃣ Create an Emotional Connection People remember how you made them feel. Be authentic, vulnerable, or inspiring. Show them you get it. 4️⃣ End with a Call to Action (CTA) Close with a question or invitation to share thoughts. Example: "What’s your go-to strategy for writing engaging posts? Let me know below!" Pro Tip: Use emojis sparingly, but strategically, to highlight key points. Now it’s your turn—what’s your biggest challenge with LinkedIn content? Drop it in the comments! 

❓Feeling stuck in “professional mode” on LinkedIn? You’re not alone. When I first started creating content, I worried that showing more of my personality might confuse clients or reduce my credibility. I kept it polished, formal—safe. But here’s what I’ve learned: The creators thriving on LinkedIn aren’t just experts. 🌟 They’re human. 🌟 They’re relatable. 🌟 They’re authentic. So how do you strike the right balance between professionalism and personality? Here’s the framework I share with my clients: 💥 60/20/20 Content Ratio: 60% Professional Advice: Share your expertise to solve problems. 20% Personality Posts: Stories from your career that let your voice shine. 20% Passion Posts: Causes, hobbies, or values that make you you. 💥 Define Your Personal Brand in 3 Words: Ask colleagues or friends to describe you in 3-5 adjectives. Use these words to guide your tone. 💥 Speak Your Content: Record yourself explaining an idea and transcribe it. It keeps your tone natural and relatable. The result? 🔥A personal brand that’s credible, authentic, and deeply engaging. If you’ve been holding back, it’s time to give this a try. What’s one thing you’d like to share that feels more you?