As someone who first starting writing publicly on LinkedIn before moving to substack, this hits so close to home and is a reminder of why I spend more time on substack now 😂
Yes! I used to quite like Linkedin. I saw it as a place of sincerity, which I always put down to the fact that it was a business/work-related environment that made people act professionally. But WHAT happened there???
Things changed when people found out about mAKiNg mOneY wItH tHesE 3 tIPs / fOlLow mY teMplaTEs (this took so long to type). I’m now also curious to know about Claire’s story!
Perhaps not out and out humour pieces, but I used to write match reports for my football team with an attempt at humour — some of which seemed to land. You’ve inspired me to pursue a very rough idea I have for a satirical piece. Must get myself along to a post-cohort gym!
brilliant... Frustratingly though this seems to be the way to get more attention, especially on LinkedIn.. I've been trying a few more experiments recently of just writing what I want to say without an AI restructure and get very little exposure... I try to ignore the broetry format but it's definitely tempting when you see how popular some of the posts are hehe
I’m a bit limited on time for the next few weeks. Do you think there’s a way to repackage what I already have without too much additional work? I thought the Note that you posted about it had good potential, where you asked people what they thought of the single line style. So, idea: it could be you introducing the post as if it’s genuine (ie, maintaining the satire), and then at the end I/you explain it’s satire and prompt readers with questions about the pros and cons of the style.
I think the context also dictates the guidelines people follow.
With LinkedIn, you have the constant pull of the next post, so you have to keep it short & eye-catching.
While on Substack, you've got the time to go deep. The culture promotes depth and engagement rather than quick shots.
I post on LinkedIn to share cool stuff I learn along the way about applying writing & storytelling to science & engineering work. It's always formatted with punchy sentences.
I do think there’s way too much mic-drop style advice giving online these day. A victim of its own success. I’ve been surprised by how its dominated my Linked feed for example. Can’t seem to get away from it
But that sounds super interesting dude. Like HOW are you going to do it? feels like there’s an opportunity there, for you to invent a new style that’s different from the thread stuff but still achieves the impact you’re looking to make?
i
love
it
join
the
revolution
*insert comment from pod about game changing digital landscapes*
Epic piece, Harrison. Loved it when I first read it, even more so now.
Glad the arrows made it in. Hope this is going on LinkedIn…
Cheers Claire, your feedback was invaluable. I put the post on Linkedin too. You said you were gonna tell me a story about that?
As someone who first starting writing publicly on LinkedIn before moving to substack, this hits so close to home and is a reminder of why I spend more time on substack now 😂
We should put together a Hall of Fame linkedin list
Yes! I used to quite like Linkedin. I saw it as a place of sincerity, which I always put down to the fact that it was a business/work-related environment that made people act professionally. But WHAT happened there???
Things changed when people found out about mAKiNg mOneY wItH tHesE 3 tIPs / fOlLow mY teMplaTEs (this took so long to type). I’m now also curious to know about Claire’s story!
Such a fun piece, Harrison! That satire course was time/money well spent.
Cheers Simon! Yes I think it was. Do you/have you thought about writing humour pieces?
Perhaps not out and out humour pieces, but I used to write match reports for my football team with an attempt at humour — some of which seemed to land. You’ve inspired me to pursue a very rough idea I have for a satirical piece. Must get myself along to a post-cohort gym!
Do it!!! You defo won’t regret it. Gyms rock! I went to one this afternoon and it was game changing, truly
brilliant... Frustratingly though this seems to be the way to get more attention, especially on LinkedIn.. I've been trying a few more experiments recently of just writing what I want to say without an AI restructure and get very little exposure... I try to ignore the broetry format but it's definitely tempting when you see how popular some of the posts are hehe
Broetry?! BROETRY?!! Hahahahahaha that is flippin amazing Sarah! Why have I not heard that term???
Haha glad that tickled you 🥰🤣
Have you got an example of some broetry? I need to see
you get better
and
better!
Did
You
Like
It??
💯
1
0
0
one
word
sentences
Was it obvious it was satire? I had a fair few unsubs
...dude let's hang soon...you are in your king era...anyone who isn't listening isn't worth listening too...go forth king...
Shall we schedule a catch up?
…anytime you want…
Have you got calendly ?
…is that a venereal disease?…
ah god this makes me feel old. I've been resisting the one sentence per paragraph thing... think my linkedin followers are too smart to fall for it.
But
i'm
probably
wrong
:(
Haha what do you mean Karen? Do you mean you’ve tried it but it didn’t work? Or you’re thinking of trying it?
Oh yeah, it works, annoyingly. But I suspect it also undermines my authority in certain "Grown-up" spaces...
I see. Honestly tho, I reckon that could be an interesting piece for you to write/explore. WDYT?
Want to guest post it for me, Harrison? I don't write about writing styles or techniques.
I’m a bit limited on time for the next few weeks. Do you think there’s a way to repackage what I already have without too much additional work? I thought the Note that you posted about it had good potential, where you asked people what they thought of the single line style. So, idea: it could be you introducing the post as if it’s genuine (ie, maintaining the satire), and then at the end I/you explain it’s satire and prompt readers with questions about the pros and cons of the style.
(That should have been a DM, sorry 😂)
Great essay Harrison!
I noticed it similar stuff on LinkedIn writing.
I think the context also dictates the guidelines people follow.
With LinkedIn, you have the constant pull of the next post, so you have to keep it short & eye-catching.
While on Substack, you've got the time to go deep. The culture promotes depth and engagement rather than quick shots.
I post on LinkedIn to share cool stuff I learn along the way about applying writing & storytelling to science & engineering work. It's always formatted with punchy sentences.
Because the context dictates the guidelines.
Thanks Mohammad. Haha it sounds like you're saying you write like this on Linkedin?
I do.
I take big ideas & simplify them to shorter sentences. Kinda like an invitation to a more in-depth analysis on my newsletter
fair play man, I’m only having a bit of a laugh.
I do think there’s way too much mic-drop style advice giving online these day. A victim of its own success. I’ve been surprised by how its dominated my Linked feed for example. Can’t seem to get away from it
Oh definitely. I'm with you there.
Some of the stuff I see on LinkedIn is ridiculous 😅.
Definitely creators spread the fire, including me, that's why it's so prevalent.
I'm trying to move away from it. Change tones & suggest different ways to connect
But that sounds super interesting dude. Like HOW are you going to do it? feels like there’s an opportunity there, for you to invent a new style that’s different from the thread stuff but still achieves the impact you’re looking to make?
I've been experimenting with different ideas.
A way I've started is by redefining common Writing advice.
One advice is this: Everyone says to publish weekly, write consistently, but I think that's bad advice.
It's bad advice because if you don't understand the basics, you can easily do the bad thing consistently and get in a worse spot.