Ashley Wright

Social Tale - TikTok Shop Agency

Turning Attention into Community, Transforming Community into ROI - Building Your TikTok Empire. We help your favorite brands scale on TikTok shop.

Founder

MentorPass

1:1 video mentoring sessions with the world’s most in-demand startup mentors.

Mentor

Smash Cactus Media

Captivate your audience with our meticulously crafted ad creatives that seamlessly blend creativity and strategy. Elevate your brand's message with content that leave a lasting impression and drive tangible results.

MediaCom

Paid Social Associate Director

Adidas Group / / /
Digital Strategy, Planning, Execution, Analysis, Client/ Team Management, Branding and eCommerce.

Paid Social Manager

Jellyfish

Paid Social Media Specialist

Chalk Global

Clients: UGG, Universal Music, Creed, French Connection, Swarovski

Digital Account Manager

Upbeat Agency

Facebook Ads Manager

Studiospares Ltd

Ecommerce Marketing Manager

Want to scale your brand to $100k+/mo with TikTok Shop?👋

TikTok Shop Partner scaling 7-9 figure brands on TikTok Shop

Over the past two years, I've generated over $80,000,000 on TikTok for some of your favorite brands.

A few of our current and past clients include:
- Divi
- SNOW
- Stars + Honey
- Surreal
- Style Edit
- Thread Beauty
- PLIX

This success isn't just luck—it's about understanding the platform, pushing boundaries, and being unafraid to test what works.

Brands used to doubt TikTok's ROI potential, but that's never been the case. With TikTok Shop, the ROI is clearer than ever.

If you're ready to create a whole new revenue channel with TikTok, here's how I can help:

1. Follow me on LinkedIn for daily TikTok Shop insights (scroll up and hit the bell to get notified).

2. Download my FREE TikTok Shop Workbook (DM me "Workbook").

3. Want my agency to manage your TikTok Shop? (DM me "Support" and I'll share the details).

Glad you dropped by. 
To your success!

Most brands think the UK and the US behave the same on TikTok Shop.

They don’t.

And that misunderstanding is killing their growth.

UK brands are slower to adopt, slower to approve, and slower to scale.

Not because the platform is worse, but because the mindset is.

If you follow UK rules in a US-level opportunity, you lose.

Here is what actually separates the 2 markets right now:

US creators take TikTok Shop seriously,
UK creators treat it like a side quest.

US brands send 800 samples in a month,
UK brands debate 150 for three weeks.

US sellers build creator communities early,
UK sellers wait until they are “ready”.

US teams adopt Discord with no friction,
UK teams still think it is “too complicated”.

US brands commit real ad spend,
UK brands want proof before they invest.

US moves with speed,
UK moves with permission.

The platform is not what makes the difference, the behavior does.

We grew brands in both regions, and the gap is wider than most founders realise.

If you want the full UK vs US breakdown, comment “breakdown” and I’ll send it.

Helping 8+ Figure Brands Win on TikTok Shop | CEO of Social Tale | Speaker | Social Commerce Growth Expert | DM for growth, audits, or collabs

"Charge low until you prove yourself."

Worst advice I've ever heard in the agency space.

When you charge too low for pitching to bigger brands, they don't see the full value.

Then it's nearly impossible to raise your prices later.

You've locked yourself into low margins for years.

Maybe that's fine as a solo freelancer.

But when you want to grow, you're stuck.

Instead, charge what you believe you're worth.

Break down the components.

Show them exactly what they're getting for the cost.

Then let your delivery prove you were right.

This approach does something else, too.

It allows you to hire A-players from day one, instead of scrambling to find those who can "just get the job done."

Your pricing dictates your quality.
Your quality dictates your clients.
Your clients dictate your business.

Don't trap yourself at the bottom.

$165K in 7 days.

That's what one of our clients did in the first week of BFCM.

Everyone thinks BFCM is won in November.

It's not.

It's won in September.

BFCM on TikTok Shop isn't a sprint.

It's the finish line of a 90-day marathon.

The brands crushing it right now didn't start prepping last week.

They started in September when everyone else was sleeping.

Momentum takes time to build.

But when it hits, it compounds fast.

If you want your brand ready for Q1 (yes, Q1), DM me "2026" and I'll walk you through what to start doing today.

I’m excited to announce...

I’ll be taking the stage at Affiliate World in Bangkok

📍 Dates: December 3–4, 2025

My session: The Brutal Truth About What Actually Works on TikTok Shop 🚀

What you’ll learn:

✅ The “Reboot Campaign”
✅ Hidden Costs That Wreck TikTok Shop
✅ Why most brands fail on TikTok Shop (and how to fix it)

🔥 Why Affiliate World Conferences is a MUST-ATTEND:

• The #1 Performance Marketing Conference in the world
• 7,000+ attendees from 110+ countries 
• 35+ expert speakers (I’ll be one of them 👋🏾)
• 300+ exhibitors with the latest tools and tech
• Endless networking, learning, and fun with top marketers in the game

If you’re serious about scaling and want to stay ahead of where the industry’s headed…

You should be in the room.

I’ve got a few ticket discount links if you still haven’t grabbed yours yet

If you’re going, let me know so we can connect.

See you in Bangkok!

25 video hooks that drive TikTok Shop sales:

(Your next 7-figure month starts with the right hook)

1. POV: you just discovered a product that solves [daily problem]
2. Unboxing my [product category] haul from TikTok Shop
3. 5 must-haves under $50 that actually work
4. De-influencing [expensive product] (and what to buy instead)
5. POV: you're a [target customer persona] and this changed everything
6. My everyday essentials that are worth the hype
7. POV: this product just made your life 10x easier
8. You saw the [trending product] and now your cart is full
9. Things I didn't know I needed until TikTok showed me
10. This solves a problem you didn't know you had
11. [Product name] vs [cheaper alternative] - honest comparison
12. Watch me use this for a week straight (results)
13. POV: you finally bought the thing everyone's talking about
14. I tested viral products so you don't have to
15. This one thing replaced 5 products I used to buy
16. Before and after using [product] for 30 days
17. The [product] your FYP has been hiding from you
18. I was skeptical until I tried it myself
19. This is what [price point] gets you on TikTok Shop
20. POV: you stopped scrolling because this actually works
21. Showing my [partner/friend/mom] this viral product
22. I bought the dupe and here's what happened
23. The only [product category] you'll ever need
24. This did what [expensive brand] couldn't
25. POV: you're about to save this and forget to buy it

Bookmark this 🔖

I almost didn't post my first piece of content on LinkedIn.

I was worried about what people would think.

Friends from school. 
People I used to work with. 
Anyone who knew me before I started the agency.

I kept thinking:

“What are they going to think about this?”

In those first few posts, I was genuinely worried.

Rewrote it, then didn’t post it.

I was scared of the judgment.

But then I just said screw it and hit post.

And you know what happened?

I got over it really quickly.

Because I realized something important:

It doesn't really matter what they think.

The people who matter don't mind.

And the people who mind don't matter.

Once I understood that, everything changed.

I stopped worrying about old school friends scrolling past my posts.

I stopped caring if someone thought I was "too much" or "showing off."

I just focused on sharing what I know about TikTok Shop and helping brands 
scale.

And that's when things actually started moving.

If you're holding back from posting because you're worried about what people 
will think:

Just start.

You'll get over it faster than you think.

And the people who actually matter will support you.

Your first 3 seconds on TikTok Shop can break or make your product.

A high-converting video shows:

- The frustration (make them feel it)
- The product solving it (demo in action)
- A real person using it (not scripted)
- The transformation (satisfying result)

Brands that nail this formula are doing 6-7 figures on TikTok Shop.

Most brands think creating content that sells is a straight line.

Set a goal, create content, and make sales.

But here's what actually happens when you're building TikTok Shop content:

You set a goal to hit $100K on TikTok Shop.

1) You start reaching out to creators.

Half don't respond. The ones that do want samples.

2) You're learning what hooks actually work.

What you thought would convert doesn't.

3) You start doubting if TikTok Shop is even worth it.

Your first 20 videos get decent views but zero sales.

4) You're failing to get traction.

Competitors are posting similar products and crushing it.

5) You're practicing what works.

Different angles, Flash Sales.

6) You feel lost because nothing's consistent yet.

One video does $5K, the next 10 do nothing.

7) You're getting it.

You find 3 creators who actually move product.

They are not the easiest to work with, but when you find that 1% it’s all worth it.

8) Then you're struggling with a new problem.

Fulfillment can't keep up.

You're out of stock on your best SKU.

9) Finally, you achieve it.

Consistent daily sales.

A creator network that posts weekly.

Momentum that compounds.

The brands that win aren't the ones who avoid the mess.

They're the ones who push through it while everyone else quits.

And set the assigned budget for TikTok Shop for 12 months, not 3.

----

♻️ Repost, bookmark, or share with your network if you found this post helpful.

Follow me, Ashley Wright, for practical insights on TikTok Shop and eCom growth.

What content to create on TikTok Shop at each stage (to maximize sales):

TOFU (scrolling, not buying yet):

- product demos solving a specific problem
- “day in the life" content showing real use
- zero sales pitch in first 3 seconds
- hook focuses on the problem, not your brand
- soft CTAs like "wait for it" or "watch till the end"

These people aren't ready to buy today. 

Stop forcing the sale.

MOFU (considering it):

- comparison content (you vs alternatives)
- creator testimonials showing real results
- before/after transformations
- address objections directly (price, shipping, does it actually work)
- CTAs focus on "see it in action" or "check the reviews"

BOFU (ready to convert):

- product page tours showing exactly how to buy
- bundle breakdowns with clear pricing
- scarcity hooks ("only X left" or "sale ends tonight")
- creator codes and exclusive discounts
- Lives showing checkout process in real-time

Run cold traffic TOFU content. Retarget scrollers with MOFU. Convert warm audience with BOFU Lives and urgency posts.

Most brands push product links to cold traffic and wonder why their GMV is flat.

Everyone tells you to "take your time and don't rush."

Then you wonder why you're outperformed by your competitors and why they're taking your market share.

I've never agreed with this because I've always believed in the "just do it" approach like Nike.

You can fix things along the way.

But you can't fix momentum you never built.

When you're planning 3, 5, 10-year goals, ask yourself:

Why can't you condense that into one year?

The buffer you think you're creating is actually killing your business.

You want to be ahead of the herd.

Whether you're doing it right or wrong, you'll figure it out faster by moving.

Stop waiting for perfect.

Start building now.

One of our US beauty clients just cracked $100K in a single month.

$107K in GMV to be exact.

Up 15% from September.

1,828 orders.
2,515 items sold.
1,768 customers.

Most beauty brands think you need to go viral to hit six figures on TikTok Shop.

You don't.

You need consistent creator output and offers that convert.

This brand didn't have a single mega-viral moment in October.

Just steady volume.
Multiple creators posting daily.
Products that actually solve problems.

The algorithm rewards consistency.

If you're a brand stuck under $50K/month and want to break through to six figures, DM me "Scale" and I'll show you the exact framework we used here.

From award-winner to the top-selling body-care brand on TikTok Shop in 2024.

In late 2023, Maëlys, a premium body-care brand, entered a platform many assumed was built for cheap impulse buys.

By the end of 2024, they became the top-selling body-care brand on TikTok Shop, took home the 2025 Glossy Pop Award for Best Use of TikTok Shop, and ranked as a top-five earning Shop in the personal care category in Q1 2025.

During one campaign, they drove an 800 percent increase in total orders, with 87 percent of customers being first-time buyers.

Here’s how they pulled it off:

1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Most brands pay influencers for polished reviews.

Maëlys built a system around real women sharing their journeys.

They spotlighted creators documenting visible changes in stretch marks, loose skin, and other body-targeting concerns.

This wasn’t about curated aesthetics.

It was about proof, and proof converts.

2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆

Instead of relying on standard affiliate commissions, they rolled out an incentive program with prizes valued at up to $275,000.

Top creators weren’t just earning revenue.

They were competing for a Ritz-Carlton yacht experience and luxury handbags.

This turned creators into true partners and unlocked high-quality content at scale.

3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲

Maëlys built a three-part system documented in TikTok’s official case study:

• Organic content for trust
• Paid media to scale winning creatives
• Creator partnerships for social proof

Organic content de-risked ad spend.

Ad spend amplified creator performance.

Together, they created a growth flywheel.

4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺

Even while dominating TikTok, Maëlys expanded the moment offline.

They went live with a digital billboard in Times Square and ran a TikTok Shop-exclusive 30 percent discount to create urgency.

This wasn’t just a Shop strategy.

It was a full-funnel brand play.

---

Maëlys proved that premium, considered-purchase brands can win on TikTok Shop.

They understood that TikTok isn’t only a sales channel. It’s a community.

They didn’t sell body cream. They sold confidence.

And they built the system to scale it.

She went live on TikTok & made $2,000,000 in 1 day.

Meet Stormi Steele, founder of Canvas Beauty.

The woman who broke TikTok Shop’s Black Friday record.

Here’s how she did it (and how you can steal the playbook):

During Black Friday 2024, Stormi hosted a single TikTok LIVE that changed everything.

$2M+ in total sales. $1M in the first 2 hours.

TikTok's biggest LIVE shopping event ever, all from one stream.

Just her, the product, and people ready to buy.

The formula was simple:

Show, don't tell.

1. She demonstrated results live.
2. Answered questions as they came in.
3. Offered bundles you could only get right then.

Shopping stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like an event.

But here's what most people miss:

Canvas Beauty didn't get lucky.
They built a creator ecosystem.

Beauty creators earned commissions promoting Canvas on their own LIVEs.

Exclusive bundles only existed inside the TikTok Shop.

Every stream felt like a show, not a sales pitch.

This tapped into what TikTok actually wants.

People don't want ads.

They want authentic experiences that feel personal and fun.

Canvas mastered selling without feeling like they were selling.

When Black Friday hit, the system was already running:

• Creators promoting.
• LIVEs scheduled.
• Bundles ready.

One viral LIVE turned into millions.

From 2022 to now, Canvas has gone from a small, self-funded brand to one of TikTok Shop's top sellers.

TikTok Shop isn't about hoping something goes viral.

It’s about:

• Building trust.
• Going live consistently.
• Making every stream an event.
• Leveraging creators who move product.

It works if you know how to apply it.

Stormi didn't wait for ads to work.

She made TikTok Shop her storefront, and crushed it.

One of our UK clients in the beauty niche affiliate sales did over £50K in GMV in October.

Up 29% from September.

We doubled down this month:

• 927 videos posted.
• 539 LIVE streams.

The brands winning right now are the ones that went all in on creator volume.

If you want to see this kind of MoM growth for your brand, DM me "TikTok Shop" and I'll walk you through the exact process we used here.

3 weeks until BFCM — and if your ad strategy isn’t ready, this is your 
MakeUGC V.2 crash plan.

======

Week 1 (Nov 1–7): Build Creative Momentum

Forget new shoots — focus on what you can control.

Use MakeUGC V.2 (Sora2 Pro, Veo3.1, Kling) to generate UGC ads fast.

Post 3–5 videos per day on your brand account.

AI ads take time to train the algorithm, so what you post now will peak right before BFCM.

Test everything:

→ Different hooks
→ Product angles
→ Emotional storylines

Let the AI agents analyze performance and identify your early winners automatically.

======

Week 2 (Nov 8–14): Double Down on Winners

By now, you’ll know what’s driving clicks and conversions.

Feed that data into the AI agents — they’ll brief MakeUGC automatically.

Veo3.1 will refine pacing, Kling adds realism, and Sora2 Pro builds cinematic versions of your best ads.

Start running paid campaigns behind your top creatives ($100–200/day each).

Bundle products and tease BFCM drops with suspense-driven videos.

======

Week 3 (Nov 15–21): Full Send Mode

Post 3–5 videos daily minimum.

Scale spend on the top 10% of creatives.

Run daily countdown lives or short urgency clips.

AI agents will handle trend adaptation, fresh hooks, and real-time testing — so you can focus on fulfillment and scaling.


You won’t build a 7-figure funnel in three weeks.

But you CAN build a profitable one — if you start executing now.

RT + comment “V2” and I’ll send you the full BFCM ad playbook.

(follow for dm)

Most brands build TikTok Shop bundles wrong.

They throw products together and hope it works.

Here's the bundle structure that actually converts:

𝟭) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲

Pick your best-selling product.

Add 2-3 complementary items that make sense together.

Not your entire catalog.

Example:

• Skincare brand: Serum + moisturizer + face roller
• Supplement brand: Main product + travel size + shaker bottle

People buy bundles when they see clear value, not when you're dumping random products together.

𝟮) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Your bundle needs to feel like a deal without killing margins.

Here's what works:

• Individual products: $100 total
• Bundle price: $70-75
• 25-30% off is the sweet spot.
• Anything less feels weak.

Anything more kills your profit after TikTok fees and creator commissions.

𝟯) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸

This is what most brands miss.

Your bundle commission needs to be aggressive enough that creators want to push it.

30-40% minimum for BFCM bundles.

But would you rather do $10K at 40% margin or $100K at 20% margin?

𝟰) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲

Make it TikTok Shop exclusive.

Not available on your site.
Not available on Amazon.
Only inside TikTok Shop.

This gives creators something unique to talk about.

"You can only get this bundle here."

That's the angle that moves people from scrolling to buying.

𝟱) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿

Limited quantity or limited time.

Pick one.

"Only 500 bundles available for BFCM." or "This bundle disappears November 30th."

Scarcity drives action.

Without it, people save your video and forget about it.

What NOT to do:

• Build 10 different bundles.
• Pick 1-2 hero bundles max.
• Include products nobody wants just to clear inventory.
• Set the commission too low.

If your bundles aren't built yet, build them now.

---

♻️ Repost, bookmark, and share with your network if you found this helpful.

Follow me, Ashley Wright, for practical insights on TikTok Shop and eCom growth.

If I could talk to myself five years ago, I'd say one thing:

Just keep going.

It's going to happen eventually.

I followed Gary Vee from the early days.

"Keep going. Keep putting in the work."

My mentality was simple:

If I keep trying, I'll eventually get there.

Years later, Hormozi said the same thing:

"Just don't stop. If you don't stop, you'll find a way."

You might have to shift directions.
You might have to pivot.

But if you don't quit, you'll figure it out.

You're not out of the game until you decide you are.

The content you post this week will make or break your Black Friday.

Most brands think they can drop content on November 20th and watch the sales roll in.

They can't.

TikTok needs at least 30 days to build algorithm traction.

Content posted 30 days before a sale performs better than content dropped at the last minute.

The platform needs time to learn what converts.

By Black Friday, the algorithm already knows:

• Which videos drive purchases.
• Which creators move the product.
• Which hooks convert browsers into buyers.

This is what winning brands are doing right now:

• They're posting 1-2 times daily.
• Testing hooks.
• Testing offers.
• Testing creators.
• Building momentum.

When BFCM arrives, the algorithm knows exactly what to push.

If your content doesn't have 2-3 weeks of momentum behind it, you're invisible.

So start posting today.

By November 22nd, you'll have 3 weeks of data telling you exactly what works.

"I'm probably getting fired for this."

This hook works insanely well for Black Friday.

People love feeling like they're in on a secret.

When a creator posts your BFCM deal early with a "leaked codes" or "you didn't see this from me" angle, it doesn't feel like marketing.

It feels exclusive, like they're getting access to something they shouldn't have yet.

How to use this:

Give your top 3-5 creators early access to your BFCM bundles.

Tell them to post it with angles like:

• "I'm not supposed to show this yet, but..."
• "Black Friday deal leaked early."
• "Delete this before my brand partner sees it."
• "You didn't get this from me."

Try these and see your Black Friday sales explode.

I used to spend 70+ hours a month building decks and proposals.

Between client meetings, audits, and speaking gigs, I was drowning in slide design.

Then I started using Gamma's consultant prompts, and it's been a game-changer.

Now I'm delivering better work in a fraction of the time.

What makes it different from other tools?

Gamma studied 3.5 million presentations and built a library of 100+ optimized prompts specifically for consultants (plus sales, marketing, education, and more).

They follow a proven 30-word formula for clarity and visual storytelling, so every deck looks polished and professional without the manual work.

Now, I'm creating presentations in under an hour that used to take me a full day.

That's 85-90% time savings.

With 70 million users and 700K decks created daily, there's a reason Gamma works.

They've cracked the code on what makes presentations actually effective.

If you're still building slides from scratch, check this out: 

https://lnkd.in/emggCMRZ

#gammapartner

secret prompts

Unleash The Knowledge, LLC

• LinkedIn Growth Agency for Entrepreneurs, Executives, Coaches, Consultants, and Agency Owners to join the Top 1% of LinkedIn in their industry so they can close high-ticket deals.
• Digital community of 180,000+ readers promoting self-education through non-fiction books to create more lifelong learners. 
• Developing creative strategies to get books into more hands 
• Consulting with authors on how to turn their book and knowledge into a business.

Founder & CEO

Pavilion

Pavilion is the leading community for networking and learning with other GTM leaders worldwide.

Executive Member

I help Agency Owners, Coaches, and Consultants Join the Top 1% on LinkedIn in 90 Days to Earn High-Ticket Clients | Feat. in Forbes | 500+ clients | 2x D1 Basketball Conference Champion

In March 2020, I left a $22,500/yr job working for UConn Men’s Basketball.

I bet on myself.

On paper, I was on track to build an incredible career with a championship program.

However, my heart wasn’t in it anymore.

6 months prior to leaving, I started a simple Instagram page.

I called it Unleash The Knowledge.

Most people thought I was crazy but I saw the long-term vision.

4 years later, I run a multi-6-figure business from anywhere in the world, all off my laptop.

My Instagram page is now at 127,000 followers, all from starting from 0.

I’ve worked with 500+ authors, coaches, consultants, and founders.

Some of my past well-known clients include: 

- Rick Ross, Grammy-nominated Rapper
- Jim McKelvey. Co-Founder of Square
- Kara Goldin, Founder of HINT Water
- Terry Virts, NASA Astronaut

Today, I help Founders, Consultants, and C-Suite join the top 1% on LinkedIn in 90 days.

If you want to grow your audience on LinkedIn and attract your dream clients using organic social content, here are 3 ways I can help you today:

1. Follow me on LinkedIn, for daily free content

(scroll up and hit the bell to get notified)

2. Get my 30 Free Templates to craft client-attracting content in less than an hour

(go to https://www.authorityauthoraccelerator.com/opt-in-page-6348)

3. DFY LinkedIn Content Writing & Growth - for founders, consultants, and c-suite who want direct support to join the top 1% on LinkedIn and accelerate lead flow to start attracting more clients online.

DM me “DFY” and I’ll get you details.

Thanks for reading this far.

To your success,

Owen “LinkedIn Growth Guy” Sammarone

Owen Sammarone 🚀

I sat on stage in Boston last weekend.

Nearly 200 people staring at me.

I was on a panel with 3 other guys who built massive audiences around non-fiction books.

And something clicked...

Most founders hide behind their content.
They post tips and frameworks but never share the story behind them.
They're terrified to step on a stage and speak their truth.

Here's what I realized: 

Your story is your unfair advantage.

No one else has walked your exact path.
No one else has your failures, breakthroughs, and lessons.
And when you share them, in person, on a stage, in front of real humans, everything changes.

The BookThinkers event in Boston proved this to me.

Here's four lessons I learned from speaking to nearly 200 purpose-driven professionals:

Lesson 1: The energy in the room is different than online.

You can't fake the immediacy of a live audience.
I saw it in their eyes when I shared my journey.

Lesson 2: Speaking on stage forces you to refine your message.

You can't ramble like you do in a post.
You distill fast and learn what actually lands.

Lesson 3: Sharing your journey builds deeper trust than any framework.

People didn't want my 5-step blueprint.
They wanted to connect with someone who's been where they are.

Lesson 4: This ignited a bigger vision for me.

I want to speak on more stages in 2026.
I want to connect deeply and refine my message until it's razor-sharp.

Your audience needs to hear your story, not just your advice.

If you've been thinking about speaking, sharing your journey, or showing up more publicly, do it.

The stage is waiting.

Thank you to Nick Hutchison and the BookThinkers team for putting on a killer event. I can't wait for BookThinkers LIVE 2026.

If you're an author, coach, speaker, or entrepreneur, you will want to be at this event.

Maybe they will let me speak again :)

Brant Menswar Steven Pressfield Kary Oberbrunner Christian F Johnson Evan Carmichael Ryan Lang Zach Hesterberg Elle Petrillo Jill Schulman Maya Payne Smart Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D., CSP, CMPC Markus Kaulius Ken Rusk Angel Fernandez Jr. Igniting Souls Brand Builders Group Strategic Coach Alex Wieckowski 📚 Matt Karamazov Wayne Mullins Ugly Mug Marketing Chris Green Anjel B Hartwell Anjanette “AJ” Harper Chris Jordan Jonas Koffler Alan Gregerman Fred Joyal

Premium LinkedIn Ghostwriter for C-Suite Leaders | Amplifying ideas, stories, & wisdom that transform industries | 500+ clients served | 2x Founder & Speaker

I flew out of the smallest airport I've ever been to this Thanksgiving.
New Haven, Connecticut.
And I found the best use of a vending machine I've ever seen.

Over the holiday, I traveled through 4 states: New Jersey, New York City, Newport, Rhode Island, and the Connecticut coastline.

Grateful for the journey. 
Grateful for the people. 
Grateful for the experiences.

But what stopped me in my tracks was this:

A vending machine. At the gate. Selling books.

Not chips. Not candy bars. Not overpriced sodas.

Books.

Here's why this matters.

Most vending machines sell you something to pass time.
This one sold you something to spend time well.

Think about it.

You're about to sit on a plane for 2 hours. Maybe more.

You could scroll. You could snack. You could zone out.

Or you could read.

Someone at that tiny airport in New Haven thought about that moment.

They asked: What do people actually need right now?

And instead of defaulting to junk food, they chose knowledge. Story. Connection.

That's thoughtful innovation.

It's not flashy. It's not complicated.
It's just someone paying attention to what serves people better.

I didn't buy a book. I had one with me. Actually, two, but who's counting.

But I stood there for a minute just appreciating it.

Because small decisions like that one add up.

They signal that someone cared enough to reimagine what a vending machine could be.

Not every innovation needs to be a breakthrough.
Sometimes it's just putting the right thing in the right place at the right time.

So here's to the person who decided to put books in that vending machine.

And here's to noticing the small, creative ideas that make life a little better.

What's a small innovation you've seen recently that made you stop and appreciate it?

I was going to write a post about Jensen Huang and how he built NVIDIA around pain tolerance.

But then I saw today’s headline:

“SoftBank sells entire NVIDIA stake for $5.83B to fund AI bets.”

And it hit me…

Jensen and his team are probably completely unfazed.

Because they’ve lived this cycle before.
Booms, busts, hype waves, crashes.
They’ve built muscle memory for volatility.

Jensen once said:
“People with very high expectations have very low resilience… and unfortunately, resilience matters in success.”

That’s why NVIDIA doesn’t flinch when others make short-term plays.
They’ve been thirty days from going out of business before.
Now, they’re the backbone of the AI revolution.

Meanwhile, SoftBank is moving money to further fund OpenAI.

Maybe they’re right. Maybe they’re early.
But there’s a difference between betting on AI and becoming essential to it.

That’s what Jensen mastered:
He didn’t just invest in the wave, he built the board.

And that’s the real lesson for founders and leaders right now:

Don’t get swept up in the next AI headline.
Build something that survives the next one.

LinkedIn isn't a content game.

It's a business game.

Everyone wants deals.
Real revenue.
Real clients.

But here's the problem...

Posting won't get you there.

Thousands of likes = zero dollars.

You need to play offense.
DM people.
Start conversations.

Like you're at a cocktail party.

But most founders kill deals before they start.

Here's what NOT to do:

Mistake 1: You pitch in the first message.

Don't pitch-slap. Full stop.

They don't know you.
Trust is zero.
And you're asking for money?

Don't pitch your offer first
Goal = get a reply, not close
The reply IS the first close
Build conversation, deals follow

I landed a client a $35k deal. Pricing came up in message 7.

Mistake 2: You copy-paste the same template.

No one wants to be prospect #47. I smell templates instantly. So do they. 

Use their name. Their company. Something from their profile. Something they posted. Show you looked. Personalization isn't nice-to-have, it's the price of attention.

Mistake 3: You open with "I help" or "My offer is."

Wrong move.

Compliment their work first
Ask about their business
Share something relatable
Make it their world, not your pitch

Cocktail party rule: don't open with a pitch.

Mistake 4: You DM with a broken profile.

Your profile = your credibility.

They click your name. See "Founder | Speaker | Author." And they're gone. Everyone else is the same. Show how you are different with your bio.

Fix your profile before you send message one. Pro headshot. Clear headline. Consistent posts. They will check. Pass the test.

The truth:

LinkedIn = biggest networking event in your PJs.

Your profile = 24/7 salesperson.

DM like you're building relationships.
Not cold-calling in a boiler room.

Date before you marry.
Trust first.
Business follows.

This door changed everything.

Last week I went back to URI to speak to students.

The night before I went to the basketball game.

And I saw this door again.

Back then it didn't have the branding.
Just a door with a light on.

I was 18.
Scared.
Looking for my shot.

I walked in.
Rang a diner-style bell on the desk.
No one was there.

A woman popped out from around the corner, startled.

I now realize it was her day off.
She was probably just grabbing something quick.
And there I was an 18-year-old kid interrupting her day off.

But I didn't leave.

I asked: "Are there any opportunities in sports where I can get involved?"

That question changed my life.

She gave me a shot. She connected me with the director of basketball ops.
Soon after, I became a student manager for URI men's basketball.

4 years with the Rams.
Then 2 years at UConn as a graduate assistant.

All with Coach Hurley; learning what it takes to be a champion.

He exposed me to self-development.
Books.
Podcasts.
Personal growth.
The idea that you could design your life.

Basketball led to books.
Books led to business.
Business led to me standing in front of students last week, teaching them what I learned.

All because I walked through a door and asked.

Here's what I know:

Life doesn't hand you opportunities.
You create them.

You set a vision.
You take action.
You get in the right rooms.

You open doors.
You ring bells.

Most people wait.
They hope someone will notice them.
They think success happens to them.

It doesn't.

You make it happen.

I was an 18-year-old kid with no connections.
No resume.
No experience.

Just a question.

6 years in basketball.
5 years in business.
A full life of growth, all from one decision.

Don't wait for handouts.
Don't wait for life to happen to you.

Set the vision.
Take the action.

Ring the bell.

Let's address the elephant in the room.

"Why pay $3k for ghostwriting when AI is free?"

I hear this weekly.

Here's what you might be missing:

AI writes content.
It doesn't build trust.
It doesn't convert prospects.
And everyone can tell when you use it.

The founders closing $25k deals on LinkedIn aren't using ChatGPT alone. They're using strategy, voice, and proof that AI can't replicate.

Here's what AI will never do for you:

Mistake 1: AI doesn't know your buyer's journey.

It outputs text.
It doesn't understand your prospect's pain points at each stage.

• Where they are now vs. where they want to be
• The objections that kill deals in your DMs
• The proof points that close high-ticket contracts
• The language your buyers actually use

You need content mapped to buyer intent. AI just guesses.

Mistake 2: AI can't capture your voice or lived experience.

I've seen hundreds of AI posts.
They all sound identical.

• Generic hooks and vague benefits with zero personality
• Your prospects have worked with 10 people who do what you do
• They'll pick the one who feels real and has actual stories
• AI can't share the moment you lost a $30k deal because of positioning
• It can't describe the exact framework you built after 47 client calls
• Even detailed prompts can't fully replicate your voice or substitute a talented writer

Stories convert. Templates don't.

Mistake 3: AI has no strategy behind the output.

It writes what you ask for.
It doesn't plan your next 90 days of content.

• What topics build authority in your niche
• Which formats drive profile views and DMs
• How to position yourself against competitors
• When to educate vs. when to sell

You need a system that compounds. AI gives you one-off posts.

Mistake 4: Let's talk ROI.

You're worried about $3k for ghostwriting.
But you're fine losing one $50k deal because your content sounds like everyone else's.

I've worked with founders who tried AI for 6 months. Zero inbound. 

One consultant hired us and added $70k in revenue in 90 days. 
A leadership coach went from $0 to $52.5k. 
Another client 8x'd his investment and doubled his monthly revenue from $10k to $20k. 

That's the difference between AI content and strategy-backed content. 

AI outputs words. We drive revenue.

If you want content that closes deals, DM me "RESULTS."

You built a great company.
But no one knows you exist.

Here's why:

Your competitors aren't smarter. 
They aren't better connected. 
They're just more visible.

And on LinkedIn, visibility isn't about luck. 
It's a competitive advantage you're handing them.

Nearly 1 billion people use LinkedIn. 
Only 3 million post regularly. 
Even fewer post anything worth reading.

That means by simply showing up and sharing valuable insights, you enter the top 1% automatically.

I believe LinkedIn to be the most profitable, yet underserved social media platform today.

Your competitors figured this out. 
They're posting. 
Building authority. 
Attracting the exact decision-makers you want to reach.

While you stay silent.

So today I'm sharing 3 reasons why posting on LinkedIn is the unfair advantage high-end execs need to stop feeling invisible and start generating real traction.

Here's what changes:

1. LinkedIn is where your buyers already hang out.

CEOs, founders, executives with buying power, they're all here.

They're not scrolling Instagram looking at sandwiches. 
They're solving business problems. 
They're looking for people who can help them win. 
They're making decisions that impact millions in revenue.

When you post, you're not interrupting their day. You're entering their world at the exact moment they're thinking about growth, and that's when trust gets built.

2. Your profile becomes a 24/7 salesperson working while you sleep.

I've watched this happen dozens of times. You publish one strong post, and suddenly your profile gets 50+ views that week.

Those aren't random clicks, they're potential clients researching you, reading your background, deciding if you're the real deal. Your content does the selling before you ever get on a call, and by the time someone reaches out, they're already halfway convinced.

3. Posting positions you as the obvious choice in your market.

Most execs think their work should speak for itself.

It doesn't.

Silence equals invisibility. 
Your competitors are filling that void. 
Every day you don't post, someone else owns the narrative in your space.

When you consistently share insights, frameworks, and results, you're not bragging. You're proving you know what you're talking about, and decision-makers notice the difference.

This isn't about going viral or chasing likes.

It's about taking back control of your company's narrative and making visibility work for you instead of against you.

If you're ready to stop feeling invisible, start posting.

Don’t waste another day.

18 years old: Lost. Insecure. Graduated high school with a 2.8 GPA and no clue who I was. Got into college, fortunately. 

19 years old: Found identity through basketball. Still unsure of my purpose, but learning discipline, and replicating success.

20 years old: Showing up every day for the basketball team. Wanted to become Mr. Reliable. Busting my butt in the classroom. Joined social fraternity for “balance” 

21 years old: Won a college basketball championship. Felt on top of the world. 

22 years old: Graduated with honors. Two-time basketball champion. Started my own honors society. Got into UConn’s business school and landed the men’s basketball graduate assistant job. 

23 years old: Worked 80+ hour weeks. Earning $22,500/yr. Going to graduate business school 3x a week for 3 hours each day. Started a book Instagram page that would quietly change my life. 

24 years old: Made my first $200 through the book page. Covid hit. Left basketball for good. Moved back home with Mom. Went all in on that book page. Burned the boats on a “safe” career to chase freedom. 

25 years old: Turned that page into a business. Learned how to sell, fail, and rebuild from scratch. Made $100k. 

26 years old: Kept reading. Kept learning. More mistakes and failures but continued to grow. Said yes to a ton of opportunities. Focus was scattered. 

27 years old: Still running book promotion campaigns. Started ghostwriting for business owners on LinkedIn. Started coaching authors and coaches on scaling on Instagram.  Hit my first $30k/month.

28 years old: Still feeling scattered with focus and energy but pressing forward. Scaled to my first $40k/month. Started a podcast on book marketing and recorded 160+ episodes in one year. Leaning further into LinkedIn ghostwriting than book promotions. 

29 years old: Partnering with major CEOs and authors. Building a 7-figure agency and writing the book I wish I had at 18.

Still in the arena. Still learning.

To everyone trying to figure it out, your early chapters don’t define you. 
They prepare you.

Keep building. Keep believing. 
Your future self is already proud of you.

Thank you, Meta for continuing to pay my rent.

Brick by brick.

taplio

The Battle

Ashley Wright

Owen Sammarone 🚀

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreAshley Wright's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreOwen Sammarone 🚀's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Ashley Wright

Owen Sammarone 🚀

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Ashley Wright's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreOwen Sammarone 🚀's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreAshley Wright's LinkedIn Performance