Ash Rathod

You already know storytelling is essential for your business and brand. But storytelling is much more than the words on your website, content and other communications. The right narrative can inform your short and long term strategy, help align your team, outmanoeuvre the competition and build a tribe of ambassadors.It can help you attract and retain the right customers who are willing to pay you more for a longer period of time and tell others to do the same.It's about high level performance. ie. increasing profits for the business and providing unique value to the people you serve.I specialise in guiding businesses do exactly this. My philosophy centres on a "Story-First Approach," a method that has proven to be the missing link for many who struggle with brand identity and growth.The challenge most people face when building a brand is twofold: either they're paralysed by indecision, never taking the first step, or they jump in headfirst, producing content without a coherent strategy. Both paths lead to a stagnant or unclear identity. The root cause? A lack of strategic direction.  I can help with that.---I studied media and communications specialising in script-writing, where my love for storytelling started. I worked in TV media alongside the London arm of global ad agencies such as StarCom, OMD, PHD Media and many smaller DRTV agencies. My portfolio stretched across global FMCG, (P&amp;G and Unilever) and automotive (Ford and Toyota) brands before moving to Turner Broadcasting (now Warner Bros. Discovery) to work on kids brands (such as Mattel and Hasbro). As the online world began to grow, I moved into Digital Marketing where I helped scale the Manchester office of a Bournemouth based media agency, going from media owner to client side, which consisted of a team of 20+ designers, marketers, copywriters and BDMs.Then after a short sales role at BT, I decided to start my own creative agency, to help start-ups to SMEs with with their communications online.This was almost 16 years ago. I'm proud to say I still run and I own that brand consultancy and design studio in the UK which has focused on serving start-ups to corporations over those years. Right now my focus covers:L&amp;D Training (1:1 &amp; Corporate teams)Speaking at eventsBrand Strategy workshops for start-ups and SMEs.None of these are an overnight fix.But if you are serious about shaping and growing your brand, I can help you do this faster than most.NB. My profile picture has been touched up with AI to change the colour of my shirt and  background

Brand Story Strategist | Managing Director

A brand strategy + design collective specializing in creating compelling content for digital communications. We work with forward-thinking founders, c-suite stakeholders, and marketing teams who passionately strive to lead the change in making the world of work a better place for all.

Our capabilities include:

Brand Strategy

  - Storytelling for brands 
  - Storytelling for leaders

Activation

  - Content Production
  - Media Planning

I fixed myself. 

AI has given me what I thought I could never have. 

A glimpse into what I’d look like if my skin colour stayed the same.

Or if I removed all the pigmentation on my skin (which can be done in real life. I had the option but declined) 

So which one do I prefer? For me, it’s a no brainer. The real me, in the middle. 

The left and right image was created by Nano Banana Pro. 

Which to be honest, as a tool, it’s amazing. In fact I’ve been playing with it a lot. I have been playing with a lot of AI tools. Image. Music. Vibe coding. And I will be using them a lot in my content, in my work processes and creating new business ideas. 

The next wave of AI tools will open doors for many people. I really am positive but cautious about it all.

Because it has to be used the right way and the right way for me is this:

Don’t be lazy with the tools (Use it to add a layer to the great work you do vs diluting it)
Don’t just blindly copy others. (‘differentiate or die’ mantra is still relevant. Now more than ever)
Don’t hide behind it (ie. pretend you’re something you’re not or try hiding the fact you’ve used AI. Especially if it’s likely to be in doubt for others)

I’m sure there are many other pros and cons. (let me know yours in the comments)

What I will be doing is making sure I inform my audience when I do use AI. For example, I am playing around creating a digital twin. And it's a lot of fun. But I won’t pretend it’s me. I’ll let others know when it’s not. Even when the tech becomes much better than it is now when even more  people won’t be able to tell. 

I think in this new phase, the people that are honest and upfront about how they communicate to their audience are going to be the ones that build trust. And ultimately the ones that win.

For me, I don’t want to fool anyone. Including myself. 

And more importantly. I don’t need to fix myself.

I already did that. 

When I accepted myself for who I really am.


---

#PersonalBranding and #Storytelling in an #AI world

Brand Storytelling in an AI World | Creative AI Workflow Consultant

This is not a real ad. 

And here's more context. 

I set myself a challenge to see what these AI tools were capable of and created this. My main learning out of all of this is, this still took a lot of human thinking, time and general input. 

So my challenge was to create a completely speculative ad using just AI tools. 

I chose a brand that I love. Love for their messaging and what they stand for. And then got to work. 

I would say this is still rough around the edges and an important thing to note is that I have no real idea what the brand strategy is so this should be considered. Real creative campaigns take time and a lot human collaboration. I did this completely on my own (and it shows I think :)  

There are also inconsistencies in the creative given the time I gave myself to create this. 

But in the main, I think the tools that are out there are really impressive. And I had a lot of fun with this. 

Tools I used were:

Weavy for workflow
LTX Studio for storyboarding
FreePik as the main base suite and character dev
Higgsfield (It's Popcorn element to experiment with characters)
Nano Banana for stills
Magnific for upscaling still resolutions 
Topaz to upscale video resolution
Kling 2.5 Turbo 2 for video
Seedream 4 Edit - Varied camera angles
Eleven Labs for VO and SFX
Suno for Music 

Then the usual tools I use:

Photoshop to retouch certain stills
After Effects for speed ramping elements
Premiere Pro for Editing

I plan to do a full walkthrough in the next few weeks if time permits ! :)

Would love to know your thoughts.


#Storytelling #AI

Anyone who says “AI content is quick and easy” is wrong. 

Well, sort of.

Producing AI creative content can be more efficient than many traditional methods but we’re not talking about a lot of the AI slop we’re accustomed to seeing on our feeds.

And those well versed in the traditional workflows (storytellers, designers, content strategists, ad creatives and marketing teams) shouldn't fear losing their jobs. If they up skill, they will actually rise to the top because they have the strongest superpower. Talent, experience and a way of thinking that comes from years of putting in the work that will make them stand out. 

But when working with clients or in collaboration with others, it’s important to have systems and workflows in place. This includes traditional workflows, not just AI. And by the way, the two still have a place in this world. It’s not as binary as many make out.

That’s why at DFC Studio we use Weavy. Weavy, (recently acquired by Figma) is a node based workflow system for creative AI work with a lot of the AI image and video tools in one place. It gives you, your team and clients an overview of the process from start to finish. 

Some clients won’t want to see this but some will. But for sharing and collaborating with your team it's great as it's important that you have systems in place that are transparent, repeatable and scalable. 

Or even if you’re working on your own you can go back quicker and reiterate/refine when client feedback comes back. 

If you’re interested in up skilling your team, At DFC Studio we offer consultancy and workshops to help you do this. These can be done in person or remote. If interested, please reach out (below or in my DM)

---

#Storytelling #Creative #AI #Marketing #Workshops

What Visionary Leaders Get Right About Brand

Brand isn’t just built by the things you do externally.

It's about how you show up internally too.

How your team feels every day.

In this weeks Watercooler Brand Talks (4pm Friday UK), we’ll be talking about the link between leadership, culture, and brand.

Why the strongest brands aren’t built by marketing teams alone. 

They’re shaped by the people leading from the front.

We’ll cover:

– What visionary leaders actually do differently
– How culture quietly builds (or breaks) your brand
– Why brand is the outcome, not the starting point

Join us live and definitely bring a question or two as we have two of the most visionary brand legends in this week as our secret guests who's brains you'll really want to pick.

This is going to be soooo much fun! See you there!

What Visionary Leaders Get Right About Brand

AI took me backwards, not forwards.

In a good way. 

The deeper I get into AI led creative work, the more I find myself leaning on traditional film theory.

At university, (many years ago :)) I specialised in script writing. Dialogue was the starting point, but it never stopped there. I fell into camera movement, physics, timing, weight, motion. How things enter a frame. How they leave it. Why something feels real even when we know it is not.

What fascinated me most was not learning the rules. It was learning them well enough to bend them. To stretch credibility without breaking belief. That’s the magic of film making. Whatever medium. To create moments that feel grounded, even when logic tells you they are constructed.

That mindset has been shaping my use of AI today.

The tools are new. The thinking is not.

If you treat AI as a shortcut, the output shows it. But if you approach it like film making, with intent, some restraint when needed, and an understanding of how humans read motion and story, the work will land very differently.

The recent sizzle reel is a snapshot of that experimentation. It’s not perfect but continuing to dig into what’s possible. 

Essentially storytelling principles wearing new clothes.

Those on the look for someone with a huge amount of experience with operations, delivery, automations, content production and more importantly leadership, Ryan is your man! 

If you're considering working with Ryan and want to speak to me then please do. 

A fab colleague he was.....and an extremely kind human being who is always ready to help, support, upskill and progress the team he works with.

What a loss to PodFirst and what a potentially huge gain for the next company that bags Ryan on their team!

Straight-Talking Guy | Cutting Through the Crap to Deliver Solutions, Growth, and Results That Actually Matter 💥

I have now left PodFirst and I am officially on the lookout for my next role. The timing isn’t perfect with Christmas approaching, but sometimes life pushes you into a new chapter sooner than expected. I made the decision because it was the right one for me and where I am heading next.

I am proud of what I achieved during my time there. It was challenging, fast paced and full of opportunities to grow, and I am grateful for the experience and everything I learned along the way.

For those who don’t know me well, here is what I bring to the table.

I am someone who cares about the work and the people involved. I take responsibility seriously and I show up fully. I work best in environments where pace, clarity and ownership matter. I enjoy solving problems, building systems, improving processes and keeping things moving even when things get busy. I thrive in roles where I can bring structure, calm and direction without losing the human side of it all.

My experience covers operations, delivery, leadership, automation, content production and working directly with clients to get projects over the line. I am at my best when I am trusted to own outcomes and make things happen.

So now I am looking for the right place to bring all of that into something new. If you hear of anything or know someone looking for someone with my skill set, I would really appreciate you pointing them my way.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far.

Onwards.

Lara Acosta

Entrepreneur and investor building businesses online | Featured on Forbes, Kajabi + Semrush | Helped 3,000+ people build their personal brand.

Everyone wants to build a personal brand, and I figured out how.

With over 20M+ impressions, 300,000 followers across socials, and multiple 6 figures made, I can show you how you can build one too (without spending years figuring out how)

In 2022: I was unemployed and trying to get into a master's degree - downloaded LinkedIn
In 2023: I became #1 female creator on LinkedIn by building my personal brand and agency
In 2024: I'm building the best education platform to teach people exactly how to do it

Helped, coached and worked with 500+ build contents systems, increase engagement, improve their writing and beyond using proven strategies that worked for me. 

Here's how I can help you:

1. Subscribe to my YouTube (It's free, and better than people's paid courses!)
2. Join 15,100+ amazing people and subscribe to my newsletter. 
3. Join 500+ members inside Literallyacademy.com

And if you're not ready for either! Welcome to my profile anyway, I talk about writing, storytelling,  personal branding and tell a lot of stories.

See you on the feed 💖

Sponsorships + booking : mary@ladigitalmx.com

Founder

pov: you become the first millionaire in your family

i never thought I'd get to write this post.

not long ago i was yet another unemployed student. 

struggled with anxiety and depression.
couldn't land an interview at "my dream" company. 

i'd given up on myself, my dreams and future. 

but my dad never did. not once. 

where i saw struggle, he saw opportunity.

see, my dad grew up poor. picking cotton from the fields in mexico. he worked day and night to get out of it. 

just to be able to give me a life worth living. 

and every day i make sure i do. 

because if i can't do it for me, i'm doing it for him. 

can't complain about my plate being full when the goal was to eat. 

grateful to everyone who's given me a platform to grow.
and proud of whoever is on the same journey.

keep going, i believe in you. 

Repost ♻️ to inspire all other entrepreneurs who are doing it for their parents ❤️

PS: Do we look similar???

Big confession: I'm a big fan of "small accounts".

So today, I'm celebrating my favorite LinkedIn accounts. 

Not the "biggest" ones. Not the most "viral".
But the ones who I think deserve it the most. 

Because community is the backbone of this platform. 

Connecting with people.
Commenting and networking.
Collaborating and supporting.

This is the LinkedIn that built this brand.

Took me 1000s of hours, and now I get to giveback.

So in honour of seeing those following my steps.

And spending hours doing the same....

Here are 10 entrepreneurs in my watchlist. 

Ali Amiri, MD = health advice that can change your life 
Aditi Pilania = mum and on a career growth journey
George Draco = how professionals can use AI today
Mischa Collins = fastest growing personal brand
Guy Massey = proof that any topic works, if you work!
Alan Greenin = making mortaging simple for everyone
Jess Coffman = one of the smartest marketers I've seen
Sophia Spadão = how to build an agency in your 20s
Joseph Tannous = how to get featured in PR and grow
Hayden Swerling = the best HR account right now

I need to keep doing these! So the goal is to do it more.

Look, I know LinkedIn may feel hard.
I know it seems cringe to post sometimes.

Sometimes you may feel like no one is watching.
But we are, I am. 

Keep going, your work will be noticed.

You're only one post away from changing your life.

As always my kings and queens. I'm rooting for you. 

P.S. Who are the creators that deserve more recognition? I'll be following ALL of them. 

Happy Sunday!

I got invited to the LinkedIn HQ in London, and what I haven't stopped thinking about what I heard... 

LinkedIn is going all in on one format. 

Video. 

They've tried it before, but it died down in 2024. 

Millions of impressions per video. 
Hundreds of new followers. 

Then, it stopped working. The reason?

They were testing different theories.

Understanding the best avenue for monetization.

And they found it. They called it BrandLink. 

Where you get paid for the videos you post.
Not just a random boost in virality.

This will be a gold mine for professionals who want to share more videos. 

But look I get it, video isn't for everyone.

So here's where you win (without video):

LinkedIn is betting on "industry experts" more than ever.

Meaning: 

•⁠  ⁠Your profile must show your expertise. 
•⁠  ⁠Your content must show your expertise. 
•⁠  ⁠Your comments must show your expertise. 

Make sure your LinkedIn reflects YOUR expertise. 

Do this and you'll win in 2026. 

P.S If you want a full breakdown of what this means, I recorded a 10-minute masterclass for you. Comment the word breakdown below and I'll send it to you!

My 4-step writing framework is unbeatable.

(If you're stuck at low likes and impressions, read this)

Everyone is talking about the algorithm changing.
But small creators are going viral using this hack.

I called it the SLAY Framework:

1. The first 3 lines of your post should be a story.
2. Then on line 4 lead with a lesson for your audience.
3. Add to the post using actionable advice (listicles).
4. Finish with a question that puts the ball in their court.

Storytelling is the ultimate weapon for LinkedIn growth.

Because in a platform oversaturated with information...
Don't focus on facts, focus on emotions.

They'll remember you forever. 
.
Bonus: Think about the lesson 1st, and the story 2nd.

Your main goal is to educate using stories as the vehicle.

♻️ Repost this to make storytelling easy for everyone.

PS: I've seen the SLAY framework used 2x today on viral posts with 1k+ likes! My job here is done 🤝

You don't need algorithm hacks to grow on LinkedIn.

I spent the last 90 days testing every growth hack I could find. Here's what actually works:

(Based on analyzing content in different niches)

1. Hyper-specific content (3x a week)

• Solve one exact problem per post
• Use industry language your clients use
• Speak directly to one person

Adam Robinson has mastered this for B2B. 
Nausheen I. Chen is killing it for B2C. 

Address their problems directly. 

i.e "Stop losing credibility with your body language."

2. Proof-First Content

80% tactical step-by-step frameworks and screenshots.
20% stories on how you're doing it (use stories)

The 80% builds trust, the 20% engages them more. 

Educate and storytell. Always both. 

3. LinkedIn Video (let me explain...)

Video reach might be down right now.
But it's the fastest way to prove authority. 

LinkedIn video is ok.
Linkedin Lives? They're a goldmine.

We had a LinkedIn live with 200 people.
Made $10,000 from it. 

People buy from people they trust. Video accelerates this! 

I'd limit these to 2 a month, though, no pressure. 

I left a checklist for you in the image below for you to script your first Linkedin video too btw.

This is the no-bs blueprint for entrepreneurs. 

It's not about more volume, it's about more insights.

Dominating LinkedIn isn't just about virality right now.
It's about building a brand that earns trust.

Keep your focus on your 1 thing. 

The rest will follow.

I've just recorded a private video on how to dominate "storytelling" on LinkedIn like an expert. 

If you want it ♻️ repost this post and I'll send it to you (20 people max). 

PS: Which step do you struggle with the most? 

--
PS: Got a surprise for you today, get 50% off my programmes until the end of November here: https://lnkd.in/e4RKsGx9

I built my first business to 6-figures after class. 

The reason? I didn't wait until "I felt ready" and you shouldn't either, because you already are. 

You don't need a logo, your first customers won't care.
You don't need a website, your ideal client wants proof.

You don't even need a shiny degree, you just need skill.

We're taught to wait until everything is perfect.
But perfect never comes, procrastination does, though. 

If you want to launch your new business.
Or promote a new offer you've been perfecting. 

Do this instead: 

1. List the 5 key problems you are solving for someone. 
2. Ask ChatGPT to expand on why this needs solving.
3. Create content on LinkedIn using the pain + solution
4. Use social proof wherever you can (can borrow it too)
5. Post case studies of people who you've helped
6. If you haven't yet, write about how this helped you
7. Take 10 people on this offer for free to get real results
8. Create content around these repeating steps 1-5

One fool-proof way to get clients (free or paid):

1. Search for people who look like you can help on Linky.
2. Send them a loom or gamma doc with your system
3. Tell them step-by-step how you can help immediatley 

Do this 20x a week, I guarantee you'll land a client.

Bonus tip: Implement your offer for them for free, so they can see the value of your work instantly. 

Trust me, after 4 weeks coaching next to 8-figure agency owners, this STILL works. 

This is what I did too, and would do again. 

No website, no crazy credentials, not even a logo.

Literally just a calendly link, a canva pitch and content that made people reach out.

Closed clients with the loom approach.

This isn't about virality, it's about making money. 
Your ideal client might not like the post and make it viral.

But they'll 100% reach out if you follow this strategy. 

I'll be expanding on some of the points in the comments.
Which step do you get stuck on the most? I'll help! 

Repost ♻️ so everyone wins in 2026!

How to build a personal brand in 90 seconds.

(The ultimate LinkedIn Content Crash Course)

Step 1: Skill and value
Step 2: Content themes + consistency
Step 3: Hooks and how to write them
Step 4: Leveraged Networking to grow

These are the main 4 key elements of a winning brand.

Watch the video and get the full tutorial!

PS: My Black Friday deal is ON! Get 50% off my programmes and mentorship. 
Here we go: https://lnkd.in/e4RKsGx9


(Please repost this for your network ♻️ Thank you)

pov: 2025 was the year when you finally took action. 

2023: i was a shy newbie creator trying to make $1
2025: serial entrepreneur & investor with 300k followers

this wasn't just luck... i followed 6 key rules (steal them)

1. if you're overthinking: take action and fail faster
2. if you want to make money: ship fast and iterate later
3. if you failed: look at the data and try again next week 
4. if you feel burnt out: it’s not effort, it’s misalignment
5. if clients aren’t buying: clarify the outcome for them
6. if you're not taken seriously: build proof so they do

short rules, effective when executed daily. 

2025 was the year i realised not everything needs a framework or a step by step. just you taking the steps.

every business problem is a mindset problem.

fix your mind first, your ability to find the solution will come soon after that. promise. 

please take 1 rule and write it down on paper.

stick it infront of your desk would love to see it!

ps: what was the 1 rule that helped you win in 2025

I've coached over 3,000+ entrepreneurs and creators.

Today, I want to review your posts for free.

But there are thousands of you here ( and only 1 me) 

So - I’ve got a special gift for you today: 

I built a GPT that behaves like me. 

It grades your posts on 3 specific checkpoints.

1. Clarity
2. Proof
3. Capture

And tells you what to fix in 60 seconds.

If you're ready to get brutally roasted.
And get the feedback on your hooks and content...

I built an FREE AI tool that does this for you. 
I call it the AI Post Analyzer.

(Deleting in 42hrs)

PS: The algorithm rewards what readers finish.

Write for readers first. Optimize for views after.

Profile optimization is overrated. Honestly. 

Focus on your content first. Comment 50x a day instead..

This is something you'll hear me say a lot. 

Because most people waste endless hours here.
Optimizing everything but have no traffic.

But....

If your content is getting traction.
You're commenting and networking daily.

But you're not seeing an increase in conversions.

Then your profile might be the problem. 

Most people will see your post.
They'll go to your profile looking for proof.
And if they're convinced, they'll book a call with you. 

So your next task after nailing content?

Optimizing your profile.

1. Your profile photo = shows warmth 
2. Your banner = shows instant proof 
3. Your featured section = tells them where to go

I made you a guide so you can implement it today.

Follow it step by step and position yourself as an expert.

PS: What colour did we like more black or white?

Repost ♻️ if you want more breakdowns like this

PS: Got a surprise for you today, get 50% off my programmes until the end of November here: https://lnkd.in/e4RKsGx9

taplio

The Battle

Ash Rathod

Lara Acosta

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Performance ScoreAsh Rathod's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Ash Rathod

Lara Acosta

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);}Ash Rathod's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLara Acosta's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreAsh Rathod's LinkedIn Performance