Karla McNeilage

Making your brand memorable through story-led marketing. Using creative content strategies to drive growth • Social Media | Copy & Content Writer | Founder of Wave Socials 🌊 Mental health and wellness advocate

In 2014, my passion for writing and storytelling led me to study English Literature at uni.

I loved it so much that it influenced my career:

→ 2016: Started dabbling in copywriting jobs to see if I enjoyed it.

→ 2016: Created a Wordpress blog as a creative outlet. Fell in love with content writing.

→ 2018: Graduated. No grad job. Wanted to work in marketing but didn’t know what niche. Ahh. Spent 8 months working 14-hour days, juggling different unpaid internships.

→ 2018-19: Landed an internship and eventually became Head of Social Media & Influencer Marketing for an e-com start-up.
Sold out every launch with my marketing strategies, my content reached millions of impressions p/m and took our IG from 3K > 80K+ followers in <10 months.
I loved creating marketing campaigns. But I didn’t get to write much. I missed it.

→ 2020: New job. Head of Social Media for another e-com start-up.
Brought the same energy and sold out every product launch, reached millions p/m and grew a loyal community of superfans.
This time, more copy & content writing opportunities: email marketing, website & landing pages, paid ads.
I started ghostwriting as the founder. I loved stepping into someone else’s shoes.

→ 2022: Quit my job. Started my business, Wave Socials. Never looked back.
Services: social media marketing and copywriting/ content writing for 40+ CEO’s & founders, e-com businesses, agencies and big corporates.

→ 2024: Pivoted my services to LinkedIn personal branding. 
Took my own strategy seriously. Became a content creator on LinkedIn. Have a fully inbound business as a result. Also grew an amazing community and network.

Realised personal branding is the perfect blend of social media marketing and writing- all the skills I’ve been honing for nearly a decade.


Now, I help 6-8 figure C-suite execs, founders & creators amplify their voices on LinkedIn to grow their businesses.

I’ve carved out a career that feeds my love for writing, creative content, connection and storytelling.

-

SERVICES:

• LinkedIn Ghostwriting & Personal Brand Management:
For those who lack time, knowledge and/or expertise to create outcomes and impact.

• LinkedIn Workshops & Masterclasses:
Teaching you and your team how to leverage your personal brands on LinkedIn for business growth.

• LinkedIn Coaching:
Master the art of creating a personal brand that gains authority, builds trust and attracts quality leads and opportunities.


Want to work together? Fill out this form and I’ll be in touch!

https://forms.gle/Qf7vPL4ed53tSrPf9

My DM’s are open if you have any questions :)

Owner

Karla Mcneilage

One thing I'll never change in business: making time for IRL connection.

I flew to London to spend 4 days strategising with clients and catching up with friends I met on LinkedIn.

After moving to Bali last year, I promised myself I'd make an effort to see clients when I was back in the UK.

We communicate via Zoom which works.

But real relationships are built when you meet the people behind the screens imo!

So I extended my visit home and ran around London in a storm ☔️

Here's what I got up to:

→ Met Louby Mcloughlin, founder of Dream Lab Studio - a fab creative marketing agency.

Her clients include Tommy Hilfiger, Westfield and Selfridges!

We had a creative brainstorming and strategy session over pasta, mocktails & tea.

→ Visited StudioB - a creator-led studio and production agency founded by Brandon Baum.

Brandon is Europe's largest VFX creator with 24.5 million followers.

He's a trailblazer in the creator economy, having just taken to the stage at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.

His HQ was like falling into a Hollywood studio - brainstorm room and writer's room included!

I got to catch up with the amazing team building campaigns that get 1 billion views per month (for brands like Netflix, Adobe, Universal, MrBeast & LEGO).

Thanks so much to Samantha Diamond for showing me around.


→ Chatted business, goals and the creative industry over Italian with John Mouratis.

We first met 2 years ago when I hired him to produce content I was creative directing.

Loved chatting about the creative industry and our future plans.


→ Ate my bodyweight in Lebanese food with Tommy Hatto.

We chatted about 2026 business plans, the creator economy & wellness.

Our lives have changed so much since we first met 3 years ago on LinkedIn!

He’s one of those friends that just wants to see you win which is v special.


→ Met Marcus Grip who I first met in Bali when he filmed a docu-series on me.

He then joined me and Shoaib's 5-week programme with cnnctd.

He's an AI storyteller and currently in beta launch for his own diabetes app.

Cool af!


→ Co-worked with Danielle Theobald (first LinkedIn friend 4 yrs ago!), Jo-Rémi Saada and Jordan Underwood.

I introduced Dani to my ex-client Jordan because their businesses aligned.

Now they're collaborating to create a B2C product range together - stocked by a major retailer.

I love when my business friends partner and collab!


→ Spent time with Kesheba Evans who I first met at Semrush’s marketing event in Amsterdam.

We yapped about content marketing, personal branding and our huge goals for this year!

-

I left with such a full cup!!

Wish I stayed in London longer as there were so many incredible people I didn’t get the chance to catch up with.

But grateful to everyone for squeezing me in last minute before I came back to Bali ❤️


Reminder to show up offline more.

Nothing better than exchanging energy with people who inspire, uplift and challenge you!

Building impactful, authoritative LinkedIn personal brands for high-growth founders and creators | Ghostwriter, strategist & coach | Content marketing specialist |📍Bali

Want to quit on your goals? Quit today.

You’ll be like most other people.

Today is the 2nd Friday in January - aka ‘Quitters Day.’

The moment you're most likely to give up on your resolutions.

Here’s why:
→ You maybe haven't seen results yet
→ The "new year, new me” buzz has worn off
→ Life got busy and your goals got pushed aside
→ You're comparing your day 9 to someone else's year 5
→ Your goals aren’t clear, so you don’t know how to start

If you want to be like the 99% of people, quit today.

Or…

Be the 1%.

And show up anyway.

Keep the promises you made to yourself.

Even when you're tired, it’s hard, the weather is awful, or you just don’t feel like it.


I feel like I can advise on this because I’m a quitter.

Only... I quit all my bad habits, and stuck with it!

- 48 months ago:
quit my toxic job (best decision!)

- 46 months ago:
quit waiting & worked on my brand

- 36 months ago:
quit TV and cheap dopamine loops

- 33 months ago:
quit spending time with toxic people

- 31 months ago:
quit alcohol, junk food & being sedentary

- 28 months ago:
quit all excuses and invested in a PT

- 9 months ago:
quit being scared & moved abroad alone


Motivation doesn't keep you going.

Systems and discipline is how you stay consistent.

It’s about sticking to the plan, not the mood.

That’s how you refuse to settle for a life you don’t want.


8 ways to stay consistent with your goals:

1. Dream big, but set smaller goals

Be realistic.
Start with 1% improvements.
Instead of ‘post on LinkedIn every day,’ start with:
“Post on LinkedIn 4x per week: Mon - Thurs, no matter what.”


2. Stack your habits

Pair a new habit with an existing one.
Want to implement journaling?
Do it with your morning coffee.


3. Plan ahead

Schedule in your non-negotiables.
Don't compromise on your goals.
I use the app ‘Time Tree’ - if it’s not in my calendar, it’s not happening.


4. Track your progress

Measure what matters.
Set  milestones and document your performance:
Journal, use spreadsheets, make it visuals.
And remember to celebrate wins!


5. Gamify it

Mage progress & working towards goals fun!
This helps with dopamine (esp for ADHDers like me). 


6. Get accountability

Find an accountability partner.
Or share your goals publicly:
Post on LinkedIn/ socials, document your journey, join a community.


7. Expect setbacks

Even if you miss a day, don’t write yourself off.
We’re human and life gets in the way.
It doesn’t mean you’re a failure.
Just start again immediately. 


8. Remember your why

Why did you set this goal in the first place?
Write it down, revisit it and ask:
"What's the cost of staying the same right now?"


If you're serious about building your dream life, business or brand…

You have to do the work to get there.

Your dreams don’t work unless you do!

And no one's going to do it for you.

The people who win aren't the ones who never wanted to quit.

They're the ones who did, but kept going anyway ❤️

Reminder: you have the power to change your story.

Me and my brother grew up as part of the “underclass.”

Definition:
​​”The group of people at the lowest possible level of the socioeconomic hierarchy, characterised by persistent poverty, lack of upward mobility, and social marginalisation.”

We’re lucky that we had a stable upbringing and 2 parents that would give us their left arms.

But we still come from one of the most deprived housing estates in Scotland.

An inner city that’s filled with abject poverty. 

“It's not somewhere you’d want to live”
- countless news articles.


I bloody loved my upbringing in Glasgow, but here's what ‘home’ looks like:
>20% of children in poverty
>35% of the population unemployed
<10% of people from an ethnic minority

+ Highest homicide & violent crime rate in the UK.

Meaning we’re kinda desensitised to gang fights, knife crime, theft and assaults.

My high school was ranked as one of the worst in the country (bomb threats and violence galore).

There was even a shooting across from our childhood house.

-

Like most council estates, or ‘schemes’ as us Scots call it, your life typically goes one way or the other:

Some people make it through.
Some get stuck in the scheme.

They feel they have no hope for the future or sense of purpose because of poverty, deprivation and unemployment.

The escape is drugs, alcohol abuse and/ or crime.

Which results in estrangement from loved ones, imprisonment or death.

I’ve seen it all first-hand, and it’s devastating.

-

We both grew up with:

•⁠ Feelings of inferiority and self-doubt
•⁠ An acute awareness of class politics
•⁠ The ability to shapeshift to mask our background
•⁠ A deep sense of embarrassment, rooted in social stigma 

Even if you make it 'out,' you still have a limiting mindset.

People like me don’t have decent education.
People like me don’t use eloquent language.
People like me don’t become entrepreneurs.
People like me don’t sign high-ticket clients.
People like me don’t get to travel the world.

“People like me don’t get to be successful or make something of their lives…”


But that’s a pre-written narrative.

And one that my brother and I both refused to accept.

Yes, we have to work harder than a lot of peers because we didn’t have the contacts, resources, network or opportunities that they did.

But instead of letting our origin story define us, we take pride in our working class background.


Statistically - loving & supportive family aside - me and my brother never should have made anything of our lives.

Yet despite the odds, we’re 2 siblings that have:
•⁠ Economic resilience
•⁠ Escaped the ‘matrix’
•⁠ Built our own businesses
•⁠ Travelled the world
•⁠ Moved abroad to SE Asia
•⁠ Great social circles
•⁠ Created our own opportunities

Early last year, he moved to Thailand and I moved to Bali.

We both came home for Christmas, now we're back living our best lives on the other side of the world.

Work hard, take action & believe in yourself ❤️

I've built personal brands for 6, 7 & 8-figure founders.

Here are 18 limiting beliefs that hold them back on LinkedIn:


•⁠ Voice & visibility fears

"I'm scared of being judged"
Most people are too busy worrying about themselves.
→ Post once and see what happens. Fear shrinks with action.

"I don't want to come across as salesy"
LinkedIn is a B2B platform - playing it small won’t make money!
→ Help first, sell second. Value builds trust.

"Drawing attention to myself is cringe"
You can't grow a brand/ business in hiding.
→ Use this opportunity to open doors.


•⁠ Identity & authenticity blocks

"No one will care what I have to say."
People need to hear your expertise & experience!
→ Write for those 2 steps behind you.

"I want to be real, but I'm not 'professional’ enough"
People crave human connection more than ever.
→ Write like you speak - add personality & colloquialisms.

"I don't want to post content I hate just for the algorithm."
Please don’t! Build for the people behind the screen.
→ Create content YOU would want to consume.


•⁠ Fear of failure

"What if no one engages with my post?"
Low engagement ≠ low impact.
→ Detach from vanity metrics, focus on showing up.

"What if I post consistently and still don't grow?"
Every post is an experiment.
→ Treat content as data - test, learn & refine.

"My content isn’t converting"
Address pain points, handle objections and connect.
→ Pair content with convos: DMs, comments, calls.


•⁠ Imposter syndrome

"I'm not expert enough yet to post"
You don't need to be the best - just start!
→ Document your journey, teach what you're learning.

"My industry is oversaturated. Why would people listen to me?"
Your story is what sets you apart.
→ Lean into what makes you different: your USP is *you.*

"I don't feel legit because I'm still building"
Everyone's figuring it out - that’s what’s relatable!
→ Sharing the messy middle builds connection.


•⁠ Content paralysis

"I'm not a good writer"
You don’t need be perfect.
→ Write how you talk. Practice makes you better.

"I don't know what to post"
You do - you're just overthinking it.
→ Use AI, look at post comments, DMs, client calls, ‘competitor’ content.

"I have too many ideas"
You need a strategy and systems.
→ Pick 3-4 content pillars and rotate them.


•⁠ Lack of clarity

"I don't know who I'm talking to or what I offer"
Knowing your offer and ICP is crucial…
Unless you’re just here for the buzz.
→ Don’t speak to everyone. Attract/ repel with content.

"I haven't nailed my USP or message"
Your message evolves, start posting now.
→ Don’t procrastinate because you’re a perfectionist!

"I don't know how to turn followers into clients."
Followers ≠ leads. You need a path from content > conversion.
→ Add CTAs, start convos, make offers.


Which one is holding you back?!


P.s. I'm opening up 3 spots in January for 1:1 coaching calls!!

If you're ready to finally get out of your own way and build a brand that drives real opportunities - DM me "story" ❤️

2025 was the year everyone rushed to generative AI for content.

In 2026, people are starting to reject AI. Hard.

As the pendulum swings back, there’s a counter-movement growing…


We’re overwhelmed with polished perfection.

Everyone’s writing in perfect cadence.

People are using em-dashes without knowing what they even do.

Feeds are oversaturated with the same generic tone, language, structure and length.

… But the words lack nuance, depth and soul.


And so, a new kind of mistrust is creeping in.

In the comments of every brilliant IG reel I see:
“It’s fake.”
“Looks like AI”
“Did a human actually make this?”

When I ghostwrite for clients, I avoid certain punctuation on purpose:
“If I use an em-dash, they’ll I didn’t write it.”

When my business friends are hiring, they scan every CV with AI detectors:
“I’m looking for inconsistencies and red flags.”


I studied English Literature for 4 years at uni.

And I've been a professional writer for a decade.

This new renaissance has got me thinking…

We remember the literary greats because they made us feel something.

Their words, stories and lessons are burned into our brains.

Virginia Woolf’s chaotic, non-linear spirals.
Mark Twain’s dry wit and laid-back tone.
Tennessee Williams’ lyricism and intensity.

They’re not brilliant and memorable because they’re perfect.

They’re just really bloody human.

Real, raw, honest and kinda flawed.


In the era of generative AI, imperfection has become the proof of humanity.

Because we all want to be known as authentic.

Now, people are intentionally disrupting AI's patterns:

•Colloquialisms & slang.
•Careless spelling mistakes.
•Wrong punctuation (or lack of).
•No capitals at the start of sentences.
•Abbreviating everything: ‘you’ > ‘u’
•Unapologetic personalities.
•Ideas that are human, bold & disruptive.

The stuff AI can't replicate because it doesn't have a lived experience.


So what does this mean for the future of writing?

Honestly, I think quality is going to split.

→ One path:
Generic, AI-generated content that all sounds samey. You'll quickly lose trust and struggle to stand out.

→ The other path:
Distinctive, human voices that stand out precisely because they sound like us.

The latter will become your competitive advantage.


Side note:
If you’re using AI, pls train it properly.

Give it your tone, share your rhythm and teach it your world.

AI should be used to enhance creativity, not replace it.


Orrr if you’re not a confident writer/ are short on time, work with a ghostwriter & personal brand strategist like me.

There’s experts out there that can interpret your story strategically AND can give you a voice!


📸 my everyday office - find me in nature tucked away in a corner without walls, and watch my creativity run wild

Luke Matthews

Co-Founder | Lifestyle Blogger |  Content Marketer | Storyteller 

I teach you how to write with AI (and win LinkedIn)

You don't fit in. You feel left behind and you can't play the social media game that other's tell you to play.... 

Well stranger it's true that the internet has changed. BUT not all is lost....

Yes, dead internet theory is alive and well, it feels like there are no humans on LinkedIn™ or any platform anymore doesn't it? 

BUT my dear rebel, you aren't alone. 

After marketing for over 10 years on social media, building over 250k followers across all my platforms and ghostwriting for some of the biggest personal brands in the world....

I quit social media last year. 

Let me explain...

I built my social media on my terms. Sharing the most unhinged content you will ever see. I streamed drunk from the Scottish highlands, given away 1000s of dollars of pizza, hosted live meme competitions and battled other influencers LIVE... 

It was a blast BUT..... I started trying too hard to optimize my "personal brand" and I lost my way. 

10 bans on this platform didn't help and I decided to disappear into the shadows and leave the social media game behind. I was tired of being the rebel that got punished for playing a different game.

So I spent 2025 focusing on biohacking and figuring out how to enjoy my life again after years of hustling and obsession with work... 

It was a great year but truth be told I missed the banter. So I started questioning my choice to disappear...

It was during this journey that I learned a ton about private AI, cybersecurity as well as alternative tools that felt cool to use again. I tapped into my driving force....

Being a rebel without a cause. 

I like building things my way, on my time and saying whatever the heck I want. That's my roots. 

That's the way of the rebel, it's playing a different game with different goalposts and embracing it 1000% without any shame. 

AI and big tech want to put us into a cage. 
But we can use them to build our own kingdoms. 
We CAN build our own freedom.

So if that resonated with you, and you want to learn the "Rebel's Guide to the Creator Economy" and find a lane that serves you best...

I hope you'll follow me in 2026.

Cheers and lets crush it!

--

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘆? 

Follow me and subscribe to my email list. You can subscribe by clicking any link in my profile as they all go to my newsletter on Substack. 

--

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁?

Email me at luke@wizardofoddmarketing.com

Founder - Lead Wizard & Ghostwriter

Linkedin & Twitter Ghostwriting Services for CEOs, Influencers, and Tech companies. 
Reach your audience with a sprinkle of magic, the power of explosive copywriting, and let the WIZARD OF odd MARKETING help make your biz a LOT  less boring.

LinkedIn doesn't have enough real humans.

Here's what we can do about it....

Howdy folks, it's been a whiiiiiile.

I spent 2025 mostly offline working on my health and myself and some cool projects.

Truth is though, I missed the banter... 

Scrolling this feed this past week I can see that most of you miss the good ol days when people kinda read your content, commented back...

AND actually connected human-to-human. 

I know I know...

It's easy to feel lost and upset about what has changed.

(guilty as charged over here hehehe)

But truth is it's harder to show up
AND work towards a solution. 

So look if you are a rebel, an outcast and feel lost on this platform I hope we can connect.

I believe it's still possible to build a business here...

n also have fun doing it!

PS Join me. Lets make our corner of LinkedIn great again.

--

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹?

Join 14k+ others and sub here: https://lnkd.in/eagxG_7k

LinkedIn is boring. I am not. Follow for memes, anti-guru hate speech, practical AI tool workflows and to join my movement of rebel creators.

I became what I hated.

A guru with a 6-figure course launch...

Actually.. I fell just short of a 6-fig launch. 

But see that's how this silly game works...

(nobody cares what's true anymore) 

Anyways... the product was "AI Writing Made Easy" and it was the best LinkedIn writing course about AI in early 2024.

But I was a terrible guru. 

I refused to promise buyers platform growth OR an increase in revenue because I couldn't honestly assure that. 

Not only that... 

But I didn't leverage buyers into...

→ Selling a "special" paid community.
→ Upselling more courses, secrets, workshops.

Because I had realized a dark truth...

Selling on LinkedIn is easier if you have no soul because all you have to do is SELL THE DREAM. 

(with 0 care if ur product delivers)

I can't freaking do that.

So eventually I had to just accept it.

So I....

Shut down a second course launch.
Killed an attempt at a paid community.
Nuked all my LinkedIn coaching offers.
Deleted everything, including the course...
AND ghosted 100k+ followers! 

I spent most of 2025 offline, and for a while I was pretty frustrated with myself; that I couldn't sell out and go all in. 

But as I had time to reflect... 

I realized. 

I built my business by being myself. 

I didn't need to quit building business online.

I just had to do it my way

(n play my own game)

See I believe...

You dont have to become what you hate to build a life of freedom..  

You just gotta sell something you believe in.

👊

PS Am I smiling or cringing here?

(I'm not sure either)

--

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹?

I write for rebels here: https://lnkd.in/eagxG_7k

It's unfortunate what happened to this guy. I mean I get it.

70% of new fathers report higher stress levels.

It's hard to raise a kid and post on LinkedIn.

But enough is enough.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Sooo I'm helping Tasleem show up on LinkedIn regularly in 2026.

I've seen him go from perfect hair to a frazzled beard thanks to becoming a new father.

Hey the real world is stressful!!

But you know what's more stressful than kids?

The kind of carnage we see on LinkedIn these days.

LinkedIn's lost it's soul.

I'm not even sure there are any real people here anymore?

It's mostly just AI slop and the same self absorbed nonsense.

I've had enough of it.

Tas has had enough of it.

That's why we've agreed to meet every week and keep each other accountable for showing up on LinkedIn and making this place more fun for all.

Tas was there for me in hard times.

I want to return the favor.

So look LinkedIn, we're gonna make this a better place in 2026.

P.S. What's the worst thing about LinkedIn you'd want changed this year?

Gary Vs $1.80 commenting strategy STILL WORKS!!

If u are broke this is how to win in 2026... 

Are you hot? Don't read further u still fine babe.

(the rest of you read on)

Have a budget? Pay for ads or you lose. 
Don't have a budget? Hustle or you lose.

Last year LinkedIn introduced thought leader ads and I called the end of organic reach.

Creators do NOT matter here. That is fact.

The platform cares about money. The money is in paid ads. 

BUT not all is lost, u still have a shot my fellow peasant...

→ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 $𝟭.𝟴𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆.

It = leaving real comments on 90 posts a day.

But most creators get it wrong.
It’s not about the volume.

You ACTUALLY HAVE TO READ the post, be interested in the person and want to genuinely get to know them and their brain and their business.

You can’t automate this.
You can’t outsource this.
You can’t shortcut this.

Starting from 0 with $0 budget means putting in the work, and networking with people’s content that you actually find interesting and are your target audience.

Automating this method is spammy, you are too broke too outsource this work to an underpaid virtual assistant.

Want to build a business online without a budget?

You have to outwork those with money to burn.
You have to outTHINK those outsourcing their brand.

Otherwise yes.. it's time to go work at McDonalds peasant. 

Sorry but this is the brutal truth.

Adapt or lose.

Splash cash or work hard.

👊

Substack is built for creators. LinkedIn is not. 

I got treated better in 6 days on Substack than I did in 6 years of building here... 

David Paykin runs the tech, AI and biz partnerships at Substack and found me after my first post on the platform ranting about ChatGPT...

He fired off a helpful intro email to me and....
Got me verified in LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!

This blows my mind.

We jumped on a call. He shared what Substack is doin in 2026. 

Substack pushes good content weeks after you post.
Substack has actual silos of fresh creative content.
Substack is a writing FIRST platform (phew)...

AND....

They have live streaming that alerts your entire email list... 

David is a champ and asked for nothing from me.

Pretty darn rare on the internet these days.

So thanks my dude and well....

I for one am excited to build my newsletter on a platform where every follower gets a chance to become an email subscriber, where the team gives back to it's users and.....

Where I actually have someone to email if I get banned.

(lol)

PS Have you tried Substack yet?

--

Join me on Substack and check out my newsletter.

(I post 5 days a week)

The Rebels Guide to the Creator Economy.

Read the first article here: https://lnkd.in/eagxG_7k

Chatting about Substack as the place to be for creators in 2026

I deleted Instagram, Facebook, cut a billion AI tools, changed my profile pic to a cartoon and ghosted LinkedIn for 6 months. . .

Now the rebuild has begun on my terms.

Shoutout to anyone else showing up and trying again.

Lets get it stranger....

PS Don't repost this for others!

Pretty sure they'll be ok without this post.

I'm old. 

But my 8 hour morning routine keeps my young... 

3:00am → Wake up
3:01am → Smile
3:05am → Cold shower
3:09am → Make 3 CUPPA coffees
3:15am → 100 Pushups and 15k steps
3:31am → Write five elite LinkedIn posts
3:57am → Comment "WOO" on 1000 posts
4:22am → Eat a cheap $500 steak for breakfast
9:69am → 650 pushups, 3 more coffees & tanning
4:33am → Post on linkedin. Get rich. Be hot. Win. 

Now I know this might seem extreme.

But this routine is the key to my rugged good looks and well... my incredible LinkedIn profile. 

Let me break it down for you:

Struggling with lead gen?
↳ Drink more coffee.

Nobody reading your posts? 
↳ Do 750 pushups and lose some weight u fatty.

Everyone but Bryan Johnson says you can't live forever.
But they are wrong (he is too)

You don't need to spend thousands on peptides. 

All you really need is. 

My incredible, elite morning routine.

PS I lied; I hate smiling.

(comment ETERNAL for the guide)

Making $1000 an hour is simple. 

Step 1: Make your LinkedIn profile a landing page.
Step 2..... 

Just kidding, this isn't one of THOSE posts...

𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: if you make $$ on LinkedIn, you are winning. 
𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: everyone makes money on LinkedIn.

It's easy to feel down, scrolling the feed.

10k months.
100k MRR AI tools. 
1000 dollar coaching calls.

It's all in our face all of the freaking time on every flippin scroll. 

But we only see the wins. 
Trust me, we all lose.

(and many people inflate their numbers) 

So the next time you feel down, just stop for a second and walk over to a mirror..

Look at yourself and scream WOOOO. 
↳ celebrate a small win and encourage yourself. 

Then, get back to work.

Let's GO!

✌️

I’m excited to announce that Im starting a new position as Co-Owner at the MEME team

I am officially a 50% investor/owner and responsible for bringing fun back to your feed, one meme at a time.

♻️ Repost for others bored of this corporate AI slop!!!

PS Say hello in the comments and I'll meme you!

(PG don't worry and SFW)

I share AI tools, tactics & blueprints for rebels and indie creators who hate the status quo. 50% investor/owner of the “MEME team” and responsible for bringing fun back to LinkedIn, one meme at a time.

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LinkedIn blocked me from commenting for 24 hours.... 

So Imma go hang out on Substack today...

If you wanna join me and check out my newsletter there come say hello.

It's called: "A Rebel's Guide to the Creator Economy"

Oh...... you didn't know?

Yeah so if you comment too much LinkedIn thinks you are a robot. 

(I used to do this every day back in 2020-2021)

Guess I gotta take it a bit easier huh...

PS Have you ever been blocked or restricted on LinkedIn?

Cz I sure have ha ha ha ha....

Open article: Rebels and non-conformists are the pioneers of change... by substack.com

Rebels and non-conformists are the pioneers of change...

This is my 3rd post of the week. 
I have hit my weekly target. 
Good job Luke. I am king.
I've also decided that.
This post will be so.
Formatted like dis.
That it doesn't.
Make much.
Sense.
woo
!!

These are the 13 commandments of organic reach.

(A mostly helpful guide to get u 200k followers)

It took me 6 years to hit 200,000 followers.

But you can do it in triple the time. 

Let's get started eh?

Blessed are the impressions, cz dopamine...
Blessed are the mid selfies, for they get the likes
Blessed are the live streams, for they reach no one
Blessed are the em-dash haters for they are correct
Blessed are the AI comments for they boost our stats
Blessed are the coaches, for they will take your moneys
Blessed are the engagement pods, for they kill your soul
Blessed are the "We hit 500k MRR posts" for they are tru
Blessed are the "how to" educational posts, for they zzzzz
Blessed are the "comment this" posts for they make us $$
Blessed are the memes for they help me show up........

All but half of these will get as much reach as we should all like, but less than half of you will use these methods as much as they deserve.

So you see...

Organic reach is fleeting.
Followers don't matter.

But ancient texts (and modern translations) live on forever.

PS Yeah there's only 11 commandments (sue me)

taplio

The Battle

Karla Mcneilage

Luke Matthews

Followers

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Performance ScoreKarla Mcneilage's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLuke Matthews's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Karla Mcneilage

Luke Matthews

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);}Karla Mcneilage's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLuke Matthews's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreKarla Mcneilage's LinkedIn Performance