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.

Alright LinkedIn, let's be real for a second.

I know you're terrified... You see everyone else using AI and you either think:

A) "This is the end of human connection.... Soooo I'm going to write everything by hand in a candle-lit room!"

B) "I must prompt everything! I will become a GPT-powered content machine!"

Black and white thinking is just as lazy as the AI slop ur favorite influencer just posted. 

100% human get's u left behind.
100% AI get's u sounding like a robot.

The winning strategy is to be both human & AI. 

It's not that deep.

Use AI to handle the boring back end stuff.
Use your humanity to connect with your audience.

Easy peasy... 

Personally I've always enjoyed writing unhinged AND automating the back end like a nerd.

No need to pick a side.. 

Use AI AND be so human it stands out.

👊

𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?

Join me on Substack for daily unhinged writing + bi-weekly newsletters for rebels.. https://lnkd.in/eagxG_7k

I got 99 problems and a LinkedIn ain’t one.

The 2026 LinkedIn algorithm favors written content.

But NOT AI slop... You must write SO human it hurts..... 

These writing staples used to work:

-Short sentences like this.
-Ridiculous post hooks.
-The rule of three.
-[this] vs [that] + [philosophical power statement'
-Open loops.
-Listicles...

But AI is good enough that you can feed it the above principles and it will do a decent job writing words and FEEL LIKE CHATGPT WROTE IT AND YOU WILL GET NO CLIENTS.........

Sorry folks but you got to write for yourself.

Writing in 2026 still requires you to learn techniques. 

But now it demands a secondary layer to feel human.... 

You need to add these to your skillset: 

-Chunky paragraphs. 
-Written technical knowledge of your industry.
-Humorous and cultural pieces. 
-The art of writing to specific pain points.
-Spelling mistakes n choppy sentences..
-The courage to say what others wont with some spice...

You don't need hot selfies.

But look ur words can't be mid any longer....

PS Yes I made this infographic with AI. Did it trigger u?

(I'm all for creating media with AI just no words lol)

How to create an elite infographic with AI.

Step 1: Turn the ON Switch on in your brain...

(yes you still need your wits to create with AI)

Step 2: Use the Artlist All-in-One AI Toolkit.
Step 3: Select Nano-Banana 2 (now on Artlist)
Step 4: Use my prompt.... 

Comment ELITE to get it and you can stop reading.

OR....

Read on and follow my actual 4-step framework for commanding the AI to work some magic because you know that AI s an illiterate artist that struggles with detail UNLESS you tell it exactly what to do and use the right model. 

That's why Nano Banana 2 is elite.

I used it to create this infographic within my work sandbox.

It's an elite text-to-image and image-to-image model where outputs are more accurate, detailed, and repeatable across generations. It keeps the speed the Nano Banana family is known for but improves the quality. Ideal for ad variations, social content, and video frames at scale. 

I mostly use it for infographics and ads. 

Anywhoodles....... here's the real 4 step guide: 

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲.

Don’t say “make an infographic.” Say “make a professional infographic in a clean, magazine editorial style with a warm cream paper background and a sage green color palette.” Define the entire visual language from the start.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁.

Don’t let the AI guess the structure. Tell it exactly what you want. “Create a 4:5 aspect ratio image with a main title at the top, two cards in the middle, and a four-column feature section below.” You are the architect.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: 𝗗𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁.

Never let the AI write your copy. It’s an image generator, not a copywriter. Put every single word you want it to render in quotes. Titles. Body text. Labels. Everything.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀.

Be ruthlessly specific. Specify the fonts. List the exact color hex codes. Describe the icon style (“simple, hand-drawn doodle line art”). The more details you lock in, the fewer mistakes the AI can make.

Once again if you want my prompt comment ELITE but don't just copy me. 

Study it. See how it works.
Then, make it your own.

PS Who read the whole post? Your the best if you did.

--

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗜 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁?

Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ejKNGHgQ

The gurus took over LinkedIn. 

If you detest “how to get rich” posts.
If you detest “I made 50k MRR” posts..
If you detest “I have 500k followers” posts…

Do what I do...

Be ruthless. Mute, unfollow & block these grifting gurus.

And go where you are treated best...

I've been banned over 10x and have found battling the AI slop, endless grifting and platform indifference tiring..

So I post 1 or 2x a week and run ads.

I speak my mind on Substack and find my tribe of rebels there.

LinkedIn may be 69% dead... 

But the thinkers, builders & genuine souls are still building and fighting for their corner of the internet...

It's just not here.

🤷

3 years ago I booked a one way ticket to South America.

I’d never been, didn’t speak Spanish, didn’t know anyone……………..

Blah blah blah..... BLAH!

Every story like this now follows the same script. 

<Insert hero’s journey back story here>

<Insert relatable sob story struggles here>

<Insert comeback arc here>

<Insert generic encouragement here>

<Insert call to action to my program to teach u too>

Marketers and influencers somehow have ruined good storytelling too and the modern internet really is unbearable.....

But also... I... did... actually do this. 

I eat $500 steak for breakfast.

It changed EVERYTHING SO BUY MY COURSE OK......

<insert pattern interrupt here>

Ha ha ha ha....

I just can’t follow the script… 

Aight im done.

PS Who misses stories with no sell at the end?

--

So.. This is the perfect time to sell!!!

<insert not so surprising double plot twist here>

Yes. You've been had and I know you aren't mad about it.

So look.. Join my free community of rebels over on Substack. I rant about the creator economy and share daily icebreaker questions to help you meet humans....

Join us here: https://lnkd.in/dB96mKfP

I don't write with AI. But I do create media.

With Artlist I get access to the leading models like Kling 2.6 Pro, Sora 2 and new models like Seedance 2.0....

I use an isolated work sandbox when accessing Artlist to create infographics, PDFs and elite videos. 

(to keep my data as secure as possible) 

Cheers to Artlist for sponsoring this post.

They keep adding great AI models to the Artlist all in one AI Toolkit and Seedance 2.0 is coming soon....

You'll get features like:

𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱: Tag anything to build via 1 prompt.

𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄: Generate seamless, one-take sequences with perfect cinematic continuity.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗽: Combine up to 12 assets like text, images, video, and audio all at once.

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝘀: Auto-generate sound effects and music that sync perfectly to the on-screen action.

𝗣𝗿𝗼-𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: Swap characters, delete clips, or extend your footage from any frame.

Learn more about Seedance 2.0 here..
↳ https://lnkd.in/d5V-_QmV

Wild what can be done now with AI as a solo creator...

--

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗜 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁?

Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eFgDmM6u

PS Is it just me or does anyone feel the struggle to keep up with AI right now..... lol

This video was made using Seedance 2.0, coming soon to Artlist.

Brand partnership • I got 99 problems and a LinkedIn ain’t one.

I'm a Canadian who grew up playing hockey and I couldn't be more pleased that team USA won the gold........

Hockey players are the toughest of all sports. 

Hockey players fight, throw big hits and take pucks to the teeth, get up keep playing and score the game winning goal like Jack Hughes...

Aaaaand then go celly with the prez & handle the media with class....

But you know behind closed doors they are laughing.

#goats

PS What's your favorite sport? 

Oh and yes... I left Canada ages ago. No regrets... :)

Vibe coding is great for shipping apps.

But shipping a product people want to buy is the hard part....  

(you need an audience to sell too)

Vibe coding used to be a grifters dream. 

Sell the hope of making a product easy and making money fast BUT that's not the reality. It takes time to build a product and a business. 

The good news is.... AI can now help make technical part easy.

Replit lets me build the tool I wish existed when I was cleaning up my own digital life.

The tool I used to clean my digital footprint was great for a deep clean. But there was no simple, free way to just 𝘴𝘦𝘦 how much of my data I was exposing. I wanted a tool that made people aware of what the current risk was for their social media accounts and let them start cleaning up slowly.

So I built Privacy Guard using Replit which helps make building a mobile app and getting into the App Stores simple.

The traditional barriers of mobile development are handled by the AI.

This is how easy it is:

1. Start with a prompt of your tool/app idea.
2. Describe how the mobile app works.
3. Wait for AI to build a version 1.0.
4. Test and refine with reprompts.
5. Publish to the app store.

Yes, yes this is indeed a sponsored post by Replit.

But I actually did build my own mobile app.

Check out version 1.0 of "Privacy Guard" a social media privacy audit to help you see exactly what sensitive information you're exposing publicly. 

The tool only analyzes publicly visible content.
It processes your data and discards it. 
Nothing is stored on servers. 

Want a free privacy audit of your social media accounts? 

Comment "𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗧" and I'll send you the link. 

--

Build your own mobile app on Replit here:
>> https://lnkd.in/dATV8HUV

I delete my posts, comments and likes every 6 weeks.
I have not shared a real selfie in almost 9 months. 
I am a combo between AI fanboy & doomer....

AI has made marketing a lot easier. 

You can generate posts, PDFs, scrape lists, build websites, create graphics, videos and even automate follow up, DMs and a plethora of other activities...

I know people will scream it's not quality.

Unfortunately in the last 2 months all of these activities have become elite thanks to AI agents and the frontier models pushing further and further...

But the reason AI is accelerating?

You all give your data away in exchange for convenance. 

Now we have skynet loading, meta glasses invading your privacy and Claude training it's AI to have its own "ethics"....

The doom is real. 
The boom is real too.

I don't have all the answers, perhaps that is why I am pretty quiet despite showing up and posting again.

All I can say is... If you still have your data sitting in Google (to be used by Gemini), your data sitting in whatsapp, facebook and instagram (to be used by Facebook) and your data sitting in ChatGPT (to be used by OpenAI)....

You should be concerned. 

These companies do not care about you. 
These companies do not value privacy. 

If I were you I'd clean up my data and figure out how to access AI in a more secure, private way....

Personally I am learning how to run AI locally AND I spent 3 months last summer deleting all my data from big tech and deleting my social media accounts.

I only use LinkedIn for business and Substack to write.

Anywhoodles I'll let you get back to the next post promising you riches if you learn AI. 

😆

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)

I teach the art of raw writing & the science of private AI.

"Safe" is the most dangerous place to be as a writer.

If nobody hates your words, nobody loves them either.

Share a take.
Make some enemies.

Say the thing you’re afraid to say.

PS I love playing the whats the worst thing that can happen game? Well in this case you could get reported and banned just like I have over 10 times. But the thought of a final ban is actually relieving to me. But maybe if it isn't to u think about all this and be careful okay..

Some people luv Netflix after work.
Some people r pumped for beach holidays..
Some people can't wait to trial a cluster of ai agents on a local machine via a fresh Linux install running LM studio n way too much vram....

Yeah I don't get out much.

But when I do its a hardware run somewhere warm with a side of pickleball. 

PS Any local ai nerds out here? 

(I was the last "some people" hehe)

Controversial events are a gift.

Yes Karen, ur ChatGPT cartoon of bad bunny, cultural reform, matcha tea n Diary of a CEO motivational quote shared via poorly promoted AI written slop is a gift.

Now I don't have to see u in my feed.

The unfollow button is a gift peasants!

PS Repost this for Lady Gaga cz I think her last good song was in 2012.

Controversial events are a gift.

Yes Steven, ur ChatGPT cartoon of Kid Rock, bible verses, coors light beer n inspirational quote of Steve Jobs shared via a poorly prompted AI written slop is a gift.

Now I don't have to see u in my feed.

The unfollow button is a gift my diverse friends!

PS Repost this & spread the message of unity to all!

#badbunny #2posts1hour

Stef Curcio

Growth Marketing Manager

LinkedIn client acquisition in <​15 mins/day | Trusted by the top 1% of LinkedIn’s Creators

“We don't have time to send DMs and create content”

This is the #1 LinkedIn lead generation problem for founders and teams.

- Some companies we’ve worked with have seen revenue boosts of up to 327% in <90 days -

⭐Some people who trust our services:
- Jasmin Alic (290k+ followers)
- Richard Van Der Blom (220k+ followers)
- Okoye Chinelo (150k+ followers)

… and many others.

Most businesses know they should have a DM strategy in place…

But let’s be real...

most people do not have time for this!

(And everyone hates DMs)

But LinkedIn lead generation comes hard for many for mainly 3 reasons:

1) Don’t know how to start a conversation
2) You are used to annoying pitch slaps
3) Have better things to do

We simply do this for you.

**Scale Acqusition**:

A system of AI agents that generates clients on autopilot

*Including*

✅Content Agent
✅Lead validator Agent
✅DMs Generator Agent
✅Appointment setter Agent

🔒**Safe:**
Avoid annoying account restrictions.

👬**Don’t burn through leads:**
Avoid the pray and spray approach.

⏱️**Timeline from start to results:**
Start to see 20%-50% reply rate in 14-21 days.


📈Case studies:

- Trevor Longino, Founder - Crowd Tamers, GTM agency: +$44k in revenue in 30 days
- Gal Agadi, Founder - Gravity, Content agency: +$90k in sales in 40 days
- Beatrice Vladut, Founder - B Branded, Branding: Doubled sales calls in 30 days
- Justin Fowler-Lindner, Founder - The Rose Garden, Lead generation agency: +12 clients in 90 days


✍️How to start:

Copy and paste the URL below to get and learn how to generate clients in <15 minutes a day:

https://bit.ly/15-min-acqusition

Founder

The FREE community for entrepreneurs that want to master Elegant Lead Generation

Join at: 

stefcurcio.com

Today I received this question in Jasmin Alić's Link Up community:

"How can I generate leads without compromising who I am?"

(Paraphrased, but this was the core of it)

The person who asked me that question has a strong intention for their business.

I could feel it in his question.

My thoughts immediately went to what most people think about outreach:

"You have to follow a bunch of strategies to make it work".

That is not true.

I have proved it many times through my DMs.

When I reach out, I offer support. 

And if my approach resonates, or I am asked, I state what I do.

That is it :)

I use no business strategy.

And it works.

Now, I can share my templates publicly.

(I do inside of my community)

But I always ask my clients not to copy and paste it.

Because to be sustainable, outreach must be fun first :)

P.S. Do you reach out to prospects on a daily basis?

Authentic, connection-based client acquisition systems | Win the human, win the deal | Trusted by the top 1% of LinkedIn’s Creators

I look forward to DMing because:

I focus on giving.

I love feeling the reaction of people on the other end.

I can feel their appreciation.

I say nothing about my business.

My results.

My offer.

I offer to give what I know they need.

While leaving all expectations outside the door.

And from there...

Some of them ask me how they can support me in return.

It's that simple for me.

It works, and I enjoy it.

P.S. If you want to set up a lead generation system that feels effortless and predictable, just DM or comment "waitlist" and I will notify you first when I launch my next cohort :)

Looking at what DMs "worked with me"...

Has been a great source of clarity. 

If I enjoyed a certain DM I received...

I would go and try replicate it.

And internally measured how it felt.

I have sent over 20k DMs now...

And my approach has changed greatly.

I now enjoy a very direct, intentional approach.

Where I give value first...

(for real😁)

And if I feel a connection in the prospect's reply...

I make the ask.

It's that simple for me.

This is what I enjoy and believe in.

And it took me 3+ years to become:

- Intentional
- Confident
- Direct

In the past, I would avoid doing something like this because I felt like a beggar.

But now I can see where that was coming from:

- Insecurity
- Not being clear on my intention
- Not knowing why I was in business

If you do not enjoy outreach...

There might be another way... that works :)

Yesterday, a networking call turned into a sales call.

By asking this question:

"What can I do to support you?"

No strategy...

No manipulation...

No hidden agenda.

They invited me to a networking call.

I felt curious about the other person, so I gladly accepted.

I enjoyed hearing about how they grew and their business philosophy.

The other person organically stated their needs.

At that point, I asked: "How can I support you?"

No assumption they wanted ME to help them.

Soon, after, they asked to organize a sales call.

What's becoming more and more clear to me is:


1) Sales happen organically when there is trust

Both when people feel they can trust you as a person and as a professional.


2) And a need becomes self-evident

The receiver of the service becomes conscious that they need a service you can offer.


Looking back, I can see how I often failed because I was too concerned with things like:

"How can I win the prospect?"

"How can I create a need for my services on the call?"

"Am I going to be rejected again?"

It was all very tiring :)

But it does not have to feel like that.

P.S. Unrelated video of me playing some traditional Japanese games that I thought would be nice to share :)

Build and scale intentional Client Acquisition systems | Win the human, win the deal | Trusted by the top 1% of LinkedIn’s Creators

I stopped lifting weights in September.

And I will never go back.

I always thought I wanted to be stronger.

Jump higher and run faster.

In short, be more performative when I ball 🏀

I have been lifting weights since I was 14-15 years old.

But, no matter how much I trained...

I felt more stiff...

And running just kept getting harder every year.

It was when I bumped into the topic of Fascia...

When I felt that working on my fascia connection would be the "solution".

But, there was a problem...

To do it properly, I had to give up on lifting weights.

 And there, I felt attachment.

I clearly felt that I was attached to weight lifting for the way I looked...

And not how my body felt.

I wanted to "look strong"...

Not be strong.

And I feel it's the same with LinkedIn.

I fell for the "wanting to look successful" trap multiple times.

Rather than "becoming successful".

I tried to "look successful".

Through likes and views.

The most successful people I have met on LinkedIn...

Do not have a crazy following.

(With a few exceptions)

Their "success" is often generated on virtual calls...

In offices, cafes, and conferences...

And not under their posts :)

P.S. I am onboarding 10 more people next week to help them generate clients on LinkedIn with a client acquisition system that feels real and intentional. Comment or DM "connection" if you want to receive the Doc with the offer.

You can create clients out of thin air.

That is why I love DMs.

I worked with Louis Butterfield last year.

We got 4 clients high ticket clients in 21 days.

That was an additional $20k from DMs...

That likely he wouldn't have generated if we had not DMed.

I typically get 1-3 interested leads/day from DMs.

That I would not get without messaging.

And you can get interested leads and clients without an audience.

I have gotten leads for clients with <750 connections...

My approach is simple:

- Find what your prospects want

Which might or might not be related to your service

- Give it to them

Offer it to your prospects

- Make it effortless and fun

I look forward to getting my DMs in the inbox of my prospects.

- Extra: Be intentional, transparent, and release attachment.

P.S. I am onboarding 2 1on1 clients this month. If what I wrote here resonates with you, just comment or DM "onboard" and I will share a doc with my 1on1 program.

Your business can take off in a matter of days.

I really mean it. Let me explain.

As a thought experiment...

I created a new outreach strategy within my community.

I wanted to show my client D. that you could be direct and intentional.

I sent 5 DMs to test my theory, and I got 1 meeting.

(Screenshot of the reply in the comments 📌)

Also this week...

I onboarded a client by sending an initial DM asking if they wanted me to make an intro to anyone in my network.

It does not matter where you are in your business right now...

Whether you enjoy being direct in business or developing relationships...

You can turn the tides of your business around in a matter of days.

You do not need smart systems...

Sexy DMs scripts...

AI or automation.

(Although some of these are great to scale)

What you need is to pour your intention into a handful of DMs.

The "secret" (to me) is being intentional.

P.S. I am closing the onboarding of new members into my community this Saturday. Comment or DM "connect" to receive the doc with the offer.

I love this about living in the Japanese countryside:

(I had no idea I did before)

- People have time

And an internal space to talk.

People here are simple.

Okinawa, where I live...

Is one of the 5 zones with the most centenarians.

And here is their secret:

Sometimes they join an afternoon/night activity.
They have fun with friends and family.
They go to work.

From what I see and feel, it's all about connection.

And living life as it's supposed to be:

- Simple.

And DMs are the same...

(although people often overcomplicate it)

This is what I see working:


1) Create a connection with the prospect

Giving first helps here.

2) Make your ask

Without attachment. Stating what you do might be enough.

3) Repeat

Believe in your process. Create more connections.


Yes, it's that simple.

P.S. How do you connect with people outside of work? I do through basketball 🏀

Yesterday I received a reminder:

"My business is not about me"

Yesterday, I opened my weekly call in my private community.

To find that "only" 1 person was live on the call.

My mind went to thoughts like:

"What would my client think of this?"

"Maybe I will lose this client as they will see me as not successful enough".

But then I came back to the present moment when I felt:

My business is not about me.

When I made my business about me...

I got stressed.

Anxious.

And often gave up.

My business's about:

- My current and future clients.
- The people I connect with on LinkedIn.

Once I focus on them, everything gets easier.

DMs are the same to me:

I focus on the person on the other side.

I focus on "giving" upfront.

And pour my intention into my messages.

And if I receive a signal...

I make my ask.

My outreach loop:

- Give
- Make the ask
- Keep it moving

While I enjoy the process.

If they do not reply, it's not about me.

If they do not receive my outreach well, it's not about me.

P.S. I will reopen the doors to my community soon.

If this way of doing outreach is somethign that resonates comment or DM "waitlist" and I will notify you before anyone else.

"What were you looking for when you visited my profile?"
"How is LinkedIn treating you?"
"Goal for the new year?"

These are some common ways people do DMs on LinkedIn.

And what is taught in most courses.

I am sure some of them have built incredibly successful businesses doing this.

(I got 47 clients in year 1 of LinkedIn doing exactly this)

And I am sure some people love this way of doing DMs.

But that is not how I enjoy doing outreach. 

I don't enjoy:

- Long conversations for the sake of it.
- Spending a ton of time in the DMs.
- Throwing the bait and waiting.

I love being intentional.

I love stating my intention clearly upfront.

If I am offering support, you can count on me to actually support.

If I am here to do business together, I clearly communicate it.

If you are in, we move on.

If you are not, we go our separate ways.

For me, being intentional with outreach is either:

- Supporting my connections

And never mentioning business unless invited to.
(You have no idea how many clients and opportunities I am generating doing this).

- Talking business right away with intention.

Spend time researching leads, showing them the problem and the opportunity, and ask if there is a reason why things are the way they are. Later, systemize it to scale.

You do not need months to start generating leads. 

You can change your business in a week.

P.S. On Monday, I am starting another cohort for 10 people who want to generate leads with intention right now. Comment or DM "Gdoc" to receive the Google doc with all the info.

"I am in the helping business"

This DM came today, and stuck with me.

I say that my generation has lost touch with "the sense community".

In the old days, sales were all about connections and relationships.

(It still is)

However, we came to believe that somehow lead magnets, AI, and technology can replace the foundation of sales:

- Relationships

I love this motto that came to me a few days ago:

"Win the person, win the deal".

Give without asking anything in return to another human being...

And see them going out of their way to open doors for you.

P.S. If you are keen on learning more about this way of doing outreach. Comment or DM "1on1" and I will share my Gdoc to show you what it would look like to work 1on1 with me.

One thing I have learned about outreach:

It likes action.

It does not matter if you get it wrong...

Fail...

And get ghosted.

It's ok even if you pitch slap people...

What's important is:

- That you take the lesson.
- Apply the learnings.
- And move on.

You have a unique opportunity to get in front of your ideal clients.

It's up to you to make the best of it.

P.S. Do you DM at all?

I respect those who try DMs even if uncomfortable.

I see many in Jasmin Alić's Link Up.

I am often asked:

"How can I start with DMs?"

"Is this DM ok for my ICP?"

I have mad respect for anyone willing to get uncomfortable to manifest their dreams.

There is 1% of people on LinkedIn who create content.

I bet people who DM are way less.

So, if you are one of them. Congrats, you are positioned uniquely to succeed.

Here is what the average outreach journey for most people here:

1) Start sending DMs
2) Poor results
3) Give up

Now, the first 2 steps are there for most people.

I got it wrong many times before getting it right.

The important thing is that you do not stop.

You take the feedback and test something new.

(or hire someone who has done it before who you can trust)

If you want to create personalization...

Really read the post and give a well-thought-out comment.

If you want to be direct...

Show what the possibility would look like, ask your question, and make it about them (no pitch slaps).

If you want to network...

Connect, focus on giving to be remembered.

My general advice is:

- Be intentional

You can change the trajectory of your business in a matter of days.

Like P.: 15 DMs 2 meetings (screenshot below).

P.S. I have 1 open 1 on1 slot for my 1-on-1 program. If what I wrote resonates, comment or DM "1on1" to receive the details of the program.

I am learning this about the Japanese:

They need to see you often to feel safe around you. 

It's not necessarily about the quality of the interactions but the quantity. 

But that is not the same in sales.

In my experience, it's the quality of the interactions that makes a difference. 

A lead can see your content or receive your DMs 10 times...

But if they don’t feel anything from your posts or DMs...

It’s as if they’ve never seen your face before. 

You are still a stranger. 

You have not earned their trust. 

The best way to make an impact is to be intentional with your DMs. 

Making people feel the commitment to my intention. 

And make them feel: "There is something different about this guy. Let me see what he has to say". 

Today I tested a new, very direct intentional strategy to 5 cold leads.

5 DMs, 1 meeting (screenshot in the image).

To me, outreach is not about smart tactics to get an answer from a prospect...

But reaching out with intent.


P.S. I am launching a cohort for 10 people next week. If what I have shared resonates with you, comment or DM "connection", and I will send you the Gdoc with the offer.

I used to think automation was cheating.

Like I was starting a relationship on a lie.

Until I learned I could pour my intention into a system.

With time, I realized something: 

The grind and effort weren't the point. 

The connection was.

So I started using tools.

HeyReach.io became my partner.

Not to replace the intention in my DMs.

But to amplify it.

To reach more people with the same care I'd give if I were typing each message myself.

Because here's the truth.

Automation isn't bad.

It lets me show up for more entrepreneurs who need support.

It lets me scale my intention.

I love connecting with people. That hasn't changed.

What changed is the reach.

Now, I have more conversations.

Because the tool handles the volume.

And I handle the relationship.

1) Find somethign that works and feels good

2) Systemize and scale

P.S. What is your intention when you reach out?

I have internal battles when I see "success posts".

Jealousy comes up.

Things I did:

- Analyze their posts to find inconsistencies
- Calculate how much they are making
- Try to uncover lies

"Success only comes when you can be genuinely happy for others' success".

My mentor told me more than once.

It's hard to quantify how much time I spent trying to make others wrong...

(it's a lot 🤣)

Instead of focusing on becoming successful myself.

Now, some people might lie about their results...

However, that is none of my business :)

I still feel jealousy these days, but like any other feeling that does not serve me...

I let it go and move on.

And whenever I can, I praise others for their success.

In the past 2 weeks...

I have onboarded more cleints that I did in the last 3 months.

And I am happy to share my results publicly :)

I hope you can let yourself be inspired.

In a time where many look at LinkedIn as a dying platform...

Many are building their success.

It all depends on how you look at it :)

P.S. Still have 1 1-on-1 slot this month. Just comment or DM "1on1" and I will send you the details of my 1on1 program.

taplio

The Battle

Luke Matthews

Stef Curcio

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taplio

The Battle

Luke Matthews

Stef Curcio

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Engagements

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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);}Luke Matthews's LinkedIn Performance

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