College teacher turned ghostwriter | Scaling founders, coaches, and consultants to $100K+ /mo | Writing to build wealth and better self | 98,000 on Twitter (X)

Taylin John Simmonds

3 years ago, a friend lent me $40K to pay off my debt. So I could focus on business.

2 years ago, I offered to pay it back. He said no. Reinvest. Pay me later. 1 year ago, first payment. 

Yesterday, I paid him back!

Find the people who bet on you before it makes sense. Then spend your life proving them right.

College teacher turned Substack ghostwriter | Thoughts about craft, ideas, and AI as a creative partner (not a replacement) | 2B impressions | $4M+ revenue generated | All in on Substack

One pattern I’ve noticed in all the people that inspire me: They live a diverse life.

They layer unrelated skills. 
Read widely. 
And have friends you'd rarely see together. 

A rich life isn't only about money. It's about the range of experiences that made you who you are.

Stop calling yourself a content creator. Content creators chase algorithms. You're cultivating a body of work.

You're not in the content game. You're in the depth game.

And depth doesn't scale. It compounds.

I'm noticing a quiet rebellion against balance. 

People who disappear into their craft. 12, 15 hours a day for weeks. Then step back completely. No guilt. No routine. No splitting the difference. Full immersion, then full recovery. 

Seasons, not schedules.

You don't actually want to stop working. You just haven't found work worth your devotion.

The goal isn't to do less. It's to care so deeply about one thing that everything else becomes noise.

Find that thing. Then you'll never need convincing to start.

Everyone's trying to escape work. Fewer hours. Passive income. Early retirement. That's not freedom. That's avoidance.

You don't want to do less. You want something worth pouring everything into. Work that's worthy of your full attention, your full energy, your full devotion.

Find that first.

If AI is speeding up your writing process, you're using it wrong.

AI should slow you down. Stress-test your ideas. Pressure-test your arguments. Find the angle that actually matters before you write a word.

The bottleneck was never your writing speed. It was your thinking clarity.

You don't need 100 clients. You need a handful of the right ones and the devotion to serve them so well they never want to leave.

No empire. No team of 30. No "scaling to seven figures."

Just craft you're proud of and a livelihood that lets you live well.

A book you highlighted but never practiced is a book you never read.

Understanding doesn't live in the notes you took.

It lives in the choices you made differently afterward.

A life-changing habit I picked up recently: Fifteen minutes of breath work before work.

The breath brings me out of my head and into stillness. A stillness that makes creative work feel effortless.

Your best work is hiding behind the ritual you're skipping.

The real value in the AI age isn't what you know. It's who you can inspire.

Give them an aim, a compelling reason, and the next small step when everything feels overwhelming.

If you want to matter in the AI age, don't just share knowledge. 
Lend direction.

You're behind because you've never given 100% of yourself to the thing you care about.

Subtract everything that isn't it. Give it everything you have. Not 40%. Not most days. Everything.

You've never seen what happens when you actually commit. Find out.

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

I spent the last 90 days testing every LinkedIn hack. 

Here's what actually works in 2026 (for any niche):

Everyone is talking about the "new" LinkedIn algorithm.
But I just see it as more of the same, but 10x more specific.

I've grown brands from 0-100,000 followers here.
Grown my own to 300,000+ in the same time.

Mastered every format here, and helped others too.

And there are 3 core elements you need to implement:

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

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

Jake Ward mastered this for "boring" SEO.
Built kleo.so to $60kmrr  as a result of exactly that 

Alex Vacca mastered this for GTM.
Scaled his business to $6M ARR too

Their content is hyper-specific but simple.

Clients want to work with them because they get it.
Users want to engage with them because they simplify it.

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.

PS: Who is your favorite "expert-led" creator right now? I want to follow more people! Tag them below! 

PPS: Jan 22nd, I'm walking you through the best way to master these 3 elements in 2026!

join us for free LIVE on the 22nd of January here: https://lnkd.in/eC5sm4cP

We're already at 4,000 sign ups! Come join us! 

See you thursday, love - Lara x

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

To all women fighting for a seat at the table. 
To all the women battling self-doubt. 
To all the women working twice as hard to be seen.

I celebrate you today. I see you.

I celebrate your ambition. Your discipline.

To the women, learning as they go.
To the mother juggling 100 things.
To the women starting before they feel ready.
To the daughters carrying their families’ hopes.
To the women doing it quietly, without applause.
To the students with a dream and exams to pass.

Today, tomorrow and every day I'm rooting for you. 

Keep showing up, because even if you don't realise.
There's probably a little girl aspiring to be like you. 

I know this because I was one of them. 

Thank you to all the women who've inspired me. 
Knowingly or unknowingly, "big" or "small". 

You have.

PS: Tag your favorite female creator/founder in the comments and celebrate them with me!

Age 18: Couldn't speak in public. Had a stutter.
Age 21: Couldn't pitch myself. Felt insecure. 
Age 23: Couldn't increase my prices. Felt expensive.
Age 25: Built my first 6-figure business. Felt late. 

At 28: I run 3x multi-six and 7-figure businesses.

I speak in front of 1000s weekly (without stuttering.)

I never felt ready to do the things I did to get here.
I didn't wait until I had all the right skills to start.

Instead I: 

Found a hard skill I could learn fast (writing).
Relentlessly studied it and mastered it. 

My self-confidence grew, and so did I in the process. 

You don't lack confidence; you lack repetition. 

To every professional and entrepreneur who relates:

If you can't find a seat at the table. Build your own.

The company is better anyway. Build yourself. 
Don't let confidence and self-doubt stop you. 

Repost ♻️ to inspire others today. 

PS: I'm documenting everything step-by-step here from business to confidence https://lnkd.in/ePmtkSa8! see you there!

Yes, it's true. The "LinkedIn Algo" has changed... but landing high-ticket clients was never about impressions.

It's about what I call "content-offer" fit.

I learnt this after I grew to 20k followers.
And had no clear monetisation path. 

Viral content. An 'optimized' profile... Few closed deals.

This hurt - I didn't want to be a 'content creator'. 
I wanted to run my content into consistent revenue.

So my content and overall brand had to match my offer.

Here's what I did to land high-ticket clients from posts:

1. My content went from "broad" to "1 person 1 problem" - I spoke about their needs and wants not just me.
   
2. My engagement went from "adding everyone" to "10-15 hyper-personalised connection requests to my ICP.
   
3. My comments and dm's always focused on solving a problem or giving value not just "hey good post". 
   
   ^ this was a life-changer, I still get leads from just that. 
   
4. My "engagement" time went from just commenting on every post to looking at profile views and targeting them. 

Look today, your content is either converting clients or wasting your effort and time pursuing impressions.

The difference between both is content-offer fit.
Not the algorithm, or your "low impressions".

If you want to see me explain this in FULL depth and show you the step-by-step I've just opened my next programme to monetise your LinkedIn as a business owners (starts march 12th) https://lnkd.in/enAsWMSy

PS: Comment "dm" below if you want me to drop a full DM to close masterclass to convert 'lurkers' on Linkedin!

pov: you're building viral businesses in london with friends in your 20s documenting everything.

look, you can't compete with people having fun. 

Tycho turned his b2b business into a multi-million view marketing play - doing what no one was doing.

have fun. the creatives that win this game do this.

a few years ago we all had 0 followers.
we didn't have businesses or teams. 

but we kept going, we kept posting. 

today we travel the world, visiting offices, and get to have fun while building our businesses. 

have fun. meet cool people. do cool things.

so a reminder to you my friends, have fun.
this journey is lonely, make sure you're not. 

ps: full video with Tycho Luijten Steven van Marle Henry Hayes out now! link in the comments (i got arrested for talking about b2b saas and ai too much)

I just re-built an entrepreneur's LinkedIn strategy...

And turned Timothy's content into a $1M asset in less than 33 minutes LIVE so you can steal it.

Documented the step by step behind building an algorithm-proof brand that doesn't rely on "trends".

And focuses all on 2 things: attention and conversion.

In 2026 the game isn't how to get more impressions.
The game is how to convert them and grow faster. 

All without changing strategy whenever the algo shifts.

I showed him my LinkedIn system including

1. The Category of 1 Play (to own a market)
2. My Broad-Narrow-Niche Content Framework
3. Turning "ideas" into highly educational content 
4. Engineering viral stories that build engagement
5. How to turn that attention into revenue 

The playbook is there for you to steal.
Now the question is... will you implement it?

Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/evRTk2Qp

Probably my favorite strategy video so far.

Enjoy...and don't forget me at the top ;) 

PS: Next week I'm dropping our next session with one of the biggest entrepreneurs in our space... any guesses?

By 27 I built a $1M online business with 89% profit margins using LinkedIn a distribution channel.

Here’s how I’d do it all over again in 2026:

(If you’re not getting leads, this workflow will help you)

I call it the 3-Step AI Lead Gen System.

1. Content that builds trust fast
3. Tools like Apollo to scale outreach
3. Comment + DM strategy to capture intent

The lead-gen game isn’t about inbound vs outbound.

It’s about doing both, well at the same time.

• Build content that creates trust over time.
• Outreach to people who show interest using Apollo.
• Build a sales sequence with it to maximise lead gen.

My agency clients showed me how they are making $100k/mo without 100k followers using those 3 steps.

1. Post weekly educational content to nurture.
2. Use Apollo’s AI Assistant to find warm leads...
3. Build ready-to-message lists in minutes.

Land clients faster, instead of waiting for them.

You don’t need to play the lead gen game on hard mode.
Content builds attention but the right system converts it.

Apollo’s new AI Assistant is in beta and if you want to get access to it before everyone else you can try it out here: https://lnkd.in/eh7icQgH

#ApolloPartner 

PS: I recorded a 20-minute FREE masterclass for this.

Want it? Comment LEADS and i'll send it over now!

pov: our ai startup just hit its first $190k month.

26 days. 1 webinar. 1 huge email campaign + linkedin.

our approach has been dead from day 1 simple:

1. build distribution first (organic linkedin content)
2. turn that into owned traffic (waitlist to email list)
3. build the product in with our users ( early access)
4. fix, test and iterate the product every week
5. pick a launch date (randomly) and promote 
6. send weekly emails pre-launch to warm list up 
7. build a promotion sequence for launch week
8. wrap up with a webinar and make a 1-time offer

this is exactly how we've done it. 

not paid a single penny on ads, marketing or influencers. 
we became our own "influencers" instead. 

crossed $100k 24hrs in. 
grew to $190k weeks later.

and our bets? we can cross $200k before february ends. 

and it's just the beginning... thank you for your support.

ps: we're hiring! if you want to join the Kleo team drop a comment and tell us why you'd like to join us. 

try Kleo here → https://lnkd.in/emEV_GhM

I'm scared. In less than 6 hours I'm exposing every single "new" LinkedIn algorithm claim LIVE. 

And I need your help. 

I know you've read the algorithm reports.
I know you've seen the posts around it too. 

I know that you're even trying to follow the "new" strategies pushed by big creators 

So I have 4 questions for you:

1. What question do you STILL have about the algo
2. What is ACTUALLY working for you right now?
3. Have those reports/articles actually helped?
4. Knowing what you know, what do you still not know?

Let's make this the best live class I've ever done. 

Here's the free link if you want to join https://lnkd.in/e3SHsCjw

Drop your questions below.

I'm rooting for you.

I am committed to building the LinkedIn growth and lead gen programme in the world. 60+ people already joined, and I want you to be in it too (Closing enrollment 14/03)

You'll get direct access to me for 4-weeks.
5x calls every single week (2 hours each).
Breakdown on positioning, content, funnels + launches
Weekly accountability calls designed for your success.
Instant access to a high-level network.
Behind the scenes of million-dollar personal brands.

I'm revealing it all. Giving you the exact plug and play systems I'd use for your business and niche. 

This isn't another course. It isn't a community. 
It's my version of a training camp for entrepreneurs. 

Some members are already signing high-ticket deals.
Most got answers in 30 minutes they waited years for. 
All of them are already winning by having a network. 

So... are you in? 

Join here today: https://lnkd.in/enAsWMSy

Book a call with us: https://lnkd.in/eBRqe9mS

PS: I'll be giving 'scholarship' access to 1 lucky person who reposts this and comments why they should win.

taplio

The Battle

Taylin John Simmonds

Lara Acosta

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Performance ScoreTaylin John Simmonds's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLara Acosta's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Taylin John Simmonds

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);}Taylin John Simmonds's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLara Acosta's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreTaylin John Simmonds's LinkedIn Performance