Chris Donnelly's Linkedin Analytics

Those who get the 6-figure job offers are not the smartest. They are simply the most prepared. Candidates with the highest chance of success: 🧳 Understand exactly what the role entails. 🗣️ Have 4-5 great stories prepared.  🔍 Have done hours of research. If you want to land your dream job... Don't ignore these 12 common interview questions. 1. Tell me about yourself and your background. ↳ Explain your career journey and any relevant experience.  ↳ Discuss what you're passionate about. 2. Why do you want to work for this company?  ↳ Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and be specific.  ↳ Relate that knowledge back to the role. 3. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?  ↳ Share the story of a time you managed a high-pressure situation.   ↳ Discuss how you've improved over time. 4. What is the hardest problem you’ve ever tackled? ↳ Explain the problem and your solution in detail.   ↳ Be clear about why your solution worked and the impact it had. 5. What sets you apart from other applicants? ↳ Talk about the strengths that make you stand out.  ↳ Explain how and why you took time to develop them. 6. What are the main strengths you’ll bring to us? ↳ Highlight your top strengths and link them directly to the role. ↳ Explain how those strengths will drive value for the business. 7. What would you say are your weaknesses and how would you improve them? ↳ Be honest. Share a real weakness, not a strength in disguise. ↳ Outline the steps you’re actively taking to improve. 8. Describe a situation where you had to handle multiple responsibilities. ↳ Share how you prioritised under pressure. ↳ Demonstrate how you balanced tasks without dropping the ball. 9. Tell me a time when you couldn’t meet a deadline and how you handled it. ↳ Be transparent and acknowledge how you felt. ↳ Then explain what changed in your approach after. 10. Share an example of how you handled working with someone who’s difficult. ↳ Explain how you navigated the tension with respect.   ↳ Express how it came from a place of empathy.   11. Why did you want to leave your current place of work? ↳ Speak respectfully about your current employer. ↳ Make it clear you’re seeking growth, not running from problems. 12. Do you have any questions for us? ↳ This is your chance to stand out. Be authentic, but strategic.  ↳ Ask specific questions that show you’ve done the work. Save this sheet for your next interview.  Use it to refresh your memory and be as prepared as possible. What's your favourite interview prep tip?   Let me know in the comments ⬇️ ♻️ Repost this to help others land their dream job.   And follow Chris Donnelly for more. - - - - 📌 If you want a high-res PDF of this sheet: 1. Follow Chris Donnelly 2. Like the post. 3. Repost to your network. 4. Subscribe to: https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu You'll get this and 30+ free learning resources.

Harsh Truth For Employers: Higher pay alone won't fix low morale. Only your culture can do that.  I've seen employers who completely ignore employee feedback, And throw money at the problem. This solves some issues temporarily,  But does nothing to address the root cause. Ultimately, it will drive away top talent,  And give the company a reputation for high turnover. Employees stay for: ✅ An environment built on trust.  ↳ There is open, honest communication.  ↳ No hidden agendas or gossip. ✅ Leaders who show genuine interest.  ↳ Everyone feels valued and heard.   ↳ Personal growth is a priority. ✅ Supportive teammates.   ↳ Colleagues encourage each other regularly.  ↳ Wins are celebrated and contributions are valued. ✅ Growth opportunities  ↳ There are pathways to advance and upskill.  ↳ Courses and training are encouraged. ✅ Flexibility  ↳ There is a balance between work and life.  ↳ Team members feel comfortable setting boundaries. Pay is important to attract potential hires.  But it doesn't keep them there long-term.  It's up to employers to do that.  Is higher pay as important as a world-class culture?  Would love to create a discussion down below ! ♻️ Repost this to start the conversation in your network. And follow Chris Donnelly for more.

How to Build A $10K/Month Coaching Business (This is the exact blueprint I used 👇) There are so many coaches who are stuck in the same place: Inconsistent income.  No real leverage.   And daily posts that miss the mark (even if they're consistent). They’re trying to grow without a solid foundation. What you really need is a system for clarity, focus, and cash flow. Follow these steps to build a lean coaching business  That scales past $10K/month:  1️⃣ Find Your Unique Value Zone (UVZ) Use the 3-Layer UVZ Framework: Market: (e.g. Health) Niche: (e.g. Weight Loss for Women) UVZ: (e.g. Postpartum Weight Loss) The goal here is to go from specialist to generalist. Because clients pay more for specific, outcome-driven solutions. 2️⃣ Craft a High-Ticket, Outcome-Based Offer Use this Offer Formula: “I help [who] achieve [result] through [method] without [obstacle] in [timeframe].” Then think about the following structure: Timeline: 4, 8, or 12 weeks? Delivery: 1:1, group, or hybrid? Format: Zoom, Notion, Slack, etc Support: Chat, office hours, follow-ups Resources: SOPs, templates, frameworks Onboarding System: Welcome emails, onboarding forms, kickoff calls 3️⃣ Client Acquisition Flywheel Apply the 4-Phase Flywheel: - Attract: Organic content & lead magnet (based on UVZ) - Convert: Application → Sales Call (scripted, problem → solution) - Deliver: Framework + support = transformation - Refer: Post-client follow-up & ask for referrals 4️⃣ The $10K/Month Week Structure Visualise your dream week: Mon: Content + Client Calls Tues: Sales Calls + Lead Gen Wed: Group Session + Content Thurs: Client Delivery + DMing Fri: Sales + Content Strategy 5️⃣ The Leverage Ladder Get your time back and scale with increased leverage: Level 1: Licensing/White-Labelling (highest leverage)  Level 2: Evergreen Programs  Level 3: Cohort-Based Programs Level 4: Group Coaching  Level 5: 1:1 Coaching (least leverage) The secret to scaling without burnout?  Build your audience, get more referrals and tweak your offer. (Check out the sheet for the full blueprint ⬇️) Once you apply these lessons, you will no longer: - Need to chase clients - Second-guess your offer - Be stuck in selling on hard mode What's your biggest coaching struggle at the moment?  Let me know in the comments.👇 ➡️ Want the rest of the coaching business playbook?  I am hosting a completely free live webinar: "How To Build A Profitable Coaching Business" On Thursday, 24th April at 3:00 pm BST I will teach you: - How to package your expertise into high-converting offers - The lead generation system that works 24/7, even if you hate selling - The mistakes that stall 90% of coaching businesses before they ever scale Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eMYw-JvF - - - - - 📌 If you want a high-res PDF of this sheet: 1. Follow Chris Donnelly 2. Like the post. 3. Repost to your network. 4. Subscribe to: https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu

Tomorrow, The Creator Accelerator begins again! This is your last chance to sign up 👇 Let's be clear:  The Creator Accelerator was never about making people 'LinkedIn famous.' Having a viral post or 1,000s of followers only matters if you know how to leverage it. That's why my motivation has always been, and will always be, to:  ✅ Help people grow their social presence. ✅ In order to build highly successful businesses.  ✅ And finally stop trading their time for money. Seeing the results has made it all worth it. Cohort 3 of the TCA has absolutely smashed it. ➡️ 1,000s of new followers across the board.  ➡️ New clients, speaking deals, and brand partnerships. ➡️ Systems in place for automated lead generation. I taught them the playbook that worked for me,  And they have run with it - in the best way possible.  But don’t take my word for it. Hear it directly from the students themselves 👇 Mark O'Donnell - 400% increase in impressions. - 3 new clients directly from content. Abhishek Kumar - 26k new followers. - Now no. 1 in India for Management and Leadership. Vishakha Sadhwani - 1000+% account growth. - Established brand new income streams. And many more you can hear from within the video itself. If you’re still on the fence about joining the next one... Ask yourself: How many leads have I missed by waiting? By not taking action? By not building an online presence? Because Cohort 4 is here. We go live tomorrow, the 14th of April, 4pm BST. You don't want to miss this. Go to: https://lnkd.in/eJGiMAkr ♻️ Repost if someone in your network might be interested! And follow Chris Donnelly for more. Hope to see you in there !

How To 10x Your LinkedIn Growth: (With 1/2 the effort) Building your personal brand is not easy. At times, it is truly brutal. When I started, I honestly felt hopeless. I was following the advice from the gurus, but getting nowhere. I know a lot of people feel the same way... 90% of people give up within 3 months of writing on LinkedIn. But last year, I grew from 350k to over 1 million followers. (That's still wild to me) All while running several companies. My secret wasn’t rocket science, I just stopped doing everything manually. Use my playbook to level up your LinkedIn game: 1. Know Your Goals 🎯 ↳ Before doing anything, you must know your goals. ↳ Do you want leads? A job? Followers? ↳ All are completely valid. 2. Research Smarter 🔍 ↳ You have to understand the landscape of LinkedIn. ↳ I.e. which content formats perform best. ↳ Use Saywhat to analyse top-performing content. 3. Search Using Keywords 🔤 ↳ There are thousands of posts to analyse in Saywhat. ↳ You can filter your search by content formats. ↳ Use this to identify what's performing. 4. Use Collab 🤝 ↳ Link your account to Collab and give it examples of your tone. ↳ Tell Collab who your target audience is & ask for pain points. ↳ Ask Collab to write a post expanding on one of its ideas. 5. Create Interesting Content... Consistently 🔁 ↳ Apply trending topics to your niche. ↳ Use proven frameworks to create interesting content. ↳ Keep a long-term mindset when it comes to brand building. 6. Double Down On Your Winners 🥇 ↳ Use analytics to do more of what works. ↳ Listen to what your audience wants. 7. Build Your Community 💬 ↳ Engaging with your audience is critical. ↳ Saywhat cuts down time spent by 50% at least. ↳ It will respond in your tone and you can edit. This is why I invested in Saywhat. They turned these lessons into a product, Which helps creators do three really important things: ✅ Find winning content ideas in seconds. ✅ Write actually interesting content. ✅ Track what works. Genuinely, their "Collab" writing assistant is one of the craziest things I've seen. P.S. What's your biggest struggle when creating content? I think Saywhat could probably fix it. ♻️ Share this to help other creators level up their LinkedIn game. 📌 Ready to up your LinkedIn game? Go here: https://lnkd.in/eNJXrxyC Try Saywhat free today and get: → 12.5% off annual plans with code CHRIS → A 1:1 LinkedIn strategy session with Will McTighe (Next 10 sign-ups only!) → Offer expires midnight Friday, May 2nd

Organic reach is down 25% on LinkedIn.  But something surprising is happening... In the last 6 months, there have been some drastic shifts in the algorithm. It has massively changed since I started posting. Organic reach is falling off a cliff for most. Meanwhile, a select few creators are absolutely flying. So what are they doing differently? We wanted real answers, backed by data. Instead of the same recycled advice. After 100+ hours of research.  And 100,000+ posts analysed across Saywhat... We’ve built the most in-depth breakdown of the LinkedIn algorithm in 2025. And, to help you grow, we’re giving it away - for free  (More on that at the bottom of the post). Here’s a sneak peek at what we found 👇 1. The LinkedIn winners circle is smaller. ↳ The gap between the top 5% and top 1% is widening. ↳ Average quality content is no longer performing. ↳ But the highest quality content is getting more reach than ever. 2. Some formats get 11.2x reach multiple. ↳ We analysed which post formats consistently perform. ↳ We found some very clear patterns...  ↳ The best formats may not be what you expect. 3. Engagement metrics can be misleading. ↳ Content that makes you feel good gets more likes. ↳ However, valuable content can get 5.1x more impressions. ↳ We now know the formats that drive real growth. That's what we reveal on the first 11 pages... But the in-depth insights are on pages 12 to 58: → Which topics get 2.1x more reach → The new rules of content formats → A LinkedIn content checklist (to help any post do better) → How some creators consistently hit 100k+ impressions If you’re serious about growth on this platform,  You need to master both content and distribution. This report will help you do just that. The data is objective - all sources and methodology are in the report.  The explanation is of course the subjective view of Will and myself. Want the full FREE 58-page algo report? (That other people would usually charge $$$ for...)    👉 Comment “algorithm report” below. ♻️ Repost this to your network.  💡 Sign up for our free webinar that’s happening tomorrow: https://lnkd.in/ecXxBGTN We'll teach you what everyone else isn't.

How To Become A Top 1% Creator And how to become no. 1 in your niche: What’s the real difference between the top 5% and 1% creators? It’s not luck. It's not circumstance. It’s systems, research, and fantastic content. Over the last 9 months, we’ve worked with 100s of creators inside TCA. Today, the fastest-growing creators...  Are predominantly Creator Accelerator students. Numbers like these: ✅ Dora Vanourek: 30k → 305k ✅ Dr Carolyn Frost: 22k → 233k ✅ Tom Pestridge: 2k → 115k ✅ Anna Chernyshova: 37k → 168k ✅ Mike Leber: 7k → 117k ✅ Ford Coleman: 5k → 129k ✅ Ashley Couto: 4k → 78k ✅ Scott Caputo: 2k → 117k ✅ Harvey Lee: 20k → 52K So what separates the top 1% from the top 5%? → They master high-performing content formats. → They lean into their unique IP. → They test, adapt and never stop iterating. And here’s the thing:  Each one of them has dominated their respective niches. Because it's more than just being a creator. We teach every student:  How to turn that organic traffic into more leads and revenue. Here's why each of them did so well 👇 Dora Vanourek ✅ Created well-designed content. ✅ Posted in the best formats for growth. Dr. Carolyn Frost ✅ Created the highest quality content in her niche. ✅ Provided actionable value with each post. Tom Pestridge ✅ Adapted to the algorithm changes. ✅ Found what worked and leaned into it. Anna Chernyshova ✅ Wrote highly shareable content. ✅ Stuck to a unique brand identity. Mike Leber ✅ Formed a powerful network of creators. ✅ Created highly valuable carousels consistently. Ford Coleman ✅ Produced some very unique visuals. ✅ Spoke to a wide audience with his content. Ashley Couto ✅ Created a highly unique brand style. ✅ Offered incredible value with her content. Scott Caputo ✅ Created the most beautiful designs. ✅ Funnelled that attention in the right way. ⚡️Harvey Lee ⚡️ ✅ He dominated his niche with TOF & MOF content. ✅ Provided actionable value with each post. But the No. 1 thing all these creators share in common? They did not give up. They all adapted to the changes and kept testing and iterating over time. These results are all achievable with the right mindset! If you want to see the same results... Until the 14th of April, you can still join The Creator Accelerator. Seats are almost at capacity, so I recommend acting fast. Click on the link to book your seat 👇 https://lnkd.in/eJGiMAkr P.S. Will McTighe & I are hosting: "State of the Algorithm: A LinkedIn Growth Webinar" For Free TODAY at 5:30pm BST We will teach you: - How the algorithm decides who gets love (and who gets ghosted) - How to make posts that get 11.2x more impressions - The winning content formats in 2025 (and what's no longer working) - 5+ practical tips you can implement in your content tomorrow AND you will get access to our full 58-page algorithm report. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ecXxBGTN

Last week I was invited to No. 10 Downing Street. Why? To discuss how the government can communicate better. Visiting No. 10 Downing Street was surreal. Politics isn’t something I usually post about.  But it was my first real passion. I studied it at university,  And my first real job was at CBS News in Washington DC. I wanted to be a political journalist...  A civil servant. Even a politician. So being in the room with the Prime Minister and Chancellor,  Hearing them speak about business and how they want to engage with entrepreneurs... Well... it was pretty magical. It also reignited something in me. This wasn't just about politics.  It was about purpose. I believe so strongly in entrepreneurship. In creating the: - Education - Opportunity - And belief ...that didn’t exist when I left school. No one taught me what was possible.  No one mentioned entrepreneurship. But last week, I sat in No. 10,  Discussing how to reach the next generation of founders. From now on, I’m dedicating a huge amount of my energy to this mission:  Helping young people see that entrepreneurship is an option. Not because it’s the only way to live or that it is for everyone.  But because it should be more accessible to anyone who wants it. And it should feel a hell of a lot less risky than people say it is. ♻️ Share this with any young entrepreneurs you know.  And follow Chris Donnelly for more.

Reach is down for everyone on LinkedIn. Except for a select few: People posting with the right formats are getting 11.2x more views. And, of course, that's with the context that it is great content. Will McTighe & I have created a full guide for this new algorithm... (More info on that at the bottom of the post!) For now, here's what's actually working as of today: 🎠 Carousels: 11.2x Reach Multiple 1. Use an image that triggers anxiety or curiosity 2. Fear or curiosity-based title 3. Simple problem-solution format with clear action steps 4. Include contrarian wisdom that challenges common beliefs 5. Add memorable phrases readers will want to share 🎨 Infographics: 5.4x Reach Multiple 1. Address a universal challenge for your target audience 2. Try "Do This, Not That" format 3. Break complex skills into manageable steps 4. Create visually appealing design with clear hierarchy 5. Include specific, memorable examples 📸 Images: 3.4x Reach Multiple 1. Use vertical orientation (93% better) 2. Add high contrast text 3. Keep font large and readable 4. Make the image take up the max space on the feed 5. For personal photos, good-looking people perform better ✍🏻 Text Posts: Baseline Reach 1. Use a powerful hook to create tension and curiosity 2. Tap into emotional pain points or share personal experiences 3. Challenge conventional wisdom with contrarian takes 4. Use 14+ short paragraphs with plenty of line spacing 5. End with a specific, easy-to-answer question to create convo 📹 Videos: 4.8x Reach Multiple 1. Film in 9:16 (vertical) ratio 2. Add subtitles - most viewers watch on mute 3. Show your face in first 3 seconds 4. Front-load value - state the point in the first 3 seconds 5. Use bright colours to stand out from the feed Finally, perhaps most importantly: ➡️ Optimise your content to be repostable. Create great content, understand what works, and lean into it. That's ultimately the game that you need to play in order to win. Want the full FREE 58-page algo report? (That other people would usually charge $$$ for...) The data is objective, the sources and methodology are in the report.  The annotation is of course the subjective view of Will and myself. 👉 Follow me Chris Donnelly. ♻️ Repost this to your network.  💡 Sign up for our free webinar: https://lnkd.in/ecXxBGTN We'll teach you what everyone else isn't.

Respect doesn't come from titles. It comes from action. Here are 21 behaviours to master:  Those who are respected more don't just feel good. They benefit from a whole bunch of advantages: ✅ They receive more promotions.  ✅ They build long-lasting relationships.  ✅ They become the ones others turn to for help. Become the most respected in the room, And master these 21 behaviours: 1. Be kind to people you have nothing to gain from. ↳ Treat everyone with dignity. 2. Admit when you’re wrong and own it fully. ↳ Don't make excuses, just be accountable. 3. Invite quieter people into the conversation. ↳ Make space for voices that go unheard. 4. Compliment someone’s effort in front of others. ↳ Public praise goes a long way. 5. Defend people who aren’t in the room. ↳ Stand up for what's right. 6. Ask for a server’s name and use it. ↳ Recognition isn't always flashy.  7. Give your full attention in meetings. ↳ Multitasking signals disinterest. 8. Offer your seat to those who need it.  ↳ Kindness can change someone's day. 9. Encourage others to speak their mind. ↳ And actively listen when they do. 10. If you cancel plans, suggest a new time. ↳ Don’t leave people hanging. 11. Hold off on non-urgent emails after hours. ↳ Respect people’s personal time. 12. Apologise when you’ve hurt someone. ↳ Don’t wait for them to chase closure. 13. Bring a small gift when you’re invited to dinner. ↳ Express your gratitude thoughtfully.   14. Reflect on what others say after a conversation.  ↳ It proves you were truly listening. 15. Be honest about what you don’t know. ↳ Credibility comes from humility. 16. Give people the benefit of the doubt before judging. ↳ Get all the information first and assume good intent. 17. Share a book with someone who’d love it. ↳ It shows you care about their interests.  18. If you’re grabbing food, ask who else wants some. ↳ Inclusion starts with tiny gestures. 19. Message a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. ↳ A check-in can mean more than you realise. 20. Lead by example - especially with the little things. ↳ Your actions can set the standard for others. 21. Respect privacy - your own and others'.  ↳ Don't overshare or pry into their life. Don't forget: We’re social creatures, and we grow through connection. Be kind.  Respect others' time.  Be the person who listens. What's your number 1 tip for earning someone's respect?   Let me know in the comments below ⬇️ ♻️ Repost to help your network build more respect.  And follow Chris Donnelly for more. Want to be respected even more?  I have 5+ resources for this in my learning vault. To get access for free:  Go to: https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu

Uncomfortable truth most don't want to hear: Having an idea isn't what makes you special. The execution of the idea does. I'm sure you've been there: You're on a walk, in the shower, or anywhere where you aren't working. Ideas come to you in floods and streams. You scramble to write them down on your notes tab... But then those ideas simply gather dust with zero action taken. That's what separates the average minds from the great ones. It's not about having: 💡 The perfect idea ⏱️ With the perfect timing 🌍 And the perfect environment Rather, it's about having an idea that's "good enough." Then simply focusing on excellent execution of that idea. So, the next time you have a brilliant or "good enough" idea... Here's what you're going to do: 1. Cut the Fat ↳ Strip an idea to its core and build the leanest version. ↳ This could be a landing page or even a waitlist for example. 2. Set a Ruthless Deadline ↳ Use Parkinson's Law to be strict about when it will be done by. (Parkinson’s Law: “Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.”) 3. Collect Feedback ↳ Find key people in your audience who can try it.  ↳ Get an idea on the key things that work and the things that don't. 4. Measure Traction ↳ Pay close attention to the general feedback and sentiment.  ↳ Then ask yourself: is this an idea worth building upon? 5. Ship it. Then iterate. ↳ Put it out. It will not be pretty. But it just needs to work. ,  ↳ Then continuously improve it based on feedback. Remember: We all get brilliant ideas now and again Often when we least expect it. But execution is king. Now I've got something special for you... I'm going to show you the exact route for launching (and executing) your own coaching business.  To help anyone scale fast, without burning out or guessing your way through it.  This is for: - Coaches (new or established) who want consistent revenue. - Freelancers, consultants, or experts transitioning into coaching. - Creators looking to monetise their audience with a clear, premium offer. - Anyone tired of posting, chasing, and is up for building a lean business. I'm going live at 3pm BST. You won't want to miss this one...   Grab your seat fast here: https://lnkd.in/eMYw-JvF ♻️ Repost to inspire your network to take action. And follow Chris Donnelly for more. Enjoyed this post? I will be going so much deeper on this topic in my newsletter. Going live this Sunday, don't miss out.  Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu

Overthinking is fear pretending to protect you. Here's how to break free: Overthinking can feel productive in the moment. You’re weighing all the options and exploring possibilities. But what starts out as thorough consideration,  Quickly becomes an endless loop of noise.  You end up paralysed by possibility. And disconnected from your instincts. These 7 principles will break the cycle  And retrain your mind: 1️⃣ The Power of Now ‼️  ↳ You can’t think your way out of the past or into the future. ↳ All clarity starts by being here, now. 2️⃣ Fact-Check Your Own Thoughts 💭  ↳ Thoughts are just stories your brain tells you. ↳ Start questioning the narrative before you believe it. 3️⃣ The Problem Is Rarely The Problem 🤔 ↳ Most stress comes from anticipation, not reality. ↳ What you imagine often hurts more than what actually happens. 4️⃣ Avoid Self-Rejection ❌ ↳ Think you’re not qualified? ↳ Let someone else decide that. Apply anyway. 5️⃣ Silence and Time 🤫 ↳ More noise won’t solve the problem. ↳ Time and quiet are the best antidote to panic. 6️⃣ Acceptance Is Peace ✌️ ↳ You can’t change every outcome. ↳ But you can change how much power it holds over you. 7️⃣ Health Starts In Your Mind 🧠 ↳ Healthy habits mean nothing if your mind is in chaos. ↳ Inner calm is built through consistent training. This isn’t about switching off your brain. It’s about learning when to listen... and when to let go. You won’t unlearn overthinking overnight. But with practice, you can train your mind to stay grounded under pressure. How do you stop yourself when you start to overthink?  Let me know in the comments. 👇 ♻️ Repost to help your network achieve success. And follow Chris Donnelly for more. If you enjoyed this content, My newsletter will give you so much more. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu I have 30+ free learning resources for you.

Success doesn't come from knowing it all. It's admitting you don't know it all. Too many people fall for the comfort zone trap. They get stuck in a loop of letting their life pass by. Unlike what society tells us, it's not actually out of laziness. It's because people generally hate feeling stupid. The reality? This can be your biggest competitive advantage. If you can take action when others are staying stagnant...  You can progress significantly faster. Stage 1 is simply being able to admit that you don't know everything. This alone gives you direction. Whenever learning something new, I'll typically follow these steps: 1. Set crystal clear goals 🥅 ↳ Understand what you want to learn and why. ↳ The "why" is the important part here. 2. Assess your current understanding 🧠 ↳ Be brutally honest here. There is no need to lie to yourself.  ↳ Then adjust your learning plan based on areas for improvement. 3. Find the highest-quality learning resources 📖 ↳ Don't look in one place, expand your breadth.  ↳ Then choose educational resources that suit your learning style. 4. Create a structured learning plan 📅 ↳ Develop a schedule to stick to every single day without fail. ↳ Do not miss two days in a row. That will set a new routine. 5. Execute and stay accountable 🤝 ↳ Tell someone what you're working on and be specific.  ↳ Create a small punishment with them if you don't stick with it. For example, when AI exploded in 2022, I said to myself: "I will learn about this for 10 minutes a day, indefinitely." I've stuck to it ever since. Now my knowledge of it benefits all my businesses. Ultimately, if you're not upskilling, you won't grow. If you don't grow, you will not find success. So, stay humble, keep learning, and you'll be the best version of you. What's something you're currently learning? Let's all stay accountable in the comments ⬇️ ♻️ Repost to help others get ahead.  And follow Chris Donnelly for more. P.S. If you're interested in investing in your self-education this week... My newsletter, Step by Step, will scratch that itch: https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu

One secret everyone should know much sooner: The 20-minute walk rule: This completely changed how I work.  And I know it will do the same for you. Forget powering through brain fog.  Forget staring at the screen, hoping for a second wind. Our brains aren't built for constant output. They're built for rhythm, movement, and recovery. I came across a study recently that backed this up. A simple 20-minute walk works on your: 1. Memory  2. Mood 3. Focus Which then leads to improved: ✅ Mental clarity & performance ✅ Brain health ✅ Ageing (yes, I'm being serious) When you next get stuck or groggy during the day,  Don’t push harder. Move your body. Every time, you will come back clearer, more focused and switched on. Not because you're avoiding the work,  But because you're preparing your brain to do it better. We’re taught to equate productivity with stillness. Sit longer. Work harder. Push through. But the science, and my experience, says otherwise. Consider this: 💓 150 minutes of walking a week reduces the risk of heart disease. 🚶🏻‍♂️ Walking 2 miles a day can cut your risk of death by half. 💪 Regular walkers take significantly fewer sick days. This isn’t just about physical health. It’s a performance strategy. One that costs nothing. Requires zero talent. And gives you a daily edge. So if you’re spending 8+ hours at your desk, hoping for clarity... Try stepping away. That 20-minute walk might just be the most productive part of your day. Do you walk during your workday? Let me know in the comments.👇 ♻️ Repost to help your network achieve success. And follow Chris Donnelly for more.

LinkedIn organic reach is down over 40% vs last year. However, this new report can help you grow: The algorithm is constantly evolving, but these changes are some of the most extreme I've seen. Average impressions are down,  But a select few are outperforming everyone. How do we know? ✅ 100+ hours of research. ✅ 100,000+ Saywhat posts analysed. ✅ One FREE 58-page report to break it all down. Created in collaboration with Will McTighe! Here’s the current state of LinkedIn in 2025: (Check out the full sheet below for all algo updates 👇) The State of LinkedIn™ 2025 1. Median impressions are down 13% since Q4 2024.  2. Even the top 5% of posts are down 30% from Q4 2024.  3. The top 1% of content is performing better than ever. 4. The gap between exceptional and good content is widening.  5. Posts are living longer — so engage with them for longer. The Science of Comments ➡️ Posts with longer comments performed 302% better. ➡️ Active commenters see 29% higher impressions. ➡️ Adding spicy perspectives can increase reach of your comments.  ➡️ AI comments are damaging your online reputation. Choose the Right Post Format: 🔄 Carousels ↳ Use scroll-stopping titles that create fear or urgency. 🖼️ Infographics ↳ Use big titles and “do this, not that” formats. 📹 Videos ↳ Prioritise educational content over promotional. 📸 Images ↳ Use vertical images with high-contrast colours. 💻 Text Only ↳ Start with powerful lines that pattern interrupt and stop the scroll. How To Improve Post Performance ➡️ 11.2x and 5.4x median impressions vs text posts ➡️ 1,242–2,500 characters perform best ➡️ 14+ paragraphs perform 85% better  ➡️ Words averaging 4–5 letters perform best ➡️ Lists/Frameworks get the highest impressions of all content styles. Engagement Factors That Matter ♻️ Reposts: Makes readers look smart to their network 👋 Good Comments: LinkedIn rewards quality comments from topic experts ⏰ Dwell Time: Keeping people on-platform longer boosts algorithmic visibility ✅ Indicates content worth revisiting  👍 Least important signal – more about visibility than algorithm impact Telling people to ignore the algorithm is lazy advice. If you’re serious about growth, you need to understand how the platform works. Create exceptional content for your audience. But don’t ignore the mechanics that decide whether anyone actually sees it. The key is great content.  But make it aerodynamic. Want the full FREE 58-page report? (That other people would usually charge $$$ for...) The data is objective, the sources and methodology are in the report.  The annotation is of course the subjective view of Will and myself. 👉 Follow me Chris Donnelly. ♻️ Repost this to your network.  💡 Sign up for our free webinar: https://lnkd.in/ecXxBGTN We'll teach you what everyone else isn't.

10 Brutal Life Truths I Know At 34 (That I wish I knew at 24) Most people fall for 'common sense' advice they hear growing up: 🚫 Get a 9-5 job,  🚫 Have a long, stable career,  🚫 Don't question your position or take risks... But life isn't meant to be a series of easy solutions to tough problems. It's about learning lessons through experience. Accepting the brutal truths of life will help you build:  ✅ A strong growth mindset,   ✅ Tactics to approach setbacks,   ✅ A clear sense of how necessary hard work truly is. The earlier you can learn these 10 truths, the better:  1. You have to do the work. ↳ If you want to progress fast, become known as someone that gets sh*t done. 2. You will not make a lot of money on day one. ↳ But you can increase your earnings by focusing on skills and personal growth. 3. Sales is not a dirty word. ↳ If you are not able to promote yourself, you won’t get very far. 4. Life is never linear. ↳ The focus should be on prioritising your growth and adapting your goals. 5. You have to choose your risk. ↳ Being stuck in a job is as risky as starting a business. Choose your risk. 6. Your life will be full of failure. ↳ The important part is to learn from rejection and adversity. 7. The Spotlight Effect is real. ↳ No one is paying as much attention as you think. Learn to live your path. 8. Preparation is everything. ↳ Do the most research, find what works the best, and implement it. 9. Comparison is the thief of joy. ↳ We all begin at different start points. 10. You must start right now. ↳ Don’t wait for the “right time.” Just start. (Check out the carousel for my full insights) Now, at 34, I can honestly say that these guide all my actions,  In life and in business. As humans, we don't learn by staying in the same place.  We need discomfort to show us our limits and teach us resilience. Take calculated risks,  Find meaning in failure,  And focus on your own journey.  Which truth resonated with you the most?  Let me know in the comments. 👇 ♻️ Repost to help your network grow and develop.  And follow Chris Donnelly for more. If you want more personal development content, sign up for my newsletter Step by Step: https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu I have more crucial life advice for you every week.  (+ over 30 free learning resources)

7 TED Talks To Master Communication (These changed how I speak for good) Being a naturally good communicator is rare. So many people fall into the trap of: 🚫 Not actively listening.  🚫 Being unaware of their body language.  🚫 Thinking they need to say more to be heard. Fortunately, all these skills can be taught.  There is a science that goes into how we relate to other people. That’s why I keep coming back to TED Talks. Not just for entertainment, but for education. These 7 talks rewired how I think about expressing ideas. 🗣️ General Communication 1. Brittany Packnett – How to Build Your Confidence ↳ Communication without confidence lacks conviction. ↳ Build confidence that's rooted in competence.  Watch: https://lnkd.in/ewfVm-aB 2. Julian Treasure – How to Speak so That People Want to Listen ↳ Learn how to avoid the common traps that turn people off.   ↳ Use HAIL to speak with clarity, intention, and impact. Watch: https://lnkd.in/eNpuee-R 3. Lynne Franklin – Reading Minds Through Body Language ↳ Most people miss the importance of non-verbal communication.  ↳ Read the signals others miss and send the right ones yourself Watch: https://lnkd.in/eMG5YgKK 🤲 Giving Feedback 4. Katherine Hampsten – How Miscommunication Happens (and How to Avoid It) ↳ Clarity isn’t about what you say; it’s about what others hear. ↳ A practical breakdown of why messages get lost. Watch: https://lnkd.in/es33hK9t 5. LeeAnn Renniger – The Secret to Giving Great Feedback ↳ Most feedback feels like criticism because it’s delivered poorly. ↳ This method blends neuroscience with communication. Watch: https://lnkd.in/ejgCfbhx ⚡️ Disagreements 6. Julia Dhar – How to Disagree Productively and Find Common Ground ↳ Disagreements don’t have to break trust.  ↳ Communicate through structured, respectful dialogue. Watch: https://lnkd.in/e8RRJeMe 7. Luvvie Ajayi – Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable ↳ The most important conversations are rarely the easiest. ↳ This is your guide to speaking up when it counts. Watch: https://lnkd.in/epMH2PDx Save these and revisit when you need them. They’re not just helpful for career growth...  They'll change how you communicate with everyone in your life. Above all, this will sharpen your thinking,   And help you get your message across, whatever it may be.  Is there a TED Talk I missed?  Drop your recommendations below. 👇 ♻️ Repost to help your network communicate better. And follow Chris Donnelly for more.

How do you explain marketing? Here's the breakdown: Credit to Tom Pestridge for this fantastic carousel 🔥 Marketing is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business. I often hear people mix it up with sales or advertising. It's not the same thing... even though it does include those elements. Let me break it down: 🪧 Advertising = Putting up a sign that says “Circus Coming to Town.” 🐘 Promotion = Walking an elephant down the street with that sign. 📰 Publicity = The elephant accidentally strolling through the mayor’s garden (and the press covering it). 😂 Public Relations = Getting the mayor to laugh about it instead of shutting the whole thing down. 💰 Sales = Convincing people at the ticket booth to buy a front-row seat. What about marketing then?  Marketing is the strategy behind it all. A strong marketing strategy includes: ✅ Clear goals ↳ Where are you going, and why? The elephant parade needs to have a purpose. ✅ A defined audience ↳ Speak to the right people. The circus is for families, not business execs. ✅ A compelling offer ↳ Why you? A circus with elephants? People will pay to see that. ✅ A multi-channel approach ↳ You need signs, newspaper ads, and social buzz, not just one thing. ✅ Conversion-optimised pathways ↳ Make it easy for people to find and buy tickets to the show. ✅ Data tracking & iteration ↳ If people aren’t showing up, you change the act. Here’s what NOT to do: 🚫 Throw money randomly at marketing tactics without a strategy. 🚫 Focus only on ads and forget about the bigger picture. 🚫 Assume marketing is just “posting online” and hope for the best. Because if you don’t have a solid plan... You're standing with an elephant and no one’s showing up to see it. What's your biggest marketing obstacle right now?  Let me know in the comments. 👇 ♻️ Repost to help your network achieve success. And follow Chris Donnelly for more. P.S. Will McTighe & I are hosting: "State of the Algorithm: A LinkedIn Growth Webinar" For Free On Thursday 10th April at 5:30pm BST We will teach you: - How the algorithm decides who gets love (and who gets ghosted) - How to make posts that get 11.2x more impressions - The winning content formats in 2025 (and what's no longer working) - 5+ practical tips you can implement in your content tomorrow AND you will get access to our full 58-page algorithm report. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ecXxBGTN

99% of LinkedIn posts die at 500 views. Yet some creators consistently reach 100,000. Many will toss it up to luck or 'hacking' the algorithm. But the reality is, there's a formula to follow. You just need to know it first. Here's what the data shows: (Based on Will McTighe and I's 58-page algo report, more on that below) 📝 Written Content 1. Post length: 1,242-2,500 characters (optimal) 2. Use 14+ short paragraphs (avoid walls of text) 3. Write at grade 5-7 reading level (simpler words) 4. Include 1-8 emojis for better readability 5. Skip hashtags (they reduce reach by 81%) 🖼️ Visual Content 1. Use carousel posts (11.2x higher reach than text) 2. Create infographics with actionable information 3. Use portrait (vertical) images (93% better performance) 4. Film videos in 9:16 vertical format with captions 5. Show your face in first 3 seconds of videos 🏛️ Post Structure 1. Create a contrarian or unexpected hook 2. End with a specific question (72% better performance) 3. Add external links in first comment, or to the post later 4. Consider career development angles for best reach 5. Use short sentences (10-19 words per paragraph) ⏱️ Timing & Engagement 1. Post on Sundays (highest reach) or Saturdays 2. Best posting times: 11AM-1PM GMT 3. Leave 10-20 thoughtful comments on others' posts daily 4. Write comments >9 words with personal experiences 5. Maintain a consistent posting schedule 6. Reply to your own comments for 15-30 minutes after posting The Most Overlooked Secret? → Consistency beats perfection → Simple beats clever → Data beats guessing Simply put, LinkedIn, like life, is a game of resilience and adaptability. The algorithm has changed an extreme amount in the last few months. So, it's about being able to pivot to what works... As opposed to being stuck in the past and what you like posting. Want the full FREE 58-page algo report? (That other people would usually charge $$$ for...) The data is objective, the sources and methodology are in the report.  The annotation is of course the subjective view of Will and myself. 👉 Follow me Chris Donnelly ♻️ Repost this to your network.  💡 Sign up for our free webinar: https://lnkd.in/ecXxBGTN We'll teach you what everyone else isn't.