Shoaib Ahmed

REBELS By Shoaib Ahmed

A brand new podcast where you get to hear from rebellious industry disruptors.

In season one, Shoaib is joined by a curated selection of groundbreaking entrepreneurs, creators and business leaders as he delves into their 'against the grain' stories of success. 

This is a podcast where no topic is off-limits. Each episode is packed with raw, emotional and inspiring stories with guests including Lea Turner, Sophie Miller and Lara Acosta.

Watch & listen to S1 now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Proudly sponsored by Fabric Academy.

For S2 bookings & sponsorship enquiries visit: www.rebelsbyshoaibahmed.co.uk

Founder & Podcast Host

Yello Hippo

We've helped 110+ founders, creators and C-suite executives build authority on LinkedIn through industry-leading personal brand management. Our clients span a range of sectors including Coaching, Creator, eCommerce, Finance, HR, Law, Marketing, Media, PR, Procurement, Recruitment, Supply Chain, Talent Management and Tech.

Founder & Director

Building Profitable Personal Brands for Founders, Creators & Freelancers | Founder of Yello Hippo | Host of REBELS By Shoaib Ahmed (podcast)🎙️

Hey, if you're reading this, you either:

a) need help with personal branding
b) are just a cool but nosey person

(or perhaps both).

Are you struggling to:

Generate high-perfoming content?
Build an impactful personal brand?
Grow your LinkedIn engagement?
Monetise your content and brand?
Generate quality, inbound leads?

I've solved those problems for 103 clients.

Hi, I'm Shoaib, Founder of Yello Hippo (and part-time podcast host). I build and scale profitable personal brands for founders, creators, business owners, investors and freelancers.

In 24 months I've:

Generated 157M content impressions
Delivered £3M in revenue for my clients
Hosted 40+ 1:1 LinkedIn masterclasses

Whether you're a business owner looking for leads or a creator wanting to go viral and scale your community...

I can help. I offer:

→ 1-to-1 or team LinkedIn workshops
→ Full LinkedIn Personal Brand Management
→ Content Creation (1-month package)
→ LinkedIn Consultancy Power Hours
 
My clients are pretty happy ↓

"Working with Yello Hippo is one of the best investments I've ever made. I've gone viral, I've had extraordinary people join my LinkedIn community and I've put across my true, authentic self."
- James Roycroft-Davis (Founder, Luna)

“The team have been transformational in scaling my brand. Their insight, sharp minds and understanding of the space are a truly rare combination. I couldn’t recommend them enough.”
- Jordan Schwarzenberger (Co-Founder, Arcade Media)

"Yello Hippo have helped me strategically build my brand, trained my whole team who have since gone viral and enabled me to generate high-quality consistent leads."
- Fiona Bradley (Founder, FB Comms)

Start building an epic brand: www.yellohippo.co.uk.

(Or drop me a DM).

P.S. I also host REBELS podcast - check it out 🎙️ 

Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Here are 5 underrated benefits to flexible working and why I won't ever work in a 9-5pm office ever again.

1. I eat healthier, better & cheaper.

Goodbye soggy meal deal sandwiches, losing my lunch hour to coffee shop queues or feeling guilty for not eating out with colleagues every day. I save around £600+ per year.

2. I avoid rush hour gym time.

No more waiting 10 mins for a spare machine or rushing sets because bodylifting Barry wants the benchpress. I gym when it's quiet & convenient (so I work out more often).

3. I skip the dreaded commute.

My face isn't in the armpit of a sweaty tube commuter who hasn't grasped the concept of deodorant. I don't have to 'pay' with time, money or sanity to reach work.

4. I dictate my own diary.

No more re-arranging parcel deliveries, booking annual leave to get a GP appointment or restricting my social life to a weekend. My time - and how I spend it - is mine.

5. I work faster and better.

I hand pick workspaces (for me that's coffee shops) that I'm more productive in. From lighting, to temperature, to 'busyness' etc. I work with fewer distractions.

It's the simple things...

Most employers don't give these a second thought.

But for your employees,

They make a world of difference 🌎

I went from fat, overworked and anxious about money to healthier, happier and wealthier in just 24 months.

Here's how I got from A to B.

1. I asked: 'What would the hottest most successful version of Shoaib do?' every day. I acted like him till I became him.

2. Worked overtime on evenings to install proper systems & processes so that I could delegate, hire & outsource.

3. Worked from coffee shops. Got out of my comfort area (bedroom) which stopped my binge eating, avoiding exercise, staying in PJs, etc.

4. Completed the 75 Hard. A brutally restrictive diet with 90 minutes of non-negotiable exercise every day.

5. Indulged in self-help books, podcasts and videos. I saw 'get your life together' YouTubers more than I saw my friends.

6. I cut out anyone who lowered my 5-person average and befriended delusionally ambitious people.

7. I got over impostor syndrome. I jump on calls with 8-figure founders and speak to them like I do my friends.

8. I gym 4-5x a week (started swimming/yoga), cut out 90% of sugar from my diet and have lots of protein daily.

9. I posted more of my results on LinkedIn, raised my prices and have higher standards for my team.

I feel 100x better.

If you're stuck at point A right now.

Here's my advice:

Don't sit there, moodboarding and planning it all out. Just do 1 thing today that is a positive step in the right direction.

Add another tomorrow. Stack 'positive' actions.

Habits build → results compound.

P.S. I use the term 'fat' because I was. My BMI measured unhealthy, my fat:muscle ratio was shocking and I felt extremely sluggish.

I want to be rich as fuck.

Here's what my version of 'rich' looks like:

- Spoiling my friends rotten
- Getting lean, fit and flexible
- Protecting my peace & headspace
- Turning gym into leisure (not a chore)
- Spending more time in warm climates
- Not letting my diary dictate my schedule
- Getting tasty coffees out whenever I want
- Getting a deep-tissue massage every week
- Forcing myself out of my comfort zone daily
- Eliminating highly processed foods from my diet

Here's how I'll live my rich life in the next 1-2 years:

- Build multiple stable passive income streams
- Cull who I follow and idolise on social media
- Further grow and monetise my LinkedIn
- Book more workations in different cities
- Get a PT and start yoga / dance class
- Reject society's version of 'success'
- Invest savings into funds/pensions
- Outsource admin / repetitive tasks
- Invest in buy-to-let property 
- Launch digital products 

What does your rich life look like?

How are you getting there?

I'm 25 and I quit.

I don't want to hustle hard 24/7.
I don't want to be micromanaged.
I don't want to play workplace politics.
I don't want to talk like a corporate robot.
I don't want to follow silly office dress codes.
I don't want to spend hrs commuting to work. 
I don't want to work unpaid overtime every week.
I don't want to wait in line if I deserve a promotion.

I quit aspiring for the 'career' I was taught to chase.

Uni → Grad scheme → Corporate job

"Head down, work hard, get rewarded"

That's what my generation was taught.

But today it's different.

The 'rewards' aren't rewarding.

Degrees don't hold as much value
(Even though we paid more for them)

It's more expensive to buy property
(Salaries haven't risen in line with costs)

Public services decline whilst taxes increase
(Retirement gets further & further away)

Gen Z feels failed.

It's why so many of us are:

- Building online businesses
- Job hopping for higher salaries
- Becoming full-time content creators

Not the lazy generation. Quite the opposite.

Gen Z is the 'vocal' generation. 

The generation that acts.

I respect that.

I signed my first client at £500/month and in 6 months I got them 26,741 followers and £150K+ in new business.

(And 10.3 MILLION post impressions).

All for £500 a MONTH.

What a bargain 🤣

Let me break that down...

I spent 8 days a month on delivery

→ That's 2 days per week
→ That's £62.50 per day
→ That's £7.81 per hour

It's below minimum wage.

This client didn't post on LinkedIn before working with me.

But now they have:

- A multi-7 figure brand
- A team of 30+ people
- International offices

1/3 of their revenue comes from LinkedIn.

Did I undercharge?

No.

Because that client was a brilliant case study.

I learned a lot from their business model.

The founder taught me a lot too.

I practiced and honed skills.

They referred me 5 clients.

The start is a slog. That's business.

Today, I charge 4x more than I did when I started.

(And work 5x quicker).

Scale slow. Build credibility. Do good work.

It pays off long term.

✌🏽

Write like a pro → Master your LinkedIn hooks

7 templates to steal (save these).

They got my clients 200k+ impressions per post.

-----

1. Unique Transformation

I went from Social Assistant to Social Director in 9 months.
Without ANY previous experience.

TEMPLATE:

I went from [before] to [after] in [time]
Without [popular thing].

-----

2. Failure story

I asked for a promotion 3 months into my job.
My boss laughed and said 'no'.

TEMPLATE:

I tried to [ambitious goal] [timeframe]
[negative outcome]

-----

3. Make people feel seen

If you're career-driven, but don't want to run a business...
This post is for YOU...

TEMPLATE:

If you're [trait or outcome], but [alternative approach]
This post is for you.

-----

4. Strong disagreement

"You need to work for free to get your first client."
That's bollocks.

TEMPLATE:

[provocative quote or opinion]
[disagreement]

-----

5. Opinion as fact

Women's careers don't progress as fast as men's.
This is why.

TEMPLATE:

[direct claim presented as fact]
[tease explanation]

-----

6. Rebellion story

I was told to “never go into business with your friend.”
I ignored that. We just hit £1M in revenue.

TEMPLATE:

I was told [quote]
I ignored it. [Strong positive outcome]

-----

7. Trigger FOMO

I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but...
It's how I signed 7 clients in 30 days.

TEMPLATE:

I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but...
It's how [desirable/positive outcome]

-----

Want my FULL 12-hook template cheatsheet?

Like + comment YELLOHIPPO below.

I'll DM you it for free.

Founder: Yello Hippo | Host: REBELS Podcast 🎙️ | Building Profitable Personal Brands for Founders, Creators & Freelancers | 157M+ Organic Views | North-West's Young Entrepreneur of 2023

How I NEVER run out of LinkedIn post ideas.

A 3-step strategy that I use (and with all my clients).

It's how I've written 9.5k+ posts!

-----

#1 Create a timeline

Jot down key life milestones.

E.g. Graduation, first job, promotion, buying a house, getting married, failures, starting a business, winning 1st client etc.

Annotate these with things like:

- How they made you feel
- What lessons you learnt
- How they happened

Turn these into stories.
Extract valuable takeaways.
Share them with your readers.

Stories humanise you.
They build trust.

A service/product isn't a differentiator.
The person selling it is.

-----

#2 Dissect your CV

Note key achievements.

Pick out results, statistics, transformations, before vs after, projects you led, outcomes, your progression etc.

Annotate these with things like:

- How you were successful
- What mistakes you made
- Industry tips you'd share

Turn these into 'how I' posts
Show people your process
Show transformation.

Expertise posts add credibility.
They build your authority.

Talk from personal experiences/accounts.
This makes your advice reliable.

-----

#3 Look through photo albums.

Pick out interesting ones.

E.g. At school, on your first day at work, in your office, with your team, celebrating wins, birthdays, fitness journey, etc.

Annotate these with things like:

- What that picture represents
- How you feel about it now
- What's happened since

Turn these into transformation posts.
Document your journey/growth.
This is 'building in public'.

Pictures make you memorable.
They are 'sticky'.

Text can only tell so much of a story.
Images fill in the blanks.

---------------------------
Want my FULL cheatsheet?

It includes 3 EXTRA ways I never run out of post ideas.

Like this post + comment YELLOHIPPO below.

I'll DM you it right away.

What a month it was for Yello Hippo!

Here's a look back at March:

→ Biggest revenue month of 2024 
→ 3 new clients successfully onboarded
→ Best results week for a client in 2 years
→ Average spend per client at a record high
→ 4 clients celebrate working 2 years with us 
→ My LinkedIn engagement grew 32.8% MOM
→ Co-working in Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow & Bristol

We have 13 full-time retainer clients 🤝

+ lots of ongoing partnerships.

We are smashing our annual revenue goal so far.

(4% ahead of target 🚀).

A great team effort from Charlotte, Gabriël Hermanus Oosthuizen and Laurel Denney.

Let's see what we can achieve in April. 

P.S. What's your biggest win from March?

I wasted my first 5 years on LinkedIn and spent hours on it every week but made £0.

Now I make £25k(ish) PER MONTH on here. 

Here's what I was doing wrong:

1. I didn't post consistently (at least 3x a week)
2. I didn't treat it as a content marketing platform
3. I didn't connect with like-minded people/ my ICP
4. I didn't study the algorithm and how to 'hack' it
5. I didn't 'document' my career journey properly
6. I didn't capitalise on my unfair advantage (writing)
7. I didn't share personality or opinion-based posts
8. I didn't treat my profile as a sales landing page
9. I didn't hone in on one skill (aka my 'offer')
10. I didn't write in my unique tone of voice
11. I didn't prove my expertise with data 

Save yourself 5 years.

Do the 11 things I failed so badly at.

Use LinkedIn properly and start living your rich life today.

6 years ago I was fired for being bad at sales.
I've since single-handedly made £500k in sales.

5 years ago I was laughed at for posting on LinkedIn.
I now make £25,000+ a month from writing on here.

4 years ago I had an anxiety attack at a networking event.
Yesterday I got paid to be the keynote speaker at one.

3 years ago I was told I wouldn't make it as a freelancer.
I've since signed 103 clients and built a Ltd company.

2 years ago I was 'too young' to set up a business.
I went on to win Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2023).

1 year ago I was unhealthy, unhappy and unfulfilled.
Today I've never been happier, healthier & wealthier.

The point is:

You can re-write your reality.

At any time.

Quit complaining.

Get into game mode.

Use revenge as your fuel.

Now go win!

These 3 posts went viral for my clients.

Steal the exact templates.

(+ scroll down to get my free viral post template PDF)

______________________

TEMPLATE #1: STEREOTYPE VS REALITY

Dear [name your reader e.g. employee, manager]

[Desirable outcome for reader] doesn't happen by:

- [action taken that doesn't work]
- [action taken that doesn't work]
- [action taken that doesn't work]

What [desirable outcome] actually requires:

- [specific, actionable & data-driven tip]
- [specific, actionable & data-driven tip]
- [specific, actionable & data-driven tip]

I know because I did it myself.

It got me [positive result] in [timeframe].

No more [pain point].

[Strong, opinionated statement] 

----

This got my client:

→ 1,062,351 impressions
→ 10,695 likes
→ 442 reshares

______________________

TEMPLATE #2: TRANSFORMATION + TIPS

I went from a [average position] to [highly desirable position]

Without [common expectation]

(You don't need it).

[X] actions to take instead ⬇️

1. [specific action presented as tip]
2. [specific action presented as tip]
3. [specific action presented as tip]
...
...

Step 1 = [simple summary]

Step 2 = [simple summary]

Step 3 = [simple summary]

Spend less time [typical route to 'better job title']

And more time [alternative route].

----

This got my client:

→ 200,632 impressions
→ 2,248 likes
→ 224 comments

______________________

TEMPLATE #3: FAILURE TO SUCCESS STORY

[X] years ago, I tried to [specific desirable outcome]
I failed.

But I kept going…

[X] years ago, I tried to [specific desirable outcome]
I failed.

But I kept going…

[X] years ago, I tried to [specific desirable outcome]
I failed.

But I kept going…

Today, I have a [highly desirable outcome] that [additional positive] and allows me to [extra positive consequence].

I succeeded.

[inspirational message] 

P.S. [extra tip or benefit-driven CTA]

----

This got my client:

→ 211,505 impressions
→ 2,150 likes
→ 190 comments

______________________

Want another 3 PROVEN data-backed post templates?

Comment YELLOHIPPO below.

I'll ping you a PDF with 6 free templates.

Work smarter.

Yesterday I promoted my team 🎉

Meet Yello Hippo's new SENIOR Personal Brand Managers.

Congrats, Charlotte and Gabriël...

You've both been brilliant.

Charlotte has:

→ Worked across 15+ 6,7 and 8-figure clients
→ Generated dream partnership meetings
→ Helped build client-investor relationships
→ Supported me as a strategic advisor
→ Written 20+ brilliant viral posts

Gabriel has:

→ Produced posts, ebooks and newsletters
→ Written successful award nominations
→ Managed 20+ 6, 7 and 8-figure clients
→ Written our most VIRAL post in history
→ Supported me across projects

Really proud of everything we've built.

We're a tiny team.

But mighty in impact!

Keep on smashing it.

How to craft the perfect LinkedIn banner

(a simple 3-step exercise to follow):

----

Step #1

Write a powerful tagline.

This should say:

→ What you do
→ Who you do it for
→ How you do it differently

Highlight audience-driven benefits!

Be specific.

Example: "Turning shy introverts into confident keynote speakers in just 6 weeks.'

Template: "[verb] [current position] to [desirable end-result] in [timeframe].

Want 6 MORE free templates?

Comment Yello Hippo below.

I'll DM you them.

----

Step #2

Add an 'authority builder'

Use proof to set your 'offer' apart from others.

Show brands you've worked with
→ This builds credibility through association

Show publications you've featured in
→ This builds prestige around your brand

Show stats to emphasise good results
→ This builds trust in your ability to deliver

Don't be seen as an 'amateur'.

Be seen as an industry leader.

----

Step #3

Get a solid design put together.

Don't have the skills? → Outsource

The quality of visuals across your profile is a reflection of your service, how much you care and how 'expert' you are.

It affects your perceived value.

Some quick tips:

- Simple designs are more impactful
- Evoke personality via colour & fonts
- Use shadows/ gradient to add 'texture'
- Pick 2-3 colours and 1-2 fonts maximum
- Consider mobile vs desktop spacing

----

P.S. Want my FREE tagline templates?

Comment 'YelloHippo' below.

6 things I won't do anymore as a business owner that I did every day 12 months ago.

#1 Try to 'compete' with others

→ I've unfollowed my competitors. I don't get distracted by their launches, products or posts. I'm laser-focused on my own.

#2 Negotiate pricing

→ If you can't afford my services I will politely end the conversation and refer you elsewhere. No mates rates. No freebies. No one-offs.

#3 Say 'yes' to every PR gig

→ If you ask me to pay to feature in your publication, be on your podcast or win an award, I won't. My personal brand does this for free.

#4 Involve myself in gossip

→ I don't care about what X has done or what Y posted. If it doesn't affect me or my income, I'm not giving it any time or energy.

#5 Take advice from everyone

→ Everybody wants to 'help' you (i.e. want something in return). But nobody knows your business as well as you do. Be selective.

#6 Reply to all my DMs

→ It takes hours to sift through DMs. So if your message isn't specific, to the point and appropriate of a response, don't expect a reply.

Take back your time.

What boundaries have you set?

👇

This one LinkedIn post got my client 6 sales meetings.

Steal and use this template!

------

One thing is certain.

[insert your service] isn't dead.

In [insert timeframe] we:

[insert result 1 e.g. generated X views]
[insert result 2 e.g. grew web traffic by Y%]
[insert result 3 e.g. delivered Zx ROI]

It's the one area of [insert industry] people sleep on.

But those who use it will [insert desirable outcome] without [insert common customer pain]

Every bit of data we have at [insert company] proves it.

Want a free 1:1 demo?
I'll show you how to get these results: [insert booking link]

------

Why was this SO effective? 

Because it:

Is simple and quick to read.
Uses specific data-based evidence.
Teases the process - creates FOMO.
Agitates pain and shows desirable outcomes.
Call to action is low-friction and benefit-driven.

Helpful?

Let me know below 👇

The morning after... 

Last night was a very proud friend moment ✨ 

I (Yello Hippo) sponsored my best friend in his first-ever charity boxing fight for the brilliant The Frank Bruno Foundation 🥊

And in total style... he won!

Armed with:

- A ton of co-codamol
- Deep heat patches 
- My nurse for the day (Karla McNeilage)

We made the 3-hour cross-country Uber...

To see the fight live with front-row seats.

Well worth it.

Smashed it Zak Geddes - you did us proud 💛

Shoutout to James Wright & co for organising such a brilliant event.

P.S. Spot the Yello Hippo logo on the shorts 👀

How Shoaib Ahmed cracked the banner code!

(Ultimate 3-step guide for a converting banner)

Here is the 3 Step treasure for you:
↳ Write a powerful tagline
↳ Add an authority builder 
↳ Get a solid design put together

I created a dedicated carousel for Shoaib Ahmed recent post 

Give it a read! 

♻ Repost to help 1 of your connection grow!

P.s: YASSS!! I know yet another banger carousel HAHA Shoaib Ahmed

Taplio

Shoaib Ahmed's Linkedin Analytics

Shoaib Ahmed

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Shoaib Ahmed's Best Posts (last 30 days)

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Shoaib Ahmed

What is Shoaib talking about?

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