I’ve posted here in LinkedIn every day for the last two weeks. Here’s what I’ve learned: “It’s great to hear someone talking about this stuff” I’ve gotten a handful of texts or DMs each day saying something to that effect. The piece that elicited the most praise — particularly from other founders — was about how to make advisory relationships successful. On one hand, I’m not surprised. When I have hired advisors, it’s been difficult to get information on market rates for that kind of work. I only know of one person who has seen a lot of these agreements across a broad cross section of companies (I won’t mention for fear of absolutely destroying her inbox). At the same time, I don’t think I said anything particularly controversial or interesting in that piece. Advisors should have specific, focused deliverables. We expect that of most consultants or vendors — why not advisors? This is basic stuff, right? Why is this novel? I think tech media (including a lot of social media) is really misleading. And that makes sense. TechCrunch’s job is to attract readers, which is easier to do with flashier headlines. Bigger valuations, more sensational stories... readers don’t click headlines the indicate mundane (but useful) business advice. If Buzzfeed taught us anything, it’s that we’re naturally attracted to big numbers, listicles, etc. I spoke at the SaaS Open last year. The organizer told me that if I didn’t put a number in the title of my talk that I’d be moved off the main stage. Think “the 8 crazy things about...” That kind of thing. I complied, but I regret doing so. It made my talk worse. I thought that format would be fatiguing by now, but maybe it’s just so deeply ingrained that we can’t help ourselves. For the most part, LinkedIn seems to work that way, too. Of the 9 posts I wrote in the last week, the one that is, IMO, most useful/actionable was Monday’s post on how to practice the do/think/feel framework for communication. You all engaged with that post less than anything else I’ve written recently. If I had to erase all my startup knowledge except for one of my last nine posts, I’d pick that post. It’s been more critical to my own successes than anything else I’ve written about recently. But practical is not the same as engaging or interesting or fun. And practical is also not something that draws eyeballs or responses unless it comes with some kind of hook or entertainment as well. I’m still trying to figure out what kind of voice I want to be on here. The most popular thing I’ve ever written was purely educational (Mode’s SQL tutorial — one of the most viewed data resources on the internet). On the other hand, it seems like people prefer content that they find entertaining (educational being a bonus). I’d love to hear from those of you reading this. What do you want more of?
I actually liked the do/think/feel one the most. I probably didn't engage with it (because I mostly lurk on all social media) but I did think to myself, "I should save this so I can look at it and reference it later." I love a good framework! Separately, I like hearing about different parts of the Mode journey from your POV. FWIW, there must be something about the tone of this post and your more recent ones that makes me want to actually engage with it rather than just scroll through. There is something more authentic in your posts than what I perceive in other content on LI.
Rohan Punamia
1mo
This is always the conundrum in creating content. What I want to say vs. what the market wants to hear sometimes feels disconnected. My 2 cents: I like your posts on things you learned from building Mode. The stories / first-hand experience adds a dimension to every insight, so it's much more credible vs. some random article. Regardless, keep up the posting! Finding voice takes a while
Neda Talyai
1mo
Please don’t be a thought leader or influencer. You’re voice is genuine, your thoughts are genuine and it’s refreshing. I’m tired of fake news, hype news, and the age of influencers. Simply looking for real advice, real learnings from a human ✅
I don't think two weeks is long enough to come to conclusions, unless you have tens of thousands of followers. I typically write about a relatively unique topic (educational games) but one of my most active posts was when I shared a photo of my 30-year-old HP scientific calculator that I still use. Try making sense of that 🙃. But I would say sharing your first-hand entrepreneurship stories is likely going to get you the most activity, even if there is no lesson in it — or alternatively, some very specific technical guidance.
Peter Fishman
1mo
I like the stories of building Mode and more celebrating the unsung heroes of the journey. And what you'd do the same and differently in the context of having access to that type of talent (and $) or not. I also agree with the point of definitely don't take too much stock in my comment or others. The stuff that will resonate most is whatever is authentic and whatever you can sustain.
Bailey Douglass
1mo
Do, think, feel was also most theoretical. People like to comment like “omg yes this is how I relate to that” and it’s harder with something like that—and comments lead to a lot of LinkedIn distribution. That’s my theory!
I just appreciate the content. I don’t always see all of it, but I like what I’ve read so far. More please! 🙏
josephine liang
1mo
Love the content you provided, I have not be on LinkedIn that frequently, but have read most of your two weeks writing. It attracted me to it because it’s real and genuine experience, no hype can replace that.
Mesha Corey
1mo
It is so true, that practical does not draw people in but it is what they need. Ha! I would like to hear more about your key learnings on your journey to date Derek. There is no substitute for experience so your learning nuggets would be great to glean from!
Tech + Policy + Regulatory Affairs + Movements
1moHave loved the content! The standout salesman one was the most interesting to me, likely because it was the most foreign. I thought the bit about giving pricing upfront to build trust and then trying to scale the tactic instead of the magic was such a valuable leadership lesson in a really transferable context. Do/think/feel is a pretty standard framework in my public affairs and policy side of the world, so while more technical folks might be wowed by it, my gut is that us "less-technical" biz side folks all know it. AND, finally, if you think abt LinkedIn audiences, since it's a narrative format, relational management tool, super users tend to already like and think about comms a lot. I think your edge might end up being making technical things accessible, instead of making relational/comms things accessible.