LinkedIn: The 90-Day Plan, AI Tactics, and What NOT to Do

 

Why LinkedIn Still Leads (And How to Lead with It)

Remember when LinkedIn was just an online CV? Those days are long gone! I've just completed a fresh analysis of the top 100 trending LinkedIn posts from the past week, and I'm bursting to share these golden insights with you.

With 32,000 followers under my belt, I've seen this platform evolve from a simple networking site to a powerhouse for business growth. Let me walk you through what's actually working RIGHT NOW in 2025.

 

1. The Power of Content Types on LinkedIn

I recently analyzed the top 100 trending LinkedIn posts, and the results might surprise you:

• Text-Based Posts: 60%
• Image/Video Posts: 40%

Now, why do text posts perform so well? It's simple:

• They feel authentic and relatable
• There's no extra click needed, LinkedIn hates outside links
• They spark emotional engagement and reactions

But don't ignore visuals! Videos and carousels dramatically increase shares and memorability.

And remember how to create great visuals, use incredible tools like SORA, Canva and Presentermedia.

Want to see this in action?

Saheli Chatterjee’s viral post series on how to go viral on LinkedIn

 

2. Personal vs. Business Content

Here's something I tell my clients all the time:

Personal Content: Stories about challenges, family, or vulnerability create emotional connections that drive engagement. One of my posts telling a story of my meal on British Airways went viral with 232,000 views and 700 comments!

Take a look - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6973519890456444928

Business Content: Industry trends, professional advice, and company achievements trend well, but ONLY when they provide unique insights or genuinely valuable information.

Take a look at Erin Gallagher's powerful post on breastfeeding and workplace support - over 10,000 reactions because it blended personal and professional topics beautifully:

3. How the Algorithm Really Works

Let me break down the algorithmic drivers I've discovered through years of testing:

·       Engagement Timing: The first 90 minutes after posting are CRITICAL. Early interactions signal relevance to the algorithm.

·       Content Quality: Authentic, well-articulated posts with clear messaging perform significantly better.

·       Consistency: Regular posting establishes presence and reliability (I post Monday-Friday with different content types each day).

·       Comments: They matter MORE than likes (the algorithm sees them as deeper engagement).

·       Native Content: PDFs and carousels outperform external links by a mile.

 

Chris Long's excellent post on reposts and algorithmic behavior explains this further:

4. Hashtag Strategy That Actually Works

Forget hashtag overload! My analysis shows that strategic use of 3-5 hashtags per post is the sweet spot.

Popular hashtags in trending posts include:

• #innovation
• #management
• #digitalmarketing
• #technology
• #creativity

But here's the trick: Mix broad hashtags (like #sales or #marketing) with more niche tags (like #AIinBusiness or #LinkedInTips) to balance reach with targeted engagement.

Remember, only the first three hashtags really count for the algorithm!

5. My Proven Recap Strategy

Here's my winning formula:

• Post 3-5 times per week (remember my Monday to Friday strategy!)
• Use visuals 2-3 times per week (carousel, video, infographic)
• Start EVERY post with a strong, bold hook
• Respond to every comment (the algorithm loves this)
• DM your most engaged followers (this builds your network)
• Track analytics every Friday (what gets measured gets improved)

Remember to vary your content length too. My analysis shows posts with concise yet informative content (around 500-1,000 characters) tend to perform best

 

Viral Examples, Engagement Trends & Insights

1. What Makes a Post Go Viral?

After studying hundreds of viral posts, I've identified these top traits:

Storytelling: Narrative-driven posts create emotional connections, encouraging shares and comments.

Strong Hook: The first line must grab attention immediately.

Interactive Elements: Including questions or calls-to-action dramatically increases comment rates.

Personal Growth Insights: Content that helps people improve themselves resonates deeply.

Pattern Disruption: Posts that challenge established norms perform exceptionally well.

Colin Steele's post is a perfect example of what happens when you ignore "best practices" but nail authenticity:

2. Top 5 Trending Posts Last Week

I spend hours studying top performers. Here are the best from last week:

1. Brian Geddes on remote work and trust
2. Jodie Giblin challenging professional dress codes
3. Adam Greenberg helping his daughter build confidence
4. Lena Bomko sharing 6 motivational tips
5. Ish Verduzco on Nike's CEO journey from intern to top

3. Patterns From These Viral Posts

Here's what I've noticed:

• Posts that question established norms perform exceptionally well
• Topics that blend personal + relevant professional insights = highest engagement
• Authentic visuals matter MORE than polished, corporate-looking ones
• A good story beats a list of tips every single time

 

4. Visual Content That Converts

While text posts make up 60% of trending content, don't underestimate the power of visuals!

• Images with authentic behind-the-scenes content outperform stock photos.
• Videos under 60 seconds get the highest completion rates.
• Carousel posts (PDF slideshows) keep people engaged longer, which the algorithm loves.

Remember my COPE strategy - Create Once, Publish Everywhere! One great story can be transformed into multiple formats.

 

4. Your Action Plan

Want results? Here's what to do:

• Comment daily on top creators' content (get noticed)
• Turn your best comments into new post content (work smarter)
• Test emotional storytelling weekly (measure results)
• Repurpose one story into multiple formats:
• Poll
• Carousel
• Video
• Email
• DM sequence

LinkedIn: The 90-Day Plan, AI Tactics, and What NOT to Do

Month 1: Build visibility

• Share personal stories (remember my viral British Airways post?)
• Engage actively on others' content
• Create polls and carousels (LinkedIn loves these formats)
• Focus on posting consistently at optimal times (early morning or late afternoon)

Month 2: Build trust

• Share value content (PDFs, swipe files, videos)
• Launch one lead magnet
• Track post performance weekly (what's working, what's not)
• Optimize your content based on engagement metrics

Month 3: Start selling

• Share case studies, testimonials, client wins
• Offer free resources or webinars
• Include soft CTAs (more on this below)
• Apply the content patterns from your highest-performing posts

2. Top AI Tools to Use on LinkedIn

AI is your friend, not your replacement! Here are my favorites:

• ChatGPT – content ideas, DM templates, commenting scripts
• Lusha – find verified emails from LinkedIn profiles
• Otter.ai – transcribe sales calls for perfect follow-up
• Tome – generate fast, visual slides from text
• Canva – design carousels and infographics
• HubSpot – CRM with automation and reminders
• Brand24 – monitor mentions and trending topics in your industry

Remember what I always say: "AI is fantastic, but it can't buy you a beer after closing a massive deal. Always remember: humans close deals, AI just helps you get there faster."

3. High-Converting CTAs You Can Use

These interactive elements drive engagement:

• "Want the full PDF? Comment YES and I'll DM it."
• "Which one do you agree with? Vote then tell me why."
• "I've got a full strategy template. DM me 'STRATEGY'."

I've seen CTAs like these generate hundreds of leads from a single post!

4. Mistakes to Avoid

After coaching countless businesses on LinkedIn, these are the deadly sins I see:

• No banner or professional profile photo (first impressions matter!)
• Generic headlines like just "Founder" or "Coach" (boring!)
• Posting only links (LinkedIn severely suppresses them)
• Not replying to comments (kills your algorithm juice)
• Inconsistent posting schedule (disappearing for weeks destroys momentum)
• Ignoring optimal content length (500-1000 characters perform best)
• Using too many hashtags (stick to 3-5 maximum)

5. Optimal Content Length

My analysis of trending posts shows that the sweet spot for LinkedIn content is:

• Text posts: 500-1,000 characters (about 100-200 words)
• Articles: 1,500-2,000 words with subheadings and visuals
• Videos: 30-60 seconds for highest completion rates
• Carousels: 8-12 slides with minimal text per slide

Remember: It's not just about length, but about delivering maximum value in the most concise way possible.

6. Final Thought

LinkedIn rewards four things consistently:

• Consistency
• Authenticity
• Engagement
• Conversation starters

Make your posts meaningful and human. Combine strategic data insights with genuine storytelling, and you'll win both the algorithm and the audience

 

Want to transform your LinkedIn game? I've got you covered:

📧 Email: frank@frankfurness.com
🌐 Online Course: www.linkedinmarketingforbusiness.com  
🎙️ Call +44 7711 672888

Speaking & Training: Customized for your team. Book me now for 2025 to speak at your conference, train your team or to consult and grow your business.

#LinkedInTips #BusinessGrowth #AIinBusiness #LinkedInMarketing #PersonalBranding

"The fastest way to succeed on LinkedIn isn't to copy everyone else - it's to be so authentically yourself that nobody can copy you."

Frank Furness