What I Learned from 90 Days of Posting on LinkedIn: A Real-World Experiment
I’m sprawled out, reflecting on a three-month experiment that started as a whim but ended up teaching me more than I ever expected. I’m just a guy trying to make it in America—juggling bills, chasing ambitions, and searching for meaning in a world that feels increasingly shaky. This LinkedIn thing? It was my shot at cutting through the noise and seeing if I could make a mark.
Back in January, I decided to post on LinkedIn every day for 30 days, using just the free tools anyone can access. By February, curiosity got the better of me, and I stretched it to 90 days. I wanted to know if this platform—often dismissed as a corporate echo chamber—could actually do something for someone like me. Short version: it’s not perfect, but it’s far from a waste of time. Here’s what I learned—the good, the bad, and the honest truth—with some data and reflections to back it up.
Why LinkedIn? Because the Others Feel Broken
Let’s be real: social media ain’t what it used to be. X (formerly Twitter) is a mess—full of rage and half-truths. Instagram and Facebook? They’re pay-to-play now, with algorithms that hide your posts unless you’re coughing up cash for ads. A 2024 Pew Research report found that 59% of American adults think social media divides more than it unites. I feel that. Building an audience on those platforms is like shouting into a void.
LinkedIn, though, is a different beast. With 1.1 billion users worldwide, only about 1% post daily, per LinkedIn’s own 2024 data. That means the platform is starving for content, and its algorithm is more likely to show your posts to people beyond your immediate connections. Plus, it’s got fewer ads clogging things up, so your stuff has a better shot at being seen. I’d noticed friends—designers, writers, freelancers—snagging gigs through LinkedIn, and I thought: if they can do it, maybe I can too.
The Numbers: Not Viral, But Not Nothing
Let’s talk traditional metrics first. If you’re expecting a viral success story, this isn’t it. My posts didn’t take off. At my peak, I hit 7,000 views in a week, but most weeks settled around 2,000. Comments? Sparse. Likes? Decent, but nothing wild. Over 90 days, my followers grew from 1,200 to 1,400. For comparison, a buddy posting videos three times a week gained 800 followers in the same period. Videos clearly hit harder, but I stuck to text—I’m not ready to be a YouTuber.
By the numbers, this experiment looked like a dud. But numbers don’t tell the whole story. Here’s where it gets good.
The Unexpected Wins: Connections and Cash
I didn’t think I’d enjoy LinkedIn. I expected it to be a grind—endless posts about “crushing it” and “10x-ing your life.” But something clicked. I reconnected with college buddies and old coworkers I’d lost touch with. I met new people—photographers, marketers, small business owners—who shared ideas and resources that lit a spark in me. It felt less like networking and more like finding a crew.
Then there’s the business side. I coach creative professionals, helping them navigate their careers. January’s always busy with people booking intro sessions, but this year, the demand kept going through March. When I dug into it, a bunch of these new clients came from LinkedIn—people who found me through my posts or profile. Workshops filled up faster than usual, and three new followers became one-on-one coaching clients. I estimate the experiment brought in about $12,000. Suddenly, those 2,000 weekly views felt like a big deal.
The Lessons: What Worked, What Didn’t
Here’s the core of it—10 things I learned from diving headfirst into LinkedIn. Some are practical, some are deeper, but they all shaped how I see this platform.
- Curate Your Feed Like Your Life Depends on It
Early on, my feed was a nightmare—tech bros raving about ice baths and hustle culture. But when I started engaging with creatives, writers, and people whose values matched mine, it transformed. Now, half my feed is stuff I care about: AI, storytelling, building a business with heart. Tip: steer clear of clickbait and hot takes, or that’s all you’ll get. - Commenting Is King (But It’s a Grind)
Someone told me to comment on 10 posts a day, and it worked. My reach grew, and my feed got better. But finding good posts and writing thoughtful comments takes time and energy. I ended up bookmarking accounts I clicked with to make it easier, but it still felt like a side hustle. - LinkedIn Isn’t TikTok, But It Can Still Suck You In
It’s not as addictive as scrolling Reels, but I caught myself checking LinkedIn first thing in the morning or while watching TV. I set a rule: no phone until I’d done an hour of real work. I didn’t always stick to it, but it helped. - Personal Stories Beat Generic Advice
My best posts were the raw ones—quick thoughts about my day, a struggle, or a small win. Polished posts with links to my website? Dead quiet. People crave real, not perfect. A 2023 Sprout Social study backs this: 68% of consumers want authentic content. - You Won’t Run Out of Ideas
I was scared I’d burn out after a week. But the more I wrote, the easier it got. Comments I left on others’ posts sparked new ideas. I started jotting down thoughts in my Notes app whenever they hit. It’s like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. - Weekends Are a Dead Zone
Posting on Saturdays? Total flop. Views tanked. I switched to a Sunday reflection post—three things that inspired me that week. It’s quick, fun, and keeps me curious. - Your Profile Is Your Digital Handshake
My profile views spiked during the experiment, even when posts didn’t. But my profile’s not great yet—it’s a work in progress. If you do nothing else, make your profile clear about who you are, what you do, and how people can reach you. - It’s Not About Going Viral
I got hung up on numbers early on, but the real win was the quality of connections. A small, engaged audience beats a big, silent one any day. - Social Media Isn’t Mandatory
Truth is, you don’t need LinkedIn—or any platform—to succeed. People built careers and businesses for centuries without it. This was just about testing a tool, not replacing what already works. - Recycling Is Smart, Not Lazy
I learned this late, but the pros recycle their best content every few months. I’m now building a library of posts to reuse or tweak. It’s a game-changer for staying consistent without burning out.
What’s Next: Less Grind, More Impact
I’m not quitting LinkedIn, but I’m dialing it back. Daily posting was intense, so I’m aiming for 3–4 times a week. I’ll focus on sharpening my profile and streamlining my process—maybe a Notion board for ideas and a commenting schedule. I’m also cutting my commenting goal to five posts a day, weekdays only. Life’s too short to be glued to my phone.
The biggest takeaway? It’s not about views or followers. It’s about finding your people and showing up for them. LinkedIn worked because I was real, not because I cracked the algorithm. A 2024 Gallup poll says 60% of Gen Z and Millennials want work that aligns with their values. That’s me, and I bet it’s you too.
If you’re thinking about trying LinkedIn, start small. Commit to a month, track what happens, and tweak as you go. You don’t need to be perfect—just be you. And if it doesn’t click? No sweat. There’s a million ways to build a life you’re proud of.
