How Does Justin Welsh Build a Business on LinkedIn and Twitter?

TL;DR

Justin Welsh builds a business on LinkedIn and Twitter by writing consistently about his expertise, earning attention on one platform, and then expanding into other channels and digital products. He began with SaaS sales content on LinkedIn, drawing on his startup leadership experience, before adding Twitter, email, Content OS, and LinkedIn OS. Read on for his approach to platform focus, workplace expectations, and actionable courses.

Transcript

my whole thought process became how can i get people from point a to point b as fast as possible as cheaply as possible and for them to be able to finish a course in one sitting and say i have enough information to go out and take some action to make my life better hello my friend welcome back to another episode of creative elements our second full... Read More

Key Insights

• Justin Welsh built a strong presence on LinkedIn with 250,000 followers and 175 million impressions.
• Welsh transitioned from a startup executive to a solo creator, leveraging his past experiences.
• He emphasizes the importance of focusing on one platform to master its nuances before expanding.
• Welsh views business as a game, where understanding and playing by the rules can lead to success.
• He created a content system to efficiently produce engaging posts on LinkedIn and Twitter.
• Welsh's products, Content OS and LinkedIn OS, generated over $2 million in revenue.
• He highlights the importance of setting expectations with employers when using social media for personal branding.
• Welsh stresses the significance of building awareness and trust before monetizing an audience.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Justin Welsh build a business on LinkedIn and Twitter?

Welsh began by writing on LinkedIn about what he knew: SaaS sales. After developing a large following through consistent publishing, he extended that success to Twitter and email and created the Content OS and LinkedIn OS digital courses.

Q: Why did Justin Welsh start writing on LinkedIn?

He saw his employee Kevin Dorsey receive substantial attention by writing on LinkedIn before the practice was popular. Welsh believed that attention could help support him and his family if he eventually left his executive role or took a sabbatical.

Q: What did Justin Welsh write about when he started?

Welsh wrote about SaaS sales, drawing on his experience as a startup sales executive. He continued writing almost every day, often publishing multiple times in a day.

Q: What career experience did Justin Welsh have before becoming a solo creator?

Welsh had a lengthy career in SaaS, including roles at Zocdoc and PatientPop. At PatientPop, he served as vice president of sales, helped grow recurring revenue from its first dollar to over 50 million, and built the sales team from one person to 140.

Q: Why was Justin Welsh's executive background a competitive advantage?

His startup career taught him sales, communication, leadership, and time management. It also gave him practical expertise to share when he began creating content about SaaS sales.

Q: How did Justin Welsh address concerns about posting on LinkedIn while employed?

He set clear expectations with both his team and his boss. He also explained why his LinkedIn activity benefited the company, including its value for recruiting, which helped him gain their support.

Q: Why did Justin Welsh leave his startup executive career?

After being overworked for a long period, Welsh began to burn out and felt he could not continue indefinitely. Building attention through LinkedIn gave him a potential path toward working independently and supporting his family.

Q: What is Justin Welsh's approach to creating digital courses?

He aims to move customers from their starting point to a useful outcome as quickly and cheaply as possible. His goal is for someone to finish a course in one sitting with enough information to take action and improve their life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Justin Welsh shares his journey from a startup executive to a successful solo creator, emphasizing the power of LinkedIn and Twitter for personal branding. He discusses his approach to mastering one platform at a time, creating valuable content, and leveraging social media strategically. Welsh's products, Content OS and LinkedIn OS, have generated significant revenue, highlighting the effectiveness of his methods.

• Welsh views business as a game, where understanding and playing by the rules can lead to success. He stresses the importance of setting expectations with employers when using social media for personal branding. Building awareness and trust before monetizing an audience is crucial, according to Welsh, who has built a strong presence on LinkedIn with 250,000 followers and 175 million impressions.

• Welsh's content system allows for efficient production of engaging posts, which has been key to his success. His transition from a startup executive to a solo creator was facilitated by leveraging his past experiences and focusing on audience needs. Welsh's journey underscores the potential of social media platforms in building a personal brand and business.