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How a top LinkedIn creator (accidentally) got a lesson from me
And why your high school writing skills still matter in marketing
Gordana from Collabwriting
March 14, 2025
The truth about viral, high-value content?
It’s not some new secret formula.
I’ve been teaching it for years - just not on social media.
But last week, I broke it down for a top LinkedIn creator known for writing hacks.
And let’s just say… we both walked away with some surprising insights.
How I ended up teaching a writing hack to a LinkedIn expert?
So, I’ve been following this huge LinkedIn creator for ages.
Last week, I noticed we weren’t connected yet.
I hit “Connect,” expecting radio silence… but bam - he accepted within minutes.
Even better? He slid into my DMs with:
“Hey Gordana, thanks for the connect! Can see you’ve just crossed 4 years as a content creator - how’s the journey been for you?”
Cue the internal screaming. 😱
Was this a sneaky sales pitch?
Maybe it should have been. But it turned into a conversation full of aha moments - for both of us.
“Wait, you were a teacher? How does that relate to marketing?” 🤔
When I mentioned my transition from being a high school literature teacher to marketing, he was intrigued.
“How do those two worlds connect?”
My reply?
“You know those writing hacks you teach creators? I used to drill them into my students. Let me show you how.”
Cue his metaphorical spit-take. 🤯
Here’s the overlap he didn’t see coming:
,,Your ‘hook’ is just a thesis statement in skinny jeans. Your ‘audience-first’ rule? That’s me telling students, ‘Write like your reader hasn’t read the book!’’’
✅ Hook = Thesis statement
His advice: “Grab attention in the first line!”
My classroom mantra?
“Your thesis must command the essay. Make Mrs. Smith care about Shakespeare in 20 words or less.”
Same rule, different setting.
In school, a strong thesis sets the stage. In content, your first line must hook the reader.
Both promise value upfront and answer the key question: “Why should I keep reading?”
✅ Structure & storytelling matter
His advice: “Use stories to prove your point.”
My red pen comment?
“Where’s your textual evidence? Show, don’t tell!”
Great writing - whether in essays or content - follows a clear structure.
Essays demand intro → body → conclusion.
High-performing content thrives on hook → insight → takeaway.
Both serve the reader’s expectations.
And just like in essays, strong content doesn’t rely on empty claims.
Case studies > bold statements.
Testimonials > vague promises.
Whether you’re persuading a teacher or a customer, proof beats opinion every time.
✅ Conclusion = CTA
His advice: “End with a clear takeaway.”
My grading rubric?
“Your conclusion must answer ‘So what?’”
Whether it’s an essay or a marketing piece, the goal is the same: leave the reader with something valuable.
A strong conclusion (or CTA) makes the message stick - so they walk away thinking, “…and that’s why I need this.”
And here’s the key: it’s never about you!
Students write for a teacher’s rubric. Content creators write for their audience’s needs.
In both cases, success comes from delivering what the reader came for.
As I told him:
“Whether you’re grading essays or writing posts, you’re telling a story. The medium changes, but the mission doesn’t: engage, inform, and leave them thinking.”
Why this should fire you up? 🧨
You don’t need to be a “LinkedIn guru” to get this right.
Great writing follows the same principles - whether it’s a social post, an email, or an essay. And chances are, you already have the skills.
Teachers? You analyze audiences daily.
A bored teen vs. a busy CEO? About 3 seconds of patience.
Retail workers? You adjust messaging on the fly.
“This jacket isn’t expensive - it’s an investment piece.”
Engineers? You simplify complexity.
“See? Easy.”
✅ Your skills are transferable: Storytelling, empathy, and clarity matter in any field.
✅ Good writing is universal: Essays, emails, and social posts all demand purpose and precision.
✅ Authenticity wins: Teachers spot fluff in essays. Audiences spot it online. Be useful, be concise, be human.
And no, you don’t need to be a “LinkedIn guru” to master this.
As a community and content manager, I apply these rules to:
📩 Email campaigns that feel like page-turners
🖥️ Landing pages that guide readers like a well-structured essay
📢 Social ads where every word fights for its life
You already have the foundation. Now, it’s just about applying it differently.
What else teachers and LinkedIn creators secretly share?
Deadline pressure: Grading 35 essays by Friday vs. posting 3x/week? Same adrenaline. ⏰
Feedback loops: Students revise drafts; creators tweak posts based on comments and insights. Iteration is key.
The “Aha” moment: That spark when a student gets it? It’s the same rush when your post goes viral.
Final take- The plot twist even the guru loved 🤌🏼
I shared my “Boring essay” classroom hack with him:
The assignment? Make a mundane topic fascinating.
The student MVP? A 16-year-old who compared Macbeth to TikTok drama.
His reaction:
"That’s just forcing ‘job storytelling’ for LinkedIn!"
Exactly.
Constraints breed creativity - whether it's a 500-word essay or a marketing campaign.
Your homework (Yes, I went there)
✅ Raid your past: What unexpected skill could be your marketing superpower?
Did waitressing teach you how to upsell?
Did parenting turn you into a crisis comms expert?
✅ Rewrite the rules: Next time you write, ask yourself:
"How would I explain this to a classroom of skeptical teens?"
✅ Hit reply and tell me your “aha” moment:
What skill from your past turned out to be your superpower? I’d love to hear it! 😄
Meanwhile…
Big things happening 🎊
Ever since we launched Collabwriting, one of the most common questions we've heard is:
“Can we use your extension on mobile?”
Well, we finally have the answer: Yes, you can!
Microsoft Edge has rolled out a BETA version of extensions for Android, and Collabwriting is among the first 25 to make the cut. 🎉
Now, instead of mindless scrolling, you can save insights, organize research, and stay ahead - right from your phone. 🚀
If you come across an article, picture, meme, or anything else you think is useful, don’t hesitate to share it with us.
We’d be happy to include it in our next newsletter! 💗
📩 Reach out at: [email protected]
Made it to the end?
That’s some top-tier focus right there. 🏆
Until next time,
Gordana
Community Manager @ Collabwriting