Problem-Solving Topics for LinkedIn Posts

I’ve helped 100+ clients craft 1,000s of LinkedIn posts in the past 4 years and still never run out of content ideas for any profile. The solution is simple- By asking the right questions. Often, the best posts come from asking the right questions. Here are 20 questions our of the 200 that I ask myself (and you can too): - What’s one challenge I’ve faced recently, and how did I overcome it? - What’s a common misconception in my industry that I can clarify? - What’s something I wish I knew when I started my career or business? - What’s one trend I’m noticing that no one’s talking about yet? - What’s a mistake I’ve made, and what did it teach me? - What’s a question I get asked all the time, and how can I answer it better? - What’s one piece of advice I’d give to someone entering my field? - What’s something I learned from a recent failure or setback? - What’s a small win I achieved this week, and why does it matter? - What’s a habit, tool, or mindset that’s made a big difference for me? - What’s something I saw today that challenged how I think about my work? - What’s a story from my past that shaped how I approach my work today? - What’s a piece of advice I received that I didn’t follow—and why? - What’s one thing people overcomplicate that can actually be simple? - What’s something I’ve changed my mind about recently? - What’s a framework or process I use that others might find helpful? - What’s a moment that made me feel proud of the impact I’m creating? - What’s one way my industry could improve, and how I am contributing to that? - What’s a surprising insight I’ve gained from talking to my customers or team? - What’s something I’m still figuring out, and how am I approaching it? Let these be your guide the next time you’re staring at a blank screen. Pick one, dive deep, and see where it takes you. Because content creation isn’t about waiting for inspiration, it’s about knowing where to look for it. Which question will you start with today? #linkedin

notus just reviewed all LinkedIn content from our 38 active partners to find out what performs best. 3 types of posts consistently got great results: 𝟭. "𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲” 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 Most people on LinkedIn only share their wins. We encourage our partners to talk about when they messed up. It makes them more real, more relatable. The keyword is vulnerability: • Name the struggle • List things you tried that failed • Share the moment it clicked • Share how you are doing it now Example angles from our partners: "I’m a recovering awkward person…" "The first time I tried to buy a company, I got outbid…" "I’ve done a nervous little giggle in serious meetings, tense conversations, and yes, even in somber moments…” 𝟮. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 Our partners are founders & executives who have big ideas about how to change their industries. By calling out what doesn’t work, they create curiosity, new insight, and maybe a little friction. How to write it: • State the "rule" everyone believes • Show your contrarian data/experience • Explain why the rule made sense (in the past) • Prove why it doesn't anymore • Offer your alternative approach Example hooks from our partners: "Everyone’s showing off their AI agents - but here’s what they’re not telling you…" “I’m done with the excuse of ‘I need more information’...” “The construction industry has a problem: we treat every building like a prototype…” 𝟯. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 My dad still tells me I shouldn’t share MRR updates, but I haven’t stopped. Showing people what’s happening behind the scenes creates trust faster than pretty much anything else. Even better, it turns running a company into a hero’s journey. People follow because they want to know what happens next. How to write it: • Share some bullet point highlights • Talk about the challenges you faced this quarter • Share your focus for the next quarter • Talk about wins Example hooks from our partners: "We’ve had multiple offers to buy us out in the last few months. I politely declined…" "The evolution of my bootstrapping journey so far…" "UPDATE: we rolled out a new feature to pilot clients…" ___ What isn’t on the list: sales-y, company-centric posts that provide 0 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 0 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆, and 0 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲. Those are the 3 key ingredients across all content. All of these categories can trigger strong emotions: Surprise. Sympathy. Curiosity. Excitement. They all build on specific stories, perspectives, or contrarian beliefs. And they all promise value: Failure: value = what they learned Contrarian value = discovering a new approach Build in public value = a model to copy Content that does this has a good chance of performing well. With one disclaimer: It has to be real.

Most people think a “good” LinkedIn post is about hooks, storytelling, and a call to action. But if you’re trying to generate leads, those basics won’t cut it. Here’s what truly separates elite posts from the rest: 1. Solve the unspoken problem. Most posts solve the obvious problem. Elite posts tackle the problem your audience hasn’t fully articulated. Instead of: “Here’s how to get more engagement on LinkedIn," Try: “Why your LinkedIn posts aren’t converting (even with 1,000 likes)." This positions you as someone who truly understands their pain points. 2. Hook with insight, not curiosity. Hooks like “The secret to LinkedIn success” are overplayed. Start with a counterintuitive insight: - "Likes don’t matter. Conversations do." - "If your posts aren’t generating leads, it’s because you’re writing to impress, not to connect." A strong insight hooks the reader and reframes how they think. 3. Write in layers for different readers. Not every reader is ready to engage the same way. Speak to three levels: - Skimmers: Use bold or bullets so they get value fast. - Deep Readers: Provide detailed insights for those who want depth. - Action-Takers: Include a clear next step to convert them into leads. Write like an inverted pyramid: biggest insights up top, details as they scroll. 4. Use emotional specificity. Instead of: “Does your LinkedIn profile need work?” Say: “Is your LinkedIn profile so vague even your mom wouldn’t know what you do?” The more specific and relatable your language, the stronger your connection. 5. Be intentional about the action you want. Not every post needs a classic “DM me” or “What’s your biggest challenge?” CTA. Instead, decide on the specific needle you want to move: Do you want your audience to engage? - Frame your content to spark a conversation. Do you want them to take a next step? - Direct them to your funnel. Or do you want them to think deeply? - Focus on delivering clarity or a breakthrough insight. Every post should have a purpose…even if that purpose is simply to leave them saying, “I’ve never thought about it that way.” Lead-generating posts aren’t just about algorithms, but also about creating moments of clarity for your audience. When was the last time a post made you stop and think?

Struggling to come up with LinkedIn post ideas? You’re not alone. Most people overthink content when in reality, great post ideas are hiding in plain sight. Here’s a 10-point checklist to never run out of LinkedIn post ideas again: ✅ 1. Share a recent client conversation → “Just got off a call with a DTC founder struggling with Meta ads. Here’s what I told them…” (Real-world problems = instant engagement.) ✅ 2. Break down a common industry mistake → “Most brands focus on CTR & CPC, but ignore the one metric that actually drives profitability: X.” (Challenge assumptions, spark engagement.) ✅ 3. Reverse-engineer a viral marketing campaign → “How Liquid Death went from $0 to $800M+—a full breakdown of their marketing funnel.” (People love behind-the-scenes insights.) ✅ 4. Document your own wins (or failures) → “I increased a brand’s ROAS by 44% in 75 days. Here’s the 3-step framework I used.” (Case studies build authority + trust.) ✅ 5. Share a controversial take → “Stop relying on agencies for growth. Here’s why fractional growth leaders outperform them.” (A little friction drives big engagement.) ✅ 6. Repurpose your DMs & emails → “Someone asked me today: ‘How do I know if my Meta ads are working?’ Here’s my answer.” (If one person is asking, many others are wondering the same thing.) ✅ 7. Compare two strategies & pick a winner → “Advantage+ vs. Manual Campaigns: Which one scales better for DTC brands?” (People love a clear, data-backed comparison.) ✅ 8. Expose industry myths → “The biggest lie in paid social? That more spend = more revenue. Here’s the real truth.” (Busting myths makes you an authority in your niche.) ✅ 9. Highlight your process or playbook → “How I audit a Meta ad account in under 30 minutes—step-by-step guide.” (People want practical, repeatable frameworks.) ✅ 10. Share a framework on something you’ve mastered → “The exact LinkedIn content system I used to grow from 2K to 700K followers.” (People love step-by-step frameworks they can apply immediately.) Pro Tip: If you’re ever stuck, scroll your LinkedIn feed and look at the posts getting traction. Ask yourself: “How can I add my own spin on this?” Which of these will you try next? Drop a comment below 👇

You're not born a natural problem-solver. It's a skill that needs developing with time: Especially if you want to build a successful digital business.  Most people don't realise it,  But a founder's job is mostly just problem solving on repeat...    Day in and day out.  Over the last few years, I’ve used different problem-solving models Depending on what needed my attention:  💸 Keeping revenue consistent and predictable. 🔧 Setting a strategy that’s clear and actionable. ⭐️ Building a culture people actually want to be part of.  ⚙️ Running smooth operations, even when I’m not in the room. As you can imagine, each one requires a completely different approach. These are the four models that I return to most often 👇 🔍 First Principles Thinking ↳ Strip everything back and start from zero. 1. What do I know for sure about this problem? 2. What’s just a habit or assumption — not a fact? 3. If I had to build a solution from zero, what would it look like? 4. What if I forgot how this is “usually done”? 5. What’s the simplest possible version of solving this? 🔄 Second-Order Thinking ↳ Zoom out and see the bigger picture. 1. If this works... what else does it trigger? 2. What does this look like in 6 months? 2 years? 3. Am I solving a short-term pain or creating a long-term problem? 4. What unintended consequences could show up later? 5. What would someone smarter than me worry about here? 🧠 Root Cause Analysis ↳ Fix an entire system, not just a symptom. 1. What exactly went wrong — and when? 2. What’s the first thing that caused this to break down? 3. If I asked “why?” five times… where would I end up? 4. Where have we solved this badly before? 5. What keeps making this problem reappear? ⚡️ The OODA Loop ↳ When you just need to take the leap. 1. What’s actually happening right now — no bias, just facts? 2. What do I need to unlearn before I can move forward? 3. Based on what I know, what’s the smartest next decision? 4. What small test can I run immediately? 5. What would I change if I had to act in the next 10 minutes? It's easy to panic when an issue arises,  But it will do nothing to actually solve the problem. To problem solve like the top 1%,  You need to stop reacting emotionally... And start responding strategically. If you want to stay sharp under pressure,  My weekly newsletter will help you solve real business problems. Join Step by Step and get actionable insights every Sunday.👇 https://lnkd.in/eXSNaDiu I have other important lessons and 30+ free learning resources for you. What major problem did you solve recently, and how? Share your story in the comments. ⬇️ ♻️ Repost to help your network become better problem-solvers.  And follow Chris Donnelly for more. 

Gearing up for your next big interview? See if you can think like a top-tier PM! and tackle these product design problems. ⚫ Problem: LinkedIn Profile Completeness LinkedIn has observed that many users leave their profiles incomplete, which reduces the effectiveness of its networking features. What design issues might be hindering users from completing their profiles, and how can LinkedIn encourage full profile completion? ⚪ Approach: - Implement progress indicators to motivate users to complete their profiles. - Simplify the profile editing process with step-by-step guidance. - Provide contextual suggestions for each profile section based on user role and industry. ⚫ Problem: Instagram Stories Low Adoption Instagram's Stories feature, though popular, is seeing lower adoption among older demographics. What design elements might be causing older users to shy away from Stories, and how can Instagram redesign the feature to make it more accessible and appealing? ⚪ Approach: - Conduct usability testing with the target demographic to uncover pain points. - Simplify the interface with clearer icons and labels. - Provide guided tutorials or tooltips for first-time users. ⚫ Problem: Airbnb Listing Browsing Friction Airbnb users are reporting frustration with browsing and filtering listings, leading to longer search times and higher drop-off rates. What design flaws could be causing this friction, and how can Airbnb streamline the listing browsing experience? ⚪ Approach: - Reassess the usability of search filters and refine their placement. - Introduce more intuitive sorting options based on common user preferences. - Simplify the visual hierarchy to help users quickly assess key information. ⚫ Problem: Uber Eats Order Customization Confusion Uber Eats customers frequently encounter confusion when customizing their orders, leading to incorrect orders and increased support calls. What design flaws might be contributing to this issue, and how can Uber Eats improve the customization interface to enhance user experience? ⚪ Approach: - Simplify the customization options with clearer labeling and visuals. - Introduce confirmation prompts for complex customizations. - Conduct A/B testing on different customisation flows to find the most intuitive design. ⚫Problem: Netflix User Engagement Decline Netflix has noticed a decline in user engagement with its homepage, where users are spending less time browsing and watching content. What design issues might be contributing to this drop in engagement, and how can Netflix redesign the homepage to captivate users? ⚪ Approach: - Analyze user interactions with homepage elements to identify underperforming areas. - Test alternative layouts that prioritize personalized content discovery. - Simplify navigation and reduce clutter to improve user focus. With an upsurge in #Product openings, practice product use cases to get an edge in the interviews. Complete question bank coming soon! #productmanagement #interviews

13 Powerful Questions to Spark Innovation in Your Next Strategy Session Great leaders don’t provide all the answers. They ask the right questions. Whether you’re leading a corporate team or a startup, solving problems isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about unlocking new opportunities. The best teams think beyond the obvious, explore constraints creatively, and challenge assumptions without killing momentum. Here are “13 questions” to guide your next problem-solving session: 1. What assumptions are we making that might not be true? 2. If we had to solve this with half the time and budget, what would we do? 3. What would a competitor do if they had our exact challenge? 4. What’s the simplest version of a solution we can test right now? 5. If we solved this problem but it failed in a year, what likely went wrong? 6. Who else has already solved this in another industry? 7. What’s the biggest risk if we don’t take action? 8. If we could start over from scratch, what would we do differently? 9. How would we solve this if we had unlimited resources? 10. What’s the one bold move no one is willing to suggest? 11. What part of this challenge are we overcomplicating? 12. Who on our team is not in the room but should be? 13. If we had to make a decision in 24 hours, what would it be? The best leaders create space for big ideas without letting contrarians stall momentum. So the next time your team is stuck, try out some of these better and watch what happens. ❓ What questions would you add? #leadership #businessstrategy #problemsolving

"How do you know what to post about on LinkedIn?" Here you go (save this post): Top of Funnel Content: Personal Story Prompts • What's the biggest mistake I made when starting in this industry, and what did it teach me? • What's a commonly accepted "truth" in my industry that my experience has proven wrong? • What's a moment that completely changed my perspective on my work? • What's the most surprising discovery I've made in my professional journey? • What's a skill I initially thought wasn't important but turned out to be crucial? Industry Insight Prompts • What's a common practice in my industry that I believe is outdated? • What's the biggest misconception people have about my field? • What's a prediction I have for my industry that might seem controversial now? Middle of Funnel (MOFU) Content Prompts: Problem-Solution Prompts • What's a problem that keeps coming up in client conversations? • What's a solution I provide that clients are initially skeptical about but end up loving? • What's a transformation story that perfectly illustrates my approach? • What's a method I use that differs from conventional wisdom? Process Breakdown Prompts • What's the first thing I look at when analyzing a new client's situation? • What's a crucial step in my process that clients often want to skip? • What's a seemingly small detail in my methodology that makes a big difference? Educational Prompts •  What's a concept I wish every prospect understood before working with me? What's a skill gap I consistently see in my industry? •  What's a framework I use that could help potential clients right now? •  What's a mistake I see prospects making that's costing them opportunities? What's an insight from my work that could shift someone's perspective? Bottom of Funnel (BOFU) Content Prompts: Results-Based Prompts •  What's a recent client success story that highlights my approach (and whatʼs different about it)? •  What's a client transformation that exceeded even my expectations? •  What's a before/after story that captures the full value of my work? Offer-Focused Prompts: • What's the most surprising benefit clients get from working with me? • What's a feature of my service that sets it apart from alternatives? • What's a requirement I have for clients that actually ensures their success? • What's a component of my offer that clients consistently praise? • What's a "small" inclusion in my service that delivers outsized value? Urgency/Scarcity Prompts •  What's changed in my industry that makes my solution more valuable now? •  What's a current opportunity my ideal clients might be missing? • What's a scenario where acting quickly made a huge difference for a client? Every piece of content should either build trust, demonstrate expertise, or drive action. The best content comes from real conversations and experiences. And, as always: The posts you're most nervous about publishing are the ones that perform best.

I deleted 6,483 LinkedIn posts from my account last week. THE ONLY LINKEDIN STRATEGY THAT ACTUALLY MATTERS After 7 years of building a "personal brand" on LinkedIn, I discovered something that changed everything. The posts that generated the most revenue weren't the ones with thousands of likes. They were the ones that spoke directly to a specific pain point that kept my ideal clients awake at 3 AM. THE $872K POST THAT ONLY GOT 17 LIKES Last October, I published what looked like a failing post: • 17 likes • 4 comments (2 from colleagues) • 842 views Yet that single post generated $872,000 in closed business over the next 90 days. Why? Because it addressed a specific problem that 12 decision-makers at SMBs were desperately trying to solve. It wasn't designed to go viral. It was designed to resonate deeply with exactly the right people. THE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH ABOUT LINKEDIN Most of us have been playing the wrong game entirely. We're chasing vanity metrics when we should be creating conversations with people who can actually buy from us. Here's what I've learned from building a multi-million dollar business through LinkedIn: (1) The number of right people who see your content matters infinitely more than the total number who see it (2) Consistency builds trust more effectively than virality (3) Real business happens in conversations, not comments (4) Specificity attracts. Generality repels. (5) Solving one problem extremely well outperforms solving many problems superficially THE SYSTEM THAT ACTUALLY WORKS After testing every LinkedIn strategy imaginable, here's the simple system that has consistently delivered results: • Connect only with people who fit your ideal customer profile • Post problem-focused content 3-5 times per week • Focus on the first 60 minutes after posting (respond to every comment) • Send thoughtful, problem-oriented messages to new connections • Track which content topics generate actual sales conversations, not just engagement That's it. No tricks. No hacks. No daily posting grind. Just consistent, deliberate communication with the right people about the problems you solve better than anyone else. WHAT I'D DO DIFFERENTLY If I could go back and restart my LinkedIn journey, I'd delete 90% of the content I created. I'd stop trying to appeal to everyone. I'd stop chasing engagement for engagement's sake. I'd stop listening to LinkedIn "experts" who have never actually generated revenue from the platform. I'd focus entirely on the intersection of: • Problems my ideal clients actually care about solving • Problems I'm uniquely positioned to help them solve • Problems that are expensive enough to justify my solution Everything else is just noise. What if we all stopped trying to go viral and instead focused on creating value for the exact people we're best equipped to serve? That's the only LinkedIn strategy that actually matters.

Not getting engagement on LinkedIn? Give this a try. If your posts aren’t getting the traction you want, it’s not because people don’t care—it’s because they don’t feel compelled to engage. Try one of these 7 content ideas this week to change that: 1. Share a success spotlight. Feature a client, partner, or leader who is making an impact. → What’s a creative solution they implemented? → How is their work shifting the industry forward? → What can others learn from them? 💡 Example: “How [Org/Person] is tackling [Industry Challenge] in a way we should all be paying attention to.” 2. Speak to a pain point. Your ideal audience should read your post and think: “Wow, they really get me.” → What’s a challenge your clients or partners struggle with? → What’s a small but meaningful shift they could make? 💡 Example: “Struggling to secure new corporate partnerships? Here’s what actually works.” 3. Tell a story with a lesson. People remember stories more than facts. Bring us into a moment that shaped you. → What’s a mistake you made that others can learn from? → What was a turning point in your career? 💡 Example: “The mistake that almost cost me [Lesson]—so you don’t have to make it.” 4. Share a bold take on an industry norm. Engagement thrives on fresh perspectives. Challenge conventional wisdom. → What’s something you believe about social impact, fundraising, or LinkedIn that others might push back on? → Where do most people get it wrong? 💡 Example: “We need to stop saying [Common Phrase]—here’s why.” 5. Offer an industry insight. Break down a common misconception or complex topic in your space. → What’s a strategy or approach that’s often misunderstood? → What’s an easier, more effective way to tackle it? 💡 Example: “Most people think the biggest challenge in solving the global water crisis is access to clean water. But the real issue is _____." 6. Show behind the scenes. People connect with people. Share something personal or vulnerable. → What’s a struggle you’ve faced in running your business? → What’s a challenge you’ve helped a client overcome? 💡 Example: “I used to believe [Old Belief]—until this moment changed everything.” 7. Give a quick, actionable tip. People love practical takeaways they can apply today. → What’s a simple, effective tip that can make a difference? → What’s the #1 thing you wish more people in your industry understood? 💡 Example: “If you want to [Achieve Goal], try this one simple shift.” If your LinkedIn content isn’t landing, try one of these ideas this week. And if you do—tag me! I’d love to see what you create. 🔖 Save this post so you never have to stare at a blank page again.