Growth Boss

How To Grow Your LinkedIn from 400 to 31K Followers | Deanna Russo

LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful platforms for building a professional network, generating leads, and sharing ideas that drive real opportunities. With over a billion members and a long content lifespan, it’s where decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and career builders connect every day. Whether you’re growing a business or advancing your career, showing up on LinkedIn with a clear strategy can open doors that no other social platform can match.
In this episode, Deanna Russo walks through the exact process she used to grow from 400 to 31,000 followers. We cover how to set a clear why, revamp your profile so it stops the scroll, craft a headline that works in the first 45 characters, and make your banner pull its weight. You’ll learn why thoughtful comments beat likes, how to build a consistent posting cadence, when to use stories vs education, how to write stronger hooks, and why adding an image can lift reach. Deanna also shares why she skips LinkedIn ad spend, what Premium actually helps with, how much time to budget each week, and the simple rules for commenting as yourself so relationships compound over time.
Deanna Russo is a marketing and communications expert helping brands grow visibility and community. Through her consultancy, Leverage Up, she leads LinkedIn strategy, content strategy, and campaign development, partnering with clients to generate millions of impressions and steady inbound. Her strengths span content, storytelling, social, PR, and building partnerships that move the needle.
Timestamp:00:00 Introduction  00:29 Understanding the Triangle Strategy  02:33 Beginning Steps in the Triangle Strategy  05:00 The Difference Between the Why of an Employee vs. an Entrepreneur  07:24 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile  09:32 Content Strategy on LinkedIn  11:03 Engagement: The Key to Building Relationships  12:23 How Frequently Should You Post Personal vs. Professional Content?  15:32 Written Content vs. Videos on LinkedIn  16:08 Additional Tips for Creating Content on LinkedIn  16:44 Boosting Posts on LinkedIn  19:05 Other Important LinkedIn Strategies to Consider
Connect with Deanna Russo to learn more about LinkedIn strategies🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannarusso1/  
#linkedinstrategy #linkedincontent #linkedintips #linkedingrowth #linkedin KeywordsLinkedIn growth, triangle strategy, social media marketing, profile optimization, engagement strategies, content creation, networking, visibility, professional branding, audience building
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/  

How To Grow Your LinkedIn from 400 to 31K Followers | Growth Boss EP 68 Teaser

Growing your LinkedIn audience isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy.
Tomorrow on Growth Boss, LinkedIn expert Deanna Russo shares how she grew from 400 to 31,000 followers using her Triangle Strategy.
→ How to turn your LinkedIn profile into your strongest asset→ The engagement habits that build real visibility→ What to post, how often, and why consistency matters→ How to grow through authentic comments, not cold messages→ The formula for creating content that builds trust and connection
If you want to grow your LinkedIn the right way, without spamming, shortcuts, or burnout, this episode is for you.
The episode drops tomorrow. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss it.
#linkedinstrategy #linkedincontent #linkedintips #linkedingrowth #linkedin #business #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #marketing #marketingstrategy #businesspodcast #marketingpodcast #podcast #florida #usa
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? 
Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. 
Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/    
 
Stay connected.
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid 
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/ 
🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/ 
🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/ 
🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/ 
 

How to Turn TikTok Shop into a Seven-Figure Channel for Your E-Commerce Brand | Zain Ali

Growing an e-commerce brand on TikTok Shop takes more than just uploading a few products. It demands smart planning, a deep understanding of the platform, and a strategy that turns creators into your most powerful sales force. With the right moves, TikTok’s massive audience can quickly become a serious revenue channel.
In this episode, Zain Ali, an expert in e-commerce and TikTok Shop, shares insights on how to build a successful brand, emphasizing the importance of product qualification, the role of creators in driving sales, and strategies for community building. He discusses the significance of setting competitive commission rates, the evolution of retainers, and the necessity of creating engaging content. Zain also highlights the importance of advertising strategies, managing inventory, and understanding the probationary period for new brands on TikTok Shop.
Zain Ali is an eCommerce leader who has grown a portfolio of brands from scratch to over eight figures in revenue. As founder of Zainith Agency, he specializes in paid advertising, fulfillment, and client management, leading teams across the US and abroad. Zain brings hard-earned insight on scaling brands and creating campaigns that deliver results well beyond expectations.
Timestamp:00:00  Introduction  00:24  Background of Zain Ali  00:56  How to Turn a Brand from 0–7 Figures on TikTok Shop: Getting Started  03:47  Lifetime Value Range to Succeed on TikTok Shop  07:11  Setting Up for Success: Commission  09:12  Should New Brands Consider Retainers?  12:18  How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market  15:26  How to Build a Community Around Your Brand  17:38  Are Incentives Important on TikTok Shop?  19:13  The Goli Case Study: Sustaining Momentum  23:28  Utilizing Creator Groups for Growth  25:20  Advertising Strategies on TikTok Shop  27:36  Target ROAS When Advertising on TikTok Shop  28:58  Navigating Usage Rights and Negotiations on TikTok Shop  30:49  Fulfillment by TikTok (FBT): Pros and Cons  32:54  Understanding the Probationary Period for New Brands  34:29  How to Get Reviews from Customers  35:39  Minimum Stock Needed to Succeed on TikTok Shop  37:10  Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways  38:20  Connect with Zain Ali
Connect with Zain Ali to learn more about TikTok Shop🔗 X: https://x.com/NotZainAgain/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zainhali/  🔗 Website: https://zainith.agency/  
#tiktokshop #tiktokshopstrategy #tiktokshopadvertising #tiktokshoptips #tiktok
KeywordsTikTok Shop, e-commerce, creators, marketing, community building, advertising, product qualification, influencer marketing, brand growth, online sales
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/  

How to Turn TikTok Shop into a Seven-Figure Channel | Growth Boss EP 67 Teaser

TikTok Shop can be a seven-figure channel when you treat it like a system.
Most brands guess on creators, pricing, and inventory. The winners plan it.
Tomorrow on Growth Boss, Zain Ali shares:
→ How to qualify products for TikTok Shop and price for conversion→ Commission rates that attract creators and when retainers make sense→ Community building with creator groups that scales content and sales→ Ads and Target ROAS on TikTok Shop plus how to get usage rights for Meta→ FBT, reviews, and the probation period so you keep momentum→ Minimum stock levels and a playbook for sustaining velocity
If you want creators to become your strongest sales channel, this is the episode to watch.
The episode drops tomorrow. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss it.
#tiktokshop #tiktokshopstrategy #tiktokshopadvertising #tiktokshoptips #tiktok #business #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #marketing #marketingstrategy #businesspodcast #marketingpodcast #podcast 
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/  

The State of The SEO Industry in 2025 | Jesper Nissen

SEO in 2025 looks very different from what it did even a few years ago. Search engines are factoring in new signals, AI is reshaping how content gets surfaced, and link building continues to evolve in unexpected ways. Understanding where the industry is headed can help you stay ahead instead of playing catch-up.
In this episode of the Growth Boss Podcast, host Gerrid Smith interviews SEO expert Jesper Nissen, who shares insights on the current state of SEO, effective link building strategies, and the impact of social media and AI on search rankings. Jesper discusses the importance of cloud stacks for local SEO, manual link building techniques, and the significance of anchor text. He also highlights the benefits of press releases, the emerging trend of Parasite SEO, and strategies for optimizing YouTube content. The conversation emphasizes the need for a strong online presence and topical authority to succeed in today's SEO landscape.
Jesper Nissen is a seasoned SEO professional with over 18 years in IT and digital marketing. He built one of the first SEO-friendly CMS platforms back in 2008 and later founded SEO Danmark. Known for pioneering work in cloud stacking and link environment diagrams, he brings a scientific approach to SEO shaped by his background in physics. Jesper frequently speaks at industry events, sharing his findings from ongoing experiments that reveal how search algorithms really behave.
Timestamp:
00:00 Intro0:25 Jesper Nissen’s Background01:09 Link Building Strategies That Works Today03:29 Social Media as a Brand Signal07:25 Engagement In Social Media Posts as Seen By Google11:05 Understanding Cloud Stacks14:38 Link Building Tests and Experiments16:54 How To Build Anchor Text When You Build A Link22:07 How Long Does It Take For LLMs To Pick Up Press Releases22:54 Parasite SEO: Current Trends25:09 YouTube Strategies for SEO28:52 On-Page SEO Techniques31:39 Using AI as a Content Assistant32:28 Building Topical Authority34:56 LLM Optimization37:17 Connect with Jesper Nissen
Mentioned Resources:YACCS: https://yacss.site/  Schemariter: https://schemawriter.ai/  
Connect with Jesper Nissen to learn more about SEO🔗 Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/jespernissenseo/  🔗 X: https://x.com/JespernissenSEO/   
#seo #parasiteseo #linkbuilding #backlinks #seostrategy
KeywordsSEO, link building, social media, AI content, Cloud Stacks, manual link building, anchor text, press releases, Parasite SEO, YouTube strategies, on-page SEO
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/  

The State of The SEO Industry in 2025 | Growth Boss EP 66 Teaser

SEO in 2025 is not what it used to be.
AI is rewriting the rules. Link building is evolving. Social signals matter more than ever.
Tomorrow on Growth Boss, SEO expert Jesper Nissen shares:
→ Link building strategies that still work in 2025→ How AI and social media impact search rankings→ Why cloud stacks and press releases boost local SEO→ The power of Parasite SEO and YouTube optimization→ Keys to building topical authority that search engines reward
If you want to stay ahead of Google’s changes instead of playing catch-up, this is the episode to watch.
The episode drops tomorrow. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss it.
#seo #parasiteseo #linkbuilding #backlinks #seostrategy #growthboss #digitalmarketing #marketing #podcast #businesspodcast #marketingpodcast #business #florida #usa
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/ 

How to Hit $1 Million in Your First Year of Business Without Outside Funding | Erik Huberman

Growing to a million dollars in revenue in your first year sounds impossible, but it’s achievable with the right foundation. It comes down to building a strong value proposition, making smart hiring decisions early, and creating systems that let you scale without outside capital.
In this episode, Erik Huberman shares how he launched Hawke Media and hit seven figures right out of the gate. We talk about what set the company apart in its early days, how its unique selling point evolved, and why culture and innovation became central to long-term growth. Erik also opens up about leading as CEO, building a strong M&A strategy, and where he sees marketing headed in the future.
Erik Huberman is the Founder and CEO of Hawke Media, a marketing consultancy that has helped scale over 5,000 brands and generated billions in revenue. He’s also the founder of Hawke Ventures, creator of the AI-driven Hawke.AI platform, and author of the bestselling book The Hawke Method. With a track record of building, scaling, and investing in businesses, Erik is recognized as one of the top voices in entrepreneurship and marketing today.
Timestamp:
00:00 Intro  
00:25 Background of Erik Huberman  
01:08 The Story Before Hawke Media  
04:50 Building Hawke Media: Early Days & Unique Differentiators  
06:11 How the Unique Selling Point Has Changed Over the Years  
08:04 Navigating Growth in the Early Days: Hiring & Team Dynamics  
09:24 Recruiting Talent From Other Companies  
10:32 Driving Innovation: Culture & Systems  
13:24 Role as CEO  
14:13 M&A Strategy: Acquiring Agencies for Growth  
16:32 Looking Ahead: Future Trends in Marketing  
17:54 What Is GEO?  
20:12 Connect With Erik Huberman 
Mentioned sites:
18:31 Gumshoe AI https://www.gumshoe.ai/ 
Connect with Erik Huberman to learn more about Business Growth
🔗 Website: https://erikhuberman.com/  
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman/ 
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikhuberman/  
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikhuberman/ 
🔗 X: https://x.com/ErikHuberman/ 
🔗 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hawketalk/id1534940129/ 
 
#entrepreneurship #startuplife #businessgrowth #scaleyourbusiness #brandbuilding
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? 
Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. 
Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/    
 
Stay connected.
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid 
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/ 
🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/ 
🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/ 
🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/ 

How to Hit $1 Million in Your First Year of Business Without Outside Funding | Growth Boss EP 65 Teaser

Hitting one million dollars in your first year of business sounds impossible.
But with the right foundation, it’s within reach.
Tomorrow on Growth Boss, Hawke Media founder Erik Huberman shares:
→ How he grew to $1M in revenue without outside funding→ The early hiring decisions that set his company apart→ How to build systems and culture that scale→ Why innovation and smart M&A strategies drive long term growth→ Where he sees marketing headed next
If you want to learn how to scale a business fast and keep control of your vision, this is the episode to watch.
The episode drops tomorrow. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss it.
#entrepreneurship #startuplife #businessgrowth #scaleyourbusiness #brandbuilding #growthboss #digitalmarketing #businessgrowth #florida #usa
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/  

How You Can Return $13 for Every $1 Invested in Marketing Campaigns | Wilson Zehr

Getting real results from marketing isn’t about spending the most money. It’s about making smart, measurable moves that deliver a clear return. When you understand the right strategy, a marketing campaign can stop being a cost center and start becoming one of the strongest growth drivers for your business.
In this episode, Wilson Zehr breaks down how businesses can see $13 back for every $1 invested in the right marketing campaign. He covers the exact steps to build direct response campaigns that convert, the most common mistakes to avoid, and proven hacks to make your efforts more effective. You’ll also learn what works best when it comes to direct mail, how to get access to your target market’s data, and which types of mail formats actually drive results.
Dr. Wilson Zehr is a tech entrepreneur, business leader, and educator with over 20 years of experience in high technology, telecom, and SaaS. As founder and CEO of Cendix and co-founder of Zairmail, he has raised over $60 million for startups, launched successful products, and worked with major companies like Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, and HP. Wilson is passionate about helping businesses grow through smart marketing strategies, data-driven decision making, and innovation.
Timestamp:00:00 Intro00:26 Background of Wilson Zehr01:10 Key Steps To Follow To Get $13 Back For Every $1 Invested03:35 Direct Response Campaign Hacks08:17 Common Mistakes During The Beginning Steps In A Marketing Campaign11:38 Keys To Success In Sending Direct Mail15:51 Tools and Websites To Get Target Market’s Data18:00 Different Types of Mail and Which One Works Best23:04 Connect with Wilson Zehr
Connect with Wilson Zehr to learn more about Marketing Campaigns🔗 Website: https://www.zairmail.com/  🔗 Speedy: https://www.zairmail.com/speedy/  📞 Phone: 1.888.898.0066
#marketingstrategy #marketingtips #marketingcampaign #directresponsemarketing #marketing
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/  

How You Can Return $13 for Every $1 Invested in Marketing Campaigns | Growth Boss EP 64 Teaser

Most businesses see marketing as an expense. The smartest ones see it as an investment.
Tomorrow on Growth Boss, Wilson Zehr shares how you can return $13 for every $1 spent on the right marketing campaign.
We cover:→ The key steps to building direct response campaigns that actually convert→ Hacks that boost ROI without increasing ad spend→ The biggest mistakes businesses make at the start of a campaign→ What works best with direct mail and how to access the right data→ Proven strategies to turn marketing into a growth driver
If you want campaigns that deliver measurable results, this is the episode to watch.
The episode drops tomorrow. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss it.
#marketingstrategy #marketingtips #marketingcampaign #directresponsemarketing #marketing #growthboss #digitalmarketing #businessgrowth #florida #usa
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🔔 Do you want to learn more about different growth marketing strategies? Increase Your Reach. Convert More. Grow Faster. Subscribe to Gerrid Smith’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iamgerrid/     
Stay connected.🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgerrid/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith/  🔗 Website: https://gerrid.com/  🔗 Podcast Website: https://growthboss.tv/  🔗 Digital Marketing Website: https://fortressgrowth.com/