Is LinkedIn Dead? Here's What I Think is *Really* Happening
Why LinkedIn's "mass exodus" is creating the biggest opportunity I've seen in a decade of building a six-figure business on the platform
I keep hearing it everywhere: "LinkedIn is dead." "The algorithm is broken." "It's just all AI content now."
I have to laugh when I hear this. Why? Because LinkedIn is literally what helped me quit my soul-crushing corporate job years ago to build a six-figure writing and coaching business that I've now run for nearly a decade. And today? It's still my #1 growth driver for this very Substack you're reading.
So no, LinkedIn isn't dead. But something interesting is happening. Let me explain...
The Great LinkedIn Exodus (And Why It's Actually Good News)
Right now, there's a mass exodus of creators and professionals claiming LinkedIn is "over." They point to declining engagement, algorithm changes, and feeds full of AI-generated fluff as evidence.
And you know what? They're not entirely wrong.
Scroll through LinkedIn today and you'll see an endless stream of:
Cookie-cutter "broetry" posts
AI-generated motivation quotes
Humble brags thinly disguised as life lessons
It's enough to make anyone question whether LinkedIn is still viable.
But Here's What Everyone Is Missing
This exodus and content fatigue is actually creating the biggest opportunity I've seen on LinkedIn in years.
Think about it - when everyone zigs, that's exactly when you should zag.
While others are leaving or posting robotic content, there's now a massive opportunity for authentic voices to stand out. The noise is creating a perfect environment for genuine, thoughtful content to capture attention.
The Content That's Actually Working Right Now
Through my work with clients and my own experience, I'm seeing certain types of content consistently break through:
Story-driven posts with a clear lesson
Behind-the-scenes looks at real business moments
Visual content (especially custom graphics or video)
Contrarian takes backed by experience
Detailed breakdowns of successes AND failures
The key? They're all deeply human, impossible to replicate with AI, and focus on delivering real value.
What’s Cool About LinkedIn?
There’s a lot of opportunity with LinkedIn when you dive in and do it right. You can use LinkedIn to build a personal brand around anything you want:
Your Substack
Your Podcast
Your New Book
Your Coaching Biz
Your Course
And it’s basically all free. You can use it to build genuine connections with others around your space. Of course, you can also use it to network your way into a dream job. As a career coach, I’ve helped hundreds of people find their dream jobs all by using LinkedIn.
My best selling digital product is called Remote Dream Job Masterclass and I sell it solely through LinkedIn. There’s a lot of opportunity on LinkedIn, but it’s all in how you see it.
The LinkedIn-Substack Flywheel: Your Secret Growth Engine
Here's where things get really interesting. LinkedIn isn't just a standalone platform - it's the perfect discovery engine for your Substack.
I call this the LinkedIn-Substack Flywheel:
LinkedIn helps you get noticed and build authority
Your profile acts as a conversion tool to Substack
Substack lets you go deeper with your most engaged followers
Those followers then amplify your LinkedIn content
And the cycle continues...
Your Secret Weapon: LinkedIn Newsletters
While everyone else is fighting for attention in the main feed, LinkedIn newsletters are quietly becoming one of the most powerful tools for building an audience.
Why? Because newsletter subscribers get notified every time you publish. No algorithm to fight. No feed to compete with. Direct access to your audience.
Even better - you can use your LinkedIn newsletter to systematically move people to your Substack, where you can build deeper relationships and monetize more effectively.
The Real Opportunity Right Now
Look, I get why people are frustrated with LinkedIn. The platform has changed. But that change is creating opportunity.
When everyone else is posting the same tired content, you can stand out by:
Being authentically yourself
Sharing real stories and lessons
Creating valuable, original insights
Building genuine connections
Using the platform strategically, not desperately
What This Means for You
If you're reading this and thinking about doubling down on LinkedIn - or maybe getting started for the first time - you're thinking about it at exactly the right moment.
The opportunity is there for those willing to put in the work and do things differently.
In fact, I'm seeing so much opportunity right now that I'm putting together an updated Six-Figure LinkedIn Growth Masterclass to show exactly how to take advantage of this moment. It's launching in a couple of weeks, and I'll be sharing more details soon.
In this class, I’ll share exactly how I run a six-figure business through LinkedIn every single year and how I use LinkedIn as the growth engine for my Substack.
If you’d like to get first access on this class when it’s live, just comment “LinkedIn” and I’ll be sure to add you to the list.
For now, though, remember this: LinkedIn isn't dead. It's evolving. And that evolution is creating massive opportunity for those willing to see it.
Need Help NOW with Substack? Six-Figure Substack Growth Class
If you’re reading this and thinking “That’s great, but I need help with growing my Substack…today” I’ve got your back. I’ve reopened my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass where I share the exact strategy I’ve used to grow from Zero to 4,500+ subscribers & a $5K+ per month newsletter in less than 6 months.
Over 300+ writers have now joined the class and learning to all grow their newsletters together. In this class, you’ll:
Learn how to narrow down and refine your niche
Different ways to grow and monetize your newsletter
How to use AI to help you write better & more efficiently
Private community just for masterclass students
Peace of mind knowing you’ve got a strategy to grow
If you’re ready to cross “Grow my Substack” off your list for 2025, just click the button below and join us:
I can totally relate. When it comes to your advice to stick to it. The problem with LinkedIn for me is that I don't quite know what to post there anymore. I post a summary of my substacks and ask people to read more following the link. That's about it. It does have to do with my losing interest in what's happening on LinkedIn and not wanting to participate or replicate the kinds of posts I'm seeing. Any tips on what types of content could work in this zag towards LinkedIn?
Wes you nailed it! i see LI as a massive opportunity to cut through the bs with really great writing and strong storytelling. it's still the single best platform (outside of this one) to build a lucrative business. i've been doing it for 3 years. great post.