Are you falling for LinkedIn growth promises that sound too good to be true? Spoiler alert: they probably are.

In this episode, we tackle a problem we see constantly on LinkedIn: unrealistic growth expectations being sold as simple strategies. We break down a viral post claiming someone grew to 70,000 followers in just 10 minutes a day, and we do the math to show you why the numbers don't add up.

We expose the red flags of fake engagement, automated growth tactics, and engagement pods that LinkedIn openly warns against. Then we shift to what actually works: the realistic expectations you should have for sustainable network growth and the intentional strategies that create real business results.

Key takeaways:

• The acceptance rate math that reveals realistic LinkedIn growth patterns

• Red flags that signal fake engagement and automated tactics

• What Scott's 13 years of consistent LinkedIn presence has actually produced

• Why quality connections matter more than vanity metrics

• The realistic time investment required for LinkedIn growth (hint: it's not 10 minutes)

• How to use LinkedIn intentionally for actual business relationships and revenue

Stop chasing unicorns and start building something real. The slow and steady approach creates sustainable growth that actually converts to clients and revenue.

If you're ready to implement proven LinkedIn strategies that create real results, we'd love to work with you. Expert Authority Mastermind is accepting pre-enrollment applications for our late January 2026 cohort. We only take 10 to 15 clients, and spots are filling fast. Visit our Expert Authority page to learn more and book a consultation: Expert Authority

Are you starting 2026 with the same scattered systems and misaligned clients that held you back last year? In this episode, we reveal why successful business planning isn't about adding more goals, it's about strategic subtraction. We break down the six patterns keeping coaches and consultants stuck, what to carry forward from 2025, and the seven things you need to make space for to create predictable revenue and sustainable growth.

If you've been working harder without seeing results, this episode will show you why clarity creates momentum and how the subtraction method can transform your business in 2026.

Key takeaways:

• The six things successful entrepreneurs are leaving behind (overcomplication, inconsistent visibility, saying yes to everything)

• How to identify what's actually worth carrying forward from 2025

• The seven strategic priorities to make space for in 2026

• Why platform mastery beats platform proliferation every time

• How to build proactive systems that scale without burnout

• Reflection prompts to get ruthlessly clear on your 2026 priorities

Ready to stop guessing what to post and start building authority that converts? Join Expert Content Society, our monthly membership program designed for professionals who want to master LinkedIn content creation, amplify their personal brand, and generate consistent leads. Get access to workshops, templates, challenges, and expert insights that help you show up with clarity and confidence. Learn more at: The Expert Content Society Waitlist

Are you jumping into 2026 planning without evaluating what actually worked this year?

In this episode, I'm doing something most business owners avoid: getting brutally honest about 2025. The wins that surprised me, the strategies that flopped hard, and the market shifts nobody saw coming.

This isn't reflection for nostalgia's sake. It's strategic. The businesses that scale aren't doing the same thing harder, they're stopping to assess and optimize based on real results.

I'm revealing my one word for 2026 (OPTIMIZATION) and sharing the Red, Yellow, Green framework I use every December to decide what stays, what needs work, and what gets cut entirely.

Key takeaways:

• Why Expert Content Society members are crushing it on LinkedIn and what content actually works (spoiler: video, newsletters, and consistency win)

• The partnership move that hit 250+ members when we weren't even trying

• Honest failures: evergreen funnels that didn't convert, features nobody wanted, and process gaps that killed our scalability

• Critical market shifts: buying patterns changed, trust became everything, and clients now expect personalized solutions with zero friction

• The simple framework for evaluating your year and planning strategically

If you're ready to stop doing more and start doing what matters, this is your starting point.

Before you map out 2026, get clear on where you actually stand. Take the LinkedIn Business Assessment to see what’s working, what’s not, and where to optimize next.