I built and sold a business to HubSpot in just 17 months.

I co-founded Mindstream, an AI newsletter that scaled to 150,000+ subscribers. Today, Mindstream is part of the HubSpot Media Network, where I lead brand strategy for the AI media products. 

Along the way, I’ve grown a 200,000+ following on LinkedIn, sharing real, unfiltered lessons on AI, entrepreneurship, and business growth. The wins and the mistakes.

I believe action beats hesitation. The biggest risk? Never starting.

Adam Biddlecombe

Helping Entrepreneurs Build with AI | Founder, Mindstream (Acquired by HubSpot)

Co-Founder & CEO 

98% think they’re using Claude perfectly.

They open the AI chat box and start prompting.

That’s exactly why they’re leaving 80% of its power unused.

When I first started using Claude, 
I made the same mistake.

I treated it like a chatbot.
Ask question → get answer → repeat.

But now, as I’ve set up Claude properly, 
Everything changed.

It started behaving like a system that actually works with me.
I got:
- Better writing.
- Better research.
- Better coding.
- Better reasoning.

Most people never unlock this because they skip the setup.

That’s why I’ve created this simple breakdown of how you can set up Claude the best way for you.

Here are the key ideas behind a powerful Claude setup:
→ Install Claude properly (desktop unlocks more capabilities)
→ Choose the right model for the job
→ Create a personal voice file Claude can reference
→ Define what you reject so Claude avoids bad habits
→ Give Claude real folders and context to work with
→ Enable features like artifacts and code execution
→ Add job-specific plugins for specialized work
→ Build reusable skills and workflows

When you configure Claude correctly, 
It starts acting like a reliable AI operator.

Do’s:
✅ Set profile preferences so Claude understands your writing style
✅ Give clear instructions and structured prompts
✅ Connect tools and folders for real context
✅ Create repeatable skills for frequent tasks
✅ Test different models based on the problem

Don’ts:
❌ Don’t rely on vague prompts and expect perfect outputs
❌ Don’t leave API keys or secrets in prompts or code
❌ Don’t ignore Projects when organizing complex work
❌ Don’t share sensitive data without checking security settings
❌ Don’t skip testing new Claude features and tools

If you set this up correctly, 
Claude becomes extremely powerful for:
• Writing
• Coding
• Research
• Analysis
• Workflow automation

To see the full setup breakdown, 
Check the infographic below 👇 
It will save you hours of trial and error.

Want to master how to use ChatGPT at work?
Grab my free guide here: https://lnkd.in/eJPyZ-Qe 

Curious to know something:
What do you think about setting up Claude for your workflow?
Comment below 👇

98% think they’re using Claude perfectly.

They open the AI chat box and start prompting.

That’s exactly why they’re leaving 80% of its power unused.

When I first started using Claude, 
I made the same mistake.

I treated it like a chatbot.
Ask question → get answer → repeat.

But now, as I’ve set up Claude properly, 
Everything changed.

It started behaving like a system that actually works with me.
Better writing.
Better research.
Better coding.
Better reasoning.

Most people never unlock this because they skip the setup.

That’s why I’ve created this simple breakdown of how you can set up Claude the best way for you.

Here are the key ideas behind a powerful Claude setup:
→ Install Claude properly (desktop unlocks more capabilities)
→ Choose the right model for the job
→ Create a personal voice file Claude can reference
→ Define what you reject so Claude avoids bad habits
→ Give Claude real folders and context to work with
→ Enable features like artifacts and code execution
→ Add 

If you want to be ahead of everyone in 2026,

You need to build your team of AI employees.

I used to think scaling meant working more hours and doing everything myself.

But now I did something different.
I built an AI team.

Every AI tool acts as an employee.
One for marketing.
One for development.
One for design.
One for research.
One for automation.
And more.

And suddenly, 
Work that took weeks,
Started finishing in hours.

Here’s how people are using AI as employees today:
→ ChatGPT as Chief Strategy Officer
→ Perplexity as Research Assistant
→ Claude as Writer
→ Canva as Designer
→ Zapier as Automation Engineer
→ Replit as Developer
→ HubSpot as Sales Manager
→ Beehiiv as Newsletter Manager
→ Taplio and Tweet Hunter as Ghostwriters
→ Gamma and VEED as Presentation and Video Experts

Most people fail with AI because they treat tools like toys.
High performers treat them like roles.

Do’s:
✅ Do assign one clear role per tool
✅ Do give examples and standards upfront
✅ Do review outputs like a manager
✅ Do combine tools into workflows
✅ Do keep humans in the decision loop

Don’ts:
❎ Don’t expect perfection on first output
❎ Don’t overload one tool with many roles
❎ Don’t skip context and instructions
❎ Don’t blindly trust outputs without review
❎ Don’t chase every new tool without a system

AI doesn’t replace teams.
It replaces friction.

If you want to know all the tools,
Check the infographic below 👇 

It visually maps how each AI fits into a real team.

If you like this and want to get free access to our complete ChatGPT at Work bundle guide, get it here: https://lnkd.in/e6yDSf4F 

What you think about building your own team of AI employees using powerful tools?
Comment below 👇

If you want to be ahead of everyone in 2026,

You need to build your team of AI employees.

I used to think scaling meant working more hours and doing everything myself.

But now I did something different.
I built an AI team.

Every AI tool acts as an employee.
One for marketing.
One for development.
One for design.
One for research.
One for automation.
And more.

And suddenly, 
Work that took weeks,
Started finishing in hours.

Here’s how people are using AI as employees today:
→ ChatGPT as Chief Strategy Officer
→ Perplexity as Research Assistant
→ Claude as Writer
→ Canva as Designer
→ Zapier as Automation Engineer
→ Replit as Developer
→ HubSpot as Sales Manager
→ Beehiiv as Newsletter Manager
→ Taplio and Tweet Hunter as Ghostwriters
→ Gamma and VEED as Presentation and Video Experts

Most people fail with AI because they treat tools like toys.
High performers treat them like roles.

Do’s:
✅ Do assign one clear role per tool
✅ Do give examples and standards upfront
✅ Do review out

Stop using ChatGPT for everything.

The smartest builders use specialised AI tools instead.

Because the right AI tool can save you hours every week.

I’ve noticed something interesting.

Everyone around me kept opening the same tab.

ChatGPT.

For:
Writing.
Research.
Presentations.
Data analysis.
Video ideas.
Coding.

Everything.

But the truth is simple:

ChatGPT is powerful.
But not always the best tool for every task.

The real advantage comes from using specialised AI tools built for specific workflows.

Once I started experimenting with alternatives, 
My productivity accelerated overnight.

Here are some powerful AI tools most people should be using alongside ChatGPT:

Research → SciSpace
Presentations → Gamma
Brainstorming → Claude
Learning → NotebookLM
Data analysis → Rows
Data visualization → Julius
Video generation → Freepik
Image generation → Higgsfield
Marketing copy → Writesonic
Scriptwriting → Sandcastles AI
Content creation → Veed
Development → Replit
Website development → Webflow
Customer support AI → Expertise AI
Deep research → Perplexity Deep Research
Meeting notes → Granola

Each tool is designed for a specific problem.
Which means better outputs and faster workflows.

Instead of forcing one AI to do everything:
✔ Use the best AI for the job
✔ Combine multiple AI tools
✔ Build faster workflows

And the results compound fast.

Do’s:
✔ Use specialized tools for specialized tasks
✔ Combine multiple AI tools in one workflow
✔ Verify important outputs with reliable sources
✔ Use AI to speed up thinking, not replace it
✔ Experiment with different tools regularly

Don’ts:
✖ Do not rely on a single AI tool for every task
✖ Do not skip fact-checking for research outputs
✖ Do not assume AI-generated data is always correct
✖ Do not ignore domain-specific AI tools
✖ Do not replace human judgement with AI

If you like this and want to get free access to our complete ChatGPT at Work bundle guide, get it here: https://lnkd.in/e6yDSf4F 

To see the full breakdown of tools,
Check the infographic below 👇 

And I am curious
Which other AI tool alternative do you think works better than ChatGPT for a specific task?
Drop it in the comments 👇

Stop using ChatGPT for everything.

The smartest builders use specialised AI tools instead.

Because the right AI tool can save you hours every week.

I’ve noticed something interesting.

Everyone around me kept opening the same tab.

ChatGPT.

For:
Writing.
Research.
Presentations.
Data analysis.
Video ideas.
Coding.

Everything.

But the truth is simple:

ChatGPT is powerful.
But not always the best tool for every task.

The real advantage comes from using specialised AI tools built for specific workflows.

Once I started experimenting with alternatives, 
My productivity accelerated overnight.

Here are some powerful AI tools most people should be using alongside ChatGPT:

Research → SciSpace
Presentations → Gamma
Brainstorming → Claude
Learning → NotebookLM
Data analysis → Rows
Data visualization → Julius
Video generation → Freepik
Image generation → Higgsfield
Marketing copy → Writesonic
Scriptwriting → Sandcastles AI
Content creation → Veed
Development → Replit
Website development

Quality of learning always beats quantity of content.

We live in a world where information is infinite.
But attention is not.

For a long time, I thought staying ahead meant consuming more.
More books. 
More newsletters. 
More podcasts. 
More tutorials.

It does not.
It means learning with intention.

Early on, books like Find Your Why shaped how I thought about purpose and direction. 
They gave me language for decisions I could already feel but could not yet explain.

Today, I still return to ideas like that.

Just differently.

I use Shortform.

Not to replace books.
But to understand them better.

Shortform creates book guides that go beyond summaries:

- Deep coverage of core ideas
- Smart analysis and connections across authors
- Interactive exercises that make ideas stick

It feels like your smartest friend walking you through a book.

Three categories I personally spend the most time on:

- Business and entrepreneurship
- Psychology and decision-making
- Communication and negotiation

Here are my favorite books I recommend to learn from:

1. Magic of Thinking Big.
You’ll learn
- Think bigger to unlock higher confidence, ambition, and results.
- Beliefs shape actions, and actions determine success.
- Positive thinking enables better decisions and consistent progress.

2. How to Win Friends and Influence People.
You’ll learn:
- Genuine interest in others builds trust and influence.
- Avoid criticism to maintain strong relationships.
- Make people feel valued to earn cooperation.

3. How to Get Rich
You’ll learn:
- Persistence matters more than talent or luck.
- Wealth comes from execution, not ideas alone.
- Long term success requires resilience and self belief.

The best part is:
On Shortform, I can combine learning from these best books.
To know what I should focus on in the long term.

That is where real leverage comes from.

Shortform also releases new book and article guides every week.
And I get to vote on what gets covered next.

And when I am reading blogs or watching long YouTube videos, 
Their browser extension, Shortform AI, 
Helps me generate high-quality summaries instantly. 
Just in one click.

The result is simple:
- I spend less time skimming.
- More time thinking.
- More time connecting ideas.
- More time building judgement.

Learning compounds when the input is high quality.

If your goal is not just to consume content, 
But to sharpen how you think, 
Shortform is worth exploring.

You do not need more information.
You need better understanding.

Try here: shortform.com/biddlecombe 

Get a free trial and $50 off the annual plan from my link. 

What do you think about learning this new way?
Comment below 👇 

#shortformpartner

Most people think they understand AI.

Until they realise they only recognise buzzwords.

I’ve curated the 40 important AI terms here to fix that gap.

A few months ago, I noticed something strange.

Smart professionals were using AI every day.
But struggling to explain it clearly.

They could say "LLM", "agents", or “hallucinations”.
But not understanding what those actually mean or why they matter.

That is the difference between using AI.
And thinking with AI.

So I broke it down here.

Why this matters more than people realise:
→ Clarity compounds faster than just using AI tools
→ Understanding beats memorising prompts
→ Vocabulary shapes how well you use AI

A few terms most people misuse daily:
• Bias → When training data tilts outputs
• Tokens → How models read and write text
• Inference → Using learned knowledge in real time
• Overfitting → When AI memorizes instead of generalizing
• Hallucinations → Confident answers without factual grounding

Do’s:
✅ Learn concepts before tools
✅ Connect terms to real workflows
✅ Understand limits, not just capabilities
✅ Revisit fundamentals regularly
✅ Explain ideas in your own words

Don’ts:
❎ Chasing tools without understanding basics
❎ Confusing AGI with current LLMs
❎ Ignoring training and data quality
❎ Treating prompts as everything
❎ Assuming AI is always correct

If you want leverage from AI,
You must speak its language first.

To get a quick scan of all 40 AI terms,
Check the infographic below 👇

Learn AI for free: https://lnkd.in/euYZeAdb 

How much time do you invest in learning AI every day?
Comment below 👇

Most people think they understand AI.

Until they realise they only recognise buzzwords.

I’ve curated the 40 important AI terms here to fix that gap.

A few months ago, I noticed something strange.

Smart professionals were using AI every day.
But struggling to explain it clearly.

They could say "LLM", "agents", or “hallucinations”.
But not understanding what those actually mean or why they matter.

That is the difference between using AI.
And thinking with AI.

So I broke it down here.

Why this matters more than people realise:
→ Clarity compounds faster than just using AI tools
→ Understanding beats memorising prompts
→ Vocabulary shapes how well you use AI

A few terms most people misuse daily:
• Bias → When training data tilts outputs
• Tokens → How models read and write text
• Inference → Using learned knowledge in real time
• Overfitting → When AI memorizes instead of generalizing
• Hallucinations → Confident answers without factual grounding

Do’s:
✅ Learn concepts before too

I’ve seen people waste months jumping between random AI hacks.

So I’ve created this one all-in-one AI cheat sheet for you.

To help you master everything important in one go.

Let me be brutally honest.

While you were writing one-line prompts, 
AI pros were using the RTCROS framework to get better results.

While you were guessing prompts, 
They were using chain-of-thought prompting to make AI think step by step.

While you were struggling with manual work, 
They were automating entire workflows with tools you've never even heard of.

Here's what the best AI users know that you don't:

Prompting tips to get 10x better outputs:
→ Zero-Shot gets instant results with no examples
→ Few-Shot guides AI with just 2-3 samples
→ Chain-of-Thought makes AI show its reasoning
→ Persona-Based makes AI adopt expert roles
→ Iterative Refinement keeps making outputs sharper

Tools they're using daily:
✅ Google Nano Banana Pro for stunning visuals in seconds
✅ Cursor for writing code 
✅ Zapier for automating tasks while they sleep
✅ Consensus for research that used to take weeks
✅ Gamma for presentations that look professionally designed

The AI models dominating right now:
→ ChatGPT-5.2 for adaptive multimodal thinking
→ Claude Opus 4.6 for deep reasoning and complex tasks
→ Grok 4.2 for live data and stronger creativity
→ Gemini 3.1 Pro for long-context multi-step workflows
→ Kimi K2 Thinking for hard analytical problems

Some business use cases where AI helps:
→ Digital operations getting fully automated
→ Lead generation running on autopilot
→ Sales cycles being cut in half
→ Marketing campaigns launching without agencies
→ Finance management handled without analysts

The crazy part?
All of this is learnable. 
Right now. 
For free.

The gap between people who invest in learning AI daily and those who don't is growing.

In the next 12 months, 
The professionals who mastered AI prompting, tools, and workflows will be untouchable in their careers.

The ones who didn't will be wondering what happened.
Actually using it every day is where winners are made.

Learn AI for free: https://lnkd.in/euYZeAdb 

How much time per day do you invest in learning AI? 
Be honest, and comment below 👇

I’ve seen people waste months jumping between random AI hacks.

So I’ve created this one all-in-one AI cheat sheet for you.

To help you master everything important in one go.

Let me be brutally honest.

While you were writing one-line prompts, 
AI pros were using the RTCROS framework to get better results.

While you were guessing prompts, 
They were using chain-of-thought prompting to make AI think step by step.


While you were struggling with manual work, 
They were automating entire workflows with tools you've never even heard of.

Here's what the best AI users know that you don't:

Prompting tips to get 10x better outputs:

→ Zero-Shot gets instant results with no examples
→ Few-Shot guides AI with just 2-3 samples
→ Chain-of-Thought makes AI show its reasoning
→ Persona-Based makes AI adopt expert roles
→ Iterative Refinement keeps making outputs sharper

Tools they're using daily:
✅ Google Nano Banana Pro for stunning visuals in seconds
✅ Cursor for writing code 
✅ Zapier for 

Drowning in huge PDFs?

You don’t need more coffee.
You need AI assistance.

Here’s how to use AI for document analysis.

1. Go to ChatGPT
2. Click the ‘+’ icon
3. Add your document
4. Write your prompt
5. Get document analysis done
6. Follow up if you need more insights

Pros:
- Ultra-fast summarisation of long texts.
- Good at extracting key entities, relationships, and topics.
- Can handle multiple formats (text, tables) if converted appropriately.
- Provides a “first-pass” analysis so you don’t start from blank.
- Repeatable and consistent (for the same prompt & input).

Cons:
- May (rarely) hallucinate or invent details that aren’t in the document.
- Doesn’t always catch domain-specific nuance or technical subtleties.
- Performance degrades on very long documents (context window limits).
- No guarantee of source attribution or traceability.
- Biases in training data may skew interpretation.

Do’s
✅ Always give context or purpose before asking for analysis.
✅ Break large docs into smaller chunks for processing.
✅ Ask for both summary and insights/implications.
✅ Request sources or cite-backs for key claims.
✅ Iterate (ask follow-up clarifications) instead of expecting perfection on the first prompt.

Don'ts
❎ Don’t dump an enormous document in one go without context.
❎ Don’t trust the output blindly; always verify critical facts.
❎ Don’t ask vague prompts like “analyse this” without direction.
❎ Don’t ignore structure (tables, figures, sections); treat them explicitly.
❎ Don’t overload with too many goals in one prompt (summary + critique + rewrite + translate all at once).

To get a more detailed explanation,
Check the carousel below 👇 

What do you think of using AI for document analysis?
Comment below 👇 

Learn AI for FREE: https://lnkd.in/eAAacxSK  

♻️ Share this to help your network use AI for document analysis

How To Do Document Analysis For Free With ChatGPT

Connor Gillivan

Scaling my 4 B2B companies w/ SEO. Daily posts about the process. 7x Founder (Exit in 2019).

Hey hey! Thanks for stopping by my profile. Here's a quick tl;dr: 

I've been an entrepreneur since 2009. I've scaled multiple businesses to 6, 7, & 8 figures in ARR and I exited one, FreeUp, in 2019. Today, I run a portfolio of companies, teach SEO, and scale B2B and SaaS businesses with SEO.

A little bit more about me:

Over the last decade, I've built 5 businesses to 6, 7, & 8 figures in yearly revenue. 

In 2019, I exited one of them, FreeUp, to The HOTH after 4 years of growth to 40+ team members and $12M+ in ARR.

Today, I'm building a portfolio of 10+ B2B companies. 

→ TrioSEO: SEO growth services for B2B and SaaS businesses. 
→ Outsource School: Teaching business owners how to build affordable teams in the Philippines.
→ EcomBalance: Monthly bookkeeping for eCommerce companies.
→ AccountsBalance: Bookkeeping for agencies, SAAS, and service providers. 
→ ConnorGillivan.com: Teaching SEO & marketing strategies, processes, & know-how. 
→ HG Media: Social media growth agency for LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Youtube, and more.

My business partner is Nathan Hirsch. We met in college and have been working together ever since.

Our mission is to build businesses in areas where we struggled while growing our first companies and we wished there had been better solutions...hiring, outsourcing, bookkeeping, accounting, billing, legal, SEO, growth, etc. 

If you need help growing your business, I'd love to help. Here's how...

TRIOSEO

I'll work with you on keyword research, building an SEO content plan, writing SEO content, and publishing it on your website to drive more organic traffic, leads, and revenue. 

→ Get an SEO Audit here: https://trioseo.com/audit

THE SEO SYSTEM

In this 4 hour video course, I'll teach you the 4 Pillars of SEO and give you my exact SOPs that I've used to scale multiple companies to millions in ARR with SEO. Packed with value and loved by hundreds. 

→ Purchase Access: https://connorgillivan.com/seo

BOOKKEEPING & OUTSOURCING

Need help with your bookkeeping? Or hiring a virtual assistant? I've got you covered. Get a Pricing Quote for our monthly bookkeeping services. And check out the exact Hiring System we've used to build remote teams for our companies.  

→ Go here: https://ecombalance.com and here: https://outsourceschool.com

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. 

I'm committed every day to making SEO & marketing simpler for millions. 

See you out there!

Best,
Connor

Email: Connor@ConnorGillivan.com

Founder and Owner

ConnorGillivan.com is the home to my personal brand where I make SEO simpler for millions. It hosts my weekly newsletter, The Savvy SEO, and my SEO course, The SEO System. Come learn SEO from my 10+ years of experience scaling my own companies to 6, 7, and 8 figures with an exit in 2019.

My ChatGPT Cheat Sheet for SEO Backlinks:

(How I use ChatGPT to help in building backlinks.) 

I've found that ChatGPT is best for ideation. 

When you're stuck, it helps you through. 

- Ideas for better HARO answers
- Processes to analyze competition
- Backlink strategies I didn't know
- Email templates for outreach
- Local backlink ideas to build
- Digital PR story inspiration

Building backlinks isn't easy. 

ChatGPT doesn't do it for you. 

But man is it a great sparring partner. 

Don't underestimate it. 

& find ways to incorporate it. 

It'll feel weird at first, but then you'll love it. 

---

You agree with me? 

Repost ♻️ if you think it will help others.

P.S. I drop a weekly newsletter every Sunday. Tomorrow, I'm sharing insights on building an SEO strategy. Grab a copy: https://lnkd.in/gs3iPKMA

Connor  Gillivan

I scale companies w/ SEO & content. Book a call & let's talk SEO. 7x Founder (Exit in 2019).

My Proven SEO Keyword Research Cheat Sheet:

(7 steps to DOMINATE keyword research in 2026)

1/ Brainstorm like your ICP
2/ Analyze KD & Volume
3/ Look at "Suggested" Keywords 
4/ Steal from your competitors
5/ Shortlist 100+ Keywords
6/ Label Intent & Prioritize
7/ Repeat Quarterly

---

Keyword research is the backbone of your SEO. 

It will make or break whether you rank top of Google. 

AND whether you'll rank in ChatGPT and LLMs.

Don't overlook it bc you don't know how. 

Follow my proven SOP & start dominating.

---

Find this helpful? 

♻️ REPOST so others can learn too. 

P.S. My company, TrioSEO, will take keyword research off your plate. And form an unbreakable SEO strategy. Download my SEO eBook to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gJ8pJ7dz

My Technical SEO Checklist to Rank on Google & LLMs (no tech skills needed):  

Technical SEO is just “making it easy for bots to crawl, understand, and trust your site.”

If you can click around in WordPress, Wix, Webflow, or Shopify, you can do 80% of it.

1/ Make sure Google can index you

- Google “site:yourdomain.com” and see pages show up
- In Google Search Console, check Indexing → Pages for errors
- If pages aren’t showing, they may be “noindexed” accidentally

2/ Submit your sitemap

- In your SEO plugin, find your sitemap URL (usually /sitemap.xml)
- Add it in Search Console → Sitemaps
- This helps Google find new pages faster

3/ Fix broken pages and redirects

- Install a broken link checker plugin or use a free crawler tool
- Redirect old URLs to the closest matching new page
- Don’t leave 404s for money pages or top traffic posts

4/ Get your titles + meta descriptions under control

- Every important page needs a unique title tag
- Include the main keyword, keep it readable
- Write a meta description that matches search intent

5/ Make your site fast enough

- Run PageSpeed Insights on your homepage + a blog post
- Compress images (biggest easy win)
- Use caching and remove bloated plugins/apps

6/ Make your site mobile-friendly

- Check your pages on your phone
- Fix text that’s too small and buttons too close
- Make sure menus and forms work cleanly

7/ Clean up your URL structure

- Use short, clear URLs: /service-name/ not /p=123/
- Avoid dates unless news-based content
- Keep one “canonical” version (no duplicates)

8/ Add internal links like a librarian

- Link from related posts → your main money pages
- Add 3–5 internal links on every new post
- Use descriptive anchor text, not “click here”

9/ Add basic schema (no coding)

- Turn on FAQ schema for FAQs (only if visible on page)
- Use Organization/Website schema via your SEO plugin
- This helps search engines + LLMs understand entities

10/ Make your pages easy for LLMs to extract

- Use clear headings (H2s that match questions people ask)
- Add a quick TL;DR and definitions near the top
- Use bullet lists, steps, and short sections

---

Most people overthink technical SEO.

You don’t need perfection, you need clean basics.

Speed, indexability, and clarity beat fancy tricks.

Do this once, then maintain monthly.

Technical SEO is reputation insurance for your site.

---

Whatcha think?

Repost ♻️ to help others learn too.

P.S. Do you want more LEADS from your SEO? I have the solution. Read the entire SOP here: https://lnkd.in/gJ8pJ7dz

Top 21 SEO Creators Helping You Rank on ChatGPT & LLMs:

1. Aleyda Solís
2. Jake Ward 
3. Anna York 
4. Louis Smith 
5. Lily Ray 
6. Sarvesh Shrivastava 
7. Artur Perrella Glukhovskyy
8. Steven Schneider 
9. Connor  Gillivan 
10. Ume Laila 
11. Britney Muller
12. Tom Winter 
13. Amanpreet Singh 
14. Liam Quirk 
15. Nick Zviadadze 
16. Jairo Guerrero 
17. Fery Kaszoni 
18. Nick Eubanks 
19. Brodie Clark
20. Neil Patel
21. Rob Hoffman 

---

You learning from this squad yet?

♻️ REPOST if you're interested in what GEO is becoming. 

P.S. GEO is rapidly evolving. SEO is becoming more about LEADS than traffic. Read my "SEO Lead Magnet Project" ebook here: https://lnkd.in/gJ8pJ7dz

P.P.S. Want to chat about your GEO w/ me? Book a call: https://lnkd.in/gYccSVY8

SEO teams don’t have a data problem.

They have a decision-speed problem.

Most teams sit on incredible data.

They just can’t access it fast enough when it matters.

Board asks:
“Why did traffic drop?”

CMO asks:
“Where are competitors gaining ground?”

Content team asks:
“What should we build next?”

And someone has to go:
“Give me 30 minutes.”

That’s the old workflow.

Semrush MCP inside Semrush One quietly changes this.

Instead of navigating dashboards,
you prompt the question directly.

Here’s how I think about it.

1. Stop navigating and start asking
→ “Show me keywords competitors rank for that we don’t”
→ “Find pages that lost positions in the last 30 days”

2. MCP pulls structured Semrush data
→ Live keyword datasets
→ Position changes
→ Competitive domain gaps

3. Get analysis-ready outputs
→ Tables, rankings, clear comparisons
→ Turn answers into action immediately
→ Adjust content briefs, update internal pages

The shift is subtle but important.

SEO used to be:
Pull data → Analyze → Decide.

Now it’s:
Ask → Decide.

That compression matters at scale.

Especially for agencies.
Especially for in-house teams reporting up.
Especially when time-to-decision is a competitive advantage.

Semrush didn’t just add another feature.

They reduced friction between question and insight.
And in SEO, speed compounds.

Start with Semrush MCP with Semrush One here: https://bit.ly/4kr4jlM

♻️ Repost if you think SEO tools should help you think faster, not click more.

P.S. I'm Connor Gillivan. Follow me for daily SEO tips & SOPs.

(Thanks to Semrush for teaming up w/ me on this post)

How to win the modern SEO game

My ChatGPT Cheat Sheet for Digital Marketing (40 Free Prompts):

Prompts to apply TODAY for your marketing:

1/ Content Marketing Strategy
2/ Social Media Marketing
3/ SEO & Web Traffic
4/ Email Marketing
5/ PPC Advertising
6/ Analytics & Reporting
7/ Marketing Automation
8/ Content Personalization

---

Digital marketing isn’t a guessing game...it’s a system.

Smart marketers don’t work harder, they work smarter.

This cheat sheet is your shortcut to great results.

Master these prompts, dominate your strategy.

Start marketing like it's 2026. 

---

What would you add? 

Repost ♻️ to help others work smarter too. 

P.S. I am Connor Gillivan. Follow me for SEO, Marketing, & AI advice.

The Anatomy of a Winning SEO Campaign: 

No, it's not just "blogging". 

In 2026, it's comprehensive. 

1/ Technical SEO

First, you set a foundation for success.

- Optimize speed
- Robots.txt
- Mobile optimized
- Modern UX + design
- URL structure
- Use of CDN
- HTTPS set up
- Schema markup
- Redirect rules

2/ Link Building

Second, you build trust w/ Google. 

- Partnerships
- Custom outreach
- HARO + Featured
- Podcasts
- Guest articles
- Digital PR
- 30+ DR
- 1,000+ traffic
- 10+ backlinks/mo
- Linkable assets
- Directories
- Expert Quotes
- Anchor text

3/ SEO Content

Third, you write content to attract your ICP. 

- Keyword research
- BoFu vs MoFu vs ToFu
- 90 Day Content Plans
- Specialized Writers
- SERP Research
- Competitor Analysis
- In-depth Outlines
- Editing + Optimization
- Internal linking
- CTAs in content
- Images + Videos
- Infographics
- Monthly analytics
- Keyword tracking
- Content upgrades
- Measuring RoT
- Calculators + Tools
- Easy to read + nav

---

Are you winning in SEO? 

♻️ REPOST if this made you think.

👋  Speak with me about your SEO: https://lnkd.in/gYccSVY8

Your competitors are ranking on ChatGPT.

You're not and you don't even know why.

Most founders have zero clue who's winning in AI search results.

No visibility into which prompts matter. 

No idea what content is getting cited.

Semrush One is built for this shift.

It unifies traditional SEO + AI search visibility in one place.

And the AI Visibility Toolkit shows where AI platforms mention your competitors, but not you.

Here’s my competitor gap workflow for AI search:

1/ Start in Competitor Research
→ Benchmark visibility vs your actual AI competitors
→ Filter by platform (ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode)

2/ Find topic gaps first
→ Use the Topics & Prompts section
→ Apply the Missing filter to see where competitors appear and you don’t

3/ Drop to prompt-level gaps
→ Switch to Prompt view
→ Pull the exact questions users ask where you’re absent

4/ Identify citation gaps
→ Open the Sources tab
→ Use Missing to find domains cited for competitors but not you

5/ Track the fixes
→ Add the highest-value prompts to Prompt Tracking
→ Watch daily movement after updates

This is the shift.

Not “rank higher.”

Get mentioned where AI is answering.

The brands winning in AI search aren't doing anything magical. 

They have structured content, clear answers, and authority. 

The brands losing don't even know what prompts to track.

I use Semrush One to run this process. 

It tracks AI visibility, prompt mentions, competitor gaps, and sentiment across LLMs. 

All in one dashboard alongside traditional SEO. 

It's become essential for how I do competitive analysis in 2026.

Try Semrush one for Free here: https://bit.ly/473eyr0

---

What you think? 

♻️ Repost if you think this can help someone stay ahead of AI search.

P.S. I talk about AI's impact on SEO & marketing every week. Follow me for more.  

#Semrushpartner

What is EEAT? Is it still important for SEO in 2026? 

Yes, more important than ever. Let me explain: 

E = Expertise
• Google wants subject-matter experts, not surface-level summaries.
• LLMs reference creators with deep topical footprints.
• If you can’t prove expertise, search engines will sniff it out.

E = Experience
• First-hand stories, real examples, behind-the-scenes details.
• AI can’t fake lived experience (yet). Humans still win.
• Google and ChatGPT both trust content tied to real operators.

A = Authoritativeness
• Backlinks, mentions, citations, and recognition in your niche.
• The more others reference you, the more LLMs surface you.
• Authority compounds. It's a MUST in today's search.

T = Trustworthiness
• Clean design, transparent authorship, sources, accuracy.
• Google penalizes low-trust pages. It's just a fact.
• LLMs reduce hallucinations by leaning on trusted publishers.

Why It Matters More in 2026:
• AI writing flooded the internet with low-quality noise.
• Google shifts ranking weight to real expertise signals.
• ChatGPT & other LLMs cite brands & creators they trust most.
• Your E-E-A-T becomes your competitive moat.

---

AI didn’t kill SEO...it raised the bar.

Real operators stand out more than ever.

E-E-A-T is your brand identity online.

Invest in it now. It's KEY to search success.

---

Agree or disagree?

Repost ♻️+ Follow me for daily takes on SEO & GEO

P.S. I drive SEO traffic and leads for fast-growing brands. Steal my SOP on how I do it: https://lnkd.in/gJ8pJ7dz

AI won't replace SEO. But you MUST learn how to use it. Here's 5 AI + SEO examples: 

1/ AI for Keyword Research

- Use AI to expand seed keywords into 100+ variations.
- Identify high, medium, and low intent faster.
- Validate with tools like Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner.
- Resource: https://lnkd.in/gJGyj_2g

2/ AI for Content Outlines

- Analyze top ranking pages in seconds.
- Generate H1s, H2s, FAQs, and “People Also Ask” ideas.
- Build drafts that align with search intent.
- Resource: https://lnkd.in/gKdQx2Bc

3/ AI for Keyword Clustering

- Group related keywords into topic clusters fast.
- Identify pillar pages and supporting blog content.
- Build stronger internal linking structures.
- Resource: https://lnkd.in/guYp-aDT

4/ AI for Optimization

- Refresh posts ranking 5–20.
- Add missing entities, FAQs, and internal links.
- Improve CTR with better titles and meta descriptions.
- Resource: https://lnkd.in/gkFJKdzb

5/ AI for Repurposing

- Turn blogs into LinkedIn posts, threads, emails.
- Extract snippets for short form content.
- Multiply distribution without rewriting from scratch.
- Resource: https://lnkd.in/gyT5-ui6

---

I still don't recommend using AI to write your content. 

But I absolutely encourage you to use it for other areas of SEO. 

AI tooling is becoming too smart to ignore. 

If you're not using AI somewhere in SEO, you're showing your age. 

Adjust to the times and level up with AI. 

---

Find this useful?

Repost ♻️ to help others learn too.

P.S. Want my guide on using AI to create SEO Lead Magnets? Download it here: https://lnkd.in/gJ8pJ7dz

My SEO Internal Linking Strategy:

Most websites treat internal linking like an afterthought.

That's not the way to gain likeness w/ Google & ChatGPT. 

1/ Map Your Topical Hubs
• Create 3–5 core hubs around your main offers.
• Each hub gets 10–20 supporting articles.
• Google sees topical authority. ChatGPT sees depth.

2/ Use 1 Clear Primary Link Per Post
• Every article should push authority to ONE key page.
• No guessing. No clutter. Decide and link.
• Helps Google and LLMs understand hierarchy.

3/ Add 3–5 Contextual Links Naturally
• Place them inside the content, not just at the bottom.
• Anchor text should match search intent, not exact-match spam.
• LLMs use these connections to learn how concepts relate.

4/ Link “Up, Down, and Across”
• Up = link to your hub page.
• Down = link to deep, niche articles.
• Across = link between related articles.
• Google crawls deeper. ChatGPT builds a knowledge graph.

5/ Refresh Links Every 6 Months
• Update old posts with new internal links to fresh content.
• Keeps your whole site “alive” in Google’s eyes.
• LLMs benefit from a fully connected content ecosystem.

6/ Prioritize High-Intent Pages
• Link aggressively to service pages, comparison posts, and category pages.
• Drives conversions and strengthens the pages you actually want ranking.
• ChatGPT tends to surface pages that have clear depth and strong relationships.

---

Internal links are your quietest SEO power move.

Few people do them consistently.

They compound over years, not weeks.

The more connected your site is, the harder it is to beat.

---

What did I miss?

Repost ♻️ to help others master internal linking as well. 

P.S. Want to turn more SEO traffic into real leads? Download my SEO Lead Magnet SOP ebook: https://lnkd.in/gJ8pJ7dz

Which is best? SEO vs Ads vs Email:

Let's break each down...

SEO:

- Cost effective long term
- Drives organic traffic
- Depends on Google
- Higher conversions
- Long term investment
- Helps rank on ChatGPT
- In a phase of transformation

Ads:

- Costs for every click
- Paid traffic in search 
- Paid traffic from social
- Pay until you stop
- High CRO potential
- Targeting is unique
- Works then doesn't

Email Marketing:

- Low cost, high ROI
- Turns traffic to leads
- Turns leads to revenue
- Full control over it
- Fast acting (if done right)
- Takes time to build list
- Fighting w/ lots of noise

---

I'd rank them:

1) SEO
2) Ads
3) Email

SEO still takes the crown. 

When done right, it drives leads for years. 

I used to be an ads "hater", but that's changed. 

I now get 100s of leads from it every month. 

It's a great complement to SEO for instant leads. 

Then email nurtures & warms leads up. 

It's very much a symbiotic relationship..

....when you execute it properly. 

---

What's your favorite? Post it below. 

♻️ REPOST to encourage this conversation. 

P.S. Follow me + slap my 🔔 for daily Marketing tips & advice.

This cold email is satisfying on multiple levels.

Not because of the copy.

Because of the proof.

Here is the context:

Warmy sent me this email.

It landed in my primary inbox.

Not promotions. Not spam. Primary.

That is their entire product in action.

Think about that for a second.

The email itself is the case study.

No PDF needed. No testimonial screenshot.

Just open your inbox and see it working.

Here is what makes this smart:
1/ The value prop is proven before you read it.
2/ The messaging is simple and direct.
3/ It reframes what cold email can be.

Cold email has a bad reputation for a reason.

Most of it is noise that never gets seen.

Warmy makes sure yours actually arrives.

This is one of the smartest product demos I have seen. No call needed.

♻️ Repost if this made you rethink your cold email setup.

P.S. Check out Warmy
here: https://lnkd.in/gheuYKEc

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The Battle

Adam Biddlecombe

Connor Gillivan

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taplio

The Battle

Adam Biddlecombe

Connor Gillivan

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Adam Biddlecombe's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreAdam Biddlecombe's LinkedIn Performance