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How I Grew My LinkedIn Engagement by 172% in 30 Days

Author: Desiree Whitehead

At Howl, we live what we teach: brand presence isn’t just about being loud; it’s about being intentional. This September, my personal LinkedIn saw a 172% jump in engagement compared to the prior month. Here’s the story behind those numbers, why July looked quiet, how August was our countdown to INBOUND, and why the right mix of content finally paid off.

The Setup: July Wasn’t Quiet, It Was Strategic

If you look at my analytics, you’ll see a flatline in July. But that wasn’t a mistake. July was our “internal” month of team building, certifications, refining processes, and supporting major client campaigns. While we believe in always-on strategies, sometimes your best play is to step back, strengthen the foundation, and prepare for the right moment.

The Pivot: August as Countdown to INBOUND

By August, we were gearing up for INBOUND, our Founder’s Super Bowl. That meant building anticipation, aligning content with our pillars, and making sure when September hit, our presence matched the momentum of everything we’d been preparing behind the scenes.

The Payoff: September’s Engagement Spike

Here’s where the numbers tell the story:

  • 599 engagements in September (+172% vs. August).
  • 857 total engagements over 90 days (+1,403% vs. the prior period).
  • Engagement depth: 511 reactions, 86 comments, 2 reposts.

The spikes weren’t random. They came from posts that aligned with three key content types:

  1. Recognition & Achievement
    • Marquis Who’s Who post → 124 engagements.
    • Proof of credibility and personal pride.
  2. Cultural Resonance
    • Morris Chestnut post → 118 engagements.
    • Pure personality: people love to connect beyond business.
  3. Professional Thought Leadership
    • INBOUND Brain Date recap → 43 engagements.
    • Insight-driven content showcasing expertise.

Even smaller posts, like motivational reminders, brought consistent conversations and comments.

What It Means for Our Pillars

At Howl, we ground our work in clear pillars:

  • Connection through story.
  • Proof through results.
  • Momentum through strategy.

September’s performance was the live case study of those pillars in action. Recognition posts told the story, cultural content created connection, and thought-leadership added proof. Together, they built momentum.

The Bigger Lesson

This wasn’t about “posting more.” It was about posting with intent. The dips you see in July, the spikes in September, the mix of personal and professional, it’s all connected. This data is a reflection of Howl’s Q3, strategy in motion.

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