Cracking the LinkedIn Code: How to Grow and Stand Out
Lessons on growth, content, and strategy from a rising LinkedIn leader
Hello Producers,
We’ve been in contact with Nikolett for some time, and I’ve always seen her crushing it on LinkedIn with both high-quality content and strong engagement. Plus, when I noticed she was based in Serbia, my inner geography geek was even more intrigued to have a chat with her! What I didn’t know was that Nikolett has been on LinkedIn for such a short time. Considering her large following, I would have assumed she’d been in the game for much longer. So how long has she actually been on LinkedIn, or at least, taking it seriously? Well, tune in to find out!
From Zero to Thought Leader: Mastering LinkedIn Personal Branding | #96: Nikolett Jaksa
Nikolett Jaksa is a LinkedIn personal branding specialist who turned content creation into a thriving career. In just over a year, she skyrocketed from a university student studying tourism management to the #1 female LinkedIn creator in Serbia and a top 1% creator globally. With over 2 million impressions and 20,000+ followers, she helps leaders craft engaging content, grow their audience, and establish themselves as thought leaders—without the guesswork. Through ghostwriting, coaching, and content strategy, Nikolett makes personal branding simple, effective, and stress-free.
Listen to this episode to hear Nikolett’s journey from discovering LinkedIn to going all-in after her studies, what it’s like to grow up in Serbia, and the strategies that helped her achieve rapid growth. She also shares practical tips and lessons from her experience helping others build their personal brands. If you want to grow on LinkedIn without spending years figuring it out, this conversation is for you.
Lessons:
Embrace the Pivot: Follow Your Passion
Improve the Platform: Strengthen the Community
Find Your Edge: Build a Unique Brand
Think Long-Term: Growth Takes Time
Smart Moves: Dream Big, Plan Smart
Lesson 1: Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot
What might surprise some is that Nikolett is still a student. Why is that surprising? Well, considering how she’s been thriving on LinkedIn, many would assume it’s her full-time job or at least a side hustle alongside another career. But in reality, she still has a few years left at university. She originally studied tourism—something she was passionate about in high school—but after discovering LinkedIn’s potential, the power of personal branding, and how much she enjoys it, she decided to go all in. Although she plans to complete her degree, she knows that her future is on LinkedIn. So, if you find something you're passionate about, see yourself evolving in it, and recognize real potential, don’t be afraid to pivot.
Lesson 2: Contribute to a Better Community
This might not be a common point, but it’s an important one. A recurring theme in many episodes is the impact of AI, which is something we often discuss, including AI-generated comments. But another issue that came up is job promotion spam in LinkedIn comments. I only started noticing this recently, but it turns out it’s a bigger issue than I thought. And let’s be honest—it’s annoying. As Nikolett pointed out, she actively reports these comments to clean up the platform, which I think is the right thing to do. I do the same and will continue because small actions like these help improve the LinkedIn experience for everyone. So if you see something that doesn’t belong, take a moment to help improve the community.
Lesson 3: Find Your Own Creative Angle
Of course, we had to dive into Nikolett’s content creation—her strategy, tools, and unique approach. One thing that always stood out to me is the visual identity of her posts. As a visual person, I notice when a design catches my eye, feels unique, or stands out in some way. Nikolett does this perfectly. In particular, she uses images of herself but adds a distinctive pink color around specific areas—like the background, silhouette, or certain objects. While someone else might use a similar style, I personally associate it with her brand. And guess what? Others have even copied it, which is proof she’s onto something. So what’s your creative angle? What makes your content stand out?
Lesson 4: Plan Ahead and Be Patient
Going back to the first point, Nikolett is still a student, but she has a clear vision of what she wants to do after graduation. You might assume she’d continue in the tourism industry, but we already know that’s not her plan. Instead, she’s working towards growing her presence on LinkedIn and eventually launching her own agency. What I particularly admire is her patience. She has big goals and a clear vision, but she’s taking strategic steps to get there. Sure, she could launch her agency now, but would she have the time to manage it properly alongside her studies and other commitments? Probably not. The lesson here—set goals, make a plan, and work towards it, but don’t rush the process. Growth takes time.
Lesson 5: Have a Plan B
Once again, we come back to Nikolett’s time at university. She has made it clear that she doesn’t want to pursue a career in tourism, despite spending years studying it. Instead, she’s fully focused on LinkedIn and helping founders, CEOs, and leaders with personal branding. She could drop out and commit to LinkedIn entirely, which might be tempting—especially considering the economic situation in her country. But she’s choosing to finish her degree. One reason is personal—she wants to make her parents proud. Another is financial—she doesn’t want to waste the money already invested in her education. And lastly, it’s practical—having a degree gives her a backup plan. Of course, she’s betting on LinkedIn, her agency, and her branding expertise, but having a plan B provides peace of mind. Pursue your dreams, go all in, and aim for success—but sometimes, having a safety net isn’t a bad idea.
Behind-the-scenes info: As has been happening a few times lately, we didn’t escape some technical issues—which, hopefully, you won’t notice. But hey, that’s the reality of podcasting. There are so many things that can go wrong (and often will), making your life a bit harder. Still, we had an amazing chat with Nikolett, and I think it’s safe to say we had a lot of fun. Expect plenty of positivity and good vibes, learn more about her background—including some phrases you didn’t know you needed—and, of course, get tips and tricks for your own LinkedIn growth!
Keep producing,
Tommen
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