LinkedIn is a weird place. Use it anyway.
LinkedIn feels like it’s split into two genres right now:
LinkedIn feels like it’s split into two genres right now:
“Thrilled to announce we raised $50M”
AI-written posts that somehow say nothing in 900 words.
And yet… it still works.
This week on Gentle Power (Youtube | Spotify | Apple), we talked to Morgan Snyder, who helps CEOs and exec teams build a real content engine. The part we found most useful was not his tactics. It was the underlying negotiation happening before any “sales call” even starts.
Key frameworks or ideas
1) Long-form builds trust, a key pillar in negotiations
Morgan’s main point: short-form content is a doorway, long-form is where trust actually builds.
He explained: “There’s only so much context […] you can put inside of these little windows in the social media feed.” So he ultimately directs people to his newsletter which has much longer content.
His best clients show up after they've spent time with him.
“I’ve read like five newsletters,” one CEO told him, then started quoting Morgan’s frameworks back to him.
Now he doesn’t even need to sell them. They went to him proactively.
2) “Surface area” beats persuasion
He uses the phrase “increase your surface area,” which we love because it’s mathematical and true.
It’s less “how do I convince them” and more “how do I give them enough real contact with me that the decision becomes easy.”
In negotiation terms, this is pre-framing, before price, before scope, before any pitch decks. Similar to the Japanese negotiation concept, nemawashi, which we discussed with our guest on this previous episode.
3) Expert content beats personality content
Morgan gave a surprisingly grounded take for someone who posts satire:
“Don’t feel the need to be a clown… Don’t do things that are super personal if you don’t want to.”
But he also added: “You only have to be known for a couple things that you do better than anyone else.”
This is a clean strategy. Also a relief, for anyone who hates posting “here’s what my toddler taught me about enterprise SaaS.”
4) The best “secret sauce” is implementation
When Alex asked Morgan about sharing “the how” (his secret sauces) broadly or keeping them behind a paywall, Morgan had a strong take: "I share everything because the real value is the orchestration."
He said CEOs should not be spending “15, 20, 25 hours a month” trying to be content machines. They should hand it off.
That maps well to negotiation too. Most people can learn principles. Fewer can execute cleanly under pressure.
Overall takeaways
Long-form builds trust in a way short-form can’t.
People can lurk on LinkedIn forever and still feel like they don't know you. A newsletter changes that. It’s a quieter room. Less noise, fewer notifications, more real attention.
Morgan’s point that you feel bored before your audience does is relatably accurate.
You're the one living inside your topic day in and day out, but they're probably it for the first time.
Warmly,
Gerta & Alex
Co-founders, YourNegotiations.com
P.S. Are you job searching or have upcoming negotiations?
Book a free call with us, where we’ll learn more about your situation, offer some free tips, and explore if we’re a good fit to work together: https://calendly.com/alexhapki/call
P.P.S. Know someone interested in negotiations?
Send them our way and we’ll thank you with $500 for each person who becomes a client. No cap.
A quick intro or an email to alex@yournegotiations.com works.