Algorithm-Assisted Content Strategy Yields Top Results, Justin Oberman Reports

In a recent LinkedIn post, Justin Oberman shares a surprising outcome from an experiment with algorithmic content selection for his newsletter. Oberman details how he intentionally let an algorithm choose his newsletter topic for the week, a decision that resulted in one of his best-performing pieces to date. This approach was part of a broader self-audit focused on identifying “outlier content” – material that significantly outperforms average content.

The Power of the Outlier Audit

Oberman defines an outlier audit as a method for discovering content that achieves 5x to 10x better results than a creator’s typical output. He explains that this process often reveals that the most successful topics are frequently broad subjects, with the creator’s unique perspective being the key differentiator. “It’s a great way to discover proven topics,” Oberman states in his post.

“And what you also discover is that most proven topics are usually very broad topics, the only difference being that creators perspective on it.”

Leveraging AI, Oberman analyzed 105 of his recent LinkedIn posts and Substack newsletters. His analysis showed that while his median post performed at about 1.2 times his average, his outlier content ranged from 4x to 8x the average performance.

Identifying Recurring Themes in Outlier Content

The analysis uncovered a consistent pattern in Oberman’s high-performing content. He found that every single outlier piece shared two common characteristics: the subject matter was broad, and it centered on a specific topic. Oberman highlights this recurring theme:

“The topic around what I am helping people with was broad. And they were also all about one topic. Why Al writing sounds the way it sounds. And what it’s doing to the people who publish it.”

This consistent audience engagement around the theme of AI writing led Oberman to conclude that his audience was actively signaling a strong interest in this subject. He notes that the audience response was clear: “So my audience keeps voting for the same topic. ‘Why you shouldn’t let algorithms write for you.'”

Validating and Personalizing Proven Topics

To further validate this finding, Oberman utilized a tool called Eden to cross-reference his results with other creators, confirming that the topic was indeed a proven performer according to the outlier method. This confirmation reinforced the decision to revisit the subject.

However, Oberman emphasizes that adhering to the outlier method doesn’t mean simply replicating content. Instead, it means approaching a proven topic from a unique, personal angle. “So I did. But from my perspective, not anyone else’s,” he asserts. This personal touch is crucial for creating authentic and engaging content, even when building on a validated topic.

“So far it’s one of my best performing newsletters.”

Oberman shared that the full breakdown of his process, including a method to ensure content on proven topics remains uniquely personal, is available in his latest newsletter. He concluded his post by encouraging readers to explore the insights further, linking to his newsletter in the comments.