Alicia Teltz’s 3 Essential Rules for New LinkedIn Creators in 2026

In a recent LinkedIn post, former LinkedIn employee Alicia Teltz shares candid advice for individuals starting their journey on the platform in 2026. Teltz, who previously advised multi-billion dollar companies on LinkedIn strategy without actively posting herself, details her own learning curve and subsequent success after deciding to build her personal brand. She outlines three key strategies she would employ if starting over today, emphasizing authenticity and genuine connection over shortcuts.

Teltz recounts her initial hesitation and lack of personal presence while working at LinkedIn, stating:

“At the beginning of last year, I was a LinkedIn employee, advising multi-billion dollar companies on how to accelerate their business via the platform. And I never actually posted myself. I was out there preaching “PERSONAL BRANDING IS EVERYTHING!!” While personally contributing absolutely nothing. (as a very own LinkedIn employee 💀)”

This personal anecdote sets the stage for her practical recommendations, born from a year of dedicated effort that resulted in over 40,000 followers, millions of impressions, and a successful business helping companies like Google and Samsung navigate the platform.

Avoiding AI Pitfalls for New Users

One of Teltz’s primary directives for aspiring LinkedIn creators is to steer clear of AI-generated content, particularly in the early stages. She argues that the temptation to use AI is strong but ultimately detrimental to establishing an authentic online presence.

According to Teltz, the initial struggle of creating content manually is crucial for developing a unique voice and discovering personal interests. She highlights the immediate recognition of AI-generated text by users, which can erode credibility from the outset.

“When you’re new, you NEED to struggle through writing your own content. That’s how you find your voice and how you discover what you actually enjoy talking about. Plus, we all can smell AI-written content from a mile away. Don’t diminish your credibility from the get-go.”- Alicia Teltz

She advises new users to embrace the learning process, encouraging them to be messy and have fun with writing before considering AI as a later-stage tool.

The Power of Genuine Engagement

Teltz also stresses the critical importance of active engagement with the LinkedIn community, framing it as fundamental to the platform’s nature as a networking hub. She admits that she did not take this aspect seriously enough at the beginning of her own journey.

Her advice includes leaving thoughtful comments on others’ posts, connecting strategically with influential individuals, and cultivating genuine relationships within one’s niche. Teltz suggests dedicating as much time to engaging with others as to creating original posts.

“LinkedIn is the world’s biggest networking platform. Treat it as such. Especially at the start of your journey when your audience is still small. I wish I had taken this more seriously right from the get go.”- Alicia Teltz

In Teltz’s view, this consistent engagement is not merely a supplementary activity but a direct pathway to securing valuable opportunities.

Embracing Video for Deeper Connections

Finally, Teltz advocates for the inclusion of video content, even though she acknowledges it can be outside many people’s comfort zones. She believes video is unparalleled in bringing personality to life and fostering stronger audience connections compared to text-based posts.

Teltz recommends incorporating video strategically, suggesting that one video every two weeks is sufficient for beginners. She emphasizes that embracing video sooner rather than later can provide a significant advantage on the platform.

Concluding her post, Teltz offers a message of encouragement, reminding readers that those who appear to have mastered the platform once faced similar confusion and uncertainty. She reassures them that the effort is worthwhile.