In a recent LinkedIn post, Alicia Teltz explores the challenges of audience engagement on the platform and advocates for alternative channels like Substack to achieve significant business growth. Despite her substantial following and past experience at LinkedIn, Teltz reveals that her most successful ventures, including a $120,000 cohort launch, were primarily driven by direct audience reach through her Substack newsletter.
Teltz begins by expressing her deep appreciation for LinkedIn, acknowledging its role in her career transition and audience building. However, she quickly pivots to the frustrations many creators experience with the platform’s algorithm.
“There is nothing as soul-crushing as spending HOOOURS crafting, editing, polishing an absolute masterpiece of a post… Only for the algorithm gods to look down and go: ‘Naaah, let’s show this to 200 people and throw in a few bots for fun.'”
This sentiment underscores a common pain point for content creators: the unpredictability and often limited reach of algorithm-driven platforms. As Teltz points out, even her carefully crafted posts related to her cohort launch suffered from this issue, reaching only a fraction of her intended audience without any clear explanation.
The Substack Advantage: Direct Audience Connection
Teltz argues that the key to her business success, particularly the $120,000 cohort launch, was the ability to connect directly with her audience via their inboxes. This direct line of communication bypasses the uncertainties of social media algorithms, ensuring that messages are seen by those who have opted in.
She poses critical questions for other business owners to consider:
- How many more people could you reach with your offer?
- How much EASIER would it all feel without praying your posts perform?
- How much more could you SELL if your audience regularly heard from you directly and not just when the algo allowed it?
According to Teltz, the fundamental purpose of building an audience is to be able to reach them when it counts. She contrasts this with the limitations imposed by platforms where reach is dictated by unseen forces.
“Like, sorry. What’s the point of building an audience if you can’t reach them when it matters??”
Teltz shares her own journey, detailing how she documented her transition to Substack. She highlights her success in becoming a Global Substack Bestseller, generating over $53,000 in annualized subscription revenue, and leveraging this engaged audience to support her significant cohort launch.
Leveraging Direct Communication for Sales
The core of Teltz’s message is the power of direct communication in driving sales and achieving business goals. By building an email list through Substack, she was able to cultivate a more reliable and engaged community that was receptive to her offers.
“But hitting that number was largely possible because I could reach people DIRECTLY in their inboxes.”
She emphasizes that this direct approach reduces reliance on the whims of social media algorithms, providing a more stable foundation for business growth. Teltz’s experience serves as a case study for entrepreneurs looking to maximize their reach and sales potential by prioritizing channels that offer direct access to their audience.
For those interested in replicating her success, Teltz is offering a free masterclass to walk through her playbook. The session is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th, at 5 pm BST, with registration available via a provided Luma link.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Alicia Teltz on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 7, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →