In a recent LinkedIn post, Dan Sherrard-Smith discusses a strategic approach to content creation that aims to overcome the common challenge of limited reach on professional networks. Sherrard-Smith addresses founders who struggle to break out of their immediate network and highlights the importance of understanding audience interests before creating content.
He introduces the concept of “pre-validated content,” a method he suggests is a “secret long held by media companies.” This approach involves identifying what already resonates with the target audience before investing time and resources into creation.
“The reason is they haven’t figured out what their ideal client is interested in.”
Sherrard-Smith emphasizes that this is not about direct copying but about understanding underlying success patterns. He draws parallels to established industries, noting that competitors like McDonald’s and Burger King offer similar products with distinct recipes, and ride-sharing services like Uber, Bolt, and Grab operate on the same fundamental idea. Similarly, he argues, content creators can offer unique perspectives on popular topics.
Identifying Market-Validated Topics
The core of Sherrard-Smith’s strategy lies in observing what content already performs well within a specific niche. He outlines a four-step process:
- Find the creators: Focus on individuals who are influential within the specific topic area on LinkedIn, rather than globally famous figures whose attention is already guaranteed.
- Identify high-performing posts: Look for posts from these creators that have a repost-to-like ratio exceeding 10%, indicating that the content has a strong organic reach.
- Analyze the success factors: Determine why a post succeeded by examining the topic, hook, tone, or timing.
- Create your own version: Develop original content based on these insights, incorporating personal beliefs, client insights, and unique stories.
“Success leaves clues. High performing content leaves patterns.”
Sherrard-Smith addresses the common apprehension that this method might feel like cheating or stifle creativity. He counters this by explaining that the true benefit is freeing oneself from the pressure of generating novel ideas from scratch.
Shifting from Blank Page to Strategic Creation
According to Dan Sherrard-Smith, the primary advantage of this approach is a significant shift in the creative process. Instead of facing a blank page with uncertainty, creators can approach content development with a clear understanding of what their audience cares about.
“The real change isn’t the engagement. It’s that you stop sitting in front of a blank page on a Tuesday morning trying to be interesting.”
He further clarifies that this is not about imitation but about informed adaptation. “None of that is copying. It’s noticing that something works and being honest enough to admit it,” Sherrard-Smith states.
“Your belief, your clients, your story.”
By leveraging pre-validated content, business leaders and founders can increase the likelihood of their posts reaching and engaging their ideal clients, thereby breaking free from echo chambers and enhancing their visibility on the platform.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Dan Sherrard-Smith on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on August 12, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →