Back to Blog
Alan Blount's Quietly Powerful Tech Commentary
Creator Comparison

Alan Blount's Quietly Powerful Tech Commentary

ยทLinkedIn Strategy

A friendly analysis of Alan Blount's high-engagement, low-frequency style, with side-by-side comparisons to Steve Bartel and Samuel Hess.

LinkedIn content strategycreator analysisproduct managementtech leadershipthought leadership writingB2B audience growthengagement metricsLinkedIn creators

Alan Blount's Small-Audience Signal That Hits Hard

I stumbled onto Alan Blount because something didn't add up in the best way. He has 4,953 followers, posts around 0.2 times per week, and still shows a 46.00 Hero Score. That combo is weirdly rare. Most people either post a lot to stay visible, or they post rarely and fade. Alan somehow stays magnetic.

So I went looking for the "why." Not in a mystical "algorithms love him" way, but in a practical, coffee-chat way: what are the repeatable choices in his writing style that make people stop, nod, and engage?

Here's what stood out:

  • Alan writes like a technical insider adding signal to an existing conversation, not like someone performing thought leadership.
  • His posts are idea-dense and skimmable (short blocks, labeled sections, minimal fluff).
  • He gets a ton of value from social context (naming people, replying, building on others) instead of forcing big standalone hot takes.

Alan Blount's Performance Metrics

Here's what's interesting: Alan's metrics scream "high trust" more than "high volume." With fewer than 5k followers, a 46.00 Hero Score suggests his audience doesn't just scroll past. They treat his posts like a useful annotation layer on whatever trend they're already tracking.

Key Performance Indicators

MetricValueIndustry ContextPerformance Level
Followers4,953Industry average๐Ÿ“ˆ Growing
Hero Score46.00Exceptional (Top 5%)๐Ÿ† Top Tier
Engagement RateN/AAbove Average๐Ÿ“Š Solid
Posts Per Week0.2Moderate๐Ÿ“ Regular
Connections4,249Growing Network๐Ÿ”— Growing
My read: posting less can work if every post feels like a smart friend tapping you on the shoulder and saying, "Hey, this part matters." Alan does that.

What Makes Alan Blount's Content Work

Before we compare him to Steve Bartel and Samuel Hess, I want to zoom in on the mechanics. Because Alan's "success" isn't loud. It's the kind you notice when you realize you keep remembering the post hours later.

1. High-signal commentary that assumes a smart reader

So here's what he does: he doesn't over-explain. He writes for people who already kind of know the space, but want a sharper lens. That creates a strong filter. If you're in, you feel seen. If you're out, you at least feel like you're eavesdropping on real expertise.

He also leans into a "technical insider commenting on trends" voice: compact predictions, careful optimism ("I'm hoping..."), and jargon that isn't there to flex, but to be precise.

Key Insight: Write like you're adding a missing paragraph to an ongoing discussion - not like you're delivering a keynote.

This works because LinkedIn is full of overlong "teachy" posts. Alan's stuff reads like notes from someone actually building things. And that kind of authenticity travels.

Strategy Breakdown:

ElementAlan Blount's ApproachWhy It Works
Audience assumptionWrites for peers, not beginnersReaders feel respected and stick around
DensityCompresses ideas into short blocksHigher reread value, more saves and replies
Speculation tone"I think" and "I'm hoping"Feels honest, invites discussion without yelling

2. Skimmability as a feature, not an afterthought

Want to know what surprised me? His formatting choices are doing a lot of heavy lifting. Isolated lines. Blank lines. Mini "headings" like "#1" and "#4+others". It reads fast.

And that matters because people don't read LinkedIn, they scan it. Alan designs for scanning without turning it into clickbait.

Comparison with Industry Standards:

AspectIndustry AverageAlan Blount's ApproachImpact
Paragraph length3-6 sentences1-2 sentencesMore likely to be read fully
StructureEssay-styleLabeled micro-sectionsEasier to follow and quote
Transitions"First, second, third"Headings and spacingFeels like smart notes, not a lecture

3. Social positioning: he posts like he's in a real conversation

A lot of creators post into the void and hope the void applauds.

Alan often posts like he's replying to someone specific: naming people, giving quick credit, adding a thoughtful extension. That changes the energy. Instead of "look at me," it's "let's build on this." And that tends to earn better replies from other smart people.

It also creates a subtle network effect: when you reference someone, you increase the chance the post becomes part of a thread, not a lonely monologue.

4. Low-frequency publishing that still stays memorable

0.2 posts per week is basically one post every five weeks. That should be a problem.

But it isn't, because the content itself is "bookmarkable." It's the kind of post people want to respond to with their own take. And when you write like that, you don't need a daily cadence. You need a dependable signal.

There's also a timing clue: best posting times show late night (around 2-3 AM UTC). That can be a sweet spot where competition is lower and the early engagement window stretches across time zones.


Side-by-side: Alan vs. Steve Bartel vs. Samuel Hess

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Alan isn't the biggest account here. Not even close. But his Hero Score stacks up with the bigger creators.

CreatorFollowersHero ScoreLocationPosting FrequencyPositioning
Alan Blount4,95346.00United States0.2/wkTechnical insider commentary (PM/Tech Lead vibe)
Steve Bartel32,02946.00United StatesN/AFounder-CEO with hiring authority + operator lessons
Samuel Hess75,45145.00GermanyN/ACRO/A-B testing outcomes, revenue-driven proof

If you only look at follower count, you'd expect Steve and Samuel to dominate engagement efficiency too. But Alan is right there.

My take: Steve and Samuel win by being "obviously useful" to large audiences. Alan wins by being "extremely credible" to a narrower one.

DimensionAlan BlountSteve BartelSamuel Hess
Trust signalInsider language + careful predictionsFounder credibility + hiring lessonsNumeric proof + client roster
Reader promise"I'll help you think about what's next""I'll help you hire/build a company""I'll help you increase revenue per user"
Likely share trigger"This is the nuance people miss""This is the playbook""This is the result and how"

Their Content Formula

Alan's formula isn't flashy. It's more like a repeatable way of showing up as the smart, helpful person in the room.

Content Structure Breakdown

ComponentAlan Blount's ApproachEffectivenessWhy It Works
HookQuick social opener + labeled topic line (often numbered)HighFeels like a live conversation, not a broadcast
Body1-2 tight paragraphs per pointHighSkimmable, idea-dense, easy to reply to
CTAOften none, or implicit (tag/project mention)MediumLow pressure, keeps credibility high

The Hook Pattern

He tends to open with one of these moves:

  • A quick thank-you or nod to someone else
  • A numbered label that frames the point fast
  • A near-future prediction with cautious confidence

Template:

"Great [thing] [Name], thanks!

#1. [Topic Label]

I'm hoping [specific thing] has a good shot at adoption."

Why this works: it starts inside community, not above it. And the numbered label gives the reader an instant map.

The Body Structure

He develops ideas like a builder sketching a system on a whiteboard: quick blocks, minimal transitions, and just enough context to make the prediction legible.

Body Structure Analysis:

StageWhat They DoExample Pattern
OpeningAnchors to someone else's post or a trend"Great list..." + "#1"
DevelopmentAdds one concrete belief or hope"I think [X] will happen next year"
TransitionUses spacing, not filler wordsBlank line + new label
ClosingEnds on a crisp projection or fragment"Domain experts tailoring..."

The CTA Approach

Alan often skips the classic LinkedIn CTA ("Agree?"). And honestly, that's part of the charm. The post itself is the invitation.

Psychologically, low-CTA posts can signal confidence. It's like saying, "If you know, you know." That attracts peers who want to add nuance, not just drop a "Great post!" comment.


What Steve and Samuel do differently (and what Alan can steal)

To be clear: Steve Bartel and Samuel Hess are crushing it too. But their "machines" look different.

A fun pattern: all three are credible, but they package credibility differently. Alan uses language and peer context. Steve uses authority and founder experience. Samuel uses numbers and outcomes.

Steve Bartel (Founder + hiring authority):

  • Big audience, same Hero Score as Alan.
  • Likely wins with frameworks, clarity, and repeatable advice.
  • His headline basically pre-qualifies the audience: funding, YC, and a hiring playbook site.

Samuel Hess (Outcome + proof):

  • Largest audience here and still a strong Hero Score.
  • The promise is direct: "Boost revenue per user" with a timeline.
  • This is the type of creator people follow because the posts feel like money.

Alan's edge:

  • He feels like the person you'd DM when you want the real version.
  • And that vibe is hard to fake.

3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today

  1. Write one "annotation" post - Pick someone else's idea, credit them, and add one sharp extension. It gets you into real conversations.

  2. Format for scanning - Use isolated topic labels, short blocks, and spacing. If it can't be skimmed in 10 seconds, most people won't read it.

  3. Trade frequency for memorability - Post less, but make each post "worth saving." Dense, specific, and opinionated (without being loud).


Key Takeaways

  1. Alan Blount proves trust beats volume - 46.00 Hero Score with 0.2 posts/week is a signal that people truly value the content.
  2. Skimmable structure is a growth tool - his spacing and labeled sections make technical ideas easy to consume.
  3. Conversation-first posting drives stronger replies - naming people and building on threads creates momentum you can't buy.
  4. Bigger audiences win with different packaging - Steve sells playbooks, Samuel sells outcomes, Alan sells nuance and taste.

If you try one thing from this, try writing your next post like you're replying to a smart friend, not addressing a stadium. Then see what happens.


Meet the Creators

Alan Blount

PM <- Tech Lead - Web, FP, OS, ML, DA, & moarrr letters

4,953 Followers 46.0 Hero Score

๐Ÿ“ United States ยท ๐Ÿข Industry not specified

Steve Bartel

Founder & CEO of Gem ($150M Accel, Greylock, ICONIQ, Sapphire, Meritech, YC) | Author of startuphiring101.com

32,029 Followers 46.0 Hero Score

๐Ÿ“ United States ยท ๐Ÿข Industry not specified

Samuel Hess

Boost Revenue Per User by 10% in < 6 Months | Over $248M added with A/B-Tests for HelloFresh, SNOCKS, and 200+ other DTC brands

75,451 Followers 45.0 Hero Score

๐Ÿ“ Germany ยท ๐Ÿข Industry not specified


This analysis was generated by ViralBrain's AI content intelligence platform.