
Colby Kultgen's 1% Better Playbook for Consistency
A friendly breakdown of Colby Kultgen's high-volume self-development posts, with side-by-side lessons from Ken Cheng and Vu Le.
Colby Kultgen's 1% Better Blueprint for Daily Momentum
I stumbled onto Colby Kultgen's profile the way you find most great creators: one post, then another, then suddenly you're 12 posts deep wondering how someone builds an audience of 483,859 people without sounding like a motivational poster.
What really stopped me was the combination of volume and restraint. Colby posts about 6.4 times per week (basically daily), yet the writing stays calm, clean, and weirdly... grounding. And the metric that made me raise an eyebrow is the Hero Score: 67.00 - the same as Ken Cheng (who has a very different vibe) and just a hair above Vu Le at 66.00.
So I wanted to understand what makes Colby's content work, and what we can learn by comparing him with two very different, very successful creators: Ken Cheng and Vu Le.
Here's what stood out:
- Colby wins on consistency + repeatable frameworks, not novelty for novelty's sake
- Ken wins on emotional clarity and relatability, even with fewer posts (based on vibe, not a provided cadence)
- Vu wins on distinct point-of-view and conviction, proving you don't need a huge audience to create real pull
Colby Kultgen's Performance Metrics
Here's what's interesting: Colby isn't just big. He's big and active, which is a different kind of hard. A lot of creators hit a number, then coast. Colby's numbers suggest he treats the feed like a daily practice. And even though we don't have engagement rate data, that 67.00 Hero Score paired with near-daily posting implies his content still lands relative to his audience size.
Key Performance Indicators
| Metric | Value | Industry Context | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Followers | 483,859 | Industry average | 🌟 Elite |
| Hero Score | 67.00 | Exceptional (Top 5%) | 🏆 Top Tier |
| Engagement Rate | N/A | Above Average | 📊 Solid |
| Posts Per Week | 6.4 | Very Active | ⚡ Very Active |
| Connections | 2,679 | Growing Network | 🔗 Growing |
What Makes Colby Kultgen's Content Work
Before we get tactical, I like doing a quick side-by-side check to avoid the trap of thinking "big following" equals "best strategy." These three creators succeed for different reasons.
Creator Snapshot (Side-by-Side)
| Creator | Followers | Hero Score | Location | Headline vibe | What they seem to optimize for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Kultgen | 483,859 | 67.00 | Canada | Mentor-like self-development | Consistency + practical clarity |
| Ken Cheng | 204,050 | 67.00 | United Kingdom | Emotional connection | Relatability + feelings-first hooks |
| Vu Le | 28,268 | 66.00 | United States | Activist-author energy | Distinct POV + cultural commentary |
Now, the four Colby strategies I kept seeing (and the reason they stack so well with daily posting):
1. He writes like a calm mentor, not a performer
So here's the first thing I noticed: Colby doesn't try to impress you. He tries to help you. That sounds small, but it changes everything.
Instead of "Look what I achieved," the energy is: "Here's a reminder you probably need today." It's professional, but conversational. Motivational, but not hype. The tone gives you room to breathe.
Key Insight: Write like you're talking to one smart friend who trusts you, not like you're auditioning for everyone.
This works because people don't open LinkedIn hoping to be sold a personality. They want language for what they're already feeling. Colby's posts often give that language, fast.
Strategy Breakdown:
| Element | Colby Kultgen's Approach | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Voice | Professional, warm, direct | Builds trust without trying too hard |
| Reader focus | Heavy use of "you" | Makes the post feel personal at scale |
| Moral clarity | Labels like "Harsh truth:" or "Remember:" | Reduces confusion and boosts skimmability |
2. He uses repeatable frameworks that feel fresh
Colby's posts often revolve around named ideas and simple rules (think "Average Tuesday" type concepts). What's clever is that the framework is repeatable, but the examples can change forever.
And because the writing uses lots of whitespace and short lines, even a familiar theme doesn't feel stale. It feels like a daily check-in.
Comparison with Industry Standards:
| Aspect | Industry Average | Colby Kultgen's Approach | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic choice | Trend-chasing or niche jargon | Timeless human themes (identity, discipline, relationships) | Wider audience, longer shelf life |
| Structure | Long paragraphs | 1 to 2 lines per beat | More reads, more saves |
| "Big idea" | Implicit | Explicitly labeled lesson | Faster comprehension, easier sharing |
Now, here's where it gets interesting: Ken Cheng also repeats emotional themes, but his repetition feels like episodes of a show. Vu Le repeats themes too, but his repetition feels like a mission. Colby's repetition feels like a practice.
3. He balances philosophy with "do this next"
A lot of self-development content dies in the clouds. Colby keeps it grounded.
You'll get a reflective line, then a practical reframe. A metaphor, then a next step. It's not therapy speak. It's not productivity bro talk. It's somewhere in the middle, which is a sweet spot on LinkedIn.
One pattern that shows up: contrast.
What you think matters.
What actually matters.
Then a simple move you can make today.
That balance is hard to fake, because it usually comes from actually thinking about the reader's day-to-day life.
4. He posts like it's a system (not a mood)
6.4 posts per week is a signal. Not just "I post a lot," but "I have a machine that makes posting normal."
And when someone posts that frequently without burning their audience, it usually means:
- they write in templates
- they keep one idea per post
- they don't over-produce
Ken and Vu can be a little more "event-based". A strong thought. A cultural moment. A sharp story.
Colby feels like: show up, stack reps, compound trust.
Posting and Positioning Comparison
| Dimension | Colby Kultgen | Ken Cheng | Vu Le |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posting cadence (known) | 6.4 per week | Not provided | Not provided |
| Core promise | "Get 1% better" | "Feel seen" | "Think harder, care more" |
| Risk profile | Low to medium | Medium (emotional honesty) | Higher (political and social stance) |
| Growth engine | Consistency + clarity | Connection + resonance | POV + loyalty |
Their Content Formula
When I try to reverse-engineer Colby's style, it looks less like "viral tricks" and more like a clean structure you can repeat without hating your life.
Content Structure Breakdown
| Component | Colby Kultgen's Approach | Effectiveness | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | Short label or "Harsh truth" style opener | High | Stops the scroll with instant context |
| Body | Reframe, then examples, then lesson | High | Easy to skim, easy to remember |
| CTA | Simple question or repost prompt | Medium to High | Low friction, invites participation |
The Hook Pattern
Want a reusable opening that feels like Colby's voice without copying him? It's usually one of these:
- A labeled truth
- A reminder
- A named concept
- A short question that sets the scene
Template:
"Harsh truth: you're not tired, you're unclear."
"Remember: consistency is easier than intensity."
"Job interviews? Dating? It's the same skill in different clothes."
Why this hook works: it gives the reader a handle in the first line. No warm-up. And it signals "this will be useful," which is the real currency on LinkedIn.
The Body Structure
Colby's body writing is basically a funnel from general to specific to universal.
He starts broad.
Then he brings it to real life.
Then he names the lesson.
Body Structure Analysis:
| Stage | What They Do | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | State the tension | "You think you need motivation..." |
| Development | Give 2 to 4 everyday examples | "Work. Health. Relationships." |
| Transition | One-line pivot | "But here's the thing..." |
| Closing | Distill into a principle | "The lesson: build systems, not moods." |
And this is where comparing to Ken and Vu is useful.
Ken often builds from feeling to story to invitation.
Vu often builds from outrage (or humor) to insight to a clear stance.
Colby builds from truth to practice to calm action.
The CTA Approach
Colby's CTAs tend to be quiet.
A question.
A "repost if this resonates" type of nudge.
Or no CTA at all, trusting that the post itself earns the response.
Psychologically, this works because it doesn't corner the reader. It offers them a door. And if your content is aimed at self-development, a softer CTA matches the emotional state you're creating.
One more practical note: best posting times here are late morning to early afternoon (around 12:30 to 1:30 PM local time). If you're trying to test a cadence like Colby's, timing is how you avoid shouting into the void.
3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today
-
Write one-line labels for your ideas - Start with "Harsh truth:", "Remember:", or "The lesson:" so the reader knows what they're getting.
-
Build three reusable post templates - A) Hook - reframe - examples - lesson, B) list post with dividers, C) named rule with steps.
-
Post on a schedule you can live with - Consistency beats intensity because trust compounds when people see you regularly.
Key Takeaways
- Colby's edge is repetition with purpose - He repeats themes, but in a way that feels like training, not recycling.
- Ken proves emotional clarity is a growth strategy - If people feel understood, they'll come back.
- Vu proves a strong POV can outperform scale - You can build real gravity with fewer followers if your stance is unmistakable.
- Structure is the secret to volume - Posting frequently is less about willpower and more about templates.
If you try anything from this, try the simplest version: write one honest line that names the truth, then give one next step. Do that for a week and see what happens.
Meet the Creators
Colby Kultgen
Founder of 1% Better™ | Former accountant, future author | Follow me for the best self-development content on LinkedIn
📍 Canada · 🏢 Industry not specified
Ken Cheng
I want to connect with you, emotionally :)
📍 United Kingdom · 🏢 Industry not specified
Vu Le
Rabble-rouser, seitan-worshipper, and defender of the Oxford Comma. Free Palestine. Pre-order Vu’s new book “Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy” on nonprofitaf dot com slash book
📍 United States · 🏢 Industry not specified
This analysis was generated by ViralBrain's AI content intelligence platform.