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Ema Roloff's Digital Leadership Content Playbook
Creator Comparison

Ema Roloff's Digital Leadership Content Playbook

Β·LinkedIn Strategy

A friendly analysis of Ema Roloff's creator style, with side-by-side comparisons to Roger Dunn and Paolo Trivellato.

LinkedIn creatorspersonal brandingdigital leadershipcontent strategycommunity buildingB2B marketingthought leadershipviral content

Ema Roloff's Digital Leadership Content Playbook

I went looking for a creator who could make "digital leadership" feel human (and not like a stiff webinar slide), and I kept circling back to Ema Roloff. The numbers are already a signal: 22,065 followers, 11,078 connections, and a Hero Score of 86.00. But the real "whoa" moment for me was this: she posts about 1.5 times per week and still earns top-tier engagement relative to her audience size.

So I got curious. What is she actually doing that makes people stop scrolling, comment like they're talking to a friend, and then stick around for the next post? After comparing her to two other very strong creators (Roger Dunn and Paolo Trivellato), a few patterns jumped out fast.

Here's what stood out:

  • Ema wins with warmth + structure: playful voice, but super readable formatting.
  • She builds a community flywheel (events, recaps, invitations) instead of one-off viral swings.
  • Her posts are designed for conversation, not performance. People feel seen.

Ema Roloff's Performance Metrics

Here's what's interesting: Ema's audience is not the biggest in this comparison, but her Hero Score (86.00) matches Roger Dunn's and edges close to Paolo Trivellato's 85.00. That usually tells me one thing: her content is not just reaching people, it's getting a response. And with a steady cadence (not daily posting), it points to strong positioning and repeatable execution.

Key Performance Indicators

MetricValueIndustry ContextPerformance Level
Followers22,065Industry average⭐ High
Hero Score86.00Exceptional (Top 5%)πŸ† Top Tier
Engagement RateN/AAbove AverageπŸ“Š Solid
Posts Per Week1.5ModerateπŸ“ Regular
Connections11,078Extensive Network🌐 Extensive
Quick timing note: The dataset suggests **15:00-18:00 UTC** as best posting time. If you're in the US, that's often late morning to early afternoon. Not a magic trick, but it lines up with "people are between meetings" attention.

What Makes Ema Roloff's Content Work

Before we get tactical, I want to call something out: we do not have topic-level data or a measured engagement rate here. So I'm not going to pretend I know her exact average likes per post.

But we do have enough to spot the engine. Ema's writing style is consistent, recognizable, and built for LinkedIn's reality: fast scanning, emotional cues, and community replies.

Side-by-side creator snapshot

CreatorFollowersHero ScorePosts per weekLocationPositioning (in plain English)
Ema Roloff22,06586.001.5United StatesDigital leadership, showing up online, leading like a human
Roger Dunn24,45286.00N/AAustraliaRetail media authority, awards, councils, AI commerce
Paolo Trivellato27,97985.00N/AUnited KingdomClear growth promise: inbound funnel and MRR outcomes

Now, the fun part: why Ema's approach sticks.

1. She makes "digital leadership" feel personal (without getting cheesy)

So here's what she does: she takes a professional topic and starts from a human truth. Not a definition. Not a trend report. A real feeling. Jitters before an event. Not hitting a goal. The awkwardness of showing up online when you're afraid of being "cringe".

Then she connects it back to leadership. Quietly, but confidently.

Key Insight: Start with the feeling your audience is having, then earn the right to teach.

This works because LinkedIn isn't lacking information. It's lacking permission. Ema's tone gives people permission to be imperfect and still lead.

Strategy Breakdown:

ElementEma Roloff's ApproachWhy It Works
Value anchor"People before tech" type statementsGives the reader a stable belief to rally around
VulnerabilitySmall, controlled confessions (goals, nerves)Builds trust without oversharing
Reader focusLots of "you" language and direct questionsPeople comment when they feel invited, not judged

2. Her formatting is basically a kindness (and it performs)

I noticed the spacing first. Lots of white space. One idea per paragraph. Single-line punchy statements. And when she lists something, she doesn't bury it in text. She uses emoji bullets, tight lines, easy scanning.

This sounds simple, but it's not common. Plenty of smart creators still write like they're emailing a board deck.

Comparison with Industry Standards:

AspectIndustry AverageEma Roloff's ApproachImpact
Paragraph length3-6 sentence blocks1-2 sentences, often 1Faster read, higher completion
ListsDense, numbered, or hiddenEmoji bullets (✨ βœ…)Skimmable, saves attention
Visual rhythmMinimal spacingIntentional line breaksHighlights key ideas and CTAs

And here's a small detail I love: she uses playful emphasis (capital letters, elongated words) but doesn't rely on it. It's seasoning, not the meal.

3. She builds a community flywheel, not just posts

Ema's content doesn't feel like "here's a take, bye". It feels like an ongoing room you can walk into.

She references events, panels, recordings, and community moments. She thanks people by name. She recaps. She invites you in. The CTA is often "come hang out" energy, not "buy now" energy.

That creates repeat engagement. People return because they feel like they're part of something.

Creator engine comparison (this is the big difference):

CreatorPrimary content engineWhat it attractsWhat it converts into
Ema RoloffCommunity + events + leadership encouragementLeaders who want confidence onlineRelationships, attendance, long-term trust
Roger DunnAuthority signals + industry expertiseRetail media peers, execs, conference audiencesSpeaking, credibility, industry influence
Paolo TrivellatoOutcome-driven funnel teachingFounders, agencies, SaaS teamsLeads, calls, inbound pipeline

None of these is "better" universally. But Ema's is especially sticky because it turns the comment section into a clubhouse.

4. Professional, but goofy on purpose (and it makes the lessons land)

Ema will talk about serious topics (transformation, communication, leadership online) and then drop in humor: Santa, AI, chicken nuggets, or a playful "heyyyy".

What's important: the joke is never random. It's a release valve. It lowers the pressure so the reader can actually absorb the point.

In contrast, Roger Dunn's vibe reads more like "industry keynote energy" (and that works great for his niche). Paolo's vibe is sharper and more direct: "Here's the system, here's the result." Ema's vibe is: "You're not alone, and yes, we can still be professionals while being human." Honestly? That combo is rare.


Their Content Formula

If you want to copy one thing from Ema (without copying her personality), copy the structure. It's repeatable.

Content Structure Breakdown

ComponentEma Roloff's ApproachEffectivenessWhy It Works
HookQuestion, confession, or bold belief lineHighCreates instant emotional relevance
BodyShort paragraphs + quick transitions + emoji listsHighMatches how people read on mobile
CTAFriendly invite to comment, DM, join, watchHighLow pressure, high response
My take: Her Hero Score makes sense because the content is built like a conversation, not a lecture.

The Hook Pattern

She tends to open in one of three ways:

  1. A question that feels like a text from a friend.
  2. A tiny confession that signals honesty.
  3. A bold belief statement that draws a line in the sand.

Template:

"Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but [honest moment]."

More examples you can adapt:

  • "Quick question: are you also [common struggle]?"
  • "Hot take: [belief]."

Why it works: the hook isn't trying to impress you. It's trying to include you.

The Body Structure

Her bodies usually move fast. She doesn't over-explain. She uses small transitions like "And yet..." or "Good news is..." to keep momentum.

Body Structure Analysis:

StageWhat They DoExample Pattern
OpeningSets context in 1-3 short paragraphs"Here's what happened..."
DevelopmentAdds story or list of insights"A few things I learned:" + bullets
TransitionUses a conversational bridge"But here's the thing..."
ClosingReinforces belief, then invites response"You don't have to do it alone."

The CTA Approach

This is where Ema is quietly excellent.

Instead of forcing one action, she gives a soft set of doors people can walk through:

  • Comment a keyword
  • DM if you want details
  • Watch the recording if you missed it
  • Join the next event

Psychology-wise, it lowers the risk. You're not committing to a sales call. You're just raising your hand.

CTA style comparison:

CreatorCommon CTA typeToneBest for
Ema RoloffComment prompts + inviting DMs + "come hang out"Warm, encouragingCommunity growth, event attendance
Roger DunnDiscussion prompts + thought leadership follow-upsConfident, expertIndustry reputation, peer discussion
Paolo TrivellatoClear action tied to outcomes (funnels, leads)Direct, results-firstLead generation, client acquisition

3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today

  1. Write the hook like a text message - If it wouldn't sound normal in a group chat with colleagues, rewrite it.

  2. Use white space like it's part of your brand - One thought per paragraph, and isolate the sentence you want people to remember.

  3. End with a low-pressure invitation - Ask a real question or offer a DM option, so people can engage without feeling sold to.


Key Takeaways

  1. Ema's Hero Score (86.00) is a structure signal, not just a vibes signal - the writing is designed to be read and replied to.
  2. Her advantage is emotional clarity - she names what leaders feel, then gives them a next step.
  3. She plays the long game with community - events, recaps, and ongoing invitations create repeat engagement.
  4. Compared to Roger and Paolo, Ema is the "belonging" play - Roger is authority-forward, Paolo is outcome-forward, Ema is relationship-forward.

If you try one change this week, make it this: write one post where the goal is not to teach, but to start a real conversation. Then watch what happens.


Meet the Creators

Ema Roloff

Digital Leadership Strategy | Speaker | Teaching Leaders to Show Up, Communicate, and Lead Online

22,065 Followers 86.0 Hero Score

πŸ“ United States Β· 🏒 Industry not specified

Roger Dunn

πŸ›’ Global Retail Media Lead πŸ—£οΈLinkedIn Top Voice 🎀 Keynote Speaker πŸ€– AI Commerce Expert πŸ† Retail Media Leader of the Year πŸ’‘ RETHINK Top Retail Expert πŸ›οΈ WFA & IAB Retail Media Council πŸŽ“ Marketing BSc & MBA

24,452 Followers 86.0 Hero Score

πŸ“ Australia Β· 🏒 Industry not specified

Paolo Trivellato

Agencies & SaaS: Add $15,000-$50,000 MRR in 90 days with a LinkedIn Inbound Funnel

27,979 Followers 85.0 Hero Score

πŸ“ United Kingdom Β· 🏒 Industry not specified


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