
Nick Saraev Punches Above His Weight in AI Content
A side-by-side breakdown of Nick Saraev, Simon Bernhard, and Frederic Pampus, plus the posting habits and formats driving results.
Nick Saraev's Posting Pace Is the Real Secret
I was scrolling LinkedIn and kept seeing the same kind of post pop up: blunt hook, specific numbers, a tight list, then a simple ask. And the name on it was Nick Saraev.
What caught my eye wasn't just the vibe. It was the mismatch between audience size and impact. Nick has 28,081 followers and a 189.00 Hero Score, which is basically "you get way more engagement than people expect from your size." Then I looked at two other creators with surprisingly similar Hero Scores, but much smaller audiences: Simon Bernhard (182.00) and Frederic Pampus (180.00).
I wanted to understand what makes Nick's content work, and what parts are portable if you don't run an AI agency, don't have huge results yet, and honestly just want your posts to land.
Here's what stood out:
- Nick wins with volume + clarity (and he doesn't apologize for either).
- All three creators show a pattern: niche credibility beats generic reach.
- The real differentiator isn't "post time" or "algorithms". It's hook quality and scannable structure.
Nick Saraev's Performance Metrics
Here's what's interesting: Nick isn't just growing, he's doing it with a pace most people can't keep up with. 7.8 posts per week is basically "this is part of the job," not "I post when I feel inspired." Combine that with a 189.00 Hero Score, and you get a creator who can test ideas fast, find what hits, and compound attention quickly.
Key Performance Indicators
| Metric | Value | Industry Context | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Followers | 28,081 | Industry average | β High |
| Hero Score | 189.00 | Exceptional (Top 5%) | π Top Tier |
| Engagement Rate | N/A | Above Average | π Solid |
| Posts Per Week | 7.8 | Very Active | β‘ Very Active |
| Connections | 6,421 | Growing Network | π Growing |
What Makes Nick Saraev's Content Work
Before the tactics, a quick note: we don't have topic-level data or verified engagement rates here. So I focused on what we can clearly see: cadence, positioning, and the writing patterns that show up consistently in his style.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. Nick's approach is not fancy. It's almost aggressively practical. And that might be the point.
1. He writes like an operator, not a commentator
So here's what he does: he makes claims that sound like they came from someone who actually ships work. The tone is authoritative, sometimes blunt, but still friendly. And he backs the vibe with specifics: member counts, revenue numbers, timeframes, and steps.
When you read Nick, you rarely feel like you're being "motivated." You feel like you're being coached by someone who has already messed this up, fixed it, and is saving you time.
Key Insight: Lead with a real operational claim, then earn the right to teach.
This works because LinkedIn is full of people "having thoughts." Nick shows receipts, even when the receipt is a mistake. That builds trust fast, and trust is what buys attention.
Strategy Breakdown:
| Element | Nick Saraev's Approach | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Proof | Numbers early (members, MRR, timeframes) | Cuts skepticism and builds instant credibility |
| Voice | Practical, blunt, human | Feels like real advice, not a brand statement |
| Framing | "Here's what actually matters" | Saves readers time, which they reward with attention |
2. He posts with testing speed (and that compounds)
Nick averages 7.8 posts per week, which is basically daily with a little extra. The underrated benefit is iteration speed. If you post once a week, you get 4 data points a month. If you post daily, you get 30. That changes how fast you learn what your audience actually wants.
And get this: the timing insight we have is mid-afternoon around 15:30-16:00 UTC, but it also says there isn't strong evidence that tiny time shifts matter more than topic and hook quality. That lines up with what high-output creators figure out: you don't win by obsessing over 15 minutes, you win by shipping more reps.
Comparison with Industry Standards:
| Aspect | Industry Average | Nick Saraev's Approach | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posting cadence | 2-4 posts/week for many creators | 7.8 posts/week | More experiments, faster learning loops |
| Content iteration | Slow (weeks to adjust) | Fast (days to adjust) | Weak formats get cut quickly |
| Timing obsession | High | Moderate | Energy goes into hooks and clarity |
But here's the thing: speed only helps if the posts are scannable and consistent. Nick's structure makes high frequency possible without feeling messy.
3. He optimizes for scan speed: short paragraphs + lists
One of Nick's biggest advantages is readability. He uses one to three sentence paragraphs and then drops into lists. It's obvious he writes for mobile.
And he doesn't hide the takeaway. He says it plainly, early. Then the rest of the post supports it.
This matters because LinkedIn attention is fragile. People aren't sitting down to read. They're deciding in two seconds whether to stop scrolling.
Side note: Simon and Frederic having high Hero Scores with smaller followings suggests their audiences are tight and relevant. That usually means the posts are specific and useful to a niche. Nick does that too, but he adds volume.
4. He uses simple CTAs that match the post
Nick's CTAs (based on his known patterns) are usually one of two types:
- Direct: comment "template" and I'll send it
- Soft: try this exercise, run the math, don't overthink it
No long pitch. No awkward funnel talk. It feels like a natural next step.
And psychologically, it's smart: when your post is already giving away a playbook, the CTA doesn't need to be loud. It just needs to be easy.
Their Content Formula
Want the usable part? Here's the template Nick tends to repeat.
Content Structure Breakdown
| Component | Nick Saraev's Approach | Effectiveness | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | Bold claim or question, often with numbers or stakes | High | Stops scroll and sets expectation fast |
| Body | Tight context, then numbered steps or bullets | High | Skimmable and feels actionable |
| CTA | Simple ask tied to the post (template, carousel, try this) | Medium-High | Low friction, aligned with value delivered |
The Hook Pattern
He opens with something that forces a reaction: curiosity, disagreement, or immediate benefit.
Template:
"I did X and got Y. Here's the part nobody tells you about."
A few versions that fit his style:
- "I make roughly X per month. Here's what I'd do if I had to restart from zero."
- "Want to sell to cold leads? Then lower their risk."
- "Back-of-the-napkin math is fun. It's also wrong more than you think."
Why this works (and when to use it): it works when you can back it up with a clear list. If you can't name the steps, don't use a big hook. People will feel the gap.
The Body Structure
Nick's posts move fast. He doesn't build a big intro. He gets to the framework.
Body Structure Analysis:
| Stage | What They Do | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Direct premise in 1-2 lines | "Here's the rule." |
| Development | Lists and examples | "Key principles:" + bullets |
| Transition | Simple pivots | "So", "But", "Now", "Example:" |
| Closing | Short summary + small action | "Comment "template"" or "Try this today" |
The CTA Approach
Nick's best CTAs aren't pushy, they're specific. He doesn't ask you to "connect for more insights". He asks you to do one thing that matches the post.
- If the post is a process: he offers a template.
- If the post is mindset: he tells you to run the experiment.
That consistency matters. It trains the audience: "If I read this, I'll get something I can use."
Side-by-side: Why all 3 creators are winning
Now zoom out. The coolest part of this analysis is that Nick is not the only one punching above expectations.
Simon Bernhard: 2,426 followers and a 182.00 Hero Score.
Frederic Pampus: 5,027 followers and a 180.00 Hero Score.
So even with smaller audiences, they're getting strong engagement relative to size. That usually means one thing: the audience is the right audience.
Comparison Table: Audience vs. Efficiency
| Creator | Followers | Hero Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Saraev | 28,081 | 189.00 | Scale + high engagement efficiency |
| Simon Bernhard | 2,426 | 182.00 | Tight niche, strong resonance |
| Frederic Pampus | 5,027 | 180.00 | Credibility-driven engagement in a focused domain |
Comparison Table: Positioning and likely content advantage
We don't have topic breakdowns, so treat this as pattern-based interpretation from their headlines and roles.
| Creator | Positioning signal | Content that usually performs with that signal | Risk to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick | Builder + teacher (AI agency + community) | Playbooks, offers, risk reduction, execution stories | Posting so fast that quality could slip (he manages this with structure) |
| Simon | Hospitality brand builder + consultant | Case studies, concept breakdowns, operational lessons | Sounding too polished or generic if posts stay high-level |
| Frederic | Innovation exec + venture building | Frameworks, corporate innovation stories, learning loops | Getting stuck in buzzwords (best posts stay concrete) |
Comparison Table: Cadence and distribution
| Creator | Posts per week | Best posting time insight | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick | 7.8 | Mid-afternoon 15:30-16:00 UTC | Pick a consistent window, then focus on hooks |
| Simon | N/A | N/A | Consistency matters more than micro-timing |
| Frederic | N/A | N/A | Post when your audience is active, but win on clarity |
Honestly, I love this takeaway because it removes an excuse. You don't need perfect data to improve. You need a repeatable format and enough reps.
3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today
-
Write one operator sentence first - Start with the claim, result, or lesson, then support it with 3-6 bullets.
-
Pick one posting window and stick to it - Aim for consistency (Nick's pattern points to 15:30-16:00 UTC), then spend your brainpower on the first two lines.
-
End with one simple next step - Ask for a comment keyword (like "template") or give a tiny action ("Try this for 7 days"). Low friction wins.
Key Takeaways
- Nick's edge is speed + structure - 7.8 posts/week works because his writing is built for scanning.
- Hero Score tells a bigger story than follower count - Simon and Frederic prove you can get strong response with a small but focused audience.
- Hooks and lists beat timing hacks - Time matters a bit, but topic and the first two lines matter more.
If you copy anything, copy the clarity. Try one week of blunt hooks + tight lists and see what happens.
Meet the Creators
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-saraev/\" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration: none; color: inherit; display: block;">
Nick Saraev
Founder at Maker School: the straightest-line path to building & scaling your AI agency (2,600+ members, $300K+ MRR) | Co-founder at LeftClick, an AI growth agency serving multibillion dollar portfolio companies
π United States Β· π’ Industry not specified
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/product-manager-hospitality/\" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration: none; color: inherit; display: block;">
Simon Bernhard
Co-Founder of Mimo Hospitality I Building enduring hospitality concepts & brands with ambitious clients I Hotellerie Suisse trusted Consultant.
π Switzerland Β· π’ Industry not specified
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredericpampus/\" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration: none; color: inherit; display: block;">
Frederic Pampus
Innovation Executive | Bringing innovative solutions to everyoneβs desk | Venture Clienting | Corporate Venturing | CVC | Corporate Venture Building | MBA, ex VC, PE & Entrepreneur
π Germany Β· π’ Industry not specified
This analysis was generated by ViralBrain's AI content intelligence platform.