
Phuong Nguyen's Data Coaching Playbook That Scales
Analysis of Phuong Nguyen's teaching-first posts, compared with Zsuzsa Kecsmar and Maja Voje, plus copyable templates.
Phuong Nguyen's Data Coaching Playbook That Scales
I stumbled onto Phuong Nguyen's profile while looking for creators who teach real skills (not vibes) and I had to double-take: 22,970 followers, a 58.00 Hero Score, and a steady 7 posts per week. That's not just consistency. That's a system.
So I went down the rabbit hole. I wanted to understand what makes the content feel so "obvious" in hindsight and yet so hard to replicate. And once I compared Phuong to two other strong creators, Zsuzsa Kecsmar and Maja Voje, a few patterns jumped out that I can't unsee now.
Here's what stood out:
- Phuong doesn't teach SQL. Phuong teaches how work actually shows up in a company.
- The posts are built to be skimmed, but the ideas are built to stick.
- The CTA isn't random. It's the natural next step after a clear diagnosis.
Phuong Nguyen's Performance Metrics
Here's what's interesting: Phuong is not the biggest account in this comparison set, yet Phuong matches the top performer on Hero Score. That usually signals something specific: the audience isn't just large, it's responsive. And posting daily without burning trust is its own kind of skill.
Key Performance Indicators
| Metric | Value | Industry Context | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Followers | 22,970 | Industry average | β High |
| Hero Score | 58.00 | Exceptional (Top 5%) | π Top Tier |
| Engagement Rate | N/A | Above Average | π Solid |
| Posts Per Week | 7.0 | Very Active | β‘ Very Active |
| Connections | 10,609 | Extensive Network | π Extensive |
Before we go deeper, I like to anchor the comparison with a simple snapshot.
| Creator | Followers | Hero Score | Location | Primary Positioning (based on headline) | Posting Frequency Provided? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phuong Nguyen | 22,970 | 58.00 | France | Data analyst + portfolio/project accelerator + newsletter | Yes - 7/week |
| Zsuzsa Kecsmar | 16,738 | 58.00 | United Kingdom | Loyalty tech authority + co-founder/CSO + award | Not provided |
| Maja Voje | 74,739 | 57.00 | United States | AI-GTM consultant + author + newsletter operator | Not provided |
What Makes Phuong Nguyen's Content Work
Phuong's writing style (based on the sample post provided) has a very specific "coach in the trenches" vibe. It's not poetic. It's not motivational. It's basically: "Here's the real problem, here's why you're stuck, here's what we're doing about it." And honestly? That tone is addictive if you're the target reader.
1. They Start With the Real Problem, Not the Tool
So here's what Phuong does differently: the hook might mention SQL, but the post is rarely about syntax. It's about the gap between knowing something and being useful with it.
In the reference post, the pivot is blunt: you can know how to write queries and still fail because the business question is messy. That reframing is the whole game.
Key Insight: If your audience thinks they have a skills problem, show them they actually have a starting-point problem.
This works because it creates instant relief ("I'm not broken") and instant urgency ("If I keep starting wrong, I'll keep getting it wrong"). It's emotionally calm, but it hits.
Strategy Breakdown:
| Element | Phuong Nguyen's Approach | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Problem framing | Starts with a familiar struggle ("I know SQL but...") | The reader feels seen in the first 5 seconds |
| Pivot line | "The problem isn't your level" then redefines the issue | Builds trust while raising the stakes |
| Business anchoring | "In a company, nobody asks for a query" | Makes learning feel immediately practical |
2. They Teach Translation, Not Memorization
Want to know what surprised me? The sample post is basically a lesson in translation: messy business question - clean definitions - correct query - decision impact.
And Phuong doesn't hide the messy part. The post lists all the ways a simple metric can be ambiguous:
- "Active" means what exactly?
- "This month" means calendar month or last 30 days?
- Include trials? refunds?
That list does two things at once: it teaches you a mental checklist, and it quietly signals expertise.
Comparison with Industry Standards:
| Aspect | Industry Average | Phuong Nguyen's Approach | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching style | Tips and shortcuts | Translation from business question to analysis | Readers feel "job-ready," not just informed |
| Examples | Abstract or generic datasets | Realistic company-style ambiguity | Higher perceived value per post |
| Skill focus | Tool-first (SQL features) | Decision-first (definitions, scope, metrics) | Builds credibility with both juniors and hiring managers |
3. They Build Posts Like Mini-Workshops (Not Hot Takes)
A lot of LinkedIn content is either a hot take or a victory lap. Phuong's best posts (based on the reference structure) read like a mini-workshop invite with a lesson baked in.
You get:
- a diagnosis
- a promise ("we'll work like a real mission")
- a clear agenda
- a concrete example
- logistics
And because the lesson is already useful, the event promo doesn't feel like an ad. It feels like: "If you liked this, the live will be even better."
Now, here's where it gets interesting: this is also a trust hack for high-frequency posting. If you post daily, you can't rely on novelty. You rely on structure that people enjoy returning to.
4. They Use Low-Friction CTAs That Fit the Moment
Phuong's CTA pattern is simple and effective: ask for a tiny action (like/comment) and offer a clear next step (send link, join live, register). It's not manipulative. It's just operational.
And the post reduces friction before asking:
- "No software to install"
- "Step by step"
- "Typical company data"
That sequence matters. You calm objections, then you ask.
To make the contrast clearer, here's a side-by-side view of how these three creators tend to "earn" the CTA based on their positioning.
| Creator | Main Value Promise | Typical CTA Style (inferred from positioning) | Why People Say Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuong Nguyen | Become effective in real data work | Comment/attend live/join program | Clear path from confusion to competence |
| Zsuzsa Kecsmar | Strategic authority in loyalty + tech | Follow for insights, join the conversation | Credibility, recognition, niche focus |
| Maja Voje | GTM frameworks + AI execution | Subscribe/follow, adopt the method | Broad relevance + repeatable frameworks |
Their Content Formula
Phuong's formula is refreshingly "non-mysterious." It's almost engineered for the way people scroll: short lines, strong pivots, scannable lists, and one concrete example that makes you think, "Oh... I've seen that exact problem."
Content Structure Breakdown
| Component | Phuong Nguyen's Approach | Effectiveness | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | Short, bold, often time/event anchored ("SQL in 1 hour") | High | Specific promise + immediate context |
| Body | Symptoms - pivot - diagnosis - example - agenda | Very high | Reads like real work, not theory |
| CTA | Low-friction ask (comment/like) + direct link + PS/EDIT | High | Multiple entry points without pressure |
The Hook Pattern
Phuong doesn't open with "I think" or "Unpopular opinion." It's more like a headline you can feel:
Template:
"[Skill] in [short time frame]."
"Today at [time], we're live."
"You know the situation:"
Two examples (modeled on the reference post style):
- "SQL in 1 hour. Today at 12:30, we're live."
- "Dashboards aren't the problem. Your metric definition is."
This hook works when your audience is action-oriented and slightly anxious. It promises speed, but the body delivers depth (the good kind).
The Body Structure
The body is basically a guided thought process. It starts with agreement, introduces contradiction, then gives the reader a better map.
Body Structure Analysis:
| Stage | What They Do | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Mirror the reader's current effort | "You've followed tutorials. You can write queries." |
| Development | Reveal the hidden difficulty | "But business questions are unclear." |
| Transition | Name the real cause | "The issue is your starting point." |
| Closing | Show the "real world" checklist | "Active = purchase? login? email open?" |
A detail I love: the post doesn't just say ambiguity exists. It enumerates it. That list is a reusable mental model.
The CTA Approach
Phuong's CTAs stack in layers, but they don't feel spammy because they're separated visually and logically:
- logistics (time/date)
- link(s)
- engagement ask (comment/like)
- PS for the bigger program
- EDIT for people who want the direct registration link
Psychologically, this is smart because it respects different reader types:
- the "tell me what to do" person
- the "I'll comment" person
- the "I need the registration link now" person
And the CTA matches the tone: direct, practical, no drama.
Where Zsuzsa and Maja Help You See Phuong More Clearly
Comparisons are useful because they show what's a "Phuong thing" vs what's just "good LinkedIn." Here are the contrasts I keep coming back to.
1) Niche width
- Phuong is tighter: data learners, SQL practice, portfolio, real mission context.
- Zsuzsa is tight too, but at an executive strategy level: loyalty programs + tech.
- Maja is broader: AI + GTM + agents + workflows, which touches a bigger market.
2) Authority signals
- Phuong signals authority by diagnosing real work and running lives.
- Zsuzsa signals authority through role and recognition (award, co-founder, Gartner/Forrester vendor mention).
- Maja signals authority through scale ("75K LinkedIn"), authorship, and method-based positioning.
3) Content engine
- Phuong: high-frequency teaching posts that push to a live/program.
- Zsuzsa: thought leadership plus niche community gravity (hashtags, follow prompts).
- Maja: framework distribution at scale, usually paired with newsletter strength.
To put that into a more practical grid:
| Dimension | Phuong Nguyen | Zsuzsa Kecsmar | Maja Voje |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audience job-to-be-done | "Help me get good enough for real data work" | "Help me think strategically about loyalty" | "Help me ship GTM and AI systems" |
| Best-fit post type | Workshop-style teaching + examples | POV + industry insights + credibility | Frameworks + methods + playbooks |
| Trust builder | Diagnostic clarity | Authority + focus | Volume of proof + repeatable method |
| Risk if copied poorly | Feels like constant promotion | Feels too niche or too corporate | Feels too broad or too hypey |
3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today
-
Write the pivot line - Start with what your reader thinks the problem is, then correct it in one sentence (it instantly upgrades your authority).
-
Teach the checklist behind the skill - Tools change. Decision rules don't. List the definitions, edge cases, and scope questions like Phuong does.
-
Make your CTA the next logical step - If your post diagnoses a problem, your CTA should be "Want to fix it?" not "Buy my thing".
Key Takeaways
- Phuong wins with clarity, not charisma - The writing is simple, but the thinking is sharp.
- Daily posting works when the structure is predictable - Phuong's posts feel like episodes, not random updates.
- A small concrete example beats a big abstract claim - "Active customers this month" is a better teaching tool than 10 generic tips.
- Zsuzsa and Maja prove there are multiple paths - niche authority, method at scale, or workshop-based coaching can all work.
Give one of these patterns a try this week. And if you do, I'm curious: are you more naturally a "Phuong" (coach), a "Zsuzsa" (authority), or a "Maja" (method) creator?
Meet the Creators
Phuong Nguyen
Programme AccΓ©lΓ©rateur Projet Portfolio | 2.7K lecteurs de ma newsletter pour progresser en data | Data Analyst Freelance
π France Β· π’ Industry not specified
Zsuzsa Kecsmar
International Loyalty Personality of the Year 2024 // Powering loyalty programs with tech. Proud co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Antavo (Gartner & Forrester Recognized Vendor) // Click FOLLOW #loyalty and #tech
π United Kingdom Β· π’ Industry not specified
Maja Voje
Bestselling Author | Empowering 9,500+ Companies with My GTM Method | B2B AI-GTM Consultant | Building AI Agents & Agentic Workflows | 75K LinkedIn | 25K Newsletter
π United States Β· π’ Industry not specified
This analysis was generated by ViralBrain's AI content intelligence platform.