
Sebastian Raschka, PhD's Calm Technical Content Engine
A friendly breakdown of Sebastian Raschka, PhD's LinkedIn playbook, with comparisons to Bjion Henry and Robbie Simpson.
Sebastian Raschka, PhD's Calm Technical Content Engine
I went down a small rabbit hole looking at three very different LinkedIn creators, and I didn't expect the most "quietly technical" voice to be the one that felt the most consistently magnetic. But here we are: Sebastian Raschka, PhD is sitting at 207,032 followers with a 65.00 Hero Score, posting about 2.7 times per week. And it doesn't feel like he's chasing attention. It feels like he's building trust.
What caught my eye is that all three creators have roughly similar Hero Scores (Sebastian: 65.00, Bjion Henry: 64.00, Robbie Simpson: 64.00), but they get there in totally different ways. So I wanted to understand what actually makes Sebastian's content work, and what you can steal from it without pretending to be an ML researcher.
Here's what stood out:
- Sebastian wins with clarity and teaching (he explains the "why," not just the "what")
- He posts at a steady cadence without turning his feed into a content treadmill
- The other two creators show the same engagement strength through business outcomes (Bjion) and leadership narrative (Robbie), which makes the comparison surprisingly useful
| Creator | Followers | Hero Score | Location | Primary Promise (from headline) | Posting Cadence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastian Raschka, PhD | 207,032 | 65.00 | United States | How LLMs work + latest developments (plus a book + magazine) | 2.7/week |
| Bjion Henry | 37,172 | 64.00 | United Arab Emirates | Agencies grow without extra hires (AI for inbound/outbound sales) | N/A |
| Robbie Simpson | 22,345 | 64.00 | Spain | Talent acquisition leadership at Glovo (credibility + awards) | N/A |
The numbers are the first clue: Sebastian's audience is much larger, but his engagement relative to that audience is still top-tier. That usually happens when people save, share, and come back because the content is genuinely useful.
Sebastian Raschka, PhD's Performance Metrics
Here's what's interesting: Sebastian doesn't need daily posting to stay top of mind. With 2.7 posts per week, he's in that sweet spot where each post has time to breathe, but the audience still gets a steady rhythm. And a 65.00 Hero Score at 207k+ followers suggests his posts aren't just getting polite likes, they're earning real attention.
Key Performance Indicators
| Metric | Value | Industry Context | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Followers | 207,032 | Industry average | ๐ Elite |
| Hero Score | 65.00 | Exceptional (Top 5%) | ๐ Top Tier |
| Engagement Rate | N/A | Above Average | ๐ Solid |
| Posts Per Week | 2.7 | Moderate | ๐ Regular |
| Connections | 1,294 | Growing Network | ๐ Growing |
One more detail I liked: the recommended best time window is early afternoon (14:00-16:00 UTC). For a technical audience, that timing makes sense. People are often in "reading and saving" mode mid-day, not just scrolling before bed.
What Makes Sebastian Raschka, PhD's Content Work
Sebastian's edge isn't a single trick. It's a system that compounds. He teaches, he frames trade-offs, and he keeps the vibe calm and precise (which is honestly refreshing in AI content).
1. He teaches like a researcher, but writes like a friendly engineer
So here's what he does: he takes topics that are easy to overhype (LLMs, scaling, inference costs, new releases) and explains them step-by-step, often with assumptions, small calculations, and "here's the trade-off" framing.
And he doesn't talk down to you. He assumes you're smart and curious, then fills in the gaps that matter.
Key Insight: Write posts that answer the reader's next question before they ask it.
This works because on LinkedIn, most "AI posts" stop at headlines. Sebastian goes one level deeper: what changed, why it matters, and what you'd do differently if you were building something.
Strategy Breakdown:
| Element | Sebastian Raschka, PhD's Approach | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Framing | Starts with a clear question or context ("I often get questions about...") | Reduces cognitive load and pulls in the right audience |
| Reasoning | Adds assumptions and simple math (when relevant) | Builds trust fast because the thinking is visible |
| Tone | Calm, precise, a little self-effacing | Feels credible and human, not performative |
2. He uses "structured posts" to make hard topics skimmable
Want to know what surprised me? His writing style is technical, but the formatting makes it feel light. Short paragraphs. Clear transitions. Lists that are tight. Labels like "Pro tip:" and "In short," that help you scan.
That structure matters because LinkedIn is a distracted environment. You don't win by being smarter. You win by being easier to follow.
Comparison with Industry Standards:
| Aspect | Industry Average | Sebastian Raschka, PhD's Approach | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paragraph length | Long blocks | 1-3 sentences, frequent line breaks | Higher read-through and saves |
| Explanations | Buzzwords, vague takeaways | Stepwise reasoning with qualifiers ("usually," "roughly") | More credibility, fewer "AI bro" vibes |
| Formatting | Minimal structure | Lists, labels, clear transitions | Skimmable without losing depth |
Now, here's where it gets interesting: if you compare this to the other two creators, the same "structure wins" principle shows up, but it serves different outcomes.
| Creator | What they likely optimize for | What structure looks like | What the reader gets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastian | Understanding + trust | Analytical threads, lists, careful caveats | "I learned something" |
| Bjion | Pipeline + action | Direct frameworks, tactical steps, sales-oriented prompts | "I can use this today" |
| Robbie | Leadership signal + recruiting brand | Stories, hiring lessons, team wins | "I want to work with you" |
3. He ships "evergreen explanations" alongside timely updates
A lot of creators pick one lane: news commentary or timeless education. Sebastian blends both.
- When the field moves fast, he can comment on releases and trends.
- When the hype gets loud, he can post fundamentals and principles.
And that combination is sneaky powerful. Timely posts get attention now, evergreen posts keep paying you back via saves, shares, and "I followed you because of that one post" moments.
If you're building your own creator strategy, this is a strong template:
- Post something timely that people are already curious about.
- Follow it with a foundational explainer that stays useful next month.
4. He sells without sounding like he's selling
Sebastian's headline includes his book ("Build a Large Language Model From Scratch") and his magazine ("Ahead of AI"). But the feed doesn't feel like a billboard.
The pattern is more like: "Here's a useful explanation" then "If you want the full deep dive, here's the link." That ordering matters.
And honestly, it makes the promotional parts easier to trust, because you've already gotten value.
Their Content Formula
When I mapped Sebastian's posts into a simple formula (hook, body, CTA), it looked clean and repeatable. Not flashy. Just dependable.
Content Structure Breakdown
| Component | Sebastian Raschka, PhD's Approach | Effectiveness | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | A question, a quick observation, or a "I often get asked..." setup | High | It filters for the right readers and sets context fast |
| Body | Stepwise reasoning with lists, assumptions, and transitions | Very high | Readers feel guided, not overwhelmed |
| CTA | Soft link to book/newsletter or a "Happy reading" close | Solid | Value first, ask second (no pressure) |
The Hook Pattern
He usually opens by orienting you in 1-2 sentences. No dramatic claims. No "this changes everything." More like a helpful colleague who just learned something and wants to share it.
Template:
"I often get questions about [topic]. Here's how I think about it (and what the trade-offs are)."
A couple variations that fit his style:
"There have been lots of interesting LLM releases lately. Here's what I found most notable (and why)."
"What should we focus on: [option A] or [option B]? Let's assume [simple assumption] and reason it out."
Why it works: it makes a promise you can trust. You're not being baited, you're being invited.
The Body Structure
This is where Sebastian really separates himself. The body is designed for readers who like precision.
Body Structure Analysis:
| Stage | What They Do | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Establish context and scope | "I'll focus on X, not Y." |
| Development | Build the explanation in steps | "1) ... 2) ... 3) ..." |
| Transition | Use clear signposts | "However," "Interestingly," "In short," |
| Closing | Summarize takeaway + next step | "Overall, I'd suggest..." |
If you want to copy this without writing about ML, keep the same scaffolding:
- Define the question
- State the assumptions
- Walk through 2-4 steps
- Give a measured takeaway (not a hot take)
The CTA Approach
Sebastian's CTAs tend to be low-friction:
- "Link to the full article: ..."
- "Here's the link to the book: ..."
- "Happy reading!"
Psychologically, this works because the CTA is a continuation of the teaching, not a sudden switch into marketing voice. And if someone doesn't click, they still got something useful.
Same engagement tier, different paths. That contrast makes Sebastian's strategy clearer.
| Dimension | Sebastian Raschka, PhD | Bjion Henry | Robbie Simpson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core value | Understanding complex systems | Revenue outcomes and execution | Hiring leadership and employer brand |
| Credibility signal | PhD + from-scratch building + clear reasoning | Ex-Google + practical growth promise | Global TA role + industry recognition |
| Typical reader intent | Learn, stay current, improve technical judgment | Get tactics to win deals and scale | Learn leadership patterns, evaluate culture |
| Best-fit CTA style | Resource link (book/newsletter) | Book a call, download, DM prompt (likely) | Follow for hiring insights, connect (likely) |
Notice something? Sebastian's "conversion" is often a long game: readers turn into subscribers, book readers, and quiet advocates. That matches his calm tone.
3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today
-
Teach one level deeper than the headline - Add the "why" and one assumption so your reader can follow your thinking.
-
Write for skimming without losing depth - Short paragraphs, clear transitions, and lists that are tight.
-
Use a soft CTA that matches your tone - Offer the next step as a resource, not a pitch (especially if your content is educational).
Key Takeaways
- Sebastian's scale comes from trust - 207,032 followers plus a 65.00 Hero Score tells me people don't just see his posts, they keep them.
- Structure is the cheat code for technical topics - Lists, labels, and clear transitions make hard ideas feel approachable.
- Evergreen plus timely is a strong combo - It builds both reach and long-term saves.
- Promotion works when it's value-first - He earns the click by teaching, then offers the link.
Give one of these patterns a try this week (maybe even at 14:00-16:00 UTC) and see what happens. And if you test it, I'd genuinely love to know what changed for you.
Meet the Creators
Sebastian Raschka, PhD
ML/AI research engineer. Author of Build a Large Language Model From Scratch (amzn.to/4fqvn0D) and Ahead of AI (magazine.sebastianraschka.com), on how LLMs work and the latest developments in the field.
๐ United States ยท ๐ข Industry not specified
Bjion Henry
I help agencies/consultancies grow without extra hires โข AI Expert for Inbound/Outbound Sales โข Ex-Google
๐ United Arab Emirates ยท ๐ข Industry not specified
Robbie Simpson
Global Head of Talent Acquisition @ Glovo | Experienced Recruitment Leader | Talent100 2025 Winner
๐ Spain ยท ๐ข Industry not specified
This analysis was generated by ViralBrain's AI content intelligence platform.