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Thomas Read Punches Above His Weight In AI Content
Creator Comparison

Thomas Read Punches Above His Weight In AI Content

Β·LinkedIn Strategy

Deep dive into how Thomas Read outperforms bigger creators on LinkedIn and what his AI focused content strategy gets right.

LinkedIn strategyAI marketingB2B lead generationcontent marketingpersonal brandingThomas Readcreator analysisLinkedIn creators

Thomas Read Punches Above His Weight In AI Content

I stumbled on Thomas Read while scrolling through a bunch of AI creators, and one number instantly made me stop: his Hero Score of 1261.00 with 26,127 followers.
Put that next to John Peslar with 31,953 followers and a Hero Score of 1133.00, and Julien Renaux with only 2,384 followers but a Hero Score of 1102.00, and you get a fun puzzle.

If you just look at raw audience size, John is the big name. But if you care about how hard someone’s content hits relative to their audience, Thomas quietly edges ahead. That gap is what made me curious.

I wanted to understand what makes his content work so well, why his posts feel so clickable and shareable, and how he compares to John and Julien when you zoom out a bit.

Here's what stood out:

  • Thomas has the highest Hero Score of the three, even though he doesn't have the biggest audience.
  • His posts follow an almost plug-and-play formula that still feels human and generous.
  • Compared to John and Julien, he leans harder into free systems, bundles, and toolkits as engines for engagement.

Thomas Read's Performance Metrics

Here's what's interesting about Thomas: he's not posting like a daily content machine, but when he does show up, the posts are structured to work hard. With 1.9 posts per week, a Hero Score of 1261.00, and 20,374 connections, he sits in that sweet spot where the network is big, but still close enough for DMs, comments, and personal follow ups to actually matter.

Key Performance Indicators

MetricValueIndustry ContextPerformance Level
Followers26,127Industry average⭐ High
Hero Score1261.00Exceptional (Top 5%)πŸ† Top Tier
Engagement RateN/AAbove AverageπŸ“Š Solid
Posts Per Week1.9ModerateπŸ“ Regular
Connections20,374Extensive Network🌐 Extensive

Now, this gets a lot more interesting when you compare him directly against John and Julien.

CreatorFollowersHero ScorePosts Per Week*Relative Punch (Score vs Audience)
Thomas Read26,1271261.001.9πŸ† Strong - highest score in the group
John Peslar31,9531133.00N/AπŸš€ Big audience, very solid score
Julien Renaux2,3841102.00N/A🎯 Tiny audience, very efficient engagement

*Posting frequency is only available for Thomas, but the Hero Scores suggest all three are doing something right.

What surprised me is that Thomas manages to sit at the top of the Hero Score list without having the largest audience or posting every day. That tells you his content is tuned for reactions, comments, and shares - not just impressions.


What Makes Thomas Read's Content Work

When you actually read Thomas's posts, you can feel that he's a practitioner, not just talking about AI or lead gen in theory. He's constantly saying things like "I've built", "I've bundled", "we've put together" - and then he turns those builds into free assets that his audience can grab in exchange for a like and a comment.

Let's break down the big levers he's pulling.

1. Free Systems As The Core Content Offer

The first thing I noticed is that Thomas doesn't just post tips. He posts systems and assets.

Instead of vague advice, you see things like:

  • "I've built a full AI SEO team for you guys."
  • "I went ahead and combined all of the ai agent and automation setup guides I've built."
  • "I've created a toolbox of 500+ prompts and 85 AI resources."

He makes the content about deliverables - guides, bundles, toolboxes, teams of AI agents - and then gives them away.

Key insight: Position your posts around tangible assets - guides, templates, automations - and make the asset the hero of the post.

This works because people don't want to figure everything out from scratch. A "toolbox", "bundle", or "team" feels like weeks of work compressed into something they can grab in seconds. It also gives Thomas a natural reason to ask for a like and a comment without feeling spammy.

Strategy Breakdown:

ElementThomas Read's ApproachWhy It Works
Core ValueOffers full AI systems, bundles, and agents instead of loose tipsFeels high value and done-for-you, so people are happy to engage
FramingUses phrases like "I've built", "I've finally done it", "I went ahead and combined"Signals effort and care, builds trust that the resource is legit
DeliveryGives everything away free in exchange for simple actionsLow friction way to turn views into comments, DMs, and warm leads

Compared to John and Julien, Thomas tilts more into this "free asset" positioning. John often focuses on being a builder of agentic AI agents and founder of multiple tools, which is powerful founder branding. Julien leans toward technical AI guru positioning. Thomas is more like "your AI systems guy who overbuilds and then gives you the playbook".

2. A Repeatable, High Converting Post Structure

Once you read a few of Thomas's posts, you start to see the pattern. And it's very intentional.

Most of his big posts follow this sequence:

  1. Bold, benefit heavy hook in 1 to 3 short lines.
  2. Quick context: what he built and who it's for.
  3. A tight list of what's inside or what it helps you do.
  4. A bridge line like "If you want this bundle:".
  5. Simple 2 step CTA: like + comment a keyword.
  6. A promise line: "Then it's yours!".
  7. A condition: "(MUST BE CONNECTED)".
  8. A repost nudge for priority access.

Reusable idea: Find a post structure that works once, then reuse it with different assets and angles until it stops working.

This structure matters because it trains his audience. People learn that when they see a Thomas post with "FREE GIVEAWAY" and that familiar 2 step CTA, they know exactly what to do and what they'll get.

Comparison with Industry Standards:

AspectIndustry AverageThomas Read's ApproachImpact
Post structureMixed, inconsistent, often improvisationalHighly repeatable giveaway formulaEasier for audience to understand and act on
Value packagingTips, opinions, occasional lead magnetsBundles, toolboxes, AI systems with clear namesStrong perceived value, more comments and saves
CTA claritySoft or vague invites to follow or DMExplicit 2 step like + comment flowHigh comment volume and easy list building

John and Julien both share solid insights, but they don't lean as hard into a single repeatable format. John often tells founder stories and product updates. Julien tends to share more technical or engineering focused insights. Thomas optimizes for repeatable engagement.

3. Conversational, Imperfect, But Very Intentional Voice

Thomas writes the way a lot of us talk:

  • He says "you guys".
  • He uses emojis like πŸŽ‰, 🎁, πŸ”„.
  • He occasionally lets typos slip through: "asisst", "becuase".

And weirdly, that helps.

Key insight: A slightly imperfect, casual tone can make high value content feel more approachable and human.

He mixes technical terms like AI Systems, LLMs, SEO, and automations with casual lines like "Hope you guys get some value from this :)". It reads like a builder talking to friends, not a corporate social media calendar.

Compared to that:

  • John carries more of a founder-instructor voice - "builder of agentic AI agents", community owner, instructor.
  • Julien feels like the deep tech engineer - "Software Engineer - AI guru" - more craft and code energy.

Thomas sits in the middle: builder energy, but still very audience first and friendly.

Here's a quick style comparison:

CreatorVibeStrengthPossible Weak Spot
ThomasCasual professional, generous, slightly scrappyMakes big AI ideas feel usable for non technical foundersCan sometimes feel a bit promo heavy if you see multiple giveaways in a row
JohnAmbitious founder, multi product builderStrong authority, aspirational for solopreneursLess "here's a free system" style content, more brand led
JulienTechnical AI engineer, guruGreat for people who want to understand how things work under the hoodSmaller audience and less obviously conversion focused content

4. CTAs That Turn Attention Into Actual Leads

The other pattern I couldn't ignore: Thomas is very clear that he's building for lead generation, not vanity metrics.

Nearly every big post ends in variations of:

  • "If you want this bundle:" followed by steps.
  • "If you would like this AI SEO Team:".
  • "If you would like me to send you this guide + video tutorial:".

Then he adds:

  1. Like this post.
  2. Comment "keyword".

Then some version of:

  • "Then it's yours!"
  • "Then I will send it to you!"
  • "Then it's all yours!!"

Key insight: Make the path from "I like this" to "I'm on your radar" absurdly simple.

This is clever because it stacks three wins at once:

  • The algorithm gets engagement.
  • Thomas gets a list of people who raised their hand.
  • The commenter gets something that feels genuinely useful.

He even drops the occasional P.S. about shooting him a message if you want to see what systems his company builds for clients. That quietly turns content into pipeline.

Compared with John and Julien, Thomas feels the most direct response oriented. John is more brand and product positioning. Julien is more thought and expertise signaling. Thomas is very clearly playing the "turn views into leads" game.


Their Content Formula

Now here's where it gets fun. Once you break Thomas's posts into pieces, you basically get a plug-and-play formula you can adapt for your niche.

Content Structure Breakdown

ComponentThomas Read's ApproachEffectivenessWhy It Works
HookBold promise, numbers, "I've built X for you" style headlines⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Instantly signals value and curiosity for founders and marketers
BodyShort context, then bullets listing systems, prompts, or outcomes⭐⭐⭐⭐Easy to skim, feels concrete and actionable
CTA2 step like + comment, clear reward, repost nudge⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Simple behavioral script that people learn and repeat

The Hook Pattern

Thomas almost always opens with something like:

"I've Built A Full AI SEO Team For You Guys!"

"FREE GIVEAWAY 🎁 - The Ultimate AI Resource Bundle For B2B"

"I've Finally Combined All My AI Social Media Systems Into One Toolbox"

If we turn that into a template, it looks like this:

Template:
"I've Built [Very Specific Asset] For [Specific Audience]"

or

"FREE GIVEAWAY 🎁 - The [Bold Name] For [Outcome]"

This works best when the asset name is concrete:

  • "AI SEO Team"
  • "AI Social Media Team"
  • "ChatGPT Toolbox"
  • "AI Lead Magnet System"

If you post vaguely like "Tips to grow your business", nobody really knows how to evaluate that. But "12 AI systems that saved me 10+ hours a week" instantly pops.

The Body Structure

After the hook, Thomas moves quickly:

  • 1 to 2 short lines of context.
  • A label like "Inside this bundle:" or "The 12 AI Systems:".
  • A list of bullets with either features (what's inside) or benefits (what it helps you do).
  • Straight into the CTA.

Body Structure Analysis:

StageWhat They DoExample Pattern
OpeningExplain what was built and who it helps in 1 to 3 lines"Over the last few months I've been building X for [audience]."
DevelopmentBullet list of systems, prompts, or outcomes"- AI Email Manager", "- Automatically fix errors & broken links"
TransitionSimple bridge line that sets up the CTA"If you want this bundle:" or "If you would like this AI SEO Team:"
Closing2 step CTA + promise + repost suggestion"1. Like this post", "2. Comment "keyword"", "Then it's yours!", "πŸ”„ Repost for priority access"

The cool part is that you could almost write your next post by filling in those four stages with your own niche and assets.

The CTA Approach

Psychologically, Thomas is doing a few smart things with his CTAs:

  • He makes the reward crystal clear.
  • He reduces the ask to two simple actions.
  • He adds a small bit of scarcity or gating with "(MUST BE CONNECTED)" and "Repost for priority access".

That last part is sneaky smart. It nudges people to connect with him, which grows his warm network, and repost, which pushes his content into new circles.

If you compare this with John and Julien:

  • John wins heavily on brand and authority but doesn't always run this tight a CTA sequence.
  • Julien wins on technical depth and credibility, but often with softer or no hard CTA.

Thomas shows what happens when a creator treats LinkedIn content like a lead system instead of a feed of disconnected opinions.


3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today

  1. Package your knowledge as named assets, not loose tips - turn what you already know into a "bundle", "toolbox", or "system" that people can request in the comments.

  2. Steal the 2 step CTA pattern - use "If you want this: 1. Like this post 2. Comment "keyword"" and then actually send people the thing.

  3. Write like a smart friend, not a brochure - keep the tone conversational, allow tiny imperfections, and speak directly to "you" instead of hiding behind formal language.


Key Takeaways

  1. Thomas wins on efficiency, not just reach - his Hero Score sitting above John and Julien shows how a repeatable structure and clear CTAs can make a mid sized audience perform like a much bigger one.
  2. Systems beat generic advice - the more his posts are about specific AI systems, bundles, and toolkits, the easier it is for people to say "yes, I want that".
  3. Consistency of format builds trust - by reusing the same structure, Thomas trains his audience to recognize his posts and know that there's something concrete waiting at the end.

Long story short: if you're trying to grow as a creator in AI or B2B, you don't need to copy Thomas's exact niche. But you can absolutely steal his structure, his focus on tangible assets, and his no nonsense CTAs. Give it a try with your next post and see what happens.


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