Why Paul Evans Punches Above His Weight On LinkedIn
Why Paul Evans Punches Above His Weight On LinkedIn
I was scrolling through a list of LinkedIn creators when one number stopped me: Paul Evans sitting at 24,448 followers with a Hero Score of 297.00.
On paper, that might not sound crazy. Until you notice that he's edging out other strong creators like Ferdinand Terme (292.00) and Walid Boulanouar (282.00), even though they're all in a similar follower band.
So I got curious.
Why is a calm, systems-minded B2B positioning expert in the UK quietly performing at top-tier levels, right next to fast-moving AI builders and startup founders?
I wanted to understand what makes his content work, how it stacks up against Ferdinand and Walid, and what someone with a smaller audience can actually steal from his playbook.
Here's what stood out:
- Paul writes like a strategist but formats like a creator - clean hooks, simple lists, clear payoffs.
- His consistency and timing are dialed in - roughly 7 posts per week, hitting the morning work scroll.
- All three creators play different games - but Paul is the one turning thoughtful positioning into reliable creator performance.
Paul Evans's Performance Metrics
Here's what's interesting: Paul isn't the biggest creator in this trio, but his 297.00 Hero Score tells you he's squeezing a lot of impact out of every follower. He's behaving less like a casual poster and more like someone running a thought-through content system. Daily posts, steady tone, clear positioning around AI-era B2B growth - it all compounds.
Key Performance Indicators
| Metric | Value | Industry Context | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Followers | 24,448 | Solid mid-tier creator | โญ High |
| Hero Score | 297.00 | Exceptional (Top 5%) | ๐ Top Tier |
| Engagement Rate | N/A | Above Average (inferred from Hero Score) | ๐ Solid |
| Posts Per Week | 7.0 | Very Active | โก Very Active |
| Connections | 8,670 | Strong B2B network | ๐ Growing |
Cross-creator metrics snapshot
This is where things get fun. When you line all three up, Paul isn't the only strong player here - but he is the most efficient.
| Creator | Followers | Hero Score | Posts / Week | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Evans | 24,448 | 297.00 | 7.0 | United Kingdom |
| Ferdinand Terme | 15,273 | 292.00 | N/A | France |
| Walid Boulanouar | 16,587 | 282.00 | N/A | United Kingdom |
What surprised me is how tight the Hero Scores are, even though their audiences, niches, and likely posting habits are different. Paul's lead is small on paper, but when you're already near the top, those last few points are hard-earned.
What Makes Paul Evans's Content Work
Looking at Paul's style, the pattern is clear: he writes like someone who's run real businesses, but formats everything for the LinkedIn feed. Short lines. Clear structure. Calm authority. And underneath that, a very intentional system.
1. Calm authority in a noisy AI and marketing space
The first thing I noticed: Paul doesn't shout. On a platform full of hot takes and hype around AI, he's the person saying things like "You don't need more goals" and then calmly unpacking a system you can actually use.
He writes as a B2B positioning expert in the AI era, but his content feels more like a trusted advisor than a futurist. Lots of reframes, lots of "here's what this really means", and a steady, thoughtful tone.
Key insight: If you speak to smart, busy people, write like a senior peer - not a cheerleader.
This works because experienced operators are allergic to fluff. Paul's voice says "I've been in the room for these decisions" without ever actually saying that. And that kind of grounded tone builds trust way faster than loud predictions.
Strategy Breakdown:
| Element | Paul Evans's Approach | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Mid-formal, calm, reflective, direct | Feels like peer-to-peer advice, not hype or theory |
| Framing | Lots of reframes and contrasts ("You don't need X. You need Y.") | Helps people see their current behaviour differently, fast |
| Credibility | References to systems, positioning work, AI context, classic sources like Cialdini | Signals depth without name-dropping or bragging |
Now compare that to Ferdinand and Walid:
- Ferdinand signals "operator in the trenches" as a Co-Founder @Pletor. Short, product-and-startup-adjacent positioning.
- Walid screams "AI builder" with a headline full of agents, tools, and advisory roles.
Paul sits somewhere different: he isn't selling speed or tools. He's selling clarity - especially for B2B leaders trying to make sense of AI, positioning, and growth.
2. A real publishing cadence, not random posting
Paul sits at 7.0 posts per week. That's basically daily publishing.
And the timing matters too: he's active in the morning window (around 08:30โ09:00) - exactly when B2B leaders are doing that first quiet scroll before the meetings start. So he's training his audience to expect him right when they're most receptive to reflective, strategic content.
Most people drastically underestimate how much consistency matters. You can feel that Paul's not throwing out posts when he "has time". There's a cadence.
Comparison with industry standards:
| Aspect | Industry Average | Paul Evans's Approach | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posting frequency | 2-4 posts per week | 7 posts per week | More surface area for hits, faster learning from feedback |
| Timing | Random / whenever free | Morning workday scroll (08:30โ09:00) | Shows up when decision-makers are actually online |
| Content planning | Ad hoc posts | Clear repeatable structures (lists, questions, CTAs) | Easier to sustain daily output without burnout |
Now here's where it gets interesting when you compare all three:
| Creator | Posting Cadence (Known) | Likely Content Energy | How It Shows Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Evans | Daily (7/week) | Calm, reflective, structured | Feels like a steady advisor in your feed |
| Ferdinand Terme | N/A (but classic founder pattern is bursts) | Product-building, startup-focused | Likely more episodic, tied to launches/updates |
| Walid Boulanouar | N/A (AI builder, probably high tempo at times) | Experimental, tool-heavy, agent-focused | Feels like "what's possible with AI" |
You might not match Paul's volume on day one. But the principle is copyable: pick a realistic cadence and tie it to a specific time of day your audience actually scrolls.
3. Structured thinking packaged as simple lists
Paul's posts have a very obvious skeleton once you spot it: hook, context, pivot, list, synthesis, question, CTA.
And that list section is where a lot of the value sits.
He regularly breaks ideas into 3โ7 items: systems, questions, principles, shifts, or priorities. Each item is short, labelled, and then explained with one or two lines, often using the little arrow format ("โณ") to add depth without clutter.
Key insight: If you want people to feel that you're thoughtful, show your thinking as a clear list - not a wall of text.
This works because lists lower the cognitive load. Your brain sees "3 things" and relaxes. You know what you're signing up for. And for busy leaders, that matters.
Strategy Breakdown:
| Element | Paul Evans's Approach | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Hooks | Short, often contrarian lines ("If the goal is growth, your smartest move might be to stop.") | Stops the scroll without feeling clickbait-y |
| Lists | 3โ7 items, each with 1โ2 explanatory sub-lines | Turns abstract strategy into concrete, memorable steps |
| Synthesis | 1โ2 closing lines that tie everything back to a core idea | Leaves the reader with a "mental headline" they can remember |
Compared with Ferdinand and Walid:
- Ferdinand's positioning suggests more product and startup narratives.
- Walid's headline hints at tool stacks and experiments (n8n, agents, automation).
Paul is clearly playing the systems and positioning game. He wins attention by being the person who can put structure around the chaos.
4. Thoughtful CTAs that feel like a natural next step
A lot of creators either skip CTAs or slam a hard sell at the end of every post. Paul does neither.
He almost always:
- Ends with a reflective question that invites a genuine reply.
- Follows with a three-line CTA block that has a consistent format and tone.
It looks something like this:
What would you add to this list?
โป๏ธ Repost to help your network unlock their growth potential.
๐ก Follow Paul Evans for actionable business and positioning advice.
๐ Don't forget to turn on post notifications to stay up to date!
It's clear. It's consistent. And it trains readers: if they liked the post, they know exactly what to do next.
Compared to many creators who bury their CTAs in clutter or never ask at all, Paul's approach is simple and honest.
Their Content Formula
If you zoom out, Paul's posts read like they're built on a repeatable template. Not in a boring "copy-paste" way, but in a "this person knows exactly how they want a post to feel" way.
Content Structure Breakdown
| Component | Paul Evans's Approach | Effectiveness | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | Short, often contrarian, one idea per line | โญโญโญโญโ | Creates curiosity without feeling spammy |
| Body | Context, then a structured list with arrows and examples | โญโญโญโญโญ | Delivers real value and shows his thinking clearly |
| CTA | Reflective question + 3-line standard CTA block | โญโญโญโญโ | Invites conversation and growth without pressure |
The Hook Pattern
Paul's openings are some of the cleanest parts of his writing. They usually fall into a few patterns:
- "You don't need X. You need Y."
- "If the goal is X, your smartest move might be Y."
- "Everyone is focused on X. But the real driver is Y."
Template:
"You don't need [popular but shallow thing]. You need [less obvious but deeper thing]."
Example variations you could use in your own posts:
- "You don't need more content. You need clearer ideas."
- "You don't need another tool. You need a system you actually stick to."
- "You don't need bigger goals. You need fewer unfinished projects."
These hooks work because they:
- Tap into something people already want.
- Challenge a common assumption without attacking anyone.
- Set up the post to deliver a more thoughtful answer.
And they fit perfectly with Paul's niche: reframing how businesses think about growth and positioning in the AI era.
The Body Structure
Once the hook lands, Paul moves quickly into context and then into structure. No rambling. No six-paragraph story about his morning routine.
Body Structure Analysis:
| Stage | What They Do | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Brief context about the problem or current trend | "The last few years trained many marketers to focus on conversions..." |
| Development | Clear pivot into Paul's point of view | "But I see things differently." |
| Transition | Line that introduces a list or breakdown | "Here are 4 systems worth building this year:" |
| Closing | 1โ2 synthesis lines that reinforce the core idea | "That's the real shape of progress." |
So if you wanted to copy his structure for your own niche, you could do:
Hook line that flips a common belief.
2โ3 lines of context showing you understand the current reality.
One pivot line: "Here's how I look at it:" or "Here's what's really going on:".
A list of 3โ7 points, each with a label and 1โ2 clarifying lines.
One closing line that sums up the theme.
A question.
Your CTA block.
It's simple, but very effective.
The CTA Approach
Paul's CTA style is interesting because it does three jobs at once:
- Invites conversation with an open question.
- Signals his positioning (business and positioning advice, AI-era growth, etc.).
- Normalizes following and reposting as a helpful act, not a favour.
Psychologically, this works because:
- People like to answer smart, open questions.
- By the time you reach the CTA, you've already received real value.
- The CTA text reinforces what Paul is about, which makes following him an obvious move if that matches your interests.
Compared to many creators who either never ask or always hard-pitch something, Paul's closer feels like a natural part of the post, not a separate sales pitch.
How Paul Compares To Ferdinand And Walid
Now that we've broken down Paul's system, it's helpful to zoom out and see how the three of them position themselves side by side.
Positioning and niche comparison
| Creator | Headline Summary | Core Focus | Ideal Reader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Evans | Redefining how businesses position and grow in the AI era | B2B positioning, AI-era growth, systems and strategy | B2B leaders, marketers, founders who care about long-term brand and positioning |
| Ferdinand Terme | Co-Founder @Pletor | Startup building, product, founder lessons | Founders, operators, early-stage builders |
| Walid Boulanouar | Building more AI agents than you can count | AI agents, automation tools, advisory work | Tech-savvy builders, AI-curious operators, teams exploring agents |
They're all in or near the AI/business space, but playing different games:
- Paul owns positioning and systems in the AI era.
- Ferdinand embodies early-stage founder energy.
- Walid represents AI agents and hands-on experimentation.
From a content strategy perspective, Paul's advantage is that positioning and systems age well. AI tools change, agent stacks evolve, products ship and pivot - but the demand for clear thinking about growth is constant.
Metrics and potential upside
| Creator | Current Followers | Hero Score | Growth Potential From Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Evans | 24,448 | 297.00 | Strong - systems content scales across industries |
| Ferdinand Terme | 15,273 | 292.00 | Strong - founder content can spike around product moments |
| Walid Boulanouar | 16,587 | 282.00 | Strong - AI agents are hot and still early for many |
All three are clearly doing something right. But Paul's "punches above his weight" effect comes from how tight his alignment is between:
- Who he is.
- What he talks about.
- How he structures it.
- How often he shows up.
That's the part you can steal.
3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today
You don't need to copy Paul's niche to copy his moves. Here are three things you can start doing this week.
-
Adopt a simple, repeatable post structure - Use his pattern: hook โ short context โ list โ 1-line synthesis โ question โ CTA. Once you have a template, posting 3โ5 times a week stops feeling impossible.
-
Write for smart, busy peers, not for everyone - Keep your tone calm, direct, and respectful. Assume your reader is competent but distracted. Cut fluff. Use clear examples and simple lists.
-
Pick a realistic posting window and stick to it - Paul's morning cadence works for his B2B audience. Choose a time your people actually scroll, and treat it like a standing meeting with them.
Key Takeaways
-
Consistency plus clarity beats raw reach - Paul's 297.00 Hero Score with 24,448 followers shows that thoughtful, well-structured content can outperform louder voices with similar or even bigger audiences.
-
Structure is a secret weapon - His repeatable format (hook, context, list, synthesis, question, CTA) makes it easier to ship daily posts without sacrificing quality.
-
Positioning matters as much as posting - All three creators are strong, but Paul wins on "punching above his weight" because his niche, tone, and audience are sharply aligned.
Long story short: if you're serious about growing on LinkedIn, you don't need to become a different person. You just need a clearer system.
Try borrowing one piece of Paul's playbook this week - the hook pattern, the list structure, or the daily slot - and see what happens.
Meet the Creators
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