How I Use AI: The LinkedIn Video Only One Person Asked About

Warning: This post was developed using AI, with significant human oversight.

I recently posted a short video on LinkedIn meant to show my growth over the past year. What surprised me wasn’t the response to the message; it was the response to the mechanics.

Because the LinkedIn algorithm sucks, this post only saw 133 impressions over the course of a week. It reached only 64 members despite my small group of 2,830 followers.

One person’s comment (of two comments), in particular, got my attention. A former colleague, Nick Brackney, now an AI evangelist at Dell, reached out after seeing it:

“You should write about this. What did you use to build the video? You’re one of the few professionals I see really leaning into AI tooling to make yourself look better — and it works. People should learn how to do this.”

So here it is: This story (and LinkedIn video) wasn’t the result of a prompt, which is what most people think of when we say “AI.”

There was no moment where I typed “make me a viral LinkedIn video” and waited for magic. Instead, I started with real data, applied human judgment, and used AI tools to dramatically compress the time it took to turn insight into content. AI didn’t create the story, but it sure helped me see it faster and execute it better.

LinkedIn Analytics → Google Sheets

I exported a full year of LinkedIn analytics and cleaned the data in Google Sheets.

The goal wasn’t to showcase growth or vanity metrics. My engagement was modest. Impressions weren’t explosive. But lead generation? Very strong. As I mentioned in the original post, a large majority of my business leads in 2025 came directly from LinkedIn referrals.

Once the data was organized and appropriately visualized, the story became obvious. That part still requires judgment. AI can help summarize or analyze, but deciding what actually matters to the business is real human work. And for me, that meant leads and not eyeballs on my post.

What’s worth noting is that AI influenced every piece of content I published in 2025 in some way. It was a personal goal of mine to launch my Substack in late 2024. AI is a massive part of my 5-year business plan and growth, too.

In 2025, I used AI to:

• Fine-tune and edit my writing.

• Brainstorm Substack headlines that later became LinkedIn posts.

• Create simple, compelling graphics.

• Learn, create, and launch my first freelancer website, www.lindsbcomms.com.

• Radically reduce the time it takes to find and organize LinkedIn profiles – for example, the top 50 reporters I wanted to build relationships with in 2025.

That last one matters more than it sounds. AI didn’t replace relationship-building. It removed the busywork so I could spend my time engaging with people instead of searching for links. Organizing the right components of a pitch and making sure my story makes sense in a unique (but straightforward) way.

In a world where AI is driving the cost of content creation toward zero and threatening to replace us all, the real pros who survive won’t be the ones producing the most content. They’ll be the ones who use AI to build effective channels, repeatable processes, and work that clearly impacts the bottom line.

For example, I use AI-generated comic-book-style graphics on my website. It’s more of a science experiment than a formal strategy, but I like it because it reflects my personal style: practical, slightly unconventional, and focused on efficiency.

Canva AI as an Accelerator

For the video itself, I used Canva’s AI-assisted search to quickly find a template that matched the tone I wanted (“social media celebration” was close enough). From there:

• I wrote every word.

• Each slide is mapped to a specific data point.

• AI handled layout, pacing, and formatting.

• One of the video elements was created using Canva’s AI tools.

This is what I mean by acceleration. AI didn’t replace my thinking; it removed friction.

A Side Note on AI and Writing

While I wrote the LinkedIn post 100%, that was a deliberate choice. To be clear, AI plays a role in about 95% of my writing process overall. But how I use it depends entirely on the audience and the context.

• Pitches: No AI. I want to build authentic relationships in the most human way I can in a digital world.

• Client emails: Sometimes. Authenticity matters, but I often use AI to generate a clean TL;DR.

• Press release first drafts: Absolutely, with significant human oversight. Drafting is table stakes; strategy and individualized story pitching are where PR pros add value.

• SEO headlines, AP-style edits, publication-specific tuning: 100% yes. AI is incredibly effective here.

My Actual Take on Using AI for Content

Here’s the advice I give professionals who want to “use AI” but don’t know where to start: Start with the tools you already use regularly.

Most of the tools you use every day already include AI features or agents, such as design platforms, analytics dashboards, and productivity software. I have Slack summaries, don’t you?

You can learn a lot about how these systems can help you before jumping into advanced LLM workflows. Once you understand how AI supports your thinking (rather than replacing it), experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Perplexity becomes far more intuitive – especially as they increasingly integrate directly into existing stacks.

For example, I use AI-generated visuals using WordPress’s AI image tool on my website instead of stock photography. They’re faster, more specific to my needs, and far less generic. AI didn’t do my job for me, but it dramatically compressed time (and cost).

As a freelancer, I use ChatGPT like a sidekick. I’m constantly asking questions about how my work could be clearer, sharper, or more effective. Not replacement, but acceleration.

Finally, because I’m all about DIY PR here, I offer my fellow professionals the following practical AI tips –especially if you’re just getting started.

10 Practical AI Tips

1. AI is most useful once you know what you’re trying to fix or speed up.

2. If you wouldn’t delegate it to a junior teammate, don’t delegate it to AI.

3. Use AI to eliminate friction, not responsibility.

4. AI is best after the first draft.

5. Speed is the real advantage (quality still requires humans).

6. Let AI handle formatting, organizing, and summarizing. Keep decisions for yourself.

7. If the output feels generic, it probably is.

8. AI shouldn’t make your work louder (just clearer).

9. Use AI where mistakes are cheap.

10. Your voice is the differentiator.

I’d love to hear how other professionals plan to use (or not use) AI in 2026! Leave a comment!

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