In 2024, my LinkedIn impressions fell by over 50%. Yet my side hustle doubled to $126K ARR. Six things I've learned you can apply to your SaaS product: 1. Vanity metrics Metrics like views and reactions are useless. But giving up those dopamine boosts was challenging. Inspired by Aakash Gupta, I started ignoring those numbers and focused on delivering the right value to the right audience to get the right engagement. 2. Focus Tradeoffs—things you don't do—are essential. What’s particularly tough for me is rejecting dedicated training requests, which would be easy wins. But I need to stay focused, especially having a full-time job as a PM. Strategy is not just about what you choose. It's even more importantly about saying no to other things. 3. Purpose Revenue is a terrible motivator, even for founders. You quickly get used to any number. I paywall fewer posts than I declare, keep my prices lower than everyone recommends and publish opinions that contradict what some expect to hear. But nothing beats the feeling of being true to yourself and getting feedback you're doing something that matters. 4. Diversification Many experts, such as Justin Welsh, suggest building multiple revenue streams. This would mean adding training, consulting, etc., to the newsletter. But those products would drain my time and energy. And they wouldn't address the risk of relying on LinkedIn—a single partner that could change the rules at any time and disrupt all those “diversified streams.” Instead, I focus on diversifying my marketing channels. I'm particularly happy that SEO visits have surpassed LinkedIn. 5. Failure You will be wrong. A lot. And that’s okay. Getting things right requires trying and failing over and over again. If you could optimize just one thing, maximize the speed of learning. 6. Mental health This one is challenging. At nearly 40 years old, I can no longer work 60 hours a week. I struggled with burnout in the past and this could happen again. What helps: - Pareto principle & Impact vs. Effort. - Trust and context rather than control. - Applying automation (RPA, LLMs, AI agents). - Support groups & learning together. - Physical activity at least twice a week. - Making time for my family. Hope that helps. --- Enjoy this? 🎁 My full post with more stats and insights. No paywall: https://lnkd.in/dsQ5zxA2 --- Many thanks to people who’ve been supporting me through the year, in particular, but not limited to: Aakash Gupta, David Pereira, Maarten Dalmijn, Maja Voje, and Aatir Abdul Rauf ❤️🙏
Keep rocking! You're in beast mode 🔥🔥🔥
Pawel! You are a scientist 🧑🔬 and one of the kindest people on LinkedIn. You helped me so much with your advice and I am so honored we met 🙏 Now a question- how will you 10x this in 2025? 😻 Think big! Sky is the limit for your intellect 🤝
Congrats Paweł Huryn on your achievements! Thanks for sharing the lessons and I wish you continuous success!
I'm really bad at saying no to things and I need to get better. I just want to help! In a way, it's good to see that your impressions have dropped (i.e. everyone's having the same problem and it's not personal) but even better that you've managed to work around it 🚀
I have learnt a lot from all that you are doing Paweł Huryn The outcome of your journey is impressive and inspiring. I love how you have been transparent about the things that worked and those that didn't. And also shared how you prioritized your mental health and well being. Keep crushing it! Cheers to an even better outcome in the coming year! Thanks for all that you do within the Product Management community.
I genuinely love your posts and this one trumps it all. Thanks for sharing Paweł. Going away from the herd mentality is satisfying, and when it rewards - the feeling is surreal. Wishing you even more success.
You didn’t mention about being humble and collaborative. Those are other traits that get you close to people. Keep on it, Paweł Huryn
You are absolutely crushing it my friend! $252K next year for sure.
Very inspiring Pawel, keep rocking
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3wPaweł Huryn I've personally learnt a lot from your journey and your style of content. I can 100% relate to the advice about purpose and mental health. While money helps, fulfillment is in complete without helping people rise to a higher state than where they were before. At the same time, creatorship shouldn't come at the expense of your own well being. Learned this the hard way. Keep going, Pawel.