🕵️‍♂️ The comment hack + a special announcement

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From Alex:

Hey thieves,

Today's intro is a special one because it will be my last.

When I started The Steal Club, my goal was simple: to learn from the best at what they do and share those insights with you. Over the past three years, this newsletter has been an incredible journey, one that’s helped me connect with brilliant creators, land amazing opportunities, and help a handful of creators on their journeys (or so I hope).

But with a five-month-old at home and more work than ever, it’s time to pass the torch.

Thank you to everyone who has ever read one of my emails or purchased any of our products. You truly made an impact on me and made me believe this internet thing is worth it.

Brian is stepping in as the new Chief Thief, and I’m sure he’ll do an amazing job carrying The Steal Club forward. He’s got some great things planned, and I can’t wait to see where he takes it.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. If you’d like to stay connected, you can find me on X or LinkedIn.

From Brian:

First off, a huge thank you to Alex for all the incredible content he’s created so far with The Steal Club! He’s built something really special, and I’m grateful to be stepping in to continue what he started.

More on me in future newsletters, but for now, I just want to say how much I love this idea of stealing what works. I ran a design agency, freelanced, built and grew products, and created stories. One of the things that’s helped me most is looking at what others are doing, learning from them, and applying those insights in my own way.

Looking forward to learning and growing with all of you. Let’s get into it!

But first, a quick word from our sponsor 👇

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Stolen Tactics

#1 - Comment before you post

The exact move

Before posting, Tom Alder spends 20–30 minutes commenting on bigger creators' content. This “comment blitz” warms up the algorithm, so when he posts, he’s already visible to a primed audience. Result? His first 5,000 newsletter subs came from LinkedIn alone.

Why it works

• Hijacks attention – Engaging on a big post gets you seen by their audience.

• Algorithm loves it – Active users get more reach.

• Social proof – When your post drops, people recognize your name and engage.

🕵️‍♂️ Stolen from Tom Alder – LinkedIn Growth Playbook

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#2 - Leave them hanging for more

The exact move

TikTok creator ReesaTeesa racked up 50M+ views by turning her marital drama into a 50-episode series. Each episode ended mid-story, leaving viewers desperate for the next. She posted inconsistently (2–4x/day, then disappeared for 48 hours), which hacked TikTok’s algorithm into favoring her.

Why it works

• Zeigarnik effect – Humans remember unfinished stories 90% better than completed ones.

• Algorithm boost – TikTok prioritizes irregular high-engagement spikes over steady posts.

🕵️‍♂️ ReesaTeesa – Who TF Did I Marry?

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#3 - The 4-1-1 social media sharing system

The exact move

Andrew Davis, author of Brandscaping, created the 4-1-1 social media ratio:

• 4 posts: Curated content from influencers or industry leaders

• 1 post: Original educational content

• 1 post: Direct sales/promo material

This strategy keeps your audience engaged without overloading them with self-promotion.

Why it works

• Reciprocity effect – Sharing others' content encourages them to engage with yours.

• Proven engagement boost – Companies using this method saw a 30–50% increase in interactions.

🕵️‍♂️ Stolen from Andrew Davis – Brandscaping

The Stash

🕵️ Vibe Marketing: The Middle is Falling Out (LinkedIn)

🕵️ NEW Digital Marketing Strategies (YouTube)

🕵️ What Everyone Gets Wrong About Multiple Streams Of Income

See you soon with more thefts!

Brian Augsburger, (New) Chief Thief