This man gained almost 200,000 LinkedIn followers in just 2 years.
Known to some as the “King of Comments”...
To others as “The Fastest Rapper in the Balkans.”
Ladies and gentlemen, Jasmin Alić (Jay).
Jay’s online business journey began in 2010.
He was 20. A university student at the time, looking for a way to earn a “side-buck.”
He was always interested in writing. So, he followed his curiosity and started writing 250-word articles in exchange for $8 an hour.
Having grown up in a small town in Bosnia, English wasn’t his native language.
As a kid, he learned to speak English and German by watching satellite TV. He later went on to study, then teach both languages at schools around the world.
Throughout his time teaching, Jay freelanced as a writer
He barely made $300 in his first few months.
It wasn’t until late 2013 that Jay recalls seeing ads for “copywriting” on Upwork (a freelancing platform). At the time, copywriting was an alien concept to him. Until he realised he’d been copywriting for years.
Jay was a rapper.
The website, artwork, PR, social media, everything was written and designed by him.
Jay switched to writing web pages and Facebook ads for businesses as a copywriter. He was making up to $1000 per month.
But as the months wore on…
He found himself wondering: What’s next?
That’s when he came across Chris Do on YouTube (The Futur). Chris’ content opened Jay’s eyes to the world of brand strategy.
Jay realised this was something he could do. So he jumped in.
Rather than taking orders, Jay was giving them and driving projects forward. He was able to charge a lot more.
By this time, Jay had devoted years to Upwork. Paid his dues.
Upwork even invited him to join their newly launched Expert-Vetted Program. This really opened doors for Jay. It was the catalyst for scoring work with the likes of Digicel, Microsoft, and Marriott Bonvoy.
But Jay’s freelancing journey wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows.
2019 was a tough year. He only made $1000 from freelancing due to a big crash on Upwork.
At the time, Jay was expecting his first son. He knew he had to do something, so he launched a new business. Crystal Maze.
Jay designed personalised posters and gifts. He grew Crystal Maze’s Facebook to 10,000 followers in less than 4 months.
Jay’s graphic design skills kept him afloat during this time.
Riding off the Crystal Maze momentum, Jay decided to take his personal brand more seriously
While he already had a decade of experience, outside of Upwork, no one knew who he was.
It was around this time that Jay saw people creating content on LinkedIn. He knew he had a story to tell and value to share.
So, in late 2020, he began posting.
5 days went by.
He was getting 1-2 likes per post.
Then… He gave up.
It’s now 2021. Jay gets back on LinkedIn. He starts posting again…
5 weeks go by. He gives up again.
Fast forward to January 2022. This time, Jay is determined.
He decides to do more than just post. He starts engaging with comments and DMs.
5 months go by…
One of his posts goes “viral.”
Since then, Jay’s LinkedIn presence has caught fire.
He’s become one of the most recognisable characters on the platform.
He’s gained over 255K followers
Become a Professor of Copywriting at his local university
Been featured in Forbes
Makes a minimum of $500 an hour as a branding consultant
And he’s a highly sought after international conference speaker
All because he made a commitment to share everything he knows, for free, online.
Jay no longer has to pitch clients. Businesses come to him.
And he has a waiting list.
Jay plans to raise the profile of LinkedIn and copywriting in Bosnia and around the world
He now has the freedom to work with whomever he wants, from wherever he wants.
And his mission is to inspire others to do the same.