How I failed to understand Linkedin/Pulse algorithm ! Any Best Advice ?

In the beginning we could only read the articles at Linkedin written by some popular people/influencers. Then one day, I got the invite from Linkedin to start contributing articles. I was excited and wanted to share what I know.

I, like all others, started writing. And the purpose is same - "Get noticed". I took off with one article a day and was not worried about the number of visitors, till one day where one article attracted 20,000 visitors. I fell for the greed. I know it was luck and can not create the same magic again.

Yet, I started exploring how to get more people to see my articles. One sure way is to see that your articles come under Pulse recommendations. How? We need some Big ideas and Innovation.

Lets see, what I did !

Step 1 : Become Influencer!

I am not a Branson with 5 million followers or Deepak Chopra with 2 million followers. At 2500 followers, I can only be a sheep following the herd. So dropped my efforts to become Influencer.

Step 2 : Take consultant's help to get noticed

One consultant offered to make me visible for some fee. I realize, this may be like Google Adwords. As long as you pay for Google Adwords, your name comes up in searches. Is it worth for me to spend to get noticed? I am an employee and am here just to be in touch with like minded people. So, no use of spending to get noticed. Dropped this too.

Step 3 : Change Profile 20 times a month

Some one suggested to change profile 20 times a month ! I changed once and realized I don't have much to change in the profile once everyday, unless I post some 'Thought for the day /A quote a day' . I am not sure, that helps. Hence dropped

Step 4 : Join Channels

Realized that there are some Channels with huge followers. Leaders & management with 6 million users, Big Ideas & Innovation with 5 million followers. Joined and hoped people may notice. I have no clue how to post there and find my articles appear there. Yes. I was lucky to see my name there twice. And that's it. It seems I need more luck !

Step 5. Commenting on posts in Channels

I posted replies to some posts and saw my photo and an article reference on the header of the channel and started getting some hits to my article. I thought I broke the code and started posting my comments in some more posts in more than one channel. Hmmm... Again the algorithm proved me wrong !

Step 6 : Key words

I tried analyzing the keywords used in successful articles. 'When' , 'Why' , 'What' , 'Entrepreneur' , 'Technology', some number, 'ways' etc. But, I have not gone far in my success.But, there is some hope !

One warning:

In your enthusiasm to get noticed, never click on 'In Share' button after your article is published. You may think you can share with the groups where you are a member. If you have direct access to publish, your articles may be visible there. If it says that there was a problem in publishing, you may tend to click it again to see if you can publish again. One stupid guy may just mark your posts as 'spam'...BOOM...you are blacklisted to post in groups and your messages will go to moderation ! And Linkedin claims it is automatic and no one can change your status for few weeks.

I realize we can get more visits if you write few articles and wait. But, I prefer to write one article a day, irrespective of number of visitors. I love to share what I know !

It is clear that we just can not find the algorithm to get popular on Pulse ! Keep trying. I am sure no one would tell the secret even if they know :-) .....And if they tell us openly, Linkedin experts may change the logic immediately.

It is a challenge .... lets fight it out with Linkedin Gods who make the rules !