How to Write a LinkedIn Post

Crafting a LinkedIn post that actually gets noticed isn't about having a massive following or a fancy job title - it's about understanding what makes people stop scrolling. This guide will walk you through the practical steps to write compelling LinkedIn posts, from mastering the all-important opening line to creating genuine conversations. We'll give you a simple framework and actionable tips you can start using right away.

The Anatomy of a Perfect LinkedIn Post

Before diving into specific tricks, it helps to see a successful LinkedIn post as having three distinct parts. If you can get these three elements right, you’re already ahead of 90% of a LinkedIn feed. Think of it like a simple recipe:

• The Hook: The first one-to-three lines. Its only job is to get someone to click "...see more." This is where you win or lose the attention battle.
• The Body: The core of your post. This is where you deliver on the promise of your hook with a story, a list, helpful advice, or an interesting perspective.
• The Call to Action (CTA): The very last line. It tells a reader exactly what you want them to do next, usually to start a conversation.

Getting comfortable with this structure helps you move from randomly typing thoughts to strategically crafting content with a purpose. Now, let’s break down how to nail each part.

Nailing the Hook: Making the First Lines Count

On mobile, LinkedIn shortens your post and adds a "…see more" link after just a few lines. This means your opener has to be incredibly compelling to earn that click. If your first sentence is boring, your post is invisible. Here are three effective ways to write a hook that works.

Tip 1: Ask an Intriguing Question

Questions immediately engage the reader's brain because they are wired to look for answers. A good question creates curiosity and makes them want to know your take on the answer.

Examples:

• "What's the one piece of bad career advice you're tired of hearing?"
• "Is 'hustle culture' overrated, or am I just missing something?"
• "What if you could accomplish your most important task before 9 AM every day?"

Tip 2: Start with a Bold or Surprising Statement

This approach cuts through the noise of typical professional updates. A statement that challenges a common belief or reveals something unexpected is a surefire way to make someone stop and pay attention.

Examples:

• "I deleted every productivity app from my phone."
• "Cold calling is dead. Here's what works now."
• "The most valuable skill for the next decade isn't coding."

Tip 3: Tease a Story or a Result

Humans are magnetically drawn to stories. Hinting at a story - especially one with a clear metric or a lesson learned - gives readers a reason to click and find out what happened.

Examples:

• "Last month, our website traffic dropped by 50%. It was the best thing that ever happened to us."
• "This simple 5-minute habit completely changed my relationship with my team."
• "Here’s the exact template that got me 10 new client meetings last week."

Crafting the Body: Delivering Value and Connecting with Readers

Once you’ve earned the click with a strong hook, the body of your post needs to deliver valuable content. This is your chance to share your expertise, tell a meaningful story, and build a connection with your audience. Here are some strategies to make your content easy to read and impactful.

Tip 4: Use White Space Like a Pro

Nobody wants to read a giant wall of text, especially on a phone. The secret to making your content easy to consume is formatting. Your goal is to make the post *look* like an effortless read.

• Use short sentences. One idea per sentence.
• Use very short paragraphs. One or two sentences maximum.
• Embrace single-line paragraphs. It forces a slower, more deliberate cadence for the reader.

Compare the two:

The Wall of Text (Bad):

“Building a strong personal brand is foundational for modern career growth. It requires consistent effort across platforms, strategic networking to build meaningful connections, and the creation of valuable content that highlights your expertise. Too many people simply post without a strategy, hoping for engagement, but you need a plan that aligns with your professional goals to be successful in the long run. By defining your niche and your audience, you can better tailor your message and see better results over time.”

Easy-to-Read (Good):

“Building a personal brand is foundational for career growth.
But too many people just post and hope for the best.
Real growth comes from having a plan.
Knowing your audience.
Sharing your expertise.
And doing it consistently.”

See the difference? The second example is much easier to scan and digest.

Tip 5: Tell Human Stories

Facts and figures are forgettable. Stories stick. LinkedIn thrives on personal narratives that reveal professional lessons. People don't connect with logos or resumes, they connect with people.

• Share a mistake: What went wrong with a project and what did you learn?
• Celebrate a win: Not just the result, but the struggle to get there.
• Talk about a conversation: What insightful thing did a colleague, client, or mentor say?

Vulnerability is a superpower on LinkedIn. Sharing the real journey - not just the polished highlight reel - builds trust and relatability.

Tip 6: Structure Your Advice in a List or Framework

The human brain loves lists. They are organized, predictable, and easy to skim. Converting useful information into a numbered or bulleted list makes your post more shareable and saves readers time.

Instead of a long paragraph, turn your advice into a simple framework:

“Struggling to manage your time? Here are 3 habits I swear by:

1. The '2-Minute Rule': If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it now.

2. Eat The Frog: Tackle your hardest task first thing in the morning.

3. Time-Blocking: Own your calendar. Don't let it own you.”

Tip 7: Use Visuals to Stop the Scroll

A post with a compelling image, carousel, or short video will always get more attention than one with only text. An attention-grabbing visual is the ultimate scroll-stopper.

• Personal Photos: A clear photo of you (not a corporate headshot) adds a human element. A simple selfie can work wonders if it’s tied to a good story.
• PDF Carousels: Create a multi-page PDF with key points from your post. These are highly engaging because users have to click through them. You can easily make them in tools like Canva.
• Short Videos: A simple, 60-second video of you talking directly to the camera can be incredibly effective for conveying your message with personality.

The Call to Action (CTA): Tell People What to Do

Your post grabbed their attention and gave them something valuable. Don’t let that momentum go to waste! A good call to action prompts engagement and turns passive readers into active participants. The key is to make it low-effort and conversation-focused.

Tip 8: Ask a Simple, Open-Ended Question

This is the most effective way to spark comments. Ask a question directly related to the content you just shared.

Examples:

• "What's one thing you'd add to this list?"
• "Agree or disagree?"
• "What does your morning routine look like?"

Tip 9: Encourage Story Sharing

Instead of a one-word answer, invite readers to contribute their own experiences. This fosters a sense of community and deeper conversation.

Examples:

• "Share your own biggest leadership lesson in the comments."
• "Tell me about a time you faced a similar challenge."

Tip 10: Point to a Link (the Right Way)

LinkedIn's algorithm is known to favor content that keeps users on the platform. Posting with external links directly in the post text can sometimes reduce its reach. If you want to drive traffic to your website or blog, a common best practice is to place the link in the first comment.

Use a CTA like: "You can find the full guide at the link in the first comment below."

Final Touches: Adding Hashtags and Engaging

You’ve written a great post. Before you publish, a few final touches can amplify its reach.

Tip 11: Use 3-5 Relevant Hashtags

Hashtags help more people discover your content. Stick to a handful of relevant tags to categorize your topic without looking spammy.

Combine broad tags with specific ones. For instance:

#marketing (broad) + #digitalmarketing (less broad) + #contentstrategy (niche)

This mix gives you a shot at visibility in front of a big audience while also reaching a more targeted one.

Tip 12: Engage Enthusiastically After Posting

Your work isn't done when you hit "Publish." The most important time for your post is the first 60-90 minutes after it goes live. Stick around and respond thoughtfully to every single comment you receive.

When you reply to comments, it doubles the comment count and signals to LinkedIn that your post is sparking an active discussion. The platform will then show it to more people, creating a snowball effect of engagement.

Final Thoughts

Writing a standout LinkedIn post is about being clear, human, and generous with your knowledge. Focus on a strong hook that makes people curious, valuable content that's easy to read, and a simple call to action that starts a conversation.

Creating great content is a fantastic first step, but being consistent is what really builds momentum. Honestly, that’s why we originally built Postbase. We needed a simple way to visualize our content plan and schedule posts for LinkedIn and other platforms without the headache. It helps us see everything on one beautiful calendar, so we spend less time juggling tabs and more time focusing on what actually moves the needle: writing content that connects.