---
name: linkedin-post
description: Write engaging LinkedIn posts optimized for the platform algorithm and professional audience.
---

# Skill: LinkedIn Post

Create engaging LinkedIn posts that build authority and drive engagement.

## Specifications

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Length | 150-300 words (sweet spot: 200-250) |
| Hook | First line must stop scroll |
| Format | Short lines, white space |
| CTA | Soft engagement ask |

## LinkedIn Algorithm Basics

What works:
- Native content (no external links in post)
- Early engagement (first 60-90 minutes)
- Dwell time (people reading full post)
- Comments > reactions
- Personal stories > corporate content

What doesn't:
- External links (kills reach)
- Asking for engagement explicitly
- Generic motivational content
- Obviously AI-generated posts

## Post Structure

```
[Hook - 1 line that stops the scroll]

[Space]

[Setup - 2-3 lines expanding the hook]

[Space]

[Body - Main content in short chunks]

[Space]

[Payoff/Lesson - What they should take away]

[Space]

[CTA - Soft engagement ask]
```

## Hook Formulas

### The Confession
> I made $50,000 this month.
> 
> But I'm not celebrating.

### The Contrarian
> The best advice I ever got was to ignore best practices.

### The Question
> What's the one skill that changed everything for you?

### The Story Start
> 3 years ago, I was broke and sleeping on a friend's couch.

### The Bold Claim
> Cold email is dead.
> 
> Here's what's replacing it.

### The Pattern Interrupt
> Stop creating content.
> 
> (Until you read this)

### The Specific Number
> 847 DMs. 23 sales calls. 1 realization.

## Post Templates

### The Story Post

```
[Dramatic moment or confession]

[Brief backstory - how you got there]

[The turning point]

[What changed]

[The lesson]

[Soft CTA]
```

**Example:**
```
I lost my biggest client last Tuesday.

They were 40% of my revenue.

For 3 days, I panicked. Checked email every 5 minutes. Started questioning everything.

Then I did something I should have done years ago:

I audited my entire client roster.

Turns out I was holding onto 4 clients who:
- Paid late consistently
- Demanded unlimited revisions
- Never referred anyone

I let them all go.

Now I have space for clients who actually value what I do.

Sometimes the worst thing that happens is the best thing that happens.

What's the scariest business decision you made that turned out right?
```

### The Lesson Post

```
[Bold statement or contrarian take]

[Why most people get this wrong]

[What you learned]

[Specific example or proof]

[The reframe]

[CTA]
```

**Example:**
```
Raising your prices won't lose you clients.

It'll lose you the wrong clients.

Last year I doubled my rates.

Lost 30% of my clients.
Revenue went up 50%.

The clients who stayed:
- Paid on time
- Respected boundaries
- Referred more business

The clients who left:
- Were already the hardest to work with

Price is a filter.

Use it.

Agree or disagree?
```

### The Framework Post

```
[Problem statement]

[Introduce the framework]

[Step/Element 1]
[Step/Element 2]
[Step/Element 3]

[Why it works]

[CTA to discuss]
```

**Example:**
```
Most people fail at cold outreach.

Not because their message is bad.

Because they're doing it in the wrong order.

Here's my 3-before-1 rule:

Before sending ANY cold message:

1. Engage with 3 of their posts
2. Share 3 pieces of their content
3. Add 3 genuine comments

Then send your message.

The "cold" email isn't cold anymore.

They already know your name.

Conversion rate difference: 3% vs 23%

What's your outreach approach?
```

### The Observation Post

```
[Something you noticed]

[Why it matters]

[What most people miss]

[Your take]

[Question for audience]
```

### The Behind-the-Scenes Post

```
[Surprising reveal about your process/setup]

[How you actually do [thing]]

[What you learned from it]

[What this means for your audience]

[CTA if relevant]
```

**Example:**
```
My "marketing team" is me, a VA, and 6 WordPress plugins.

No designer. No SEO agency. No social media manager.

Here's the stack:
- GeneratePress + GenerateBlocks for pages
- RankMath for SEO
- FlyingPress for speed
- FluentCRM for email
- WPCode for tracking
- Jetrail for uptime

Total cost: ~$400/year.

It serves 200K+ monthly visitors without breaking a sweat.

What's your lean marketing stack?
```

### The Carousel Hook

```
[Strong hook for first slide idea]

Swipe for:
→ [Slide 2 topic]
→ [Slide 3 topic]
→ [Slide 4 topic]

[CTA]
```

## Formatting Rules

### Line Length
- Max 8-10 words per line
- Single idea per line
- Use line breaks liberally

**Bad:**
> I've been thinking a lot about how most entrepreneurs approach pricing and I've realized that most of them are dramatically undercharging for their services.

**Good:**
> Most entrepreneurs are undercharging.
>
> By a lot.
>
> Here's why:

### White Space
- Blank line between every 1-3 lines
- Creates visual breathing room
- Easier to scan on mobile

### Punctuation
- Periods for punch
- No exclamation marks (!!!)
- Em dashes sparingly

## CTAs That Work

### Soft CTAs (Higher Engagement)
- "What's your take?"
- "Agree or disagree?"
- "Anyone else experience this?"
- "What would you add?"
- "Drop a 🔥 if this resonates"

### Conversation Starters
- "What's the hardest lesson you learned about [topic]?"
- "Have you tried this? What happened?"
- "What am I missing?"

### Avoid
- "Like and share!"
- "Follow for more content!"
- "Comment YES if you agree!"

## Content Types by Goal

### For Reach
- Contrarian takes
- Personal stories with lessons
- Industry observations

### For Authority
- Framework posts
- Case studies (anonymized)
- Thoughtful analysis

### For Leads
- Problem-aware content
- "Here's how I'd approach..." posts
- DM offers (sparingly)

## What NOT to Post

- Generic motivation quotes
- "I'm so grateful" humble brags
- Company PR disguised as content
- Links in the main post (put in comments)
- Obvious ChatGPT outputs
- Engagement bait ("Comment 'YES' for...")

## Voice on LinkedIn

### Do:
- Be opinionated
- Share specific numbers
- Tell stories
- Acknowledge uncertainty
- Show personality

### Lowercase for Casual Authority
For thought leadership and opinion posts, lowercase can signal confidence and conversational tone:
> for decades, success meant how big you could get
> that model is breaking down
> i think we're entering something different

Use lowercase for personal takes. Use proper capitalization for announcements, product updates, and professional posts.

### Don't:
- Be preachy
- Lecture the audience
- Use corporate speak
- Try too hard to be inspirational
- Post walls of text

## Link Strategy

**Don't:** Put links in the post body (algorithm penalty)

**Do:** Add links in:
- First comment
- Author's note
- DM offer

```
[End of post]

---

P.S. I wrote a deeper guide on this. Link in comments.
```

## Posting Best Practices

- **Timing:** Tue-Thu, 8-10am or 12-2pm (your audience's timezone)
- **Frequency:** 3-5x per week for growth
- **Engagement:** Reply to comments within first 2 hours
- **Consistency:** Same voice, varied formats

## Output Checklist

- [ ] Hook stops the scroll
- [ ] Short lines, plenty of white space
- [ ] One clear message/takeaway
- [ ] Personal angle included
- [ ] Soft CTA at end
- [ ] No external links in body
- [ ] 150-300 words
- [ ] Sounds human (not AI)
- [ ] Would stop YOUR scroll?
