Post hook...scroll stopper...opening line...call it whatever you want, but that first line of your LinkedIn post is super important if you want to capture the attention of your reader.
BUT HOW?!
This was one of the things that I used to struggle with the most when I would sit down in front of my computer. I knew the story that I wanted to tell...but I have no clue how to tell that story effectively.
I've been creating content (sometimes more, sometimes less) on LinkedIn since 2016. Here are some ideas to help you get started on your next post!
1. Ask questions
This is probably the easiest hook that you can create and works great! Pose a question to the reader that speak to their passions, interests, or even things that they dislike! The key is to make it interesting enough that they'll genuinely think about the answer. So, for example, let's say you're a dentist. Instead of:
Is gingivitis and plaque a concern of yours?
Ask something more like this, that speaks to the challenges they might be having:
Want to smile for photos and not feel self conscious when you say cheese?
You can also speak directly to something you know your audience loves or might have a strong opinion, like this:
Do you love coffee?
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Should North America switch to a four day workweek?
Lastly, you can make 'em ponder with a head scratching questions like:
What does x and x have in common? (make it a surprising combo)
Would you rather x or x?
2. Share a shocking or surprising statistic
This one is pretty self explanatory, but share a short statistic that would shock or surprise your reader like (just as an example this isn't a fact!)
Did you know that by the time you've finished ready this line, 2 new users have signed up for LinkedIn?
And if you're not sure how to find interesting statistics to share, Google is your bestie.
You can try just searching for your keyword (the topic that you want to discuss) + statistics or facts to find some gems. When I'm looking for stats specifically on LinkedIn users, I also include the year, like this:
Recommended by LinkedIn
Interesting or surprising quotes are another way to open your LinkedIn post, like this one about social media:
“Social media has given us this idea that we should all have a posse of friends when in reality, if we have one or two really good friends, we are lucky.”– Brene Brown
3. Make it personal
Readers love seeing the human side of the writer (you), and stories have existed since our cavemen days, sitting around a fire. It connects us in our shared humanity, and a good story hook, in my opinion, is by far the most powerful opening line that you can create for your LinkedIn post.
Here are a couple examples of story hooks.
This is a hook followed by a pause before you would share the full story:
I never imagined that I would be sharing this story...that this would have happened to me in real life...
Here's a story hook that uses a surprisingly statement and the rest of the post would explain the statement:
Just two weeks in my new job, my career was over. There was no coming back from this.
4. Use a metaphor or speak to a shared value
If you're struggling to write that first line, start with the message of the post or story. For example, if I wrote a LinkedIn post about the importance of family and having a work life balance, for my first line, I might simply say:
The one place that you are irreplaceable is at home.
5. Paint a picture
Shift the focus entirely onto the reader and take them for a ride in their imagination. Let them picture themselves in a certain emotional state. Some of the words that work well for "imagine" posts are:
In the near future, traditional office spaces have become obsolete, and companies have embraced a fully virtual working environment.
In your role as HR, you are tasked with resolving a complex workplace conflict between two team members.
In the world of LinkedIn, capturing the attention of your readers starts with a compelling opening line. Whether you choose to ask thought-provoking questions, share surprising statistics, tell personal stories, use metaphors, or paint vivid pictures, the goal is to engage your audience from the very beginning. Remember, storytelling and connecting on a human level can be incredibly powerful in creating an impactful post.
So, the next time you sit down to write a LinkedIn post, put these ideas into practice and watch as your opening line becomes a scroll stopper that grabs the attention of your readers. Happy writing!
If you found this post helpful, I would so love if you'd share it with your LinkedIn community! And don't forget to subscribe to the LinkedIn Lowdown for more LinkedIn tips, tricks, and tutorials in your inbox every week!
Until next time...
Love and coffee,
Michaela
