Crafting Winning LinkedIn Posts: A Guide with Examples [+Free Templates]

The internet is awash with advice on how to make your LinkedIn posts pop, explode onto the scene, and capture viral fame.

But let's be honest, most skip right over the crucial middle ground.

Ever wonder how to elevate your posts from "meh" to "marvelous" without getting lost in the void?

It's a tricky leap, and without the right footing, you're more likely to stumble in the spotlight—a definite no-go in today's fiercely competitive online arena.

So, let's dive into the art of crafting posts that land you squarely in that coveted "solid" category, bridging the gap between just another post and true standout content.

First things first, though, let's nail down what quality content really means on LinkedIn, shall we?

Defining "Quality Content" on LinkedIn: A Masterclass

Quality content on LinkedIn is more than just words—it's a valuable contribution to your professional ecosystem.

It's the knowledge, insight, and expertise you share within your specific realm – be it your industry, niche, or the hashtags and groups you're part of.

This content enriches your sphere with everything from groundbreaking news and discoveries to actionable advice, innovative perspectives, and profound insights into ongoing discussions.

Crafting Your Content Masterpiece

Kick off with a bang and keep your audience hooked.

As your narrative unfolds, ensure it consistently adds value.

But here's the clincher: your finale.

It's not just an ending—it's a powerful launchpad.

To put it simply, your audience's attention is highest at the beginning but tends to wane.

Reflecting on a gem from Microsoft, it turns out the internet has graciously gifted us with the focus of a goldfish, a generous 8 seconds.

So, if your post hasn't hooked them by then, maybe it's time to rethink your strategy—or start writing for goldfish. 🙂

By the time they reach the end, they're seeking that final spark:

✔️ a compelling call to action, 

✔️ a robust summary, or

✔️ a memorable closing thought that reignites their interest and cements the value of your post.

This is your moment to leave a lasting impression, offering them a clear path forward with the insights they've gained.

LinkedIn's Content Guardian Role

LinkedIn stands as the guardian of quality, shielding its users from the noise of spam and subpar content.

Here's a peek into how LinkedIn's content violation funnel ensures only the best content thrives on the platform:

Want to know what not to do on LinkedIn? Check out our article on that topic.

Now, let's look at the 9 key things that make a LinkedIn post really stand out.

8 Keys to a Good LinkedIn Posts (With Examples)

1. Opening Line

A well-crafted hook not only grabs attention but also sets the tone for the quality and depth of the content that follows.

Positioned right at the start and typically visible before the "See more" button, must be:

✔️ compelling enough to draw readers in,

✔️ set the stage for the quality content (the "line"), and

✔️ an impactful conclusion or call to action (the "sinker").

Tips for Creating an Engaging Hook

⭐ Understand Your Audience — Reflect on the hook from your audience's perspective.

Ask yourself if the opening would intrigue you enough to click "See more" or if it would prompt you to continue scrolling.

⭐ Incorporate Intriguing Elements — Include compelling statistics, achievements, or questions in your hook. These elements act as bait, enticing the reader to explore how you achieved results or what insights follow.

⭐ Compose Last for Clarity — While it may seem counterintuitive, write the hook after drafting the rest of your post (the line and sinker). This approach allows you to view your content holistically, enabling you to pinpoint and highlight the most compelling elements at the beginning.

Take your time, consider your overall message, and let your opening truly reflect the value that your post or article brings to the table.

💡 Pro Tip

If you're unsure where to start, consider using pre-made hook templates.

For instance, the AuthoredUp tool offers 120+ examples that can serve as a solid foundation for your opening, ensuring it's engaging and effective.

AuthoredUp is available both as a Chrome extension and a web app.

To use it right from LinkedIn, simply open the tools sidebar and select the Hooks section under the Text Editor in the Chrome extension.

2. Concrete Value

After the initial hook draws your audience in, the "line" (we mentioned earlier) of your LinkedIn post, which is the main content, must deliver real value.

This is where you fulfill the promise made by the hook.

Ensuring your content is genuinely valuable and aligns with the expectations set at the beginning is crucial.

The quality of this content directly influences your visibility and engagement on the platform.

Tips for Delivering Valuable Content

Here is what to keep in mind to deliver valuable content:

⭐ Maintain Relevance — Ensure that your content directly addresses the expectations set by the hook. The transition from the hook to the main content should feel seamless and natural to the reader.

⭐ Prioritize Quality Over Quantity — Focus on delivering insightful, well-researched, and thought-provoking content. Quality content keeps your audience engaged and encourages them to interact with your post, positively impacting your presence on their feeds.

⭐ Understand LinkedIn's Algorithm — LinkedIn's algorithm favors content that keeps users engaged. If readers consistently navigate away from your posts mid-reading, the platform may interpret your content as less valuable, potentially limiting its reach.

By focusing on delivering valuable, insightful content, you position yourself as a reliable source in your field, encouraging your audience to stay engaged and interact with your posts.

💡 Pro Tip

Consistency is crucial when it comes to good LinkedIn content.

Just one subpar post can tarnish your reputation and diminish your visibility on the platform. That's why it's smarter to plan your content ahead or gather ideas as you go.

But how?

Using drafts is a fantastic way to stay ahead in your content game.

While LinkedIn lets you save drafts, it limits you to just one at a time.

AuthoredUp, on the other hand, takes it up a notch by allowing you to manage multiple drafts in one place and organize them with tags for easy access.

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Remember, rebuilding a strong online presence is much harder than maintaining one. So, it's wise to aim for consistently high-quality content right from the get-go.

3. Clarity and Brevity

Achieving clarity and brevity in your LinkedIn posts is crucial for keeping your audience engaged and ensuring your message is effectively communicated.

Your audience should be able to grasp your main points quickly and effortlessly.

Achieving this requires well-organized content that's easy to digest and free from unnecessary clutter.

Tips for Crafting Clear and Concise Content

⭐ Take a Break Before Revising — After writing your draft, step away for a while. Returning with fresh eyes will give you a new perspective, making it easier to assess and improve the clarity and quality of your content.

⭐ Be Ruthless in Editing — Trim the fat from your post. Cut out any redundant information and keep your language straightforward. It's okay to maintain a conversational tone, but avoid over-padding your content.

⭐ Minimize Slang and Jargon — Use simple, universally understood language. Steer clear of obscure colloquialisms, industry-specific jargon, or any phrases that might alienate a wider audience.

⭐ Stay on Topic — Eliminate any off-topic thoughts or tangents. If you stumble upon an idea that could lead to a separate post or a content series, jot it down separately but keep your current post focused and to the point.

People love patterns—it grabs their attention immediately.

For inspiration on how to present your content engagingly, consider following experts like Jasmin Alic, who are known for their compelling and well-structured posts.

💡 Pro Tip

The AuthoredUp's readability score feature enables you to effortlessly aim content's clarity and simplicity.

As you draft your post, the readability score appears on the right, providing real-time feedback to ensure your writing is effortlessly comprehensible.

Aim for a score between 1 and 6 to guarantee your text is engaging and accessible for LinkedIn audiences.

4. Readable Formatting

When it's time to hit 'post' on your LinkedIn content, don't underestimate the power of formatting.

It's not just about the words you choose but also how you present them.

Proper formatting can significantly boost the readability of your post, keeping your audience engaged and ensuring your message gets across loud and clear.

To achieve optimal formatting, craft content that's not just valuable but also visually inviting and easy to navigate. 

Tips for Achieving Optimal Formatting

⭐ Break It Down — Avoid overwhelming your readers with dense paragraphs. Keep them short and sweet, ideally 2-3 lines, maxing out at 4. This helps in maintaining visual appeal and making your content easier to digest.

⭐ Use Subtitles Wisely — If your post is longer, organize it with clear subtitles. Each subtitle should introduce a main point, with the following paragraphs elaborating on it through sub-points, steps, or examples.

⭐ Mind the Spacing — Pay close attention to the space between lines, paragraphs, and sections. A good rule is to maintain about half a line's worth of space between lines and add a bit extra after larger chunks of text. Proper spacing prevents eye fatigue and helps each section of your text pop.

⭐ Highlight Key Points — Use bold or italic text to emphasize important phrases or concepts. This not only draws the reader's attention to key parts of your content but also breaks the monotony of plain text.

By breaking your wall of text, you transform your post from a simple message into a memorable, engaging experience.

💡 Pro Tip

To keep things tight and impactful, consider using AuthoredUp's TextEditor.

It's super handy because it lets you tweak your content endlessly while showing you a live preview on the side.

AuthoredUp also offers a variety of formatting options, allowing you to add bold or italic text, bullet points, emojis, and so on.

Another way to format your LinkedIn posts is by using AuthoredUp’s free LinkedIn Text Formatter.

It lets you style your text with bold, italics, bullet points, or numbered lists to make your posts more impactful.

Just paste your text, choose your formatting, and instantly improve your post’s readability and appearance. It’s an easy way to make your LinkedIn content stand out.

5. Pertinent Data and Statistics

In the professional world of LinkedIn, data speaks volumes.

Integrating relevant statistics and figures into your posts not only bolsters your credibility but also captures the attention of a data-driven audience.

Quantifying your achievements and insights can make your content more compelling and grounded in reality.

Tips for Incorporating Data Effectively

⭐ Highlight Business Insights — Share quantifiable achievements such as sales figures, performance metrics, or any improvements in percentages. Concrete numbers provide a clear picture of your business's growth and success.

⭐ Share Industry-Specific Statistics — Include statistics that resonate with your industry's impact, whether it's on the environment, social issues, or any other significant area. This demonstrates your awareness and involvement in broader industry trends.

⭐ Make It Relevant and Measurable — Ensure the data you share is directly relevant to your field and your audience. Professional readers value specificity and measurability, seeking clear reasons to engage with your content.

⭐ Quantify Campaign Successes — If your company has spearheaded campaigns, product launches, or events, quantify these efforts. Illustrating your achievements in numbers appeals to the goal-oriented nature of the professional community on LinkedIn.

Remember, in the world of professional networking, well-presented data can be the difference between a post that's merely scrolled past and one that's engaged with and respected. 

Use numbers to your advantage, and let them tell the compelling story of your business's impact and success.

💡 Pro Tip

When you start using the AuthoredUp tool, you're not just stuck with plain text either.

It allows you to enhance your LinkedIn post with a carousel, poll, video, documents, pictures, PDFs, or GIFs.

All these tools at your fingertips make it easier to craft a post that's not only engaging but also primed to perform well.

6. The Art of Bullet Points

Bullet points are like the secret sauce to making your LinkedIn posts more scannable and digestible.

They're not just a stylistic choice—they're a strategic tool that, when used correctly, can enhance the readability and impact of your content.

From traditional dots to more creative symbols like stars or arrows, the type of bullet you choose can subtly influence the tone and emphasis of your list.

Tips for Effective Use of Bullet Points

⭐ Choose the Right Symbol — Select a bullet style that aligns with the message of your list. Arrows might denote progression, stars could suggest highlights or achievements, and so on. The right symbol can reinforce the context and content of your list.

⭐ Keep It Short and Sweet — Aim for bullet points that are one or two lines long at most. If a point is extending beyond that, break it down into sub-bullets to keep your list crisp and easy to follow.

⭐ Start and End Strong — Place your most compelling points at the beginning and end of the list. Starting with an intriguing point draws readers in, while concluding with a strong point leaves a lasting impression.

⭐ Emphasize Clarity and Conciseness — Bullet points are your allies in making complex information straightforward. Ensure each point is clear, concise, and directly contributes to the purpose of your list.

⭐ Utilize Lists Strategically — Bullet points are ideal for:

• Highlighting achievements
• Detailing product features
• Tracking milestones
• Introducing solutions
• Outlining dos and don'ts
• Providing step-by-step instructions

Remember, the effectiveness of bullet points lies in their ability to make your content stand out and resonate with your audience, providing a clear and memorable reading experience.

7. Engagement with Emojis

In the world of LinkedIn posts, emojis are like the spice in your content dish.

However, the key to effective emoji use is understanding your audience and the context of your post.

By striking the right balance and choosing your emojis carefully, you can enhance your content's appeal without compromising its professionalism.

Tips for Using Emojis Effectively

⭐ Know Your Audience — Tailor your emoji usage to the preferences and expectations of your audience. While emojis can add a fun and casual touch, ensure they align with the professional tone of your content and the platform.

⭐ Context is Key — Use emojis in posts where they enhance the message or tone, such as updates celebrating achievements or casual polls. Avoid them in content that demands a more serious or formal tone.

⭐ Choose Wisely — Pick emojis that are relevant and add value to your content. Vibrant and attention-grabbing emojis can make happy updates more joyful, while neutral symbols like office items can subtly enhance more serious posts.

⭐ Balance is Essential — Emojis should complement, not overpower, your content. Use them sparingly to emphasize key points or add a dash of personality without detracting from the professionalism of your message.

⭐ Be Mindful of Interpretation — Remember that emojis can be interpreted differently by different people. Stick to widely recognized emojis and avoid those that might be misinterpreted or deemed inappropriate in a professional setting.

8. Optimization for Display

After nailing the perfect format for your LinkedIn post, the next step is ensuring it looks just as great on any device or platform.

With LinkedIn accessible via its website and mobile app, your content needs to be versatile enough to shine on various browsers and screens, offering a seamless reading experience for every viewer.

Tips for Display Optimization

⭐ Test Across Platforms — Don't just write and hope for the best. Actively test how your content displays on the LinkedIn app, various web browsers, and different screen sizes. This helps in catching any formatting issues that might detract from your message.

⭐ Prioritize Mobile — Given that a significant portion of LinkedIn users access the platform via mobile, ensure your content is primarily optimized for the app. Generally, if it looks good on mobile, it'll translate well to desktop browsers too.

⭐ Utilize Preview Tools — Employ tools like AuthoredIn to preview how your posts will appear on different platforms. LinkedIn doesn't offer this natively, but these third-party tools can be invaluable in ensuring your content looks its best everywhere.

Remember, consistency in the quality and presentation of your content can significantly enhance your professional image and keep your audience engaged.

💡 Pro Tip

AuthoredUp gives you a sneak peek at how your LinkedIn post will appear in the feed across different devices such as mobile, tablet or a PC.

Elevate Your Content Game with AuthoredUp

Achieving viral status on LinkedIn isn't just about a one-hit wonder—it's about maintaining high-quality content consistently.

Remember, LinkedIn is a playground for professionals who prize reliability above all.

This is why LinkedIn content creation tools can become extremely helpful for heavy lifting.

So why not start with something proven, something trusted by LinkedIn™ Top Voices?

Enter AuthoredUp – the choice of the pros, not just because we say so, but because the best in the business do.

Imagine effortlessly integrating all the critical elements of standout LinkedIn posts without the headache of manual labor.

AuthoredUp is your all-in-one solution to:

👍 Effortlessly store and organize those lightning-bolt ideas.

👍 Seamlessly plan and schedule your content with our integrated features.

👍 Collaborate with your team for a richer content creation process.

👍 Access hooks, endings, and snippets instantly to eliminate the grind.

👍 Dive deep into your content's performance with our unmatched analytics toolkit.

👍 Craft perfectly tuned LinkedIn posts with our preview and formatting tools, including document attachments.

Strategically positioning your content for peak performance

Activate your 14-day free trial with AuthoredUp and start your journey to LinkedIn virality today!

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