I Spent 100+ Hours Studying LinkedIn So You Can Copy Me 😜

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Ever wonder why some LinkedIn posts blow up with likes, comments, and shares, while others barely get noticed?

After spending 100+ hours analyzing the platform’s top-performing posts, I’ve identified the ingredients that make posts thrive.

Below are 11 powerful strategies that will help you write posts that capture attention, encourage engagement, and build relationships.

Let’s dive deeper to give you actionable tips you can use today.

1. Craft a Punchy Message 

If your message isn’t clear, people will scroll right past it. Clarity is the foundation of every effective LinkedIn post. You want readers to know exactly what you’re saying without having to think too hard.

But clarity alone won’t win hearts. Authenticity is what makes your message resonate.

- Use conversational language. Write as if you’re speaking directly to someone in your network. Avoid jargon unless your audience expects it.

- Show vulnerability or personality. Sharing real struggles, wins, or insights creates connections and trust.

💡 Tip: Avoid trying to sound too polished or formal. People connect with humans, not robots. 

2. Use Emojis Sparingly 

Emojis can enhance readability and create emotional resonance, but they’re a double-edged sword. Too many emojis clutter your message and make it hard to take the post seriously.

- Use emojis to emphasize important ideas. Think of them as highlights, not decorations.

- Stick to 1-2 emojis per section, ideally to make your post visually scannable.

Overusing common emojis like rockets (🚀), clapping hands (👏), or fire (🔥), dilutes their effect.

Instead, use emojis strategically where they align with your post’s tone and message.

3. Write a Killer Headline 

LinkedIn is a fast-paced platform, and your headline determines if someone will stop scrolling. A powerful headline grabs attention, creates curiosity, and hints at value.

- Intrigue and relevance are the magic ingredients. Make your audience wonder what’s inside while ensuring the topic speaks directly to their needs.

- Avoid clickbait—if your headline makes a bold promise, your content should follow through.

💡 Example: “How I Used This Simple Strategy to Double My Engagement in 30 Days” 

4. Start with a Story 

Stories are memorable and emotionally engaging. Starting your post with a story invites people to lean in and stay engaged.

• Relatable experiences work best—whether it’s a personal triumph, failure, or lesson learned.

• Stories also create context for the main takeaway you’re sharing, making it easier for readers to connect the dots between your experience and their own.

💡 Example: “I remember the first time I hit ‘Post’ on LinkedIn. I had no idea what I was doing, but it felt like shouting into the void...” 

5. Break Text into Short Lines 

Nobody likes reading a wall of text. Long paragraphs feel overwhelming and will drive readers away. Breaking text into smaller chunks makes your post more inviting.

• Use short sentences (10 words or fewer per line). This keeps your post easy to skim and digest.

• Insert line breaks after EVERY sentence. It adds white space and keeps readers engaged.

*Not like this:* "This is a really long sentence that runs on and makes people lose interest because there’s just too much going on without a pause." 

6. Mention Influential Connections 

Tagging relevant people in your posts does more than just acknowledge them—it expands your reach.

When you mention someone influential, your post may appear in their network’s feed, increasing visibility.

• Only tag people who are genuinely relevant to your post. This avoids coming across as spammy.

• Involve connections who can spark conversations in the comments section, encouraging others to join in.

💡 Pro Tip: Mention colleagues, clients, or industry leaders who have influenced your thoughts. Engage them with a question or ask for their input. 

7. Give Clear Instructions 

If you want engagement, tell people what to do. Posts that include a specific call to action (CTA) are far more likely to generate likes, comments, and shares.

• Ask your audience to like, comment, or share if they found value in your post.

• Use clear language:

• “What are your thoughts on this?”

• “Tag someone who needs to see this.”

• “Share this post if it resonates with you.”

8. End with a Question 

Questions aren’t just a way to end your post—they are conversation starters. Open-ended questions invite people to share their perspectives, and once the comments start rolling in, LinkedIn rewards you with more visibility.

• Relevant, thoughtful questions are more likely to prompt comments.

• Avoid yes/no questions. Aim for something that encourages storytelling or personal opinions.

💡 Example: “What’s been your biggest challenge with LinkedIn engagement?” 

9. Share Your Expertise Generously 

People come to LinkedIn to learn and grow, so don’t hold back from sharing what you know. Offering real value establishes you as a trusted voice in your niche.

• Share tips, strategies, or tools that you’ve found helpful.

• Use practical examples and specific metrics to demonstrate results.

💡 Example: “Using AI tools like ChatGPT has saved me hundreds of hours in content creation—here’s how I do it.” 

10. Cut Back on Hashtags 

Hashtags aren’t as powerful on LinkedIn as they once were. Overusing them can make your post look cluttered and affect readability.

• Stick to 1-3 hashtags that are highly relevant to your post’s topic.

• Place them at the end of the post so they don’t distract from your message.

💡 Pro Tip: Use hashtags thoughtfully—think niche-specific ones like #LeadershipTips instead of broad ones like #Business. 

11. Avoid External Links in the Post 

LinkedIn favors keeping users on the platform. Posts with external links often get less visibility because they direct people away from LinkedIn.

• Instead of embedding links in your post, mention that the link is in the comments. This keeps your post engaging without triggering the algorithm to throttle it.

• Alternatively, summarize the key points from the external content within your post to add value without requiring a click-through.

Personally, I still include links but I don’t do it in excess.

Bonus: Keep Experimenting and Learning

The LinkedIn algorithm is constantly evolving, and no strategy is foolproof. The key to sustained engagement is experimenting with different post types and learning from what works. 

💡 Monitor which posts perform well and tweak your approach accordingly. 

Wrapping Up: Your Turn!

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of the game. Now it’s time to apply these strategies and watch your LinkedIn engagement grow.

So tell me:

What’s your go-to strategy for driving engagement on LinkedIn? 

• Likes? 

• Comments? 

• Reposts?

Drop your answer in the comments or hit reply —I’d love to hear from you!

By following these 11 strategies, you’ll craft posts that capture attention, spark conversations, and build relationships.

Remember to form deep connections!

That’s what we’re all there for on LinkedIn 😁 

By the way, if you’re still not connected, add me on LinkedIn.

That’s all for this week.

See you next time!

Justin Chia

Find me on LinkedIn or shoot me an email at [email protected]

If you have any questions or feedback, reply to this email. (I'll personally reply! :)