Your LinkedIn post gets 5 likes. All that time writing. All that expertise shared. And hardly anyone saw it. A bad hook kills your post before it has a chance to live. What shows up before someone clicks “see more” is your content’s entire life or death.
Most LinkedIn users doom their content with weak hooks that get scrolled past without a second thought. But not you.
Get your hook right and watch thousands of potential clients stop scrolling to read your wisdom. Get it wrong and your genius disappears on the newsfeed. Your effort wasted.
Here are 25 proven hook templates that turn strangers into leads. Use them as inspiration to start your perfect LinkedIn post. Measure the results to do more of what works.
Hook templates that generate traction on LinkedIn: try them this month
Most people [common advice]. I [contrarian approach]
Creates immediate tension by positioning you against conventional wisdom. Your audience stops to see why you’re different and what unique insight you offer.
Example: Most people cold email prospects. I send handwritten notes and close 3x more deals.
I was stuck in [problem]
for [timeframe]. Until I [turning point]:
Personal struggle creates instant connection. The transformation teases valuable lessons your audience wants to learn from your experience.
Example: I was stuck at $150K revenue for 3 years. Until I fired my biggest client:
“You need to [popular advice]” I disagree! Here’s why that’s terrible advice:
Strong disagreement with accepted wisdom creates controversy. The emotional language makes readers curious about your passionate response and contrarian viewpoint.
Example: “You need to hustle 24/7 to build a business.” I disagree! Here’s why that’s terrible advice:
No [resource]
. No [advantage]. Still [achievement]. Here’s my [number]-step process:
Proves success is possible without traditional advantages. Offers a clear roadmap that makes the achievement feel attainable for anyone.
Example: No funding. No network. Still built a 7-figure SaaS. Here’s my 4-step bootstrap method:
My client [impressive result] in [timeframe]. Without [common requirement].
Third-party proof builds credibility while debunking limiting beliefs. Shows your methods work for others and can work for the reader too.
Example: My client generated $2M in revenue in 8 months. Without a single sales call.
[Number] years doing [activity] taught me these [number] truths about [topic]:
This positions you as an experienced authority. The hook promises distilled wisdom that would take readers years to discover themselves through trial and error.
Example: 10 years building startups taught me these 5 truths about venture capital:
How to [achieve result] in [timeframe] without [common obstacle]:
This hook addresses the biggest objections and fears your audience has. Promises both speed and removes the barriers they think are stopping them from success.
Example: How to land enterprise clients in 30 days without pitching:
Everyone says [conventional wisdom]. But here’s what actually works:
Questions authority and promises insider knowledge. Positions you as someone who’s tested conventional advice and found better alternatives through real experience.
Example: Everyone says content is king. But here’s what actually builds audiences:
I [surprising action] and [unexpected positive result]. Here’s exactly how:
Counterintuitive actions that led to success create curiosity. The promise of exact replication makes the content feel immediately actionable for your connections.
Example: I raised my prices 300% and doubled my client base. Here’s exactly how:
The [number] [resource type] that [specific outcome] in [timeframe]:
Lists are inherently scannable and shareable. The specific outcome and timeframe create urgency and measurable expectations.
Example: The 3 email templates that book 15 discovery calls in 7 days:
Stop [common action]. Do this instead:
Creates urgency to stop current behavior. The immediate alternative keeps readers engaged to learn the better approach and take corrective action.
Example: Stop networking at events. Do this instead:
This [time period] I [milestone]. Here are [number] lessons that changed everything:
Recent achievements feel current and relevant. The promise of game-changing lessons creates high value expectations and immediate applicability.
Example: This quarter I hit $500K ARR. Here are 3 lessons that changed everything:
[Number] harsh truths about [industry/topic] nobody talks about:
Promises uncomfortable insights that insiders won’t share. The taboo nature makes readers curious about what they’re missing and what others won’t reveal.
Example: 5 harsh truths about entrepreneurship nobody talks about:
How [successful person/company] really [achieved something] (it’s not what you think):
Leverages existing credibility while promising to reveal hidden truths. The parenthesis create a curiosity gap about misconceptions surrounding well-known success stories.
Example: How Airbnb really got their first users (it’s not what you think):
I analyzed [large number] [data points] and found [surprising pattern]:
Large sample sizes suggest thorough research. Surprising findings promise unique insights backed by data rather than opinion or guesswork.
Example: I analyzed 1000 startup failures and found 80% made this same mistake:
I made every [type of mistake] in the book. Here’s what I learned:
Vulnerability builds trust while positioning you as someone who’s learned from extensive experience. Promises hard-won wisdom gained through costly trial and error that others can avoid.
Example: I made every sales mistake in the book. Here’s what I learned:
Before you [common action], read this:
Creates urgency by positioning your content as essential prerequisite knowledge. Implies readers could make costly mistakes without your insight and guidance.
Example: Before you hire your first employee, read this:
The [adjective] truth about [topic] after [timeframe/experience]:
Personal experience lends credibility to your perspective. Strong adjectives like brutal, honest, or surprising set expectations for valuable insights others won’t share.
Example: The brutal truth about venture capital after raising $10M:
[Number] signs you’re ready to [next level action]:
Helps readers self-assess their readiness for advancement. Creates aspiration while providing clear benchmarks for progress and next steps forward.
Example: 5 signs you’re ready to scale your agency:
What [timeframe] of [activity] taught me about [related topic]:
Implies deep learning from sustained effort. Connects practical experience to broader business principles your audience wants to understand and apply.
Example: What 2 years of cold outreach taught me about human psychology:
I [costly mistake] so you don’t have to. Here’s what went wrong:
Positions your failure as valuable learning for others. The promise to prevent similar mistakes creates immediate utility and protects readers from expensive errors.
Example: I lost $100K on Facebook ads so you don’t have to. Here’s what went wrong:
The [number] [resource] every [target audience] needs to know about:
Creates sense of essential knowledge for a specific group. The authority in “needs to know” suggests readers are missing critical information that could impact their success.
Example: The 7 tax strategies every entrepreneur needs to know about:
Here’s exactly how to [result] (even if you’re [common obstacle]):
Addresses the main objection that stops people from pursuing the result. The word “exactly” promises specific, actionable instructions rather than vague theoretical advice.
Example: Here’s exactly how to land enterprise clients (even if you’re an unknown startup):
[Time period] ago I was [negative state]. Today I’m [positive state]. Here’s the one thing that changed:
Clear before and after transformation creates compelling narrative. Promising one key factor makes the change feel achievable rather than daunting with multiple complex requirements.
Example: 2 years ago I was $200K in debt. Today I’m building a 8-figure company. Here’s the one thing that changed:
The [number] [category] that separate [successful group] from [unsuccessful group]:
Creates clear distinction between success and failure. Promises to reveal the specific differentiators that determine outcomes and separate winners from everyone else.
Example: The 4 mindsets that separate 7-figure founders from everyone else:
Transform your LinkedIn presence with these hook templates
Your LinkedIn posts can generate serious leads when you master the opening lines. Pick templates that match your brand and message. Test different approaches until you find what connects with your audience.
Start with one template today. Copy it into your notes app. Fill in the brackets with your experience and expertise. Schedule your post when your connections are online.
Your dream clients scroll LinkedIn daily looking for solutions you already provide. Make them stop at your content with hooks that demand attention. The templates are here. Your experience is waiting. Put them together and watch your business grow.
Read the full article here
