25 LinkedIn Post Formulas That Get High Engagement
When was the last time your LinkedIn post got crickets? Three likes (one from your mum). Zero comments. And definitely no shares.
The LinkedIn feed has become a battleground for attention, and the standard "I'm pleased to announce" posts just don't cut it anymore. But what if I told you that the problem isn't you – it's your formula?
Here's the thing: high-performing LinkedIn content breaks the rules. It zigs when everyone else zags. And it leverages specific psychological triggers that make scrolling thumbs stop dead in their tracks.
I've spent the last few years analysing thousands of high-performing LinkedIn posts. And I've distilled them down to 25 battle-tested formulas that consistently generate engagement.
Shall we dive in?
1. The curiosity gap opener
Ever noticed how some LinkedIn posts grab you by the collar in the first line? That's the curiosity gap in action.
The formula is simple: Make a bold, slightly unexpected statement that creates tension in the reader's mind. A question they simply must know the answer to.
"I turned down a £100K client last week."
"The most important LinkedIn metric? It's not what you think."
"I deleted 80% of my LinkedIn connections yesterday."
Why it works: The human brain hates unresolved loops. When you open with something that triggers curiosity without satisfying it, readers feel compelled to continue.
When to use it: When you have a genuinely surprising insight or counterintuitive take.
When to avoid: When you can't deliver on the promise. Clickbait without substance will damage your credibility faster than you can say "LinkedIn jail."
2. The personal story with business lesson
"Three years ago, I was sitting in my car crying after losing my biggest client. Today, that same client just signed a contract triple the size of the original."
Personal stories that reveal vulnerability before pivoting to a valuable lesson absolutely dominate on LinkedIn. And for good reason.
Why it works: We're hardwired to connect with authentic human experiences. A well-told story activates more brain regions than any other form of content. But more importantly? It shows you're human, not a corporate robot.
When to use it: When you've genuinely learned something valuable from a personal experience.
When to avoid: When the story feels manufactured or the connection to business value is stretched.
Use this simple three-part framework ⬇️
Set the scene with specific details
Share the challenge or turning point
Deliver the business insight that others can apply
According to Content Marketing Institute research, personal story posts receive 38% more engagement than purely promotional content.
3. The contrarian take
"Posting every day on LinkedIn is terrible advice. Here's what actually works."
Nothing cuts through the feed faster than challenging widely-accepted wisdom with a well-reasoned alternative perspective.
Why it works: Pattern interruption. When everyone zigs, you zag. Plus, taking a stand signals confidence and expertise.
When to use it: When you have genuine evidence or experience that contradicts common advice.
When to avoid: Being contrarian just for the sake of it. Your reputation is on the line.
The perfect formula:
State the common belief
Clearly state why you disagree
Provide your alternative approach
Back it up with results or reasoning
Ask if others have had similar experiences
Use short paragraphs (1-2 sentences max) to make your contrarian post highly skimmable.
4. The listicle (When done right, still undefeated)
"5 LinkedIn message templates that got me meetings with Fortune 500 CEOs"
Lists work. Full stop. They promise clear, structured value and they deliver it in digestible chunks. But the key is specificity.
Why it works: Lists provide clarity and a sense of completeness. Our brains love their structured approach to information.
When to use it: When you have genuinely helpful, actionable advice to share.
When to avoid: Generic list posts that regurgitate obvious advice everyone's heard before.
5. The before/after transformation
Nothing captures attention like a dramatic transformation.
"January 2023: 500 LinkedIn followers, zero inbound leads April 2025: 27,000 followers, 70% of business coming inbound"
Why it works: Humans are naturally drawn to transformation stories. They provide both inspiration and a roadmap.
When to use it: When you have concrete, specific results to share.
When to avoid: When the transformation is minor or not clearly attributable to specific actions.
Use clear timestamps, specific metrics, and a middle section that explains the key actions that led to the transformation.
6. The question prompt (Engagement goldmine)
"What's one skill you wish you'd learned earlier in your career?"
Simple questions that prompt easy, meaningful responses are the most underrated engagement strategy on LinkedIn.
Why it works: Low barrier to entry. People love sharing their opinions, especially when it requires minimal effort.
When to use it: When you want to spark conversation or gather insights.
When to avoid: Questions that are too broad or too personal.
Respond thoughtfully to every comment you receive. This doubles your comment count and signals to the algorithm that your post is generating meaningful conversation.
According to Hootsuite's LinkedIn Engagement Report (2023), posts that ask questions receive 50% more comments than posts that don't. But quality matters – the best questions are specific, thought-provoking, and easy to answer.
7. The data-driven insight (Numbers don't lie)
"Only 13% of LinkedIn users post weekly, but they receive 5x more profile views than the average user."
A surprising statistic followed by practical implications cuts through the noise like nothing else.
Why it works: Data adds credibility while surprising numbers create pattern interruption.
When to use it: When you have genuinely interesting data that challenges assumptions or provides clarity.
When to avoid: When the data is obvious or doesn't lead to a meaningful insight.
By the way, always cite your source. Unsourced statistics scream "I made this up."
8. The hot take
"Most LinkedIn 'experts' have never actually generated leads from the platform."
A bold statement that challenges the status quo immediately divides your audience – and that's exactly what you want.
Why it works: Divisiveness drives engagement. People who agree will vocally support you. People who disagree will comment to challenge you. Both actions signal to the algorithm that your content is generating meaningful interaction.
When to use it: When you have a genuinely strong opinion based on expertise or experience.
When to avoid: Hot takes on politically divisive topics or issues unrelated to your professional brand.
Structure formula ⬇️
Bold statement (one sentence)
Why you believe this (2-3 sentences)
Evidence or reasoning (2-3 sentences)
Invitation for perspectives (one sentence)
9. The problem-solution-benefit
"Fed up with getting zero responses to your LinkedIn outreach?"
The classic problem-solution-benefit framework still works wonders when executed properly.
Why it works: It follows the natural decision-making process. Identify a pain point, present a solution, explain the benefit.
When to use it: When you have a genuinely helpful solution to a common problem.
When to avoid: When the problem isn't actually painful enough to warrant attention.
Formula breakdown ⬇️
Identify the problem (be specific)
Agitate the problem (why it matters)
Present your solution (clear steps)
Share the benefits (results focus)
Call to action (what to do next)
10. The prediction/trend analysis
"The LinkedIn algorithm now prioritises these 3 types of engagement – and most people haven't caught on yet."
Sharing genuine insights about emerging trends positions you as a forward-thinking leader.
Why it works: It provides actionable information and positions you as ahead of the curve.
When to use it: When you've spotted a genuine trend early through hands-on experience.
When to avoid: When your prediction is based on speculation rather than evidence.
11. The behind-the-scenes
"Here's what actually happens behind the scenes when we launch a client's LinkedIn campaign..."
Pulling back the curtain on your work process creates both trust and interest.
Why it works: People are naturally curious about how things work. Plus, transparency builds trust.
When to use it: When your process includes interesting details or challenges that aren't obvious to outsiders.
When to avoid: When your process reveals proprietary information or client confidentiality.
Include specific challenges or failures along with successes. Perfect stories are boring; real ones are engaging.
12. The myth-busting post
"No, you don't need to post every day on LinkedIn. Here's what actually works."
Identifying and correcting a common misconception provides immediate value to your audience.
Why it works: It positions you as an expert while providing genuinely helpful clarification.
When to use it: When you regularly encounter the same misconception in your industry.
When to avoid: When the "myth" is actually just a straw man argument that nobody actually believes.
Structure formula ⬇️
State the common myth
Explain why it's wrong (with evidence)
Provide the correct approach
Explain why this works better
Ask your audience what other myths they've encountered in your industry. This often generates excellent comment threads.
13. The spotlight post
"I want to highlight someone who's absolutely crushing it on LinkedIn right now – @JaneDoe's content on sustainable marketing has transformed how I approach client campaigns."
Sharing genuine praise for others accomplishes two things: it adds value to your network and it positions you as confident enough to elevate others.
Why it works: It creates goodwill, demonstrates your values, and often results in engagement from the person you've spotlighted (and their network).
When to use it: When you've genuinely gained value from someone's work or content.
When to avoid: When the praise feels forced or is clearly just for networking purposes.
💡 Be specific about exactly what you appreciate and how it's impacted you. Generic praise feels hollow.
14. The step-by-step guide
"How I increased my LinkedIn connection acceptance rate from 20% to 85% in 30 days:
Step 1: [Specific action] Step 2: [Specific action] Step 3: [Specific action]"
Highly specific, tactical advice consistently performs well because it offers immediate, applicable value.
Why it works: People crave actionable information they can implement immediately.
When to use it: When you have a proven process that can be broken down into clear steps.
When to avoid: When the steps are obvious or too simplified to be useful.
Number your steps clearly and keep each step concise (1-2 sentences). Include one specific detail in each step that most people wouldn't know.
15. The screenshot share
"Just received this message from a client after implementing our new LinkedIn strategy. This is why I do what I do."
Sharing screenshots of positive results (with permission) provides powerful social proof that cuts through the noise.
Why it works: Visual evidence is more compelling than claims. It's showing, not telling.
When to use it: When you have genuine results that can be visually demonstrated.
When to avoid: When sharing might compromise confidentiality or seem boastful without adding value.
Always blur/remove identifying information unless you have explicit permission to share.
16. The time-bound challenge
"For the next 5 days, I'm going to post one LinkedIn messaging template that generated a 6-figure client. Who wants to follow along?"
Time-bound challenges create urgency and a reason for people to return to your content.
Why it works: It provides structure, accountability, and a reason to engage over multiple days.
When to use it: When you have valuable content that can be broken into a logical series.
When to avoid: When you're not confident you can deliver consistent value for the duration.
17. The unpopular opinion
"Unpopular opinion: LinkedIn polls are killing meaningful engagement on this platform."
Similar to the contrarian take but more focused on starting a conversation than providing a fully developed alternative.
Why it works: It immediately divides your audience into those who agree or disagree – both of which are likely to comment.
When to use it: When you genuinely hold a perspective that goes against conventional wisdom.
When to avoid: When the opinion is clearly controversial just for the sake of it.
18. The embedded carousel (Visual storytelling)
"I broke down the 5 types of LinkedIn introductions that actually get responses. Swipe through to see them all."
LinkedIn's native carousel feature is still underutilized, giving you a pattern interrupt advantage.
Why it works: The visual format is eye-catching, and the "swipe" mechanic increases engagement time.
When to use it: When your content can be effectively broken into visual segments.
When to avoid: When your content requires extensive explanation that won't fit in image format.
Keep text minimal, use consistent branding, and make sure the first slide is compelling enough to encourage swiping.
19. The "I tried X for 30 days" post
"I tried sending voice notes instead of DMs on LinkedIn for 30 days. Here's what happened..."
Sharing the results of a personal experiment provides both entertainment and actionable insights.
Why it works: It combines storytelling with practical takeaways and has a natural beginning, middle, and end.
When to use it: When you've genuinely tried something new and have interesting results to share.
When to avoid: When the experiment hasn't yielded clear results or insights.
Structure formula ⬇️
What you tried and why
How you implemented it
Initial challenges
Surprising results
Recommendations for others
20. The compare/contrast post
"LinkedIn Creator Mode vs. Standard Profile: Which is right for you?
Creator Mode: [Benefits/Drawbacks]
Standard Profile: [Benefits/Drawbacks]
The right choice depends on..."
Directly comparing options gives your audience immediate clarity on a potentially confusing topic.
Why it works: It helps your audience make decisions by clearly laying out the pros and cons.
When to use it: When your audience regularly faces a specific choice in your area of expertise.
When to avoid: When the comparison is clearly biased or oversimplified.
Use clear visual dividers between options and summarize with a decision framework rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
21. The FAQ buster
"The question I get asked at least 3 times a week: 'How often should I post on LinkedIn?'
Here's my answer..."
Addressing common questions positions you as an accessible expert and provides immediate value.
Why it works: It solves a problem your audience likely has but may not have asked you directly.
When to use it: When you consistently hear the same questions from clients or connections.
When to avoid: When the question is too basic or the answer is widely known.
Explain not just what to do but why it works – this demonstrates deeper expertise.
22. The "what I learned" post
"What I learned from analysing 5,000+ LinkedIn posts that generated 100+ comments:
[Specific insight]
[Specific insight]
[Specific insight]"
Sharing distilled wisdom from your experience provides immediate value and positions you as a continuous learner.
Why it works: It packages your expertise in a way that feels both valuable and accessible.
When to use it: After completing a project, reaching a milestone, or gaining significant new insight.
When to avoid: When the lessons are obvious or not actually derived from experience.
Include specific numbers, percentages, or concrete examples to back up your insights.
23. The inspired by post
"This LinkedIn post by @JaneDoe made me completely rethink my approach to content strategy. Here's why..."
Sharing how someone else's content impacted your thinking creates valuable connections and demonstrates your thoughtfulness.
Why it works: It shows you're engaged in industry conversations and generous with attribution.
When to use it: When you've genuinely been influenced by someone else's perspective.
When to avoid: When your commentary doesn't add substantial value beyond the original post.
Always tag the original creator and add your unique perspective rather than just rehashing their points.
24. The strong stance
"I will never work with clients who [specific behaviour]. Here's why that matters for the work I deliver..."
Taking a clear ethical stance signals your values and attracts clients who share them.
Why it works: It demonstrates integrity and helps you attract value-aligned connections.
When to use it: When you genuinely have a strong professional boundary or value.
When to avoid: On potentially divisive political or social issues unrelated to your professional expertise.
Explain how this stance actually benefits your clients rather than just being a personal preference.
25. The industry trend alert
"LinkedIn just quietly rolled out a new analytics feature that changes everything about how we should measure content performance."
Sharing timely observations about industry changes positions you as informed and helpful.
Why it works: It provides immediate value and positions you as a go-to resource for industry updates.
When to use it: When you notice a significant trend or change before most people are talking about it.
When to avoid: When the trend is already widely discussed or your insight isn't unique.
Include screenshots, data, or specific examples that demonstrate the trend in action.
The formatting secrets that supercharge engagement
The formula is just the start. How you format your post matters just as much:
White space is your friend. Write in short, 1-2 sentence paragraphs.
Use emojis strategically (but not excessively) as pattern interrupters.
Front-load value in the first 3 lines (before the "see more" cutoff).
Create clear section breaks with symbols like [ • ] or [ → ].
Bold key phrases using Unicode characters (𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀) to draw the eye.
Use numbered lists for easier scanning.
End with a clear, specific call to action or question.
According to Social Media Examiner's 2024 LinkedIn Algorithm Analysis, the first hour of posting determines 80% of a post's total engagement. Time your posts strategically – LinkedIn posts published on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9-11am receive the highest engagement (HubSpot Social Media Research, 2024).
The post-publishing strategy most people miss
The formula gets you started, but what you do after hitting "post" matters just as much:
Respond to every comment within 60 minutes if possible.
Ask follow-up questions to commenters to deepen the conversation.
Tag relevant connections who might add value to the discussion.
Share your post to relevant LinkedIn groups (where appropriate).
Create a content calendar that uses each formula systematically.
According to Social Insider's LinkedIn Analysis (2024), users who post weekly see a 2x increase in engagement rate compared to monthly posters. Consistency compounds.
What to try first?
If you're new to LinkedIn content or struggling with engagement, start with the Question Prompt formula (#6). It's the lowest barrier to entry and often generates immediate engagement.
Once you've built some momentum, experiment with the Personal Story (#2) and Contrarian Take (#3) formulas – these tend to generate deeper conversations.
And remember: the best LinkedIn content isn't about showing how clever you are. It's about making your audience feel seen, understood, and equipped with valuable insights they can actually use.
Your LinkedIn strategy doesn't need to be complicated. It just needs to be intentional, consistent, and genuinely focused on providing value.
Ready to transform your LinkedIn presence? Let's chat about developing a content strategy that's uniquely, unapologetically yours.
Book a free consultation with me
Sources:
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions: "LinkedIn Content Marketing Report" (2024)
HubSpot Social Media Research: "LinkedIn Engagement Benchmarks" (2024)
Hootsuite: "LinkedIn Engagement Report" (2023)
Social Media Examiner: "LinkedIn Algorithm Analysis" (2024)
Content Marketing Institute: "B2B Content Marketing Trends" (2023)
Social Insider: "LinkedIn Analysis Report" (2024)
