The LinkedIn Hook Swipe File
Master the first three lines of your LinkedIn posts. Browse 5 proven hook types, study the psychology behind them, test weak hooks against strong rewrites, and track performance across 10 posts.
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5 LinkedIn Hook Types
Each hook type uses a different psychological trigger. Study the formula and example, then write your own version.
Formula: Relatable scenario + implied transformation
"Ever spend 3 hours writing a LinkedIn post only to get 4 likes and a comment from your mom?"
Formula: Specific number + credibility claim + insider insight
"I analyzed 200 viral LinkedIn posts. 83% of them started with the same 3-word pattern."
Formula: Challenge conventional wisdom + falsifiable tension
"Networking events are a waste of time. I built a $500K business without attending a single one."
Formula: "Picture this..." + vivid scene with tension
"Picture this: You open your laptop on Monday morning. 47 notifications. Three clients want to cancel. Your best-performing post has 2 likes."
Formula: Admit failure or struggle + relatable tension
"I got fired from my dream job 6 months ago. It was the best thing that ever happened to my career."
The 80/20 Rule of LinkedIn Writing
Spend 80% of your writing time on the first 3 lines of your post. LinkedIn truncates your post after the first few lines with a "see more" link. If your hook does not stop the scroll, the rest of your content never gets read.
Hook Psychology Principles
Understand the psychology behind why hooks work. Apply each principle to your next post.
| Principle | What It Does | Example | Apply to My Post |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curiosity Gap | Promises insight while withholding it | "Most creators get this wrong..." | |
| Signposting | Tells the reader "how" not "what" | "Here is how I doubled my reach in 30 days" | |
| Pain Point Lead | Addresses the exact frustration your reader feels | "Tired of posting into the void?" | |
| Social Proof Hook | Establishes authority before delivering insight | "After helping 50 creators grow, I noticed one pattern" | |
| Relatable Enemy | Names a common frustration everyone shares | "The algorithm is not your enemy. Your first line is." |
Hook Tester: Before vs. After
Test a weak hook against a strong rewrite. Diagnose what is wrong and apply a proven fix.
Weak Hook
Weakness Diagnostics
- Too generic -- could apply to any topic
- No curiosity gap -- nothing to make them click 'see more'
- No pain point -- does not address a frustration
- Starts with 'I' -- makes it about you instead of the reader
Strong Hook
Hook Performance Tracker
Track the performance of your next 10 LinkedIn posts. Focus on engagement rate, not impression count.
| # | Hook Type | First Line (first 8 words) | Impressions | Reactions | Comments | Shares | Eng. Rate % | Rating (1-5) |
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What to Track
Engagement rate matters more than impression count. A post with 500 impressions and 8% engagement rate is performing better than a post with 5,000 impressions and 1% engagement. Rate the quality of comments too -- thoughtful replies signal stronger audience connection than emoji reactions.
After 10 Posts: Review
After tracking 10 posts, review your data and identify your winning hook type.