10 hooks
I’ve written 5,500+ posts since 2020 and these 10 actually work.
I’ve written 5,500+ posts since 2020.
Here are 10 hooks that actually work.
And why they do.
“X things I wish I knew when I started” Opens nostalgia. Reader wants the shortcut you didn’t have. → “7 things I wish I knew before auditing my first LinkedIn profile.”
“This changed everything about how I [outcome]” Breakthrough claim. People want to know what flipped the switch. → “This changed everything about how I position clients on LinkedIn.”
“The [industry] will not tell you this” Insider vs outsider frame. Suddenly you’re the whistleblower. → “The personal branding industry will not tell you this.”
“I spent [time/money] so you don’t have to” Pure value signal before line 3. They get the lesson. You paid the tuition. → “I spent 3 years writing for free so you don’t have to.”
“I was wrong about [common belief]” Kills your credibility to earn more of it. Contrarian + humble = trust. → “I was wrong about posting every day.”
“[Number] posts. Here’s what I learned.” Proof hook. Numbers do the arguing so you don’t have to. → “5,500+ posts. Here’s what actually gets clients.”
“Your [X] isn’t [problem A]. It’s [real problem].” Diagnosis frame. They think they know the issue. You don’t agree. → “Your LinkedIn isn’t underperforming. Your positioning is.”
“A [unexpected person] told me something I still use today.” Pattern interrupt. The source surprises them. The lesson has to be good. → “A journalist editor told me something that made me a better ghostwriter.”
“I tested [thing]. Here’s what happened.” Not opinion. Not tips. Documented observation. → “I tested 3 different LinkedIn headlines for the same client. Here’s what happened.”
“[Common advice]. That’s wrong.” Two sentences. One loop opened. Disagreement forces a See more. → “Post every day and the clients will come. That’s wrong.”
Here’s the point.
A hook doesn’t need to be clever. It needs to be specific enough that the right person thinks it’s for them.
Generic hooks get ignored. Targeted hooks get saved.
Which one are you using?
P.S. Save this for later. And share it with someone who needs a better hook.