LinkedIn Post Hooks Guide: How to Write Hooks That Get Engagement (2025)

Best Hooks for LinkedIn Posts

Not all hooks work equally well for LinkedIn posts. Some build authority better. Some drive professional engagement better. Some work better for B2B audiences. Here are the hooks that actually work for LinkedIn, with examples from posts that got it right.

Authority & Credibility hooks (leading with credentials, awards, certifications) work well because professionals trust experts. Data & Statistic hooks (leading with numbers, research, facts) feel objective and valuable. Question hooks (asking direct questions that make people think) drive engagement through reflection. Problem-Solution hooks (naming problems and promising solutions) create value upfront. Identity-Based hooks (calling out professional identities) make people feel seen.

Avoid overly casual hooks that work on other platforms. LinkedIn is professional. Your hooks should reflect that. Avoid salesy hooks that feel like pitches. Professionals can smell a pitch from a mile away. Be valuable, not salesy. That's how you build authority.

What it says about you

Taps into how people see themselves or aspire to be seen.

"What your content style says about your personality"

Is the conventional wisdom about

Poses thought-provoking questions that resonate with your audience's challenges.

"Is the conventional wisdom about social media actually wrong?"

Could this be the reason your

Poses thought-provoking questions that resonate with your audience's challenges.

"Could this be the reason your content aren't working?"

If-Then Formula

Conditional statement leading to benefit

"If you want [result], then you need to [action]"

Before & After

Show transformation possibility

"From 0 to 10K followers: Here's exactly what I did"

For you only

Taps into how people see themselves or aspire to be seen.

"For creators only: The ultimate guide to social media"

Don't Make This Mistake

Warning format prevents mistakes and provides value through error avoidance.

"Don't make this mistake when you start posting..."

Industry Insider

Position as knowledgeable source

"As someone on the inside, I can tell you..."

Certification/Training

Reference qualifications

"Certified [profession] reveals [secret]"

Challenging Question

Question the audience's assumptions or beliefs

"Is it just me, or does everyone else feel this way?"

Why LinkedIn Post Hooks Matter

LinkedIn hooks aren't just social media hooks. You've got constraints that other platforms don't have. You need hooks that build authority with professionals who've seen it all. You need something that drives engagement in a feed where everyone's trying to sound smart. You need hooks that work for B2B audiences who don't have time for fluff. And you need it fast, before they scroll past.

Other platforms can rely on entertainment. They can rely on trends. They can rely on casual engagement. LinkedIn? You get one shot to make a professional impression. If you pick a hook that doesn't build authority, you're starting with a disadvantage. If you pick a hook that's too salesy, professionals ignore you. If you pick a hook that's too casual, you look unprofessional.

Professionals see hundreds of LinkedIn posts every day. A strong hook helps you stand out. A weak one means you blend in. This isn't vanity—it's practical. Make it easy for professionals to see value. Make it easy for them to engage. That's how you build authority. That's how you build a professional following.

Generic hooks = generic posts. If your hook could work for any LinkedIn post, it won't work for yours. Be specific. Be valuable. That's how you get noticed in crowded feeds. That's how you build trust with professionals who've seen every pitch.

Step-by-Step LinkedIn Hook Writing Process

Here's how to actually write LinkedIn hooks that work. Not just come up with ideas—actually write hooks that drive engagement.

Step 1: Know Your Professional Audience

Know who you're writing for. Are they executives? Entrepreneurs? Consultants? Your hook needs to speak their language. If you're writing for executives, use authority hooks. If you're writing for entrepreneurs, use problem-solution hooks. If you're writing for consultants, use data hooks. Know your audience. Then write for them.

Step 2: Choose LinkedIn-Friendly Hook Types

Use hooks that work for LinkedIn: authority & credibility, data & statistics, questions, problem-solution, or identity-based. These build authority and drive professional engagement. Avoid overly casual hooks that work on other platforms. Avoid salesy hooks that feel like pitches. Be valuable, not salesy. That's how you build authority.

Step 3: Generate 20+ Hook Options

Create a massive list. Don't filter too early. Use multiple hook types. Mix and match. The best LinkedIn hooks come from quantity, not early filtering. Generate way more than you think you need. Most will be bad. That's fine. You only need one good one. But you won't find it if you stop at 5 options. Use our hook tool. Use brainstorming sessions. Use different approaches. Use everything. Then filter.

Step 4: Test Your Hook's Value

Before you post, ask yourself: Does this hook create value upfront? Does it build authority? Does it speak to professionals? If your hook doesn't pass these tests, you've got a problem. Test before you post. Show people your top 5 hooks. See which ones they remember. See which ones they think are valuable. The hook that passes these tests is the one you want. Don't test with your friends. Test with real professionals. That's how you get honest feedback.

Step 5: Write the Full Post

Your hook is just the beginning. Write a post that delivers on the hook's promise. If your hook promises data, deliver data. If your hook promises a solution, deliver a solution. If your hook promises insight, deliver insight. Don't bait and switch. Deliver value. That's how you build authority. That's how you build trust.

Step 6: Post and Engage

Post your hook. Then engage with comments. Respond to questions. Add value to the conversation. Don't just post and disappear. Engage. That's how you build relationships. That's how you build authority. That's how you build a professional following.

Common LinkedIn Hook Mistakes

Most LinkedIn posts make the same hook mistakes. Here's how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using Casual Hooks

You use hooks that work on Instagram or TikTok. They don't work on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is professional. Your hooks should reflect that. Don't use casual language. Don't use emojis in hooks. Don't use slang. Be professional. That's how you build authority.

Mistake 2: Being Too Salesy

You write hooks that feel like pitches. Professionals can smell a pitch from a mile away. Don't be salesy. Be valuable. If your hook sounds like an ad, it's a mistake. Create value upfront. Build authority. That's how you get engagement.

Mistake 3: Not Building Authority

You write hooks that don't establish credibility. Professionals trust experts. If your hook doesn't build authority, you're starting with a disadvantage. Use authority hooks. Use data hooks. Use credentials. Build authority. That's how you get noticed.

Mistake 4: Not Creating Value Upfront

You write hooks that don't promise value. Professionals scroll fast. If your hook doesn't create value upfront, they'll scroll past. Promise value. Deliver value. That's how you get engagement. That's how you build authority.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Your Audience

You write hooks that don't speak to professionals. You use language that doesn't resonate. You write for the wrong audience. Know your audience. Write for them. That's how you get engagement. That's how you build authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write LinkedIn post hooks?

LinkedIn hooks need to build authority, drive professional engagement, and create value upfront. Use hooks like authority & credibility, data & statistics, questions, problem-solution, or identity-based. Avoid casual or salesy hooks. Generate 20+ options. Test with professionals. Write a post that delivers on the hook's promise. Engage with comments.

What makes a good LinkedIn hook?

Builds authority through credentials or data. Drives professional engagement through value. Works for B2B audiences. Creates value upfront. Speaks to professionals. That's the bar. Most LinkedIn hooks can't clear it.

Should LinkedIn hooks be casual or professional?

Professional. LinkedIn is a professional platform. Your hooks should reflect that. Avoid casual language, emojis, or slang. Be professional. That's how you build authority. That's how you get engagement.

What hook types work best for LinkedIn?

Authority & Credibility hooks, Data & Statistic hooks, Question hooks, Problem-Solution hooks, and Identity-Based hooks work well for LinkedIn. They build authority, drive engagement, and work for B2B audiences. Avoid casual or salesy hooks—they don't work on LinkedIn.

How important is building authority in LinkedIn hooks?

Critical. Professionals trust experts. If your hook doesn't build authority, you're starting with a disadvantage. Use authority hooks. Use data hooks. Use credentials. Build authority. That's how you get noticed. That's how you get engagement.

LinkedIn Post Hooks Guide: How to Write Hooks That Get Engagement

The TL;DR