If you're creating content on LinkedIn, you've got just 1–2 seconds to grab someone's attention before they scroll past your post.

That's where a great hook comes in.

A hook is the first sentence (or two) of your post. It's what determines whether someone stops, clicks "...see more," and reads the rest—or keeps scrolling. In a noisy feed full of updates, selfies, and humblebrags, writing a scroll-stopping hook is essential.

In this article, you'll learn:

• Why hooks matter more than ever on LinkedIn
• The psychology behind effective hooks
• 10 high-performing LinkedIn hook formats
• Real examples you can adapt and use

Why Hooks Matter on LinkedIn

LinkedIn's algorithm favors posts that get early engagement—likes, comments, and clicks—within the first hour. And that engagement usually depends on one thing:

➡️ Whether the first line stops people in their tracks.

If you nail the hook, people will read more. If not, your amazing insights may go completely unseen.

What Makes a Good Hook?

A great LinkedIn hook:

• Triggers curiosity
• Promises value or emotion
• Creates contrast or surprise
• Feels personal, bold, or relatable

Now, let’s dive into 10 hook types that consistently stop the scroll.

Hooks That Work (with Examples)

1. “I didn’t expect this to work—but it did.”

Why it works:
People love stories of unexpected success. It triggers curiosity and emotion.

Example:

I didn’t expect this post to go viral.
In fact, I almost didn’t post it.

This sets the reader up for a story—one they want to see unfold.

2. “Here’s what I learned after doing [X] for [Y] days/years.”

Why it works:
It promises a personal insight, backed by experience or time. Works well for authority-building.

Example:

I’ve been posting on LinkedIn every day for 180 days.
Here’s everything I’ve learned.

You’re showing commitment and offering lessons from real-world effort.

3. “Most people won’t tell you this, but…”

Why it works:
It signals rare knowledge, industry truths, or controversial opinions. People are curious about what’s being hidden.

Example:

Most creators won’t tell you this:
Posting daily isn’t the key to growth.

It sets up a myth-busting angle.

4. “This almost broke me.”

Why it works:
It’s raw, emotional, and deeply human. Vulnerability grabs attention on a professional platform.

Example:

This project almost broke me.
But I came out stronger—and learned 3 things I’ll never forget.

Emotion + growth = a powerful story.

5. “Here’s how I went from [A] to [B] in [X time].”

Why it works:
It shows transformation. The format is predictable—but that’s why it works.

Example:

I went from 80 followers to 10,000 in 6 months.
No ads. No viral tricks. Just this system.

It makes readers think: “Can I do this too?”

6. “A quick tip that changed how I [do X].”

Why it works:
People love fast, actionable tips—especially if they improve something they care about.

Example:

One quick tip that changed how I write on LinkedIn:
Start every post with this question…

This builds immediate value with a curiosity gap.

7. “Don’t do what I did.”

Why it works:
Failure stories are powerful. They make you relatable and build trust fast.

Example:

I ignored this advice for 3 years.
It cost me clients, clarity, and confidence.

You admit a mistake, then offer a lesson.

8. “This is what nobody tells freelancers about LinkedIn.”

Why it works:
You're speaking to a specific audience with hidden knowledge—both help stop the scroll.

Example:

Nobody tells freelancers this about LinkedIn:
Your best posts won’t get the most likes.

It positions you as someone who knows the deeper truths.

9. “Want to get better at [X]? Try this.”

Why it works:
Direct, helpful, and value-first. Especially good for educational content.

Example:

Want to write better LinkedIn posts?
Here’s the 3-part structure I use every time.

This type of hook gets shared often.

10. “This post won’t go viral—and that’s okay.”

Why it works:
It breaks the fourth wall. Self-aware, honest hooks are magnetic.

Example:

This post won’t go viral.
It’s not designed to.
But it might help you write better content.

It shifts expectations and builds trust instantly.

Pro Tips for Writing Better Hooks

✅ Keep it short. Aim for 1–2 lines max before the "...see more" cut-off.
✅ Add a line break. White space increases readability and tension.
✅ Front-load curiosity or value. Don’t wait till the end to get interesting.
✅ Match the tone to your audience. Serious? Funny? Insightful? Stay aligned.
✅ Use tools (like Epicpost). You can generate scroll-stopping hooks instantly by choosing a tone, topic, and post goal.

Bonus: Hook Templates You Can Steal

Here are a few reusable templates:

• “If I had to start over, I’d do this first…”
• “Everyone talks about X, but nobody talks about Y.”
• “I used to believe [X]. I was wrong.”
• “Here’s a hard truth I had to learn the hard way…”
• “The advice I wish I had heard earlier in my career…”

Just plug in your niche or experience, and you’ve got a strong opening line.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, writing for LinkedIn is less about being perfect and more about being attention-worthy in the first 2 seconds.

Whether you’re a freelancer, founder, marketer, or just trying to build your brand, learning to write better hooks will multiply the reach of your posts.

So the next time you write something, ask yourself:
👉 “Would this first line make me stop scrolling?”

If not, rewrite it.

And if you want to create posts that start with killer hooks and end with real engagement, check out Epicpost—the fastest way to write, refine, and schedule posts that grow your LinkedIn presence.