The Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Our LinkedIn Posts (and Why No One’s Clicking “See More”)

Let’s face it. The goal of every LinkedIn post isn’t just to throw content out into the void and hope something sticks. We want people to engage, and more importantly, to actually read what we’ve written. The tricky part? That dreaded “see more” button. Most readers don’t click it unless we give them a good reason to.

So, how do we hook them? Let’s break it down together.

1. Start Strong with a Hook

No, not a fishing hook, but we are catching something here—attention. We’ve got about 140-150 characters before LinkedIn slaps a “see more” button on our post. This is our prime real estate, so let’s use it wisely.

We can:

• Ask a question: "Ever wonder why some teams thrive while others drown in chaos?"
• Drop a bombshell statement: "The biggest mistake leaders make is assuming they know everything."
• Throw in a surprising stat: "90% of successful businesses don’t even have a formal growth plan."

Curiosity is key here. If people think we’re offering something valuable or surprising, they’ll click to read more. Simple, right?

2. Make It Personal (Without Sharing Our Therapy Notes)

We don’t need to spill our deepest secrets, but sharing a personal story always works. Humans are wired to connect with stories, not just dry information. Here's an example:

"Years of Olympic training taught me one thing about leadership: It’s not about winning; it’s about building the right team."

See how that feels more human? People love that kind of connection. When we invite them into our world, they’re more likely to stick around and engage once they feel that bond.

3. Focus on Value

Here’s the thing: If our post doesn’t help someone or solve a problem, people won’t care. So, we need to immediately offer a benefit or insight in that hook. Let’s try something like:

"In just 3 steps, we’ll show you how to boost your team’s resilience without burning them out."

Or, touch on a pain point: "If we’re struggling to keep our teams motivated, we’re not alone."

The message is clear—there’s something valuable here, and it’s worth their time to read more.

4. Keep It Simple, Keep It Clear

LinkedIn isn’t the place for grandiose speeches or flowery language. On this platform, clarity wins. Let’s make sure the hook matches the rest of the post. We don't want to bait people into clicking "see more" only to hit them with irrelevant fluff.

5. Structure Matters

Here’s a winning structure for any LinkedIn post:

• Hook (First 140-150 characters): Grab their attention and make them click "see more."
• Body: This is where we provide value. Whether it’s a personal story, actionable tips, or an interesting insight, let’s make it worth their while.
• Call-to-Action: End with a question or prompt like, “What’s your go-to strategy for keeping your team motivated?” We want engagement. Comments, shares, reactions—this is how our posts spread.

6. Collective Impact with "We" Language

Here’s an additional insight: Studies have shown that using “we” language over “you” or “I” language fosters a sense of unity and shared goals. By speaking collectively, we invite others to feel like part of the conversation, rather than just observers. Instead of saying, “I think,” or “You should,” let’s try, “We can,” or “We need to.” This subtle shift makes the audience feel included in our journey and ideas, and they’re more likely to engage because of it.

7. Bonus Tip: Bullets & Emojis

We love bullet points. They’re clean, easy to read, and great for breaking down complex ideas. Also, emojis—yep, we said it. Let’s not go overboard, but a well-placed emoji can make our post feel more friendly and less robotic. 🧑‍💻👍

Conclusion: Master the Hook, Own the Post

By mastering this balance between clarity, curiosity, and relevance, we’ll have LinkedIn posts that compel our audience to click "see more," engage, and maybe even gasp comment! So, let’s give it a shot and watch our engagement soar.

And if no one clicks “see more,” well… at least we didn’t bore ourselves writing it. 😉