Content Creation
Yasmina Akni Ebourki
Last updated: 9 Aug 2024
If you're expecting this article to reveal the magic formula for making your posts go viral, you’re in the wrong place.
The truth is, there are many factors that determine whether a post will succeed or not, and there's no single recipe for guaranteed success.
The key lies in finding balance: continuously refining small details, experimenting with different styles, and discovering what works best for your content.
This is a question every creator asks, especially those just starting out on LinkedIn.
Let’s explore some technical tips that can help you gradually improve your reach and increase your chances of making at least one of your posts go viral.
TL;DR: Achieving viral success on LinkedIn involves continuous testing, refining your content, and engaging with your audience. Key elements include writing strong hooks, using storytelling, evoking emotions, and understanding LinkedIn’s algorithm.
What Makes a LinkedIn Post Go Viral?
A successful post doesn’t depend on just one factor but on many.
I know—it would be too easy if it did.
While most creators and LinkedIn gurus emphasize the need to "add value," that's not the only key.
You might be sharing something incredibly insightful and solving all the problems in your niche, but if your format isn’t adapted to LinkedIn, you might not get the results you were hoping for.
There are many details that influence success, from starting with an engaging hook to ending with a call to action that encourages interaction.
But don’t get discouraged—these details can be learned and implemented over time.
In other words, even if you have the best information in the world, if it’s not presented in a clear and engaging way, it won’t reach a large audience. It all starts with how you begin.
Crafting Attention-Grabbing Headlines
This brings me to the first key point: creating an interesting headline.
Think of it like reading a magazine or newspaper—some headlines are incredibly catchy and draw you in.
Today, most social platforms, including LinkedIn, work similarly, even though LinkedIn was once seen as more formal and professional.
If your headline isn’t compelling or doesn’t spark curiosity, people won’t stop to read your post.
That’s why it’s crucial to generate interest from the very first lines.
People’s attention spans last only about two seconds when they see your post, so focus on creating a reaction that makes them feel the urge to click "See more" and keep reading.
At first, you can model your hooks after those used by successful content creators and gradually adapt them to your own style (there’s nothing wrong with getting some inspiration).
You can also search online for different hooks to test out.
There are even external tools like MagicPost that can help by generating three different headline options to support your content writing.
Tapping into Emotional Appeal
At the end of the day, everything revolves around evoking emotion or creating something that resonates with the reader.
This is something we often see in marketing campaigns, but it also applies to LinkedIn posts—making people feel connected to what you're writing and generating an emotional response.
That’s what makes them stop and read your post.
Typically, the emotion that creates the most impact is surprise.
If people feel surprised by what you say or argue, they’ll want to know more.
However, you can also tap into other emotions, such as sharing a personal experience where you faced pain and how you overcame it.
Another emotion that’s less commonly used but equally impactful is anger.
For example, expressing frustration about an issue can draw readers in and get them to engage.
The Power of Storytelling in Viral Posts
Once you’ve understood these concepts, the next step is to use them to tell a compelling story.
Emotions are important, but people don’t connect emotionally just because of your work—they connect with who you are and what you stand for.
So, how do you convey that?
Through storytelling.
Storytelling allows you to create a deeper connection with your audience by making your message relatable and memorable.
It helps humanize your brand or persona, making it easier for people to engage with you.
To craft a great story, focus on authenticity, emotion, and a clear narrative structure.
That’s why many companies are using branding strategies or focusing on the CEO and employees to build personal branding.
Telling a story will always captivate the reader more than a traditional post.
Creating Compelling Stories for LinkedIn
You might be wondering, how do I create a story that makes an impact or captures attention on LinkedIn?
Well, beyond all the formalities often seen on LinkedIn, what will truly set you apart is building a personal brand.
While this can certainly be applied to your company as well, people tend to connect more with individuals than with products.
So, the goal is to share everything you're doing in the form of a story.
Think of it like watching a movie.
The story draws you in because you’re introduced to characters you connect with, and you follow them through their highs and lows.
Their challenges and triumphs make you feel invested in their journey, and that’s what keeps you engaged.
In the same way, when you share your personal or professional journey on LinkedIn, you’re presenting yourself as the "character" your audience can relate to, making them more likely to follow and engage with your content.
Writing Relatable and Authentic Stories
What you achieve with this is making the reader feel like they’re part of your journey, not just a spectator of your results.
To do this, don’t just share the end achievements; talk about the highs, the lows, and the challenges that brought you to where you are.
Adding authenticity to your story helps people connect with you on a deeper level.
This allows them to understand the "why," the "how," and the "what" behind your product or service, creating a stronger connection.
Many creators who’ve achieved quick success with their posts have understood this formula.
They focus on making their entire brand revolve around themselves, not just around an educational topic.
How to Engage Your Audience Through Storytelling
This is what will truly amplify your voice and help your story reach more people.
Once you’ve shared your story, make sure to interact with your community—ask questions, spark debates, and encourage your audience to engage with you.
This will help generate meaningful interaction and increase engagement.
It’s not just about having readers think, "Well, here’s another post," but about leaving an impact that makes them want to reach out, message you, leave a comment, or learn more about your journey.
Leveraging LinkedIn’s Algorithm for Viral Success
Many individuals spend a considerable amount of time attempting to understand how LinkedIn’s algorithm functions to enhance their visibility more rapidly.
Unfortunately for them—and for all of us—the algorithm is continually evolving.
What is effective today may not be effective tomorrow, as LinkedIn constantly modifies its system to keep content fresh and engaging.
The ultimate aim is for your content to be of the highest quality possible, delivering relevant and valuable information to your audience.
It should be personal and originate from you because, at the end of the day, LinkedIn is still a social network.
Even though it is a professional platform, it thrives on fostering engagement through your profile, your content, and how you interact with the feed.
LinkedIn does not provide a specific formula for making a post go viral because, ultimately, individuals go viral, not algorithms.
Much like trends on TikTok or Instagram, LinkedIn’s algorithm continues to develop.
It shows that content which feels more natural, human, and handcrafted tends to generate far more engagement than overly polished posts.
Another crucial aspect to remember is that LinkedIn will give your content greater visibility if it perceives it as complete and coming from an expert.
It will evaluate whether your content is relevant, and if it is, it will enhance your reach.
This is why generating comments, likes, and interactions—and continuously adding people to your network—is so vital to your success.
Optimizing Post Timing for Maximum Reach
Fine-tuning small details, such as the timing of your posts, can significantly impact your reach.
Many studies have examined thousands of posts to identify the best strategies for maximizing visibility.
One thing is certain: generating engagement before you publish a post can be highly effective.
By creating momentum, you increase the likelihood of your content appearing more frequently in people’s feeds, thus enhancing your chances of being seen.
Timing is crucial.
Research shows that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to post on LinkedIn.
As for the time of day, the ideal windows to post are:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
By posting during these time frames, you can maximize the likelihood that your content will be seen by your audience.
Another aspect to keep in mind on LinkedIn is that consistency is key.
Rather than manually posting each time, start organizing your content in advance.
Use tools like Notion, your phone’s notes app, or a dedicated content planner to outline your posts and schedule them ahead of time.
This approach not only helps you maintain consistency but also ensures that you can keep a steady rhythm even on days when you don’t feel like posting.
By cultivating this habit, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your content is taken care of, allowing you to retain momentum—regardless of how busy or unmotivated you feel on specific days.
Boosting Engagement Quickly to Increase Visibility
Ultimately, everything revolves around how individuals react to your post and how you engage with the content of others.
It’s all interconnected—the more you comment, like, and create valuable content that sparks conversations, raises questions, and drives interaction, the quicker you’ll generate engagement.
The more engagement you create, the greater visibility you gain.
On LinkedIn, every time someone views your profile or likes your content, it appears in their network’s feed.
This creates a ripple effect, increasing your reach as more people discover your profile.
A common mistake is thinking that posting on LinkedIn is sufficient and then withdrawing.
To truly enhance your visibility, you need to continually engage with others.
By assisting others in reaching a broader audience, you’ll also boost the visibility of your own posts.