Writing Clear and Concise Blog Introductions

Your LinkedIn posts are not getting views. Know why? No one's clicking on the 'see more' button. Only one thing can fix that.. Hooks. Here's how to fix them: 1. Numbers: Specific numbers grab attention.  Instead of saying: "I gained a lot of impressions recently," Try: "I gained 500,000+ post impressions in just one week after applying Jeff Bezos’ writing rules. Or: "Over 141 'no’s' later, here’s what I learned about persistence.” 2. Show you know what you're talking about  Instead of :"I’ve worked with many clients," Try: "Working with over 200 founders taught me this: simplicity wins in video scripts.” Or: "Over 500k followers and 150+ successful clients later, here’s my framework for standing out. 3. Curiosity Triggers: Create a knowledge gap that makes readers want to learn more.  Instead of: "Does your phone listen to you?" Try: "Have you ever found yourself bombarded with ads for something you just mentioned in a conversation? I tested this for 10 days, and here’s what I found." 4. Give clear value: Show readers exactly what they’ll gain.  Instead of: "Here’s why LinkedIn matters," Try: "If you’re only using LinkedIn to find jobs, you’re missing out on $10,000 (minimum) annually. Let me explain how." 5. Unpopular/Contrarian Opinion: Challenge conventional wisdom.  Instead of: "Quality over quantity is important," Try: "We’re conditioned to believe that ‘quality > quantity’ is the right strategy, but when you’re just starting out, that’s the wrong approach." 6. Structural Hooks: Frameworks create instant engagement. Instead of: "I have some tips for you," Try: "6 mistakes that cost me $100,000—and how you can avoid them."  Or: "The 7 rules of writing that gave me 500k+ impressions in one week." 7. Keep it short: Keep hooks concise mostly under 3 lines because only that part is visible to the reader at first. 8. See other people's hooks that worked or went viral and take inspo from it. But keep in mind that your entire post must deliver value. The hook gets them to stop scrolling, but the content keeps them reading. #linkedin

𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝟱𝟬 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀. Not to copy them. To understand what actually makes people stop, read, and engage. After going through them carefully, a few patterns kept repeating. Not hacks. Structures. Here’s what they all had in common: 𝟭) 𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 The first line always created tension or curiosity. “I realized something uncomfortable…” “This changed how I think about X…” You knew instantly there was something worth reading. 👉 Action: Write 5 hook options before finalizing your post. Your first draft hook is almost never your best one. 𝟮) 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 Every high-performing post could be summarized in one sentence. No mixing topics. No scattered thinking. 👉 Action: Before posting, ask: “Can someone summarize this in one line?” If not, simplify. 𝟯) 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 The best posts didn’t sound like tips. They started with: • A conversation • A personal observation • A real situation That’s what made them relatable. 👉 Action: Instead of “5 tips to improve X” Start with “In a meeting this week…” Context pulls people in. 𝟰) 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 No jargon. No over-complication. But the ideas were sharp. 👉 Action: If a sentence feels complex, rewrite it. Clarity > sounding smart. 𝟱) 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 Not just consume. The best posts made you pause and think, “That’s actually true.” 👉 Action: End with a question or a thought that stays with the reader. 𝟲) 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 + 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 (𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆) Pure information doesn’t spread. Pure emotion doesn’t sustain. The viral posts had both. 👉 Action: Ask yourself: “What will the reader feel?” “What will they learn?” You need both. The biggest takeaway from all 50 posts: 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 + 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Most people try to sound impressive. The ones who win make people see something differently. If you’re creating content, don’t chase trends. Study patterns. Then build your own voice on top of them. Which of these do you think you’re missing right now? #LinkedIn #ContentStrategy #PersonalBrand #CreatorEconomy #Writing #ProfessionalGrowth #LinkedInTips

Most creators spend hours perfecting their posts. Then kill them with terrible hooks. The difference between viral and invisible? Those first two lines. Here's what separates winners from ghosts: 1 - Specificity ☒ "Here's how to grow on LinkedIn" ☑︎ "LinkedIn changed. Your strategy should too." Specificity wins every time. 2 - Engagement ☒ "AI is changing everything" ☑︎ "ChatGPT changed. Most people didn't notice." You create questions they must answer: • What changed? • What am I missing? • How can I catch up? 3 - Value Proposition ☒ "Let me share some tips" ☑︎ "I rebuilt my LinkedIn strategy from scratch. (How I went from zero to 115k+ in 494 days)" Clear transformation = Clear interest. 4 - Action-Oriented Language ☒ "You might want to try this" ☑︎ "How to make a landing page in 5 minutes. Using AI and your LinkedIn profile." Tell them exactly what they'll achieve. 5 - Relatability ☒ "Here's what I learned" ☑︎ "My AI outputs were trash for 6 months. Then I discovered these 8 prompting styles." Bad hooks die like this: 1 - Vagueness: "Have you ever thought about content strategy?" "Pretty interesting topic, right?" Zero specifics. Zero urgency. Zero clicks. 2 - Generic Questions: "Want to be successful on LinkedIn?" "Looking to grow your following?" Everyone wants success. Say something new. 3 - Clichéd Openings: "In today's fast-paced world..." "Everyone is talking about AI..." Your audience left at "today's." 4- Tentative Language: "This might work for you..." "Maybe this could help..." Confidence sells. Uncertainty repels. 5 - Missing Value: "I have a secret to share..." "You won't believe what happened..." Clickbait without payoff = Lost trust forever. Hook formulas that work: Pattern 1: Contrast Reality "Most people [common mistake]. But [tool/method] can help you [better result]." Pattern 2: Platform Shift "[Platform] has completely changed. The old tactics don't work anymore." Pattern 3: Personal Discovery "I [tested/discovered/built] [specific thing]. The results: [shocking outcome]." Pattern 4: Direct How-To "How to [achieve result] in [timeframe]. Using [specific method/tool]." Pattern 5: Transformation Story "I went from [starting point] to [end point]. Here's exactly how I did it." Bad hooks hope for attention. Good hooks command it. Your content deserves readers. Your hooks determine if you get them. Because the best hook isn't clever. It's the one that gets clicked. ♻️ Repost if bad hooks are killing good content. Follow Charlie Hills for frameworks that actually work.

One week ago, I wrote a post that “Went Viral.” Here’s why I think it happened (and how you can do it too): Last Sunday, I spent 20ish minutes writing a LinkedIn post (in comments) about how generative AI search will impact PR and crisis management. I hit “post,” hopped on a 45-minute Peloton ride, and didn’t think much of it. The post ended up with 1,100 likes, hundreds of comments and shares, and the most surprising result—600 new followers in 48 hours. LinkedIn says it’s now been seen by (😱) 300K+ people. It’s my most-followed post that wasn’t tied to breaking news or a crisis analysis. I’m left with the same question many of us ask: How do I replicate it? I don’t have all the answers (if I did, I’d be living and ⛷️ing at the Yellowstone Club 🤣 ), but here are 10 lessons I’ve noticed in my higher-performing posts: 1) Nail the hook. Your first sentence has one job: stop the scroll. This post worked because it warned PR pros about the risks of ignoring AI’s impact—something many hadn’t thought about yet. Hooks can be provocative, gut-wrenching, or even humorous, but they need to grab attention immediately. Pro tip: If you’re stuck, ask AI or a friend for feedback before posting. 2) Write for a specific audience. This sounds obvious, but it’s overlooked all the time. I write for people in PR, public affairs, crisis management, advocsct. I confirmed who I was writing for immediately, but also referenced a topic many others are talking about too. 3) Promise value early. By the 5th sentence, I’d made a clear promise: “Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can stay ahead.” If you want people to keep reading, tell them upfront why it’s worth their time. 4) Use lists or bullets. Numbered or bulleted lists make your post easier to read, easier to remember, and easier to share. 5) Be specific. Don’t just tell your audience what’s happening—tell them what to do about it. “Here’s why this crisis unfolded and how it could’ve been prevented” is way more useful than a generic rant or motivational platitude. 6) Start a conversation. The best posts invite dialogue, not monologues. End your post with a question: “What would you add? What did I miss?” 7) Cover relevant, unexpected topics. The post worked because it addressed something timely (AI) but applied it to an audience (PR pros) in a way that wasn’t obvious. Look for the intersections your audience hasn’t thought much about yet. 8) Post often. Some posts will hit, others will flop—keep going. The follow-up to my post did okay, but others this week barely made a ripple. 9) Don’t try to go viral. This sounds counterintuitive, but the harder you try to make a post over the top, the less likely it is to resonate. Write for your expertise and audience not for the masses. 10) Timing matters. 7:30 and 9 a.m. CT work best for me. Depends on geography, but I’ve never had a high-performing post past 3 p.m. Anything you’d add to this list?

10 hooks that always grab attention: (And templates you can use in under 30 seconds) Hooks are like headlines on the news. If it’s not urgent, high value or emotional - no one stops to read them. Yet people make the same mistakes: ❌ Try to sound inspirational over interesting, “Believe in yourself…” ❌ Vague promises that mean nothing, “This changed everything for me.” ❌ Follow a generic AI template like, “It’s not X, it’s Y.” Then wonder why their content is ignored. AI fatigue is at an all-time high. Every third post sounds exactly the same. The same hook, the same tone, the same problems and solutions. In the sea of sameness, clever hooks don’t stand out. Original, personal hooks do. The ones that spark tension, curiosity, even a little anxiety. Try using these 10 types of hooks (and their templates): 1/ Authority Hooks • Hooks rooted in personal stories and expertise build trust. • “We analysed 318,842 LinkedIn posts in Q3 2025. And LinkedIn has changed…” 2/ Conversation Hooks • A real dialogue instantly pulls readers into a moment. • “CEO: I’m firing our VP Sales. Me: How long have they been here?” 3/ Curiosity Hooks • State a bold claim, then tease the evidence. • “This chart is the clearest signal of where the internet is heading.” 4/ Contrarian Hooks • Challenge an accepted belief to create instant tension. • “Stop building your personal brand. Build this instead.” 5/ Pattern Break Hooks • Interrupt the reader with an unexpected truth. • “Your skills aren’t the problem. Your perspective is.” 6/ Personal Story Hooks • Go emotional and relatable without oversharing. • “Growing up, I never thought I’d get married. I was terrified I wouldn’t be a good partner.” 7/ Numbers Hooks • Data and specifics build credibility fast. • “You commit the 7 deadly sins of prompting - here’s how to fix them.” 8/ Disagreement Hooks • Attack a widely accepted “truth” to create friction and interest. • “Boring content is dead. You can follow every “rule” - and still be forgettable.” 9/ Nobody-Tells-You Hooks • Reveal a hidden truth people feel but never say. • “I interviewed 50 people who quit their jobs in 2024. Nobody tells you the real reason why:” 10/ I Was Wrong Hooks • Admit a mistake that leads to an unexpected lesson. • “The day I stopped fearing smart people was the day that changed my life.” Don’t try to sound clever. Aim to make the reader feel something - tension, excitement, or even a bit of fear. That’s what makes people stop the scroll. 📌 Want a high-res PDF of this sheet? Get it here: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b ♻️ Repost to help your network write better hooks. ➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

If your LinkedIn post doesn’t grab attention in 3 seconds, you’ve already lost. Harsh, but true. In a sea of endless scrolling, your hook is the difference between someone stopping to engage—or swiping you into oblivion. And yet, so many people treat their opening line as an afterthought. Big mistake. Crafting a killer hook isn’t just about being clever; it’s about understanding your audience, sparking curiosity, and delivering value. Here’s the ultimate guide to writing hooks that actually stop LinkedIn scrollers: 1️⃣ Start with a Bold Statement Challenge the norm, call out a problem, or drop an unexpected truth. For example: 👉 “The 3 biggest lies you’ve been told about growing on LinkedIn.” Why it works: It disrupts the reader’s thinking and demands attention. 2️⃣ Ask a Provocative Question Make it so intriguing they have to find out the answer. 👉 “Why are 90% of LinkedIn posts getting ignored?” Why it works: Questions create curiosity and invite engagement. 3️⃣ Use Specific Numbers or Insights Data grabs attention and adds credibility. 👉 “How I grew my LinkedIn following by 300% in 90 days (and how you can too).” Why it works: Specificity builds trust and hooks readers with measurable results. 4️⃣ Tap into Pain Points Show empathy for your audience’s challenges. 👉 “Struggling to get clients on LinkedIn? Here’s what you’re doing wrong.” Why it works: You’re speaking directly to their frustrations—and offering a solution. 5️⃣ Tell a Micro-Story Start with a 1-2 sentence anecdote that pulls them in. 👉 “Two years ago, I posted on LinkedIn and got zero likes. Today, my posts generate thousands of views. Here’s what changed.” Why it works: Stories create emotional connection and intrigue. My Personal Go-To? Bold statements paired with a pain point. Example: 👉 “Your LinkedIn profile might look great, but if you’re not getting inbound leads, here’s why it’s broken.” This approach works because it immediately positions the post as both relatable and valuable. What’s Next? Test, refine, repeat. Writing hooks is a skill that sharpens with practice. The more you analyse what grabs attention—and why—the better your hooks will become. Over to you: What’s the most effective hook you’ve used or seen on LinkedIn? Drop it in the comments 👇🏼

How my students' story captivated 310,000+ readers 1. A Strong Hook That Stops the Scroll “One of my students got 6 job offers! 😮” • It sparks curiosity (“How?!”) and inspires instantly (“Can I do that too?”). • The emoji adds a casual, human touch — like a friend sharing a win over coffee. 2. A Clear, Practical Structure • The numbered tips format breaks it into digestible pieces. • Each tip is direct, no fluff, and immediately useful — a “swipe file” for job seekers. • Bonus: the bolded actions (e.g. “Do the pre-work most people skip”) feel like mini headlines, helping readers skim fast. 3. Social Proof That Feels Personal • It’s not a generic “here’s what to do” post. • It’s a real story, about a real student, doing real things. • Readers can picture themselves in her shoes — it’s relatable and aspirational. 4. Human + Strategic • It doesn’t just show hustle. • It shows emotional intelligence (asking thoughtful questions, building rapport). • The tone is warm and empowering, not preachy — almost like a coach quietly cheering you on. 5. Strong CTA Without Being Salesy “Want more stories like this?” • Short, low-pressure, and audience-focused. • Invites engagement and signals this is part of a broader series or perspective, giving people a reason to follow. What This Post Really Did Well It gave people hope. It showed that success isn’t about flashy credentials — but about preparation, mindset, and small intentional moves. It wasn’t just about one student getting 6 offers. It was about showing everyone reading: “You could too.”

ChatGPT will write your blog intro. Why are you spending 2 hours on it? Yes, I’m not saying ChatGPT can’t write. It can generate 6,000 words in a few minutes. But will that intro - Hook your reader in the first 3 lines? - Speak to their exact pain points? - Your ICP’s real frustrations? - Position your product naturally without sounding salesy? - Use insights from what customers are saying on G2 and Capterra? That’s the difference between “an intro” and “an intro that converts.” Here’s what I did for a BOFU blog targeting hoteliers 👇 Instead of prompting: “Write an intro about hotel management software…” I followed a simple framework. First — empathize. “The hotel management software you’re using isn’t bad. But it’s not fully meeting your property’s needs.” Second — validate the problem. We collected real feedback from revenue managers who felt stuck with tools that promised efficiency but delivered friction. Third — back it with research. We analyzed reviews on G2 and Capterra to understand: • Missing integrations • Limited reporting capabilities • Support and onboarding gaps Finally — set a clear promise. By the end of the blog, readers would know: • Whether their current system is holding them back • What features actually matter • Which alternatives align better with their property goals That’s how you write a blog intro that doesn’t just “introduce” — it pulls readers in and moves them closer to a decision. Don’t let ChatGPT think for you. Use it to sharpen what you already know. P.S - If your BOFU blogs aren’t converting, let’s fix that.

Your name and your company aren't that interesting And your "fun facts" aren't that fun (usually) So why so many people start presentations with them? It just means that by the time they get to anything useful, their audience has mentally checked out. Why? Because people decide in the first 30 seconds whether you're worth listening to—or whether they should check their phones instead. I've analysed 1000s presentation challenges, and the biggest mistake isn't nerves or structure. It's boring openings that waste those crucial first moments. Your audience doesn't care about your name, your company, or your "fun fact." They care about one thing: "Is this worth my time?" Here are 5 hooks that actually grab attention: 1. Problem Story: "Last week, I watched a CEO lose £2 million in 30 seconds." 2. Shocking Fact: "75% of executives make this mistake in every presentation." 3. Big Promise: "I'll teach you in 18 minutes what took me 10 years to learn." 4. Provocative Image: Show something compelling, then say "This changes everything." 5. Stakes Question: "What if your next decision could cost you millions?" Save the introductions for later. Your job isn't to be polite—it's to be compelling. What's your go-to presentation hook?

What Parenting Twins Taught Me About Writing Copy That Grabs Attention POV: It’s 7 AM. One twin’s crying over socks. The other just dumped cereal on the floor. Coffee? Still untouched. Parenting twins is the ultimate communication boot camp. If I can hold their attention (and sanity), writing engaging copy is a breeze. Here are 8 copywriting tricks inspired by navigating twin dad chaos—with a side of wisdom from legends like Ogilvy and Halbert. 1. Trust Comes from Credibility If I tell my kids, “We’re going to the park,” and then drag them to the grocery store instead? Trust = gone. Your audience feels the same. Research. Know your stuff. Show up as reliable. Because if you break their trust, they won’t stick around. 2. Interest Sparks Engagement Parenting hack: You don’t get them to pick up toys by saying, “Clean up.” You say, “Let’s see who can clean up faster—ready, set, go!” Your copy needs that same energy. Truth sells, but only when it’s fascinating. Make your words fun, bold, and irresistible. 3. Your Personality Is the Secret Sauce Parenting is messy, chaotic, and sometimes hilarious. And that’s what makes it relatable. In copy, don’t hide your quirks. Be YOU. Personality isn’t just memorable; it’s magnetic. People don’t connect with robots—they connect with real, flawed, funny humans. 4. Your Headline Should Scream Clarity Imagine this: “Breakfast!” versus “Pancakes with extra syrup, ready now!” Guess which one gets their attention? Headlines matter—80% of readers decide whether to keep scrolling based on your headline. Use the 4 U’s: Urgent, Unique, Useful, Ultra-Specific. 5. Beauty Lies in Simplicity “Go put on your shoes” is better than “Locate your footwear and adorn your feet.” Keep it clear. Write for the chimp (thanks, Eugene Schwartz). Simplicity isn’t dumbing it down—it’s making it accessible. 6. Leverage Your Audience’s Needs Want happy twins? Always have snacks. Want happy readers? Give them what they’re hungry for. Whether it’s solutions, entertainment, or inspiration, tailor your content to their cravings. 7. Make Your Copy Skimmable My twins skim every plate of food before deciding what’s worth eating. Readers do the same with content. Use: - Headlines - Bullet points - Short paragraphs - A mix of fonts or formats Make it digestible. Nobody wants a wall of text. 8. Learn the Rules—Then Break Them Parenting isn’t about strict rule-following. It’s about adapting on the fly. The same goes for copywriting. Speak your audience’s language. Break rules when it makes your message sharper, clearer, and more engaging. Bottom line: Parenting twins is wild, unpredictable, and full of lessons. And one of the biggest? If you can make a toddler listen, you can make anyone listen. What’s one “copywriting rule” you’ve learned from real life? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!