How to Write LinkedIn Hooks That Stop the Scroll

Your hook is everything. The first 1-2 lines determine if people stop scrolling or skip past your post. Master the hook, and you'll dramatically increase engagement. Here's how to write hooks that grab attention.

What Makes a Great LinkedIn Hook?

A great hook has 3 essential qualities:

1. Stops the scroll - Creates pattern interruption in the feed
2. Creates curiosity - Makes people want to click "see more"
3. Promises value - Signals there's a payoff for reading

The 10 Proven Hook Formulas

1. The Bold Statement Hook

Start with a controversial or counterintuitive claim that challenges conventional wisdom.

When to use: When you have a unique perspective that challenges industry norms.

Warning: Must be backed up with solid reasoning or you'll lose credibility.

2. The Curiosity Gap Hook

Tease interesting information without giving it away immediately.

When to use: When you have a story, insight, or lesson to share.

Warning: Don't be clickbaity - always deliver on the promise.

3. The Specific Number Hook

Use precise numbers to signal tangible, actionable content.

When to use: When you have data, lists, or measurable results.

Pro tip: Specific numbers (487) are more credible than round numbers (500).

4. The Personal Failure Hook

Share vulnerability to create instant connection and relatability.

When to use: When sharing lessons learned from mistakes or setbacks.

Warning: Must lead to a valuable lesson or transformation.

5. The Question Hook

Ask a question that makes people mentally engage before they realize it.

When to use: When addressing a common pain point or mystery.

Pro tip: Questions that start with "Why" or "What if" perform best.

6. The Pattern Interrupt Hook

Break the expected pattern with unusual formatting or statements.

When to use: When you want to stand out in a sea of similar content.

Warning: Overuse makes it lose impact. Use sparingly.

7. The Transformation Hook

Show a dramatic before/after to signal a compelling journey.

When to use: When you have a genuine transformation story to share.

Warning: Must be authentic - people can smell fake transformation stories.

8. The Direct Address Hook

Speak directly to a specific audience to create instant relevance.

When to use: When you have advice for a specific group.

Pro tip: The more specific your audience callout, the stronger the hook.

9. The Unpopular Opinion Hook

Share a perspective that most people won't publicly admit.

When to use: When addressing elephant-in-the-room topics.

Warning: Controversial ≠ offensive. Stay professional.

10. The Story Hook

Drop readers into the middle of an interesting moment.

When to use: When you have a compelling narrative to share.

Pro tip: Start in the middle of the action, not the beginning.

Hook Writing Best Practices

Length Matters

• Optimal: 6-12 words (fits in preview)
• Maximum: 2 short lines (before "see more")
• Avoid: Starting with pleasantries or context

First Word Power Words

Hooks that start with these words typically perform well:

Emoji Usage

Strategic emoji use can enhance hooks:

• ✅ Good: "🚨 This mistake is costing you opportunities."
• ✅ Good: "I just learned something that blew my mind 🤯"
• ❌ Bad: "🎉🚀✨ Check out this amazing tip! 💡🔥✨"

The Hook Testing Framework

Here's how to test and improve your hooks systematically:

Step 1: Write 5 Different Hooks

For each post, write 5 different hooks using different formulas above.

Step 2: The Scroll-Stop Test

Ask yourself: "Would I stop scrolling for this?"

• Read it out loud
• Is there curiosity?
• Is there a clear promise?
• Does it sound like everyone else?

Step 3: Show 3 People

Show your hooks to 3 people (without context) and ask: "Which would you click?"

Step 4: Track Performance

Monitor which hook formulas work best for YOUR audience:

• Impressions in first hour
• Click-through rate on "see more"
• Engagement rate (comments + reactions)

Step 5: Double Down

Once you find 2-3 hook formulas that work, use them 80% of the time.

Common Hook Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Starting with Context

Mistake 2: Being Too Vague

Mistake 3: Burying the Lead

Mistake 4: Overpromising

Don't promise more than you can deliver. "This ONE trick changed everything!" better deliver something genuinely transformative.

Mistake 5: Copying Others

Using the exact same hook structure as popular creators makes you blend in, not stand out. Adapt, don't copy.

Industry-Specific Hook Examples

For Founders/CEOs

• "I just fired my co-founder. Here's what I learned:"
• "Our startup almost died last month. This saved us:"
• "3 years, 2 pivots, $50K in mistakes. Here's what worked:"

For Marketers

• "This campaign got 0 clicks. Then we changed one word:"
• "I analyzed 500 high-performing ads. Here's the pattern:"
• "Stop doing competitor research. Do this instead:"

For Developers

• "Junior devs: Stop learning frameworks. Learn this:"
• "I spent 6 hours debugging. The fix was 1 line of code."
• "Everyone says 'clean code.' Nobody explains how:"

For Sales Professionals

• "My close rate was 12%. Now it's 67%. Here's what changed:"
• "Stop 'adding value.' Do this instead:"
• "The best salespeople never say these 3 things:"

For Career Coaches/HR

• "Your resume gets 6 seconds of attention. Make them count:"
• "I've reviewed 1,000+ LinkedIn profiles. Here are the red flags:"
• "Everyone says 'network.' Nobody teaches how:"

Advanced Hook Strategies

The Two-Punch Hook

Combine two formulas for extra impact:

The Callback Hook

Reference a previous post to build continuity:

The Contrast Hook

Set up a sharp contrast in two short lines:

Your Hook Writing Checklist

Practice Makes Perfect

Writing great hooks is a skill that improves with practice. Here's your action plan:

1. This week: Write 5 hooks for every post (pick the best one)
2. This month: Test all 10 hook formulas at least once
3. This quarter: Identify your top 3 performing formulas
4. Ongoing: Save hooks that make YOU stop scrolling (swipe file)

Ready to Write Better Hooks?

Use our LinkedIn Post Formatter to craft and test your hooks before posting. Check out our Post Templates for proven structures that pair perfectly with strong hooks.

Disclaimer: Hook writing advice is based on content analysis and performance data as of 2025. Results may vary by industry, audience, and content quality. Always test and adapt based on your specific audience. This information is provided as-is for educational purposes.