LS #71: The Anatomy of a Viral LinkedIn Post
Those posts with 5,000 likes. Thousands of comments. What's the secret?
Hi there,
I research top LinkedIn posts and show you how to create content that lands.
In this issue, you’ll find:
The 3 high-performing LinkedIn posts this week
The anatomy of a viral LinkedIn post
The 3 high-performing posts this week
1. We’re about to witness the largest workforce disruption in modern history.
Why this post?
This post went viral, receiving 205 likes in 5 days. It received 3-40 times more engagement and views than Mark’s posts this week.
WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL
This post puts words to a fear most people feel but can’t express. It’s not just “AI will take jobs” - it goes deeper into what happens to identity and purpose when work disappears.
BREAKDOWN
Alarming hook: “Largest workforce disruption in modern history“ - big, scary, impossible to ignore
Sets up the threat clearly: AI agents are capable, work 24/7, cost almost nothing - three punches in one sentence
Makes it personal: “The cognitive work that millions of Americans currently do” - now it’s about real people, not abstract tech
Stacks powerful questions: Asks about mortgages, society, purpose - hits practical fears AND existential ones
Reframes the moment: Says this isn’t like past tech shifts - AI targets thinking, the thing we thought made us safe
Shows vulnerability: “I don’t have answers yet” - feels honest, not preachy
TRY THIS
Make a bold prediction about something everyone senses but isn’t talking about
Use a series of questions to pull readers deeper into the topic
Go beyond surface-level takes — hit emotional and existential angles
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2. Can we talk about how crazy it is that LinkedIn premium business is $69.99 a month?
Why this post?
Another post that went viral this week - it got 1.8k likes in 2 days and performed 7-55 times better than Emily’s previous content.
WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL
This post hits a universal pain point - LinkedIn Premium is expensive and most people aren’t sure what they’re paying for. The one feature that actually matters (seeing profile viewers) is huge for people who sell high-ticket B2B services on LinkedIn - that’s their lead source.
BREAKDOWN:
Conversational hook: “Can we talk about how crazy it is...” - feels like venting to a friend, not a lecture
Shows her thought process: Logged in to check what she’s actually paying for - brings reader along
Dismisses the features: “A badge? AI writing? InMail credits?” - quick, punchy, sarcastic
Admits the one thing that matters: Seeing who viewed her profile - honest about the real value
Adds humor: “(Because, what are y’all doing. 👀)“ - makes it fun, not preachy
Does the math: $840 per year - makes the cost feel bigger and more real
TRY THIS
Call out a shared frustration people feel but rarely say out loud
Walk through your thinking like you’re talking to a friend
Be honest about what actually matters to you (even if it’s small)
Use quick, punchy questions to dismiss weak points
Do the yearly math on monthly costs - it hits harder
3. there’s a reason companies everywhere are suddenly “desperate” for storytellers.
Why this post?
This post got 5-18 times more comments than James’s other posts this week.
WHY THIS POST WENT VIRAL
This post rides a credible news story (WSJ) and uses it to make a bigger point that marketers are desperate to hear. Everyone feels like their content isn’t working anymore - and this explains why.
BREAKDOWN:
News hook: Opens by referencing a WSJ article - borrows credibility and ties into a trending topic
Reframes the “why”: Says it’s not about better copy - it’s because old systems stopped working
Stacks the problems: Attention fragmented, ads ignored, feeds saturated, trust harder to earn - fast punches
Adds the AI twist: AI makes infinite content, so content alone isn’t the advantage anymore
Reveals the real answer: Meaning and emotion - short line, big idea
Elevates the concept: Brands should think like studios, not content factories
TRY THIS
Attach your take to a news article or trend - it gives you instant relevance
Reframe the obvious explanation (”they want better copy”) with a deeper one
Stack short problems in a row to build momentum
LinkedIn Guide
The anatomy of a viral LinkedIn post
You’ve seen them.
Those posts with 5,000 likes. Thousands of comments. People share it like it’s the last pizza slice at a party.
And you’re sitting there like... “I posted about my promotion and got 12 likes. Three were from my mom.”
What’s the secret?
Let me break it down.
1. The Hook (First 2 Lines)
This is everything.
LinkedIn only shows the first 2 lines before the “see more” button. If your hook is boring, you’re dead.
Bad hook: “I want to share some thoughts about leadership.”
Good hook: “I got fired on a Monday. Best thing that ever happened to me.”
See the difference?
Make people curious. Make them NEED to click.
2. Short Paragraphs
One sentence.
Maybe two.
That’s it.
Big walls of text are scary. People scroll past them faster than I scroll past my ex’s wedding photos.
White space is your friend.
3. Tell a Story
Nobody cares about your tips.
(Okay, they care a little.)
But they LOVE stories.
“5 tips for productivity” = boring.
“I worked 80 hours a week and ended up in the hospital. Here’s what I learned.” = people are hooked.
Start with a struggle. End with a lesson.
4. Make It Relatable
The best posts make people think “omg that’s SO me.”
Talk about common frustrations. Shared experiences. Universal feelings.
Job rejections. Imposter syndrome. Pretending to look busy on Zoom calls.
We’ve all been there.
5. End With a Question
LinkedIn loves comments.
More comments = more reach.
So ask something at the end. Make it easy to answer.
“What’s the worst job advice you’ve ever received?”
“Have you experienced this too?”
Boom. Engagement.
6. Post at the Right Time
Tuesday to Thursday. Morning hours.
That’s when people are at work, “working” (scrolling LinkedIn).
Weekend posts? Good luck. Everyone’s touching the grass.
The Formula
Hook + Story + Short paragraphs + Relatable moment + Question = Viral potential.
Will every post blow up? Nope.
But you’ll get way more traction than “Excited to announce I completed a certificate!”
(Nothing against certificates. But nobody’s sharing that.)
_
Now go write something that makes people stop scrolling.
You got this.
That’s a wrap for today.
See you next week! If you want more LinkedIn tips, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn (link).
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Thank you for reading!
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Your compadre,
Anton “LinkedIn growth strategies” Cherkasov