Get ideas. Write better. Use AI tools. And rock your written content on LinkedIn!

Education

Introduction

Welcome back, explorers! I’m Dante, and if you’re new to this channel, I talk about entrepreneurship, social media confidence, public speaking, and personal development, especially for those of us who are looking for our next chapter in life. Today, I’m jumping into the world of LinkedIn content strategy, specifically using the written word. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your LinkedIn post stand out, well, stick around because I’ve got a few gold nuggets to drop in here for you.

The Power of the Written Word on LinkedIn

Why is the written word so important on LinkedIn? Think of LinkedIn as the world’s largest networking event—every post you make is like a business card. People make assumptions about you based on what you share. It's not just about conveying information; it’s also about conveying who you are. While video is powerful, with the written word, you have the power to create stories in the minds of readers, making them more likely to remember and act on your messages.

Why Stories Are Incredibly Powerful

Stories have been with us forever, and they’re not going away. Written content on LinkedIn is unique because it’s nonlinear, enabling readers to skim through and get to the gist quickly. Unlike video, which requires watching from start to end, written posts allow us to jump around. This is perfect for our short attention spans.

One person who nails this is Gary Vaynerchuk. He uses stories in his posts to draw people in, often sharing engaging narratives about his life and others' experiences. Rather than just spouting facts, he uses storytelling to convey deeper meanings that stick better in readers' minds.

Writing as a Muscle

Writing can be thought of as a muscle. Anyone can be a great writer with enough practice, much like becoming a great weightlifter. Reflect on your personal experiences, challenges, and milestones—they are gold mines for content.

Richard Branson, for example, often shares stories about his entrepreneurial journey, making his posts relatable. He digs deep into his backstory about dyslexia, showcasing how he turned it into a superpower and differentiator in his life.

Using AI Tools for Brainstorming

Here’s a pro tip: use AI tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming content ideas, not for writing the content itself. Tell these tools who your audience is, what your role is, and what your goals are. They can help generate topics that resonate with your audience.

Tim Ferris, one of the biggest podcasters, uses AI tools to enhance productivity, brainstorm ideas, and pull up facts and figures. I use tools like Perplexity and Claude to research topics and smooth out the robotic language that ChatGPT can sometimes produce.

Crafting a Great LinkedIn Post

Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of crafting a great LinkedIn post:

The Hook

The hook is the most important part of your post. Spend 80% of your time getting that first headline or sentence right. It could be a question, a quote, a controversial statement, or a cliffhanger. This is what grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to read further.

The Story

Follow up the hook with your story. Focus on having a beginning, middle, and end, and cut out the fluff. Use concise and engaging language. Join people like Ariana Huffington and Alex Hormozi, who structure their posts very well, making them precise and to the point.

The Lesson

Your story should convey a lesson that aligns with both your goals and your audience's expectations. For example, if you’re a marketing consultant who just won an award, start with that achievement, share your journey, the challenges you faced, and end with a motivational takeaway.

Call to Action

Always end with a call to action (CTA). It could be inviting your readers to comment, like, or send you a message. Mel Robbins often integrates lessons and CTAs very effectively, encouraging her audience to engage with her content.

Documenting Ideas

Start by defining your goals and audience. Then document your ideas regularly. Keep a journal or use note-taking apps to jot down ideas, clippings from websites, and recordings. Use AI tools for brainstorming and structuring your posts.

For example, drag research into ChatGPT to create an article outline, then use Claude to make the language more human. Add your personal stories and observations to make the content unmistakably yours.

Real-Life Examples

Bill Gates shares thoughtful pieces on global health, always tying in his personal insights and experiences. Sarah Blakely shares her entrepreneurial journey with honesty, vulnerability, and humor. Adam Grant shares deep insights through engaging stories, often ending with thought-provoking questions that invite his audience to reflect and comment.

Using storytelling with the written word on LinkedIn can significantly boost your engagement and influence.

If you found this article helpful, consider liking, subscribing, and engaging with more of our content. Let us help you shine and grow on LinkedIn.

Keywords

  • LinkedIn content
  • Written word
  • Content strategy
  • Storytelling
  • AI tools
  • Hook
  • Call to action
  • Personal development
  • Engagement
  • Entrepreneurship

FAQ

Q: Why is the written word so important on LinkedIn?
A: The written word allows you to create stories in the minds of readers, making your messages more memorable and actionable. It also lets you convey who you are, not just the information.

Q: How can I use AI tools for LinkedIn content?
A: Use AI tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming content ideas and structuring articles, not for writing the entire content. Tools like Perplexity provide accurate information, while Claude helps to smooth out the language.

Q: What makes a great LinkedIn post?
A: A great post starts with a strong hook, follows with a well-structured story, conveys a clear lesson, and ends with a compelling call to action.

Q: How can I effectively document content ideas?
A: Regularly document your ideas using journals or note-taking apps. Jot down daily experiences, insights, and take clippings from websites or recordings that inspire you.

Q: Can you give an example of a successful LinkedIn content strategy?
A: Bill Gates, Sarah Blakely, and Adam Grant are excellent examples. They share personal insights and experiences through engaging stories, ending with calls to action that encourage their audience to learn more or get involved.