How to write a LinkedIn post that teaches something

Teach one thing

Announcements and self-praise are easy to scroll past. A post that leaves the reader knowing or able to do something new is one they may save or send to a colleague. That is the idea behind teach-first writing: each post teaches exactly one useful thing.

The structure

1. The hook: one short line, under twenty words, describing a specific moment your audience will recognise from their working day.
2. The useful thing: one idea in a shape that is easy to follow, such as a checklist, three steps or a mistake to avoid.
3. The lens: at most one short sentence connecting the idea to what you do.
4. The close: a one-line takeaway, then either a real question or a line like "Save this for when you need it".

Write a hook that is true

A good hook is an observation, not a trick. Compare these two openings, both written as examples.

Weaker: "We are thrilled to share our latest tips on handovers!"

Stronger: "Most small teams find out a process is broken on the day the one person who knows it is off sick."

The second names a moment the reader has probably lived. It makes no promise, quotes no statistic and does not need one.

Pick a shape for the idea

• A mistake to avoid: name it, say why it happens, say what to do instead.
• A short checklist: three to five items someone could act on today.
• A three-step method: first, then, finally.
• Myth versus truth: state the common belief, then what is actually true.
• A question to ask before deciding: useful when the right answer depends on the reader.

Keep yourself as the guide, not the hero

One short sentence about what you do is enough. If the post becomes about you, it stops being useful to them. Avoid templates such as "At our company we specialise in".

Never invent proof

It is tempting to add a client story, a percentage or a years-of-experience line to sound credible. If it is not true, do not write it. Readers notice, and it damages trust.

When you need an example, use a clearly imagined one: "Imagine a team of five that...". Keep it hypothetical from start to finish, and never narrate it as something that happened.

Format for reading on a phone

• Short lines and plain words.
• Minimal emoji.
• Hashtags kept to a few relevant ones, placed at the end rather than inside the sentences.
• No dashes strung through every sentence, and no bait such as "Comment YES if you agree".

Doing this faster with My Post Scout

My Post Scout writes in this style from your brand profile. It drafts a short caption for each day of the week and, when you want the full LinkedIn version, expands it with the same one idea. It is instructed to use only facts from your profile and checks drafts for invented claims. It is a safety net, not a guarantee, so read each post before you publish.