I grew my LinkedIn to over 60,000 followers. Then a post I shared the day before my birthday went 30 times further than my normal reach, and I wanted to know why. So I went to see LinkedIn at its Empire State Building office and talked to Laura Lorenzetti, VP and executive editor of LinkedIn Global Editorial. She gave me some tips, and one of them was about the hook.

The hook is the first line of your post, and it is the most important one. Get it right and the post you already wrote reaches the people you wrote it for. My post received a comment that shared statistics built from data beyond what the LinkedIn team advises. The numbers showed which kinds of first line win, which kinds of post they suit, and three openers that cost you engagement.

Atta-Ur-Rehman Shah at Depost AI went beyond the advice from LinkedIn and looked at the data. He scored 13,104 LinkedIn posts from 409 creators against each writer’s typical post. Here are the 50 hook formulas that won, each with the real post that proved it.

The best LinkedIn hooks in 2026: 50 proven opening lines that get more engagement

Open with an instruction for readers

You read an instruction or an order as a decision somebody already made, and you keep reading to find out why. An order scored 1.11 against each writer’s typical post, which means 11% more engagement than their usual, and 61% of 64 creators who used it beat their average. Here are some top-performing examples:

Stop [what your dream client says].

“Stop telling people you’re kind.” Johnny C. Taylor . This got 19 times the engagement of their typical post.

Stop [needy thing your dream client does]. [Opposite thing they should do].

“Stop praying for just any job. Pray for the right one.” Shulin Lee , 11 times their typical post.

Do not let [setback your dream client had] define [time period they care about].

“Don’t let failure define your future.” Will McTighe , 10 times their typical post.

Before you [something your dream client does], ask a better question:

“Before you judge yourself, ask a better question:” Dr. Christian Poensgen , 6.5 times their typical post.

Stop managing [what your dream client manages]. Start managing [something they don’t manage].

“Stop managing time. Start managing outcomes.” Elfried Samba , 4 times their typical post.

Stop [using the tool the lazy way].

“Stop asking ChatGPT random questions.” Matt Village , 3.6 times their typical post.

[Do the thing] like a [human / beginner / owner].

“Write like a human.” Daniel Murray , 4.8 times their typical post.

You open a how-to post because the first line promised a lesson. A how-to line scored 1.11, with 60% of 35 creators beating their average, and 1.30 on posts that teach something. A question in the same spot scored 0.93, the weakest opener measured. Put the outcome in the first line and leave the question out.

Learn how to [notice / do] more [thing dream client wants] in your [everyday scenario].

“Learn how to notice more good things in your life.” Ben Meer , 9 times their typical post.

Here is how to do great [your niche] for any [company] in any [industry].

“Here’s how to do great marketing for any company in any industry.” Dave Gerhardt , 2.3 times their typical post.

How to use [tool dream client uses] to [dream outcome]: [setup time], runs while you sleep.

“How to use Claude Cowork to find new jobs: (10 minute setup, runs while you sleep).” Austin Belcak , 2.5 times their typical post.

How I overcame the objection “[thing dream client has heard].”

“How I overcame the objection ‘I have a sick kid.’” Josh Braun , 2 times their typical post.

How to design your [dream outcome] in [year].

“How to design your dream life in 2026.” Matt Gray , 2.2 times their typical post.

Open with a hot take hook

Your hot take works when it has a detail only you know, a time, a habit, a car. It scored 1.06 across a small group of 23 creators , and the winners are stories with an opinion inside them. If your first line only makes sense once the body explains it, you have written a curiosity gap, which scored 0.98 and falls below the writer’s typical post.

I had a boss who [specific habit]. Usually around [exact time].

“I had a boss who loved sending Sunday emails. Usually around 5:47pm.” Josh Braun , 4.2 times their typical post.

Advice I wish I received sooner: [thing your dream client should do].

“Advice I wish I received sooner: If you feel stuck, start by investing in yourself.” Ben Meer , 3.3 times their typical post.

Everyone in my [family / team] [does this ordinary thing].

“Everyone in my family drives either a Toyota or a Lexus.” Dominick Namis , 3.3 times their typical post.

Yesterday [something happened to me] and it highlighted [number] things:

“Yesterday I had a pretty painful operation and it highlighted two things to me:” Harry Stebbings , 5.3 times their typical post.

You state something true about yourself that a reader could disagree with. Of the 409 creators, 366 opened this way, and it scored well on a before-and-after and nearly as well on a vulnerable moment. Write the one sentence you believe that somebody in your industry would argue with, and open with it.

The most [desired state of dream client] people I know never stop [interesting action].

“The most successful people I know never stop being students.” Johnny C. Taylor , 24 times their typical post.

[Group] do not [thing they don’t want to do] because it is [common state]. They [thing they don’t want to do] because it is [contrasting take].

“People don’t quit because it’s hard. They quit because it’s unfair.” Nathan Hirsch , 18 times their typical post.

A [small act] can [negative measurable effect].

“A hug can lower your odds of catching a cold.” Daniel Pink , 16 times their typical post.

Thrilled to announce that [an ordinary thing, said as news].

“Thrilled to announce that I wrote this sentence without ChatGPT.” Adriaan Dekker , 16 times their typical post.

[Number] years later, and it still feels like yesterday.

“25 years later, and it still feels like yesterday.” Tim Tebow , 16 times their typical post.

It took me until [a late point] to learn how to [a basic thing].

“It took me until the 4th grade to learn how to read.” Chenae Erkerd , 14 times their typical post.

[Thing people want] finds you faster when you [karma-based action].

“Success finds you faster when you help others find theirs.” Dr. Dupe Burgess , 13 times their typical post.

Some personal news: today is my last day at [company].

“Some personal news - today is somehow my last day at Carta.” Peter Walker , 14 times their typical post.

Open with a number-based hook

You open with a number only you could write. On a tools-and-resources post this was the best opener, at 1.23 across 32 creators. A statistic somebody else found scored 0.96 as a first line and reads as a pitch. Count something from your business and lead with it.

The day I left [well-known company], I had [number] [thing].

“The day I left Deloitte, I had 1084 LinkedIn connections.” Anna Bilan , 9.3 times their typical post.

In my [N] years of [X], I have [done the thing] [N] times.

“In my 20 years of professional life, I have changed my career 5 times.” Ankur Warikoo , 7.9 times their typical post.

“The #1 way to teach people to respect you:” Richard Yu , 10 times their typical post.

[Number] reasons why I am so skeptical of [niche adjacent to yours]:

“5 reasons why I’m so skeptical of the entire AI tracking industry:” Rand Fishkin , 6.4 times their typical post.

I have made over [N] [cold calls] in my career.

“I’ve made over 10,000 cold calls in my career.” Christian Krause , 5.1 times their typical post.

I saved [N] of the most useful [tool] [commands] into one [cheat sheet].

“I saved 99 of the most useful Claude commands into one cheat sheet.” Hamna Aslam Kahn , 4.8 times their typical post.

[N] words that make [sellers] sound [needy].

“6 words that make sellers sound needy.” Josh Braun , 4.7 times their typical post.

Open with a contrarian hook

You say the opposite of what your field repeats, then the body has to win the argument. A contrarian line scored 1.21 on a contrarian-opinion post , where 79% of writers beat their average. Back it with a number or a result a reader can check.

Instead of [what everyone does tonight], [do this].

“Instead of watching 2 hours of Netflix tonight, watch this Stanford lecture.” Linas Beliūnas , 14 times their typical post.

Bad [copywriting]: “[the dull version].”

“Bad copywriting: ‘Our sunscreen is SPF 50.’” Chase Dimond , 14 times their typical post.

You could spend [time] explaining [X]. Or you could show someone [this].

“You could spend 20 minutes explaining why lifting weights matters. Or you could show someone these two bones.” Josh Braun , 9.3 times their typical post.

Unpopular opinion: the better the [something people are familiar with], the less I trust the [component of the thing]].

“Unpopular opinion: The better the company, the less I trust the salesperson.” Sam Jacobs , 7.7 times their typical post.

Your [thing your dream client is working on] is perfect. That is why it is worthless.

“Your AI strategy is perfect. That’s why it’s worthless.” Michael Lee , 5.3 times their typical post.

You do not need [what everyone says you need] to [outcome].

“You don’t need warm intros to raise money.” Kevin Jurovich , 4.5 times their typical post.

[Topic] has been dying since [year].

“SEO has been dying since 1997.” Jake Ward , 3.8 times their typical post.

Open with a transformation

You write where you started and where you are now, in two short sentences. A transformation scored 1.21 on before-and-after posts , with 79% of 19 creators above their average. Write your before as a plain fact with a year or a number in it.

I grew up in [place]. [Modest start]. And now I am [the unlikely place].

“I grew up in NY. Went to university in NYC as a first-gen college student. And now I’m on a billboard in Times Square.” Nicole DeTommaso , 12 times their typical post.

[Year]: I was rejected by [X]. [Year]: Working with [Y].

“2020: I was rejected by Schbang. 2026: Working with Virat Kohli.” Anik Jain , 6.1 times their typical post.

I used to be a huge [noun many people can relate to].

“I used to be a huge introvert.” Noemi Kis , 5.8 times their typical post.

My [wife] sent [N] applications. Zero replies. [What changed]. [N] responses in [N] days.

“My wife sent 85 applications. Zero replies. I uploaded her resume to Claude. 16 responses in 14 days.” Saidul Islam , 5.7 times their typical post.

[number] years ago, you were cool if you had [the old tool].

“10 years ago, you were cool if you had a CRM and an email automation platform.” Maja Voje , 5.6 times their typical post.

For [number] years I have taught [dream client] that [something they believe to be true]. Turns out I had a [same thing] problem of my own.

“For twenty years I’ve taught marketers that positioning is everything. Turns out I had a positioning problem of my own” Mark Ritson , 4 times their typical post.

Open with the pain, then the promise

You describe a problem the reader had this week, then promise the way out. On a mindset post it was the strongest opener of all at 1.32, and it scored 1.15 on a how-to with real steps. Describe the pain so precisely that the reader sees their calendar in it.

Most people take [long amount of time] to [outcome they want]. You can do it in [less time]:

“Most people take months to bounce back. You can do it in minutes:” Chase Dimond , 17 times their typical post.

Be careful who you [action your dream client might take]. One wrong [the action] can cost you [thing they don’t want to lose].

“Be careful who you promote. One wrong promotion can cost you your best people.” Johnny C. Taylor , 9.6 times their typical post.

Google your name. Now imagine [a client / someone important] doing it.

“Google your name. Now imagine your ex doing it.” Anisha Jain , 8.8 times their typical post.

“[Title]” sounds great until you realize you are also [doing more than that].

“’Head of Marketing’ sounds great until you realise you’re also the entire marketing department” Elfried Samba , 7.8 times their typical post.

Most [your dream client] lose “[question they are asked a lot]” in the first [measure of time]. Here is how to [fix it]:

“Most candidates lose ‘tell me about yourself’ in the first 30 seconds. Here’s how to answer it properly:” Harvey Lee , 5.5 times their typical post.

Everyone wants [software / technology] to take over [your niche]. Almost nobody knows where to start.

“Everyone wants AI to take over the boring parts of Google Ads. Almost nobody knows where to start.” Hana Kobzová , 3.8 times their typical post.

Use these LinkedIn hooks to get more engagement in 2026

Posting on LinkedIn is a game, and the game is attention. The hook gets the click on more, the rehook keeps them reading, and the body takes them down to your call to action. One random post will go viral for reasons nobody can find. These formats won across 409 people’s posts. Take a post you were proud of that went nowhere, rewrite the first line in one of these formats, and post it again.

Copy this whole article into your Claude project and ask it for hooks built from your posts. Keep the 50 next to your older hook templates and test them against each other. AI can get you started with the right first line. The post that follows can only come from you.

Get the LinkedIn profile structure that wins you coaching clients.