Hashtags
Hashtags help categorize your post and make it easier to discover. Don’t go overboard with a ton of hashtags—3-5 relevant ones are usually perfect.
You want your hashtags to be specific enough to reach the right audience, but broad enough that people are actually searching for them. Use hashtags that align with your content, like #LeadershipTips or #CareerGrowth.
Pro tip: If you’re unsure which hashtags to use, see what your industry peers are tagging in their posts for inspiration.
Visual hierarchy in text-only posts
Let’s be real—LinkedIn isn’t exactly the land of flashy visuals. Especially when you’re posting text-only.
But that doesn’t mean your post has to look like a boring wall of words.
Great formatting creates visual hierarchy. That’s a fancy way of saying: you guide the reader’s eyes through your post, in the order you want. You create structure. Flow. Breathing room.
And the best part? You don’t need design skills or a graphic tool. Just your keyboard.
Here’s how to create visual hierarchy in a plain text post:
1. Front-load your hook
Format linkedin posts—the first 1–3 lines are gold. That’s all LinkedIn shows before the “…see more” cut-off.
So make them pop. Start with:
- A bold statement
- A question that triggers curiosity
- A surprising stat or insight
Make people stop scrolling. Make them want to click “see more.”
2. Break it up
Long paragraphs = scroll past.
White space = engagement magnet.
Use line breaks often. Think of each paragraph like a single thought or idea.
One sentence. Enter.
Another sentence. Enter again.
It gives the eye somewhere to rest. And it keeps people reading.
3. Use visual anchors
Don’t know how to bold the text ina linkedin post? Even in plain text, you can add structure. Things like:
- Bullet points (yep, like this)
- Dashes — to break up ideas
- ALL CAPS (sparingly) for emphasis
- Emojis ✅ (if they fit your brand voice)
These help organize your message and make it skimmable. Readers love skimmable.
4. Play with rhythm
Mix short and long sentences. Throw in a one-word line.
Or a dramatic pause.
Like this.
It keeps your post dynamic and engaging. Monotony kills attention.
5. End with intention
Your closing line matters.
It can be a call-to-action, a takeaway, or just a mic-drop statement.
Make it clear. Make it strong. Make it memorable.
Visual hierarchy isn’t about being pretty—it’s about being readable. And on LinkedIn, readable = noticed.
So next time you’re writing a post, look at it with your eyes, not just your words.
- Does it guide the reader?
- Does it feel easy to read?
If yes—congrats. You’ve nailed the hierarchy.
Formatting mistakes to avoid on LinkedIn
Let’s face it—LinkedIn is a scroll-heavy place. If your post doesn’t look inviting, it probably won’t get read.
Good formatting helps.
But bad formatting? It can tank your post. Even if the content is amazing.
Here are some common formatting mistakes to dodge—and what to do instead.
❌ Mistake |
✅ How to format a LinkedIn post right |
The wall of text
This is the fastest way to lose a reader. Huge paragraphs with no breaks make your post feel heavy and overwhelming. |
Break your text up.
Use short paragraphs and line spacing. Give your post room to breathe. |
Weak opening line
If your first line doesn’t spark curiosity or interest, it’s game over. Most people won’t click “see more.” |
Hook them.
Ask a question. Drop a bold statement.
(How do you bold text in a LinkedIn post? We’ve covered it above.)
Make them need to read the rest. |
Over-formatting
Yes, formatting is powerful. But too much of it? Distracting.
All caps in every sentence. Emojis in every line. Ten bullet points in a row. It starts to feel spammy. |
Use formatting with intention.
Caps, emojis, and bullets are great—when used sparingly. Think highlight, not confetti. |
No structure
Some posts just ramble. No clear flow. No point. No punch. |
Give your post a beginning, middle, and end.
Lead with a hook. Share your insight. Close with purpose.
Structure keeps people reading. |
Burying the value
Don’t hide your best point at the bottom. Readers might never get there. |
Lead with value.
Make your insight obvious early. You can build on it later, but show them why it’s worth their time right away. |
Ignoring the CTA
No call to action = missed opportunity. If you don’t ask, you won’t get. |
Invite engagement.
Ask a question. Start a conversation. Tell people what you want them to do next.
Keep it simple and human. |
Formatting is more than aesthetics. It’s about accessibility. Clarity. Respecting your reader’s time.
Avoid these common traps, and your posts will not only look better—they’ll perform better too.
Clean format. Clear message. Big results.
Templates for common LinkedIn post types
Now that you understand the importance of formatting, let’s get into something super practical—templates. These will help you quickly create posts that not only look good but also get read. Whether you’re sharing a story, promoting content, or dropping some value, these plug-and-play templates will make writing faster—and better.
Before we dive in, here’s a tip that applies to every post type: make your first line count. It should grab attention, just like a movie trailer. If it flops, people scroll past.
Now let’s explore some go-to templates:
The story with a lesson template
This one builds trust and gets engagement because people love real-life stories. Here’s how to structure it:
- Hook – Start with a line that makes people curious. Example: “I almost quit my job last year. Here’s what happened next.”
- Build-up – Add 2–3 short lines of context.
- Challenge – Explain the tough part or turning point.
- Resolution + Lesson – Share what you learned. Keep it simple and relatable.
- Call to Comment – End with a question or ask for others’ stories. Example: “Have you ever felt this way too?”
Let’s see it in action:
I almost quit my job last year.
I was burnt out. Uninspired.
Wondering if I was even in the right career.
Then I had one conversation that changed everything.
My mentor said: “You’re not tired of your work. You’re tired of doing it alone.”
That hit me. I started asking for help more. Collaborating. Taking breaks.
Within months, I rediscovered why I loved what I do.
Lesson: Burnout isn’t always about workload. Sometimes it’s about isolation.
Have you ever felt this way too?
Use white space between lines. It makes it easier to read. Want to emphasize a phrase? Here’s how to bold text in LinkedIn post: you can’t natively bold inside LinkedIn, but you can use tools like we have in this post to generate bold Unicode text. Copy, paste, done. That’s how to bold in LinkedIn post in seconds.
The value drop template (a.k.a. “tips list”)
You’ve got knowledge to share—this format helps people actually see it:
- Hook – Tell them what they’ll get. Example: “Want to boost your profile views in a week? Try these 3 LinkedIn tricks.”
- List – Use 3–5 short bullet points. Keep each tip under 2 lines.
- Mini-wrap – Reinforce the benefit: “These helped me go from 1,000 to 5,000 views in 10 days.”
- Engage – Ask: “Which one will you try first?”
Here’s how this format looks in the wild:
Want to grow your LinkedIn profile without posting daily?
Try these 3 tips:
✅ Comment on 5 relevant posts per day (use thoughtful insights).
✅ Use bold text to highlight key points in your own posts. (Here’s how to bold in LinkedIn post: copy bold text from yaytext.com and paste it in)
✅ Update your headline to reflect what you do and who you help.
These helped me go from invisible to 3,000 profile views in 14 days.
Which one will you try first?
This post type works especially well when you use LinkedIn formatting wisely—clean line breaks, bold headings (again, use a bold text tool), and short sentences.
The conversation starter template
Great for sparking dialogue and increasing reach.
- Start with a take – “Hot take: Cover letters are dead.”
- Explain your why – 2–3 lines explaining your opinion.
- Open the floor – “Agree or disagree?” or “Curious to hear your take.”
Here’s an example that opens the floor for debate:
Hot take: Cover letters are dead.
I’ve hired over 20 people in the past year, and I haven’t read a single one.
Instead, I looked at:
+ Their profile
+ Their work samples
+ Their communication in DMs
I’m not saying cover letters never matter. But they’re rarely the thing that tips the scale.
What do you think? Still writing them? Still reading them?
This type thrives on clarity. Avoid chunky paragraphs. Break lines after every sentence. Bold a phrase if needed for emphasis = knowing how to make bold text in LinkedIn post helps your opinion pop.
The achievement (without the ego) template
Want to share a win without sounding braggy?
- Gratitude first – “I’m feeling grateful today…”
- Then the story – Share what happened, how you got there, what it took.
- Shoutout others – Tag teammates, mentors, or even clients.
- Wrap with reflection – “It reminded me that hard work and support go hand in hand.”
Let’s bring this one to life too:
I’m feeling grateful today.
After months of testing, learning, and late nights, we just launched our new product.
It wasn’t perfect. It was messy. But it’s live—and already getting results.
Big thanks to our incredible team who showed up with heart and hustle.
Lesson? You don’t need to wait for “perfect” to ship. Progress beats perfection every time.
Who’s launched something recently? Let’s celebrate your wins 👇
Use LinkedIn formatting to give space between thoughts. It reads like a conversation, not a pitch.
A few final tips
Keep your post under 300 words when you can. Break lines often. Don’t overuse emojis; just enough to add personality. And when you’re wondering how to bold in LinkedIn post, remember: use an external tool, bold sparingly, and always preview before you post.
Next time you open LinkedIn, try one of these templates.
Tweak it. Make it yours.
And watch what happens.
Wrapping it up
LinkedIn post formatting is a fun and easy way to improve your post’s visibility and increase audience engagement. There’s numerous options to choose from to help make your posts stand out, build your credibility, and promote your personal brand.
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