Crafting Intriguing Teasers

How to Trigger Curiosity with Every Post! (Without Clickbait) Want to stop the scroll and get people reading your LinkedIn content to the end? The secret isn’t clickbait, it’s curiosity-driven writing. Here’s how top creators earn attention without losing trust: 1️⃣ Start with a “tension” hook Good hooks create an open loop, something the reader wants to close. Example: “I almost quit LinkedIn 6 months ago… and I’m glad I didn’t. Here’s why.” 2️⃣ Use cliffhangers in the first 3 lines Front-load a teaser or question without revealing everything. Think: “Most people think this is a growth strategy… but it’s actually killing your reach.” 3️⃣ Tell stories that feel unfinished Instead of saying “what happened,” describe the moment before it did. Example: “I sat across from the CEO, heart racing. What he said next changed everything.” 4️⃣ Pay it off with real value Curiosity ≠ manipulation. Once you hook, deliver substance. Insights, lessons, next steps. Curiosity earns attention. Clarity keeps it. PS: Great content doesn’t need to be loud, it just needs to make people lean in. #ContentStrategy #CopywritingTips #Storytelling #LinkedInMarketing #PersonalBranding

50% of being able to generate pipeline from social is understanding how to write an impeccable hook. This post will teach you how to do that. To put it bluntly, if you can't nail your hook, the rest of your post doesn't even matter. You could write the most compelling, useful, and valuable material that your ICP would be willing to pay for...and it would mean 0 if the hook didn't capture attention. So, yeah – it's that important. And if you want to learn how to write one, you're in the right place. The cheat sheet below will teach you how to write hooks that force people to read your content. Really, the best hooks—the ones that make you stop, click "see more", and wait for the payoff—come down to being able to create a curiosity gap: A gap between what your reader knows, and what you’re promising to show them in the post. There are lots of ways to do so, but the three that you should learn at the start are as follows: 1) Authority - Build credibility using time, money, or volume. Templates: - "I've [done X] for [time period]. Here's what I learned:" - "I spent $[amount] on [thing]. Here's what happened:" - "After [number] of [experiences], I discovered:" 2. Story - Lure the reader in with a captivating 1-2 sentence teaser. Templates: - "Last month I tried [unexpected thing related to job]. How I [do thing] will never be the same. The story:" - "Yesterday, my biggest client asked me a question every [ICP] needs answered. He was shocked when I answered the way I did." - "In 2019, I was [role] at a [description] company. We tried to [achieve goal], but failed miserably. Here’s what happened + what I’d change: 3. Process/Listicle - Promise a list of things or a numbered process the reader can use/follow that they’d care about. Templates: - "My [X]-step process for [achieving result] in [timeframe]:" - "I [achieved result] in [timeframe] using this [X]-step process. Here's how:" - "How to [achieve result] without [common pain point] using [my/our] [X]-step system:" This isn't a hard and fast rule. In fact, I strongly recommend becoming an expert on each and understanding how to combine them. This might look like: - Building authority and then promising a listicle. - Telling a story and turning it into a list of takeaways. - Building curiosity for your process by building authority first. The point is, if you learn how to execute each of these well enough, you set yourself up to capture and retain attention better than 75% of people on this platform (sorry!). This is an excerpt from a 10-page hook writing guide we use internally. Comment if you want it and I can put it out there for you. 

Picture this: You're at the dinner table, recounting a tale from your day or rallying your team behind a vital project. Have you ever wondered how to make everyone hang on to your every word? Enter Dr. Robert Cialdini, the #nytimes bestselling author whose transformative works have revolutionized the art of persuasion. I had the privilege to host him once on an episode of the Leadership Lab (Leddin Group) podcast, where we dived deep into the magic behind influence. With a legacy marked by groundbreaking research and celebrated writings such as 'Influence,' Cialdini's recent gem, 'Pre-suasion,' delves into priming your audience to think or act the way you wish, even before you make your move. During our discourse, Cialdini unpacked the might of tools like reciprocity, scarcity, and expert testimonies—each a masterstroke in influencing. So, what's the golden trick to keep listeners spellbound to your narrative? Cialdini’s answer: weave a touch of mystery. Initiate your story with a teaser, something so compelling that they remain invested till the climax unravels. Doubtful? If you're still with me, Cialdini might be onto something. To infuse this magnetic pull into your daily interactions, consider these cues: - Start a dinner story with, "At work today, I stumbled upon two revelations..." - Kick off a team meeting with, "Among our projects, there's one game-changer that could redefine our success." And then, echoing Cialdini, allow the suspense to simmer. Resist the temptation to spill the beans immediately. Let the anticipation build, releasing the reveal when the moment is ripe. Listen to the episode wherever you get podcasts or at https://lnkd.in/gryfdtr9 Make it a great day! Patrick P.S. Want more leadership insights? Join over 100,000 LinkedIn members who follow Patrick Leddin, Ph.D.

Running a podcast without a social media manager? Here’s some creative strategy advice for your promo clips: Earlier in my career, I was responsible for selecting the right timeframes for podcast clips. What was I looking for? A moment that grabs attention like a monologue – one that sparks curiosity and leaves just enough to make listeners want more. A podcast clip, like a monologue, is a teaser, not the full story. It's a focused, powerful moment that hooks the audience right away. The goal? Find that perfect clip that creates anticipation. Here’s what you need to create a great hook: ➡️ Capture attention instantly – ensure that your clip demands focus ➡️ Leave them wanting more – give a glimpse, not the full reveal, maybe even an unanswered question or a clip that your listeners will want more details on ➡️ Stay true to the core message – make sure it’s relevant to the episode’s theme Next time you're clipping your podcast, ask yourself: 🤔 What part of the conversation was most compelling? 🤔 What moment would leave me wanting to hear more?