The Anatomy of a Viral LinkedIn Post: My Simple 6-Step Formula

How to go viral every time you hit "publish"

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The Anatomy of a Viral LinkedIn Post

It's no secret that LinkedIn has become a goldmine for building authority and growing your business. After helping hundreds of clients and growing my own following to 115K+, I've cracked the code on what makes posts go viral.

Want to know the best part? It's simpler than you think.

Let me break down exactly how I create viral LinkedIn posts that consistently get massive engagement. No fluff, just the exact process I use every single day.

Step 1: Start with Viral-Ready Content

Here's the thing most people miss - you don't need to create viral content from scratch. I start by finding videos or quotes that are already proven to resonate on social media.

Think about it - if content has gone viral before, it's likely to go viral again with the right perspective.

What I look for:

• Inspirational or transformation videos (artists at work, career changes, transformational journeys)

• Attention-grabbing videos (clever videos that grab your attention right away, sports videos, talented hobbyists)

• Powerful quotes from business leaders (especially when they share vulnerable moments or failures)

• Short clips showing career growth (first job vs. current role, salary progression, skill development)

Pro Tip: Save viral content you see in a folder. I use my smart phone or a simple Google Doc to store links to videos, quotes, and stories that catch my attention. When it's time to post, I already have a library of proven content ready to go.

Here's what makes content viral-ready:

• It triggers an emotional response (inspiration, relatability, or "aha" moments)

• It's visual or easily visualized

• It tells a story in under 60 seconds

• It's relevant to business, careers, or personal growth

Step 2: Craft Your Unique Angle

This is where the magic happens. Instead of just sharing the content, I ask myself:

• What career or business lesson can we learn from this?

• How does this relate to career or business growth?

• What practical tips can we pull from this?

• How can this help or inspire someone today?

The key? Make it universally relatable. When I shared a weight loss transformation video recently, I didn't just talk about fitness. I connected it to how small daily actions compound into massive business success.

Here's my framework for finding the perfect angle:

1. Watch the content twice - first for initial reaction, then for insights

2. Write down 3 possible angles (I usually go with the third one - it's often most unique)

3. Ask yourself: "Would this help someone solve a problem today?"

4. Consider: "Is this something I would save or share with a friend?"

Real Example:

I once shared a video of a street performer drawing a crowd. Instead of focusing on the entertainment angle, I wrote about:

• How to stand out in a crowded market

• Why being different is better than being better

• The power of creating an experience for your audience

That post hit 300K+ views because it took something simple and found a fresh business perspective.

Step 3: Write with the "We" Mindset

Here's my secret sauce for writing posts that connect:

• Always use "we" instead of "me"

• Keep the tone positive and upbeat

• Focus on either inspiring or teaching

• Break complex ideas into simple steps

Instead of writing "I learned this lesson," I'll write "We often forget this simple truth about success..." I’m on my audience’s level; I’m *not* the guru.

Here's my viral post structure:

1. Hook Line: Start with a controversial or relatable statement

2. Bridge: Connect it to a common challenge we all face

3. Story: Share the example or video insight

4. Lesson: Break down what we can learn

5. Application: How we can use this today

Example Hook Lines That Work:

- "The biggest career mistake we make isn't what you think..."

- "They told us success takes years. They were wrong..."

- "Want to know why 90% of LinkedIn posts fail?"

- "The truth about viral content nobody talks about..."

Step 4: Give Actionable Value

Every viral post needs a clear takeaway. I always include 3-4 practical tips that readers can implement immediately.

Here's how I structure actionable tips:

1. Start with the end in mind (paint the vision)

2. Break it down into daily actions (make it achievable)

3. Track your progress (add accountability)

4. Celebrate small wins (build momentum)

Pro Tip: Make each tip something someone can do in the next 24 hours. The faster they can take action, the more likely they are to engage with your post.

Example Framework:

Tip 1: The Mindset Shift (what to think differently about)

Tip 2: The Quick Win (what to do today)

Tip 3: The Growth Strategy (what to implement this week)

Tip 4: The Long-Term Play (what to work toward)

Step 5: Master the Engagement Game

Here's what most people get wrong - they post and wait. Instead, I spend 80% of my time engaging with others. Here's my detailed process:

1. Post my content (best times: 8-9am or 2-3pm EST)

2. Immediately spend 30 minutes:

• Commenting on posts from my target audience

• Engaging with thought leaders in my space

• Responding to comments on my recent posts

3. Set a 1-hour timer and:

• Reply to every comment on my new post

• Connect with new people who engaged

• Like and comment on posts from people who engaged with mine

Pro Engagement Tips:

- Leave thoughtful comments that add to the conversation

- Ask questions that spark discussion

- Share personal experiences related to their post

- Tag relevant connections (but only when truly relevant)

- Use emojis to make your comments stand out

Step 6: Optimize for Growth

Let me share some power moves that amplify reach. Once you’ve created the foundation of your viral post, you can give it a little extra juice to boost it.

1. Add a clear call-to-action at the bottom of every post. My CTA often changes, but right now, here’s what it looks like:

📌 Want more help? Join the “Escape the Cubicle” Newsletter with weekly tips on how to…

…level up your remote career, grow & monetize on LinkedIn, and work from anywhere.

Scroll to the top of this post and click “Subscribe to Newsletter” to join 30,000+ subscribers. ☝🏻

I’m giving away my professional resume template to all new subscribers this week. 🙏 Here’s to us growing together, Wes

2. Tag your company pages strategically. You can create your own company page (or even a page for your name / brand) and tag yourself in the comments.

• Tag in the first comment, not the post

• Switch to company page and engage an hour later

• Respond to comments from both personal and company accounts

This can help boost the post a little and show the algorithm your post is getting engagement and worth boosting.

3. Add a link to your lead magnet or website in the post 1-2 hours after posting:

- "Want more tips like this? Here's my latest newsletter..."

- "I broke this down further here..."

- "Get the full strategy guide here..."

This isn’t an official verified hack, but if you put the link in the content on first posting, it might negatively impact the post. Go back later and edit the post to add your link. Trust me: it works.

Bonus Hack: Create a carousel post of your viral content highlights once a week. This gives your best content a second life and helps new followers discover your top posts.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Using this exact formula, I've:

• Grown to 115K+ followers

• Built a 50K+ newsletter subscriber base

• Generate consistent client inquiries

• Created viral posts hitting 500K+ impressions

The best part? This process takes less than an hour a day when you get it down.

It’s Your Turn to Go Viral

Remember, LinkedIn success isn't about having the perfect post. It's about consistently showing up, adding value, and engaging with others.

You can in fact grow a thriving brand and business on LinkedIn without ever going viral. Going viral is nice, but if you don’t have the right backend framework to grow your business and make money, it’s wasted attention.

Start with one piece of viral-worthy content today. Add your unique perspective. Make it about "we" instead of "me." Give actionable tips. Then get out there and engage.

The LinkedIn algorithm rewards consistency more than perfection. Start implementing these steps today, and watch your engagement grow.

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📌🚀 Free 5-Day Email Class: “How to Grow & Monetize Your LinkedIn in 2024”

I’ve put together a new email class on how to grow your LinkedIn and turn it into a 24/7 sales system. This class will help freelancers, founders, solopreneurs, and coaches grow their brand & business. Join the Email Class Here!