| Step | Purpose (What/Why) | How To Use / Sample Language |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Hook | Stop scroll instantly | Surprising/contradictory/carousel image, big stat, bold color |
| Verbal Hook | Spark curiosity and attention with first line | “Are you SURE…”, “Most get this wrong…”, “Did you know…” |
| Rehook (Teaser/Proof) | Promise value, deepen curiosity, bridge to content | “Let me prove it…”, “Here’s the kicker…”, “It gets wilder…” |
| Relatable Problem | Show you deeply ‘get’ the reader’s pain/frustration | “Nobody talks about…”, “You know the feeling when…” |
| Agitate/Amplify | Raise the stakes, introduce FOMO/risk/regret/emotion | “If you ignore this…”, “What’s at risk is…” |
| Insight/Myth-Bust | Flip assumptions—create an “aha!” | “Most think [X], but actually…”, statistics, paradigm shift |
| Practical Solution | Deliver actionable value—clear next steps/fix/tool | “Here’s a 3-step fix…”, checklist, demo command/prompt |
| Proof/Heft | Provide evidence, build trust | Numbers, screenshots, testimonials, demo, before/after |
| Digestibility | Lower cognitive friction for max engagement/saves | Bullets, lists, icons, short paras, bolds, emojis |
| Personal Story | Humanize (builds trust and relatability) | “I almost quit…”, specific anecdote, wins/losses, vulnerability |
| Sequential Rehook | Tease next reward, preview solution/result | “Ready for more?”, “What happened next…”, “Let’s see…” |
| Ending/Summary | Plant core lesson, emotional punch, challenge | “Remember: small wins = big change.”, “Who’s trying this next?” |
| CTA (Call to Action) | Drive discussion or conversion | “Comment if you agree!”, “Hit save for later!”, “Try it now!” |
| Visual/Graphic Prompt | Reinforce every message with graphic(s) | For each step: [subject/action/emotion/overlay text] |
| Hashtags/Branding | Widen reach, stamp identity | Specific hashtags, brand name/logo in slide or sign-off |
Write a viral LinkedIn [carousel/long/short] post for [target audience/industry] about [problem/opportunity/tool/result]:
- Start with a vivid visual and bold text hook (describe image/1st slide + headline).
- Immediately follow with a “rehook”—hint surprising value, proof, or outcome.
- Share a relatable, specific pain or frustration.
- Agitate: raise the emotional, professional, or financial stakes.
- Add a paradigm-flipping insight, stat, or myth-buster.
- Give a practical, low-friction solution or framework (bullets/checklist).
- Drop in proof—testimonials, stats, screenshots, results.
- Present each idea in a digestible, easily skimmable format (bullets, spacing, emojis).
- Humanize with a story: personal arc or mini-win.
- Tease a result, preview the next slice, or rehook “what happened next?”
- End on a summary/single big idea or emotional mic drop.
- Use a clear CTA—foster comments, saves, shares, DMs, or direct next steps.
- Suggest a matching Ideogram/graphic prompt for images per main section.
- Add hashtags and a branding hint or signoff.
Ref: https://buffer.com/resources/linkedin-carousel-examples/
How it uses the recipe:
- Visual Hook: Before/after photos—“struggling to finish 5 minutes” vs. “riding strong.”
- Verbal Hook: “Six months ago, I could barely pedal for 5 minutes…”
- Rehook: “Now? I’m leading the pack—here’s exactly how.” (teases transformation, fuels curiosity)
- Relatable Problem/Agitate: Details real feelings of failure, struggle, nearly quitting.
- Insight/Myth-Bust: Dispels perfection myth—emphasizes micro-goal wins.
- Solution: “Track small wins, not perfection. Micro-goals every day.”
- Proof: “Now leading live classes” (credibility).
- Digestible Format: Carousel—1 clear idea per slide, bold highlights, emoji wins.
- Personal Story: Authentically shares the full emotional arc, not just outcome.
- CTA: “Share your transformation/challenge story below!”
- Visuals: Progress arc imagery, emotion, stat overlays, bright colors.
- Hashtags/Brand: #FitnessJourney #Transformation #Peloton
Ref: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-went-viral-linkedin-heres-good-bad-ugly-brooke-b-sellas-gul3e
Mapping to recipe:
- Visual Hook: Text-only, but strong opener as an image alternative.
- Verbal Hook: “I was tired of the LinkedIn pitch slap – connect, then SMACK.”
- Rehook: “Here’s my spicy take: this isn't networking, it’s spam.” (surprise/challenge)
- Problem/Agitate: Describes pain of being spammed; “it’s not just me.”
- Insight: Real networking = real conversation, not cold pitch.
- Solution: “Start with value, ask a question, build trust before pitching.”
- Proof: Post metrics: “110+ newsletter subs, 6% follower growth.”
- Digestibility: Short paras, bold highlights (“Spicy take”), emoji.
- Personal Story: First person, shares frustration, vulnerability, the turnaround.
- CTA: “What’s your biggest LinkedIn peeve? Vent in the comments.”
- Hashtags/Brand: #LinkedInTips #Networking
Ref: https://www.podawaa.com/blog/linkedin-carousel-post-examples
Recipe mapping:
- Visual Hook: Slide 1: Caution icon + bold “5 SEO Mistakes…”
- Verbal Hook: “Here’s the most common one I see…”
- Rehook: “Most miss #3 – costing serious ranking!” (stat/tease)
- Problem/Agitate: Hiding the recurring pain, loss of business.
- Insight: Surprising facts per mistake, direct fixes.
- Solution: Each slide = mistake + fix, clear bullets.
- Proof: “After fix #2, ranking jumped in a week.”
- Digestibility: Slide/carousel, 1-tip per page.
- Story (where possible): “I learned this the hard way when…”
- CTA: “Which mistake caught you? Save or DM for my checklist.”
- Visuals: Caution icons, numbers, checklist overlays.
- Hashtags: #SEO #Marketing #ContentStrategy
Mapping:
- Visual Hook: Team meeting—one person highlighted as misfit.
- Verbal Hook: “High performers can destroy your culture if they don’t fit.”
- Rehook: “Here’s what most leaders don’t realize…” (contrarian proof)
- Problem/Agitate: Everyone values “talent”—but what about behavior?
- Insight: Culture > output; even star players can be liabilities.
- Solution: Interview differently, look for fit over just skill.
- Proof: Post or client example, breakdowns.
- Digestibility: Carousel, 1-tip per slide, icons.
- Story: Anecdote about toxic high performer.
- CTA: “Have you seen this? Comment your experience!”
- Brand/hashtag: #Leadership #HR #Culture
Mapping:
- Visual Hook: “80% of LinkedIn is networking backwards” (on-bold carousel)
- Verbal Hook: “People will hate this post.” (hook = controversy)
- Rehook: “Here’s why – and how you can do it right.”
- Problem/Agitate: False tactics, wasted time, engagement pods.
- Insight: Generosity and authenticity, not mechanic tips.
- Solution: Give without expectation, build true relationships.
- Proof: Her story, metrics, viral comments.
- Digestibility: Carousel, big lines, conversation.
- Personal Story: Vulnerability about earlier mistakes.
- CTA: “Agree or disagree? Let’s debate below.”
Ref: https://ve.linkedin.com/posts/danielabib_this-is-funny-activity-7052535978510438402-zaRJ
Mapping:
- Visual Hook: Immediate meme/humor, timely event.
- Verbal Hook: “Only AWS devs will understand this pain…”
- Rehook: Niche pain laugh, industry in-joke.
- Problem: Frustration with AWS UI/upgrades.
- Proof: Massive reaction, viral shares.
- Digestibility: Simple, bold, low-text, emoji.
- CTA: “Tag a dev who needs this laugh.”
- Plug your idea/topic into every stage—don’t skip rehook, proof, or personalization.
- Keep hooks and CTAs tight and clear.
- Make main ideas digestible—use the visual hook, bullets, and icons.
- Study the live examples in the appendix above for how industry leaders execute the formula on real, viral posts.
- For images: Ideogram each section using emotion, metaphor, overlay text, and brand color as outlined.