If you’re a small business owner, a startup founder, or an aspiring LinkedIn creator trying to get noticed, you’re not alone.
Most people post and pray.
But on LinkedIn, virality isn’t about being lucky.
It’s about understanding how the system works — then using it on purpose.
I’m Dennis Ocasio, co-founder of Ocasio Consulting, LLC, a digital marketing agency based in East Orlando. We build LinkedIn content systems for brands and creators who want reach that turns into revenue.
Recently, I’ve been collaborating on posts and ad campaigns, delving into the details to understand what drives viral performance on LinkedIn.
What follows is a summary of the practical approaches.
Not theory. Not fluff. Just what gets traction.
Let me break it down for you.
The Cold Truth: Most LinkedIn Posts Flop
Let’s be honest. Most people post into the void on LinkedIn. One like. Two impressions. No traction.
If that’s been you — it’s not your fault.
You’ve just been playing a game without the playbook.
In this section, we’re acknowledging the problem before we teach you how to fix it.
Here’s what I hear all the time:
- “My post got 17 views. What happened?”
- “I shared a huge win and got zero likes.”
- “Is the algorithm broken?”
No. The problem isn’t the algorithm. The problem is that your post didn’t trigger the algorithm’s engagement snowball.
Let me show you how to fix that — step by step.
Step 1: Nail the Viral Format (Not Just the Topic)
You can have a brilliant message, but if the format’s off — it dies in the feed.
LinkedIn favors certain types of posts that spark conversation, keep people engaged, and make users stick around longer.
This section breaks down the formats that consistently outperform — because style matters as much as substance.
What Works Best Right Now in 2025:
- Personal stories with a business lesson
Example: A tech lead shares imposter syndrome + lesson learned = 300+ comments - Industry insight with a contrarian take
Example: “Why I stopped using sales calls — and doubled my close rate” - Carousel (Document) posts
Example: “10 AI tools that saved me 20 hours this week” — people scroll = high dwell time - Tips and listicles
Example: “5 LinkedIn mistakes killing your engagement” — instant value, easy to save - Mild controversy that sparks debate
Gong’s fire-starter posts like “Sales scripts are dead” blew up their brand - Feel-good announcements with a story
“I was laid off. Now I’m leading a team of 20.”
(Bonus: LinkedIn editors often boost these)
Step 2: Post at the Right Time (Not When You’re Free)
Timing matters more than most people realize. You can write a killer post, but if it goes live when your audience is offline, it gets buried.
LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards early engagement, so hitting your post window is crucial.
Here’s when your audience is listening.
- Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Best Times: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (your audience’s time zone)
- Worst Time: Weekends or late nights
Pro Tip: Post right before the hour (e.g. 10:45) to catch people between meetings.
Step 3: Hook ‘Em Fast (Your First Line = Your Ad)
The hook is everything.
It’s the billboard for your post. Most people waste it with fluff. Don’t say, “I want to talk about…” Just say it.
This section teaches you how to write first lines that stop thumbs mid-scroll and force the reader to hit “see more.”
Hook Templates That Work:
- “I almost quit. Here’s what happened.”
- “Most cold emails fail. Here’s why.”
- “What if everything you know about X is wrong?”
- “We lost $100k. Here’s what we learned.”
- “You’re doing Y wrong — and it’s costing you.”
Make it emotional. Make it curious. Make it scroll-stopping.
Make it the Ocasio Consulting way!
Step 4: Format Like a Pro (No Walls of Text)
People don’t read. They scan.
If your post looks like a wall of text, it won’t even get a chance.
The goal is to create a reading rhythm that keeps people engaged (as you’ve noticed in this post)
Here’s how to make your content inviting to the eye — and the thumb.
- One line = one sentence.
- Use whitespace. Let your post breathe.
- Break long thoughts into chunks.
- Sprinkle in bullets or emojis (sparingly).
- Keep it phone-friendly — 75%+ of users read on mobile.
Bad formatting = skipped posts.
Step 5: Trigger the Algorithm (Fast)
LinkedIn doesn’t wait around. The first 90 minutes after you post are make or break.
If your post gains traction early, LinkedIn gives it legs. If not — it disappears.
This section shows you exactly what engagement signals push your content out to more people.
You Need:
- Rapid engagement in first 90 minutes
- Real comments, not fluff (“Amazing!” doesn’t count)
- Dwell time — make them read or click “see more”
- Shares — especially with captions
- Saves and DMs — invisible but powerful signals
How to Hack This:
- Ask a strong question at the end
- Tag one relevant person (not 10)
- Reply to comments fast (boosts the thread)
- Don’t edit your post in the first hour
- Don’t add outbound links in the post (put them in comments)
Step 6: Build a Repeatable System
Going viral once is great. Going viral regularly? That’s leverage.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every week. Just follow a consistent format, show up in your niche, and keep delivering value.
This is how you build brand equity post after post.
This isn’t about one lucky post. This is about showing up consistently with:
- Clear niche (what are you the go-to person for?)
- Recognizable tone (first person, friendly, no jargon)
- Value-packed formats (tips, frameworks, stories)
My Go-To Format:
- Hook – grabs attention
- Story – adds context
- Insight – teaches something
- CTA – invites comment or share
This is what influencers like Alex Hormozi, Justin Welsh, and Hala Taha do on a weekly basis. And it works.
Real-World Case Study: Gong
Want proof this works?
Gong turned their LinkedIn page into a megaphone by blending smart content with bold opinions.
They understood their niche, showed up with clarity, and weren’t afraid to shake the status quo.
This section breaks down how they did it — and what you can steal.
They went from 12k to 295k+ followers by:
- Posting bold takes on sales (e.g. “Stop sending cold emails”)
- Encouraging employees to post about company culture
- Turning company milestones into shareable stories
Key: They weren’t afraid to challenge norms. But they stayed in their lane.
What About Paid Boosts?
Going viral organically is great, but smart marketers amplify what’s already working.
Paid posts aren’t evil. Done right, they scale your best content to a hyper-targeted audience.
Just don’t make them look like ads. Keep the human voice.
Use paid only after a post performs well organically.
- Boost posts with proven engagement
- Target your niche (e.g. SaaS CMOs, not “everyone in marketing”)
- Use Thought Leader Ads to sponsor your CEO’s post (still looks personal)
Paid + Organic = Scaled Virality.
Key Metrics That Matter
If you’re only tracking likes, you’re playing the wrong game.
LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards depth — not vanity.
Focus on metrics that reflect real influence, not fake dopamine hits. Here’s what actually moves the needle.
Forget likes. Track these:
- Comments – especially from 2nd/3rd-degree connections
- Shares with captions – gold
- Saves & DMs – invisible but powerful
- Follower growth – is your audience compounding?
- Profile views – are people curious enough to check you out?
Final Thoughts
This is where most people stop reading — and you’re still here. That tells me you’re serious.
If you follow this system, LinkedIn can become your biggest growth channel.
But it won’t happen by accident. Post with purpose. Show up with clarity. And never forget: the algorithm rewards humans, not robots.
At Ocasio Consulting, we help small businesses and emerging creators turn LinkedIn into a growth machine — without sounding fake or salesy.
Want help building your LinkedIn system? Let’s talk.
Follow me for more no-fluff LinkedIn and digital growth strategies.
