Why your LinkedIn posts aren’t building trust (and how to fix it)

You know what most LinkedIn posts get wrong?

They might get a bunch of likes, but they don’t build credibility.

And without credibility, those likes don’t mean much.

Here’s the truth:

If you want your audience to see you as an authority, you need to give them something that sticks.

Something they trust.

The secret?

Formats that deliver.

Here are 8 proven ways to build true authority on LinkedIn:

1. Framework

Break down a system or method that gets consistent results.

• Hook: The 3-step system I use to write LinkedIn posts.

• Content: Hook their attention, share value they care about, and finish with a strong CTA. Simple, but it works every time.

2. Pain Points

Call out frustrations your audience faces and offer solutions.

• Hook: Tired of posting content that gets ignored?

• Content: It’s frustrating, right? Focus on solving your audience’s problems, not just getting likes. Trust comes from value.

3. Mistakes to Avoid

Warn your audience about common pitfalls and how to sidestep them.

• Hook: 5 mistakes killing your LinkedIn engagement.

• Content: Posting links, bad hooks, no whitespace, ignoring data, and forgetting your audience. Fix these for better results.

4. Opinion Pieces

Share your hot take on a topic and back it up with logic or evidence.

• Hook: Stop chasing virality.

• Content: Too many people focus on viral posts instead of valuable posts. Virality gets views, but value builds trust. Trust is what turns followers into opportunities.

5. Checklist

Break down a task into a simple bulletproof list anyone can follow.

• Hook: 4 steps to make networking on LinkedIn easy.

• Content: Show up with a clear goal, start with a genuine compliment, share one valuable insight, follow up within 24 hours. Repeat.

6. Quick Wins

Share a fast, actionable tip that delivers instant results for your audience.

• Hook: Turn your LinkedIn profile into a lead magnet.

• Content: Optimize your profile. Add a clear headline, update your “About” section, and include a call-to-action. Let your profile work.

7. FAQ

Answer a question you’re asked all the time with a no-fluff response.

• Hook: How often should I post on LinkedIn?

• Content: Consistency beats quantity. Post three times a week or daily. Whatever works for your schedule.

8. Personal Lesson

Tell a short story about a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

• Hook: I used to write for likes, now I write for impact.

• Content: I got lots of likes, but no real results. No leads or impact. Now I write for my audience, not the algorithm.

Authority isn’t built overnight.

It’s a steady process.

The best leaders focus on trust, not tricks.

And trust?

It comes from showing up consistently with valuable, actionable content.

So, next time you sit down to write that LinkedIn post, think about this:

Are you giving people something they’ll remember or just something they’ll “like”?

Cheers,
Dan