We’ve all seen the posts: “I’m proud to announce…” “We were thrilled to host…” “I’m honored to be…”
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with being proud or honored. But starting your LinkedIn posts this way is a missed opportunity. It’s about you. It tells your audience nothing about why they should care, what actually happened or how it might help or be relevant to them.
In a sea of sameness, posts like this fade into the background and won’t help you build your business or brand.
If your goal is to stand out, connect with others and be remembered, you need to flip the focus. It’s not about what you did or accomplished. It’s about what it means for others. Your clients. Your peers. Your industry. It’s about showing versus telling.
So, how do you make your content more relevant and engaging? Here are eight better ways to structure your LinkedIn posts, with context, examples and tips to help you implement them:
Start with the impact
Instead of: “I’m thrilled to share that we hosted an event last night…” Try: “More than 100 professionals came together last night to talk about where the industry is heading and what that means for our clients.”
Why it works: It focuses on the outcome, not the host. You immediately get a sense of size, importance and relevance. The takeaway is clear. There was value for the attendees, and now the reader wants to know more.
How to apply: Think about the ripple effect of what you did. Who showed up? What happened as a result? What changed?
Lead with the value
Instead of: “I was honored to moderate a panel on healthcare and private equity…” Try: “What happens when you bring together leaders in private equity, healthcare and regulation? You get conversations that actually move the needle.”
Why it works: You’re setting up a discussion instead of reciting a résumé. This structure pulls people in and makes them curious. It also frames your role as a connector, not just a participant.
How to apply: Describe the kind of insights that emerged from the event, panel or project. What big questions were tackled? What value was exchanged?
Share a clear takeaway
Instead of: “I spoke on a panel about M&A trends…” Try: “Relationships still matter more than market trends. That stuck with me from yesterday’s panel.”
Why it works: Readers can take something useful from your post even if they weren’t there. You’re showing that you listened, reflected and learned.
How to apply: Pull out one specific lesson, quote or idea that resonated with you. Keep it short, real and personal.
Show real feedback
Instead of: “Great to see so many familiar faces at our event…” Try: “One attendee said, ‘This was the first event in a long time where I actually took notes.’ That kind of feedback means everything.”
Why it works: Third-party validation builds credibility. It’s not you saying the event was great. It’s someone else telling you it mattered.
How to apply: If someone says something meaningful to you after a program, ask if you can share it. Paraphrase if needed, but keep it authentic.
Highlight who showed up
Instead of: “Thanks to everyone who came out to our industrials event…” Try: “It was a great mix of founders, investors and advisors talking about what’s next for industrials.”
Why it works: It gives your reader a sense of who the content or event might be useful for. It helps them self-identify and see your post as relevant to their world.
How to apply: Describe the roles or backgrounds of participants. Avoid generic phrases like “amazing group” or “incredible turnout” and be specific.
Tell a quick backstory
Instead of: “We hosted our annual breakfast series yesterday…” Try: “This idea started over coffee a few months ago. Last night, it turned into a packed event full of insights and new relationships.”
Why it works: It brings the audience behind the scenes. It shows initiative, creativity and relationship building in action.
How to apply: Think about the origin of the idea or collaboration. What made it special or meaningful? Tell the story briefly but with intention.
Ask a thoughtful question
Instead of: “We had an insightful discussion at our roundtable…” Try: “What do GCs actually want from their outside counsel? That’s what we explored in yesterday’s roundtable.”
Why it works: A good question invites engagement. It also centers the post around an issue, not an ego.
How to apply: Use the actual discussion topic or breakout question as your hook. Make sure the question is relevant and not too broad.
Reflect with intention
Instead of: “I was honored to be part of such a great discussion…” Try: “We’re all busy, but moments like this remind me how valuable it is to get in a room with smart people and talk about real issues.”
Why it works: You’re acknowledging the reality of professional life and reinforcing why connection and learning matter. It makes your presence at the event feel purposeful.
How to apply: After the event, ask yourself: Why did this matter? What did it reinforce for me? Then share that in a sentence or two.
A few final tips
People do scroll right past the “proud to announce” posts. Not because they’re bad people, but because those posts don’t give them a reason to care. If you want your content to connect, start by asking: why would someone stop and read this? What’s in it for them? Be helpful. Be specific. Be clear. And remember, relevance always beats polish.
- Avoid defaulting to passive or predictable openings
- Think about what your audience will find valuable, not just what you want to say
- Don’t bury the lead — get to the point quickly
- Be clear and specific
- Keep the focus on the reader, not just yourself
You can still be proud. You can still be excited. Just start with what matters to your audience.
The next time you sit down to post, ask yourself: Why should someone care about this? If you can answer that clearly, you’re on the right track.
Here’s a video with more on this topic.
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