The Secret to Getting More Engagement on Your Posts

Social media is a tough game—especially for financial professionals. You spend hours crafting posts, only to watch them disappear into the void of LinkedIn feeds. Ever wonder why some posts skyrocket in engagement while others fall flat?

It’s not about luck. It’s about the hook.

The first three lines of your LinkedIn post are everything. They determine if someone clicks “...see more” or keeps scrolling. And that click? It’s just as important as a like because LinkedIn’s algorithm tracks how much time people spend on your content.

If you’re not nailing your hook, your post doesn’t stand a chance.

Let’s discuss exactly how to improve your post's success.

Why Hooks Are Critical for Finance Content

Let’s face it—finance isn’t the most captivating topic on social media. You’re competing with viral videos, memes, and personal stories. As an advisor or financial professional, your value lies in delivering consistent expertise, not entertainment.

But here’s the problem: people don’t often come to social media to learn. And while LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for information providers, you’re still facing an uphill battle.

A great hook is your chance to stand out and prove your value without resorting to gimmicks.

The hook is what makes your audience stop and think, “This is worth my time.” And when your content delivers on that promise, your audience starts to see you as their go-to expert. That’s how you win trust—and, eventually, clients.

The Efficient Advisor’s Secret: Focus on the Hook

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to reinvent your core content every week.

Most of your content will revolve around timeless financial advice—planning for retirement, avoiding common mistakes, saving for the future. And that’s okay. The value you provide doesn’t need to change every week.

So, instead of stressing about writing the “perfect” post, focus your energy on crafting an irresistible hook for your normal messaging. A great hook will get your audience to engage with your evergreen advice. Worst case scenario, you have an avid follower who gets the same kind of advice from you more than once. They’ll likely welcome the reminder anyway.

As a busy advisor, you need to weigh everything in return on time. Stressing over long post ideas is not an efficient use of time. The more you branch off into niche topics that you think will demonstrate your unique expertise, you lower the probability of that post being seen by someone who it's relevant for. That lower relevance success rate is what hurts your engagement. Keep the core content consistent and rotate the delivery.

Think of your posts as a digital version of bumping into clients or prospects at a networking event. You’re there to remind them you’re the expert they can trust when they need advice.

If your hook grabs their attention, they’ll stop scrolling and give your insights the time they deserve. If you offer a low effort way of hearing more from you, like a simple “follow” button or newsletter subscription, you’ll now have them in your pipeline, getting your insights. That means they're coming to you when they need advice or service.

The Formula for Writing Hooks That Work

1. Keep it short: 1–2 lines max. Hooks need to be quick to read and visually stand out.

2. Spark curiosity: Make your audience wonder, “What’s the answer?”

3. Speak to your audience directly: Use “you” and “your” to make it personal.

4. Use action words: Verbs like “stop,” “discover,” or “learn” create urgency.

5. Highlight value immediately: Your audience wants to know what’s in it for them.

   • Example: “How to save $1,000 a month without giving up what you love.”

6. Make it relatable: This is crucial for finance, in particular, given the lack of confidence people have in engaging with financial topics. They want to see that other people have the same questions, problems, and experiences they do.

Try These Hook Styles

1. The Story Hook

This one is very important for making relatable posts. Try sharing a brief, relatable client scenario or success story.

• Example:

  • "Last week, I helped a young couple save for their first home in just 12 months."

  • "A client came to me frustrated with their student loans. Today, they’re debt-free."

  • “Last week, I helped a client save $10,000 on taxes with one simple change.”

  • "I used to struggle with budgeting until I learned this one trick."

2. The "How-To" Hook

Explain how to achieve a desired financial outcome.

• Example:

  • "How to save $1,000 a month without giving up your daily coffee."

  • "How to plan your retirement and still afford dream vacations."

  • "Don’t let credit card interest eat your savings. Try this instead."

  • “How to save for your dream home in just five years.”

  • "This debt repayment strategy changed everything for me."

  • "What most people get wrong about retirement planning:"

  • "Here are 3 simple ways to pay off debt faster than you thought possible."

3. The Question Hook

Pose a relatable or thought-provoking question.

• Example:

  • "Do you know the one mistake that costs most people thousands in retirement?"

  • "What would you do with an extra $500 every month?"

  • “What’s the one mistake most people make when saving for retirement?”

4. The Statistic Hook

Start with a surprising or relevant data point.

• Example:

  • "60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Here’s how to break the cycle."

  • "The average person loses $2,500 a year to hidden fees. Are you one of them?"

5. The Controversial Hook

Challenge a common belief or expectation.

• Example:

  • "Retirement at 65 is outdated—here’s why you shouldn’t aim for it."

  • "Budgeting doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. It means prioritizing it."

  • "Here’s the truth about 'good debt' no one is talking about."

6. The Fear Hook

Address a common financial pain point or mistake.

• Example:

  • “Ignoring your 401(k) could cost you $1 million by retirement.”

  • "Here’s why putting off investing is the biggest mistake you can make."

  • "The shocking reality of how much inflation eats away at your savings."

  • "Stop guessing with your investments—start planning."

  • "You’re losing money if you’re not checking this before investing."

How to Stay Efficient with Your Posts

1. Test and rotate

   Experiment with stories, stats, and questions to see what resonates most.

2. Use formatting to stand out

   Leave white space. Avoid cramming your hook into a dense paragraph. Don’t let your sentence carry over the “more” break. Finish the thought before the fold.

3. Repackage your best performers

   Got a post that did well? Rewrite the hook and repost it with slight updates.

4. Stay Consistent

   Your audience won’t engage with every post, but if you show up consistently with value, they’ll eventually see you as their go-to expert.

Final Thoughts

A great hook isn’t just about getting clicks—it’s about building relationships. When you nail your hooks, you’re not just increasing engagement; you’re giving your audience a chance to see your expertise.

If you’re ready to master hooks and build consistent content that attracts clients, this guide is your starting point. Spend less time stressing over your next post and more time showing your value.

Because when your hooks are strong, your business is too.

Still not sure where to start? Share Scoops’ Pro Content Suite helps financial professionals create great posts and newsletters in seconds. Plus, you get strategic coaching to support you in achieving your goals. Schedule a quick demo today.