A quickie list post template to stick in your swipe file

Hey everyone!

Thanks much for bearing with me last week as I took a much-needed recharge with the missus.

We’re back to your regularly scheduled programming, and we’re gonna ease back in with a simple template you can use … well … today, if you want!

Our big goal here is to make you a better writer on LinkedIn!

Some posts are gonna get in the weeds and do more advanced stuff.

But, some posts will be pretty straightforward!

Today, I’m giving you a simple template you need absolutely no copywriting experience to use.

Let’s get to it, but first, the housekeeping for all ‘me new subscribahs!

I’m Dusten, and I co-run a personal brand agency called Zenpost.

This is Cool Story, where I summon my decade+ of content expertise to teach you how to write like LinkedIn’s top voices.

Each week, I tear down a post from one of LinkedIn’s most powerful personal brands, show you how it’s done, and give you a content template you can stick in your swipe file.

Let’s get to it!

This week’s post

Noemi Kis is a career coach who helps people turn side hustles into lucrative businesses.

She’s a great resource for anyone who wants to turn a passion project into cash, and posts great advice every day.

Here’s this week’s post in its original form on LinkedIn.

And here’s my markup:

Told you! Simple.

I almost don’t need to break this down for you.

But, let’s do it for fun anyway!

Here’s why it works:

Noemi’s post works because of three main things:

• An easy-to-write hook formula that always works

  • most people think X, but Y is true!

• A clear promise to the reader

  • I’m going to tell you what you get out of what I’m about to tell you!

• A slick readability hack

  • each point has a couple of quick hits, not a big paragraph

As a bonus, she re-states her thesis again as a key takeaway, and includes a clear CTA to her lead magnet.

For those of you who struggle to “make the ask,” once again, we’re seeing that you can put a self-promotional CTA on damn near anything.

Steal the template:

This template can be used for anything — advice to your ICP, a personal story, or sharing your methods for doing something.

So, I watered it down to the bare bones for you. Adapt it for whatever you need!

Most people think [X]

The truth is [Y]

[“see more” line]

Here’s why [Y] is true:

1/ [Point #1]
↳ [explain point #1]
↳ [explain point #2]

[repeat for as many points as you want]

Remember:

[Reword hook]
[Practical takeaway/advice]
You will [experience great outcome]

[CTA]

Cool Story is FREE, but I do have a BIG ask…

I’m trying to grow the newsletter this year, so if you think others in your networks would benefit from Cool Story, please share it with them.

TWO more QUICK things:

• Let’s make sure we’re connected on LinkedIn, where I share content creation tips every day. Hit the bell to never miss a post.

• If you’re a founder, fractional, or consultant and you’re interested in investing in your personal brand on LinkedIn, Zenpost can help. When you’re ready, let’s find a time to chat.