20-question pre-publish checklist that scores your post out of 100 and tells you exactly what to fix before you hit post.
Several key elements are missing. Review the recommendations below.
20 / 20 questions answered
Category Breakdown
Does your hook create a curiosity gap (makes reader want to know more)?
A hook that promises insight, surprise, or a reveal keeps readers engaged.
Does your post avoid walls of text (no paragraph longer than 3 lines)?
Mobile readers skip dense blocks. Keep every paragraph short and punchy.
Is your post relevant to your defined audience (not trying to appeal to everyone)?
Posts written for a specific persona outperform generic posts 2:1.
Does your hook start with a bold statement or number in the first 3 words?
Is your opening line under 10 words?
Does your hook create a curiosity gap (makes reader want to know more)?
A hook that promises insight, surprise, or a reveal keeps readers engaged.
Does your post avoid starting with ‘I’ as the very first word?
Starting with ‘I’ feels self-centered. Try starting with the value or insight.
Is your post under 1,300 characters?
Do you have a line break after every 1–2 sentences?
Does your post avoid walls of text (no paragraph longer than 3 lines)?
Mobile readers skip dense blocks. Keep every paragraph short and punchy.
Do you use numbered lists or bullet structure where appropriate?
Is each line of your list 10 words or fewer?
Tight list items are easier to skim and stick in memory.
Is there a visual pause (empty line) before your CTA or closing line?
A visual break before the CTA increases click-through by emphasizing it.
Does your post share a specific insight, lesson, or story (not just an opinion)?
Does your post include a number or specific data point?
Is your post relevant to your defined audience (not trying to appeal to everyone)?
Posts written for a specific persona outperform generic posts 2:1.
Does your post avoid jargon or buzzwords (no ‘synergy’, ‘leverage’, ‘disrupt’)?
Jargon reduces trust. Plain language outperforms corporate-speak every time.
Does your post have a clear point of view (not just reporting facts)?
Posts with a strong POV generate 60% more comments than neutral posts.
Does your post end with a direct question to the reader?
Does your post invite personal experience sharing from the reader?
‘Have you experienced this?’ beats ‘agree or disagree?’ for meaningful engagement.
Does your post avoid asking for likes, reposts, or follows?
LinkedIn’s algorithm down-ranks posts that beg for engagement. Let value drive it.
Does your post include a relatable experience (not just advice)?
Relatability is the fastest path to comments. ‘I’ve been there too’ drives replies.
Does your post have a single clear CTA (not multiple asks)?
Needs Work — 41/100
Work through the top fixes above, then re-score before publishing.
LinkedIn's algorithm rewards posts that drive early engagement — comments, saves, and shares within the first hour. Most creators lose this window because of fixable technical issues: dense formatting, weak hooks, or no clear CTA.
This checklist was built from patterns found in hundreds of top-performing LinkedIn posts. The 20 questions cover the five dimensions that most predict organic reach: hook strength, formatting clarity, content depth, engagement triggers, and CTA focus.
Creators who use a structured pre-publish review consistently outperform those who don't — not because they're more talented, but because they eliminate the obvious friction before it costs them reach.
Write your post first
Finish your draft in full before scoring. This gives you an honest baseline.
Answer all 20 questions honestly
Don’t check ‘yes’ if you’re not sure. The value is in accurate gaps, not a high score.
Review your top 3 fixes
Focus on the highest-point gaps first. Three quick edits can add 10–15 points.
Re-score after editing
Hit reset, update your answers, and aim for 75+ before publishing.
Download your results
Save your score card to compare improvement over time.