Let’s be honest, the way something looks on LinkedIn often determines whether it even gets read. We’re not just writing for attention spans anymore, we’re writing for scroll speed. People are moving fast, scanning their feeds in seconds. So if your post looks like a block of text, no matter how insightful it is, it’s likely to get skipped.

That’s where formatting becomes your silent MVP.

Lead With the Hook

Before anything else, focus on your opening line. That first sentence needs to earn the scroll. Sometimes this means putting the punchline first. What’s the boldest takeaway or the most surprising insight? Start there. Then use the rest of the post to build around it. A strong hook makes the difference between someone stopping to read or moving right past.

Build Rhythm Into Your Content

Your posts should be easy to read, easy to skim, and easy to say “yes” to. Short paragraphs, clean spacing, and visual breaks help guide the reader’s eye and make your message feel more inviting.

Think of it like a real conversation. Would you speak in one long breath with no pauses? Definitely not. You’d pause for effect, emphasise key points, and give your listener space to reflect. Good LinkedIn formatting does the same. It adds rhythm, making your content feel more human and digestible.

Add Personality With Visual Cues

Formatting isn’t just functional. It can reflect your brand’s tone too. Emojis (used sparingly) can bring energy or structure to your post. A 🔥 or 💡 can highlight a takeaway or create natural breaks without relying on traditional bullet points.

You can also add mini subheadings or callouts throughout your post. These act as anchors that help people stay engaged and find what matters most at a glance.

Use AI to Break the Wall of Text

If you’re working from something long, like a blog, email, or strategy doc, and want to shape it into a snappy post, AI can help.

Tools like ChatGPT can reformat rough drafts, break up long blocks of text, or translate big ideas into skimmable, social-ready pieces. Combine that with apps like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to trim the fluff, and you’ll end up with content that’s clean, clear, and ready to go.

If They Don’t Read It, They Won’t Get It

Formatting isn’t fluff. It’s the delivery system for your message. A great idea buried in a wall of text won’t land. But that same idea, spaced and structured for clarity, with the hook up top and rhythm throughout? That’s what earns attention.

So next time you post, don’t just ask: Did I say something valuable?

Also ask: Did I make it easy to read?

Your great content deserves to be seen and formatting is how you help make them shine.