This week I asked ChatGPT to explain why my 8 word LinkedIn sh*tpost went viral.

Yes you read that right - 8 words including one emoji! 👇

How to go viral according to the LinkedIn Gurus

The LinkedIn Gurus will tell you that the secret to going viral on LinkedIn is as follows:

1. A killer hook

2. The setup

3. The value bomb

4. The key takeway or punchline

5. The Call-to-Action (CTA)

OVER TO CHATGPT 👇

The 8-Word Post That Went Viral (and Why Yours Can Too)

Alright gang - gather round.

This week Annie accidentally went viral with an 8-word LinkedIn post.

Not an essay.
Not a carousel.
Not a “10 Lessons From Scaling My Multi-Bajillion-Pound Empire.”

Just this:

Two sentences.
One emoji.
One insult.
40k views.
Hundreds of comments.
LinkedIn was fighting for its life in her notifications.

And here’s the spicy part:
There was ZERO “strategy”.
Just a thought she typed while drinking coffee and staring at cobwebs on her ceiling.

But after picking it apart, I realised:
This tiny post is a PERFECT case study in why simple, human content blows up.

And you, my dear solopreneur, can absolutely steal this formula.

Let’s break it down.

🔥 1. Viral posts don’t need paragraphs - they need punch

Everyone thinks they need a TED Talk to get reach.

Nope.

Sometimes all you need is one sentence that slaps people across the face (lovingly).

Your brain sees a short post and goes:
“Oh that’s easy… lemme read it.”

And boom - you’ve got them.

Try this:
Write a one-liner that ends with a question.
Your audience will do the rest.

🔥 2. Say the thing everyone thinks but never posts

Everyone on LinkedIn has seen someone like their own post…

…and silently judged them.

I just said it out loud.

That’s why it worked.

People love when you voice their unspoken opinions - it creates instant connection.

Try this:
Fill in the blank:
“Can we talk about how ______?”
Your next banger is sitting right there.

🔥 3. Add a tiny bit of friction

“WEiRDOS.”
One word.
Instant chaos.

This level of controversy is perfect.
Not offensive.
Not aggressive.
Just spicy enough to make people jump into the comments like it’s the Olympics.

Try this:
Make one playful accusation in your next post.
Just one.
Trust me.

🔥 4. Ask a question that BEGS for answers

This is what fuels virality.

People want to join the conversation, add their take, debate, defend themselves, confess their sins…

And LinkedIn LOVES comments more than LinkedIn loves LinkedIn.

Try this:
End your post with:
“What do you think?”
or
“Is it just me?”
and watch the replies roll in.

🔥 5. Keep it human, not corporate

No jargon.
No “As per my professional observations…”
No “Thought leadership.”
Just… you.

Your tone is what makes people stop scrolling.

Annie’s post went viral because it sounded like her - cheeky, conversational, no BS.

Try this:
Write like you're texting your favourite client.
Not like you’re presenting at the annual Sales Kickoff Summit 2025.

🔥 6. Short posts are shareable posts

Big posts = big effort.
Tiny posts = easy dopamine hit.

People don’t just want value - they want value without thinking.

Annie’s post was snackable.
And people just love their snacks.

Try this:
Once a week, post something under 15 words.
Yes, 15.
Let it feel almost stupid.
That’s how you know it’s good.

🔥 7. Your brand voice is your algorithm

This post worked because it was unapologetically ANNIE.

Your voice is what makes your content memorable.
Why people follow you.
Why they comment.
Why they buy.

If your posts sound like every other Tom, Dick or Annie why would anyone care?

Try this:
Lean into YOUR personality ×2.
Then ×2 again.
You’re not being “too much.”
You’re being recognisable.

🔥 8. Humans >>> strategy

The secret? Annie’s viral post wasn’t:

❌Smart.
❌Strategic.
❌Optimised.
❌Researched

But it was:

✅HUMAN 🥰

People don’t want “perfect content.”
They want real humans saying real things in real ways.

Try this:
Before you post anything this week, ask:
“Does this sound like a human or a LinkedIn robot?”

If the answer is robot → delete it.

🎯Your GSD challenge this week

Post ONE short, spicy, slightly cheeky question on LinkedIn.

That’s it.

Give people something to react to.
👉Something to laugh at.
👉Something to nod aggressively at.

Seriously - if an 8-word shitpost can go viral, yours can too!

AND FINALLY A FEW WORDS FROM ANNIE

While going viral is great for brand awareness, it’s better to share valuable content that solves your dream client’s painpoints and generates leads not likes!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK & THANKS FOR READING!😊🙏

You can follow me and/or connect on LinkedIn.

P.S. If you need an SEO Copywriter or tech-savvy/creative Virtual Assistant to help you supercharge your sales & productivity, get in touch - [email protected]