How to create a “grenade” post on LinkedIn

Last week I unintentionally created a “grenade” post on LinkedIn.

I shared how some troll had left an anonymous one-star review on Amazon for my book, Start Being Visible.

I then contrasted this with a message someone else had sent me that very week saying how great and helpful my book was, and I encouraged people to focus on the positives in the face of negativity.

(You can read the full post here)

I knew that post would be popular - good motivational posts tend to do well on LinkedIn - but I didn’t know it would catch fire the way it did!

At the time of writing this, the post has reached 863 reactions and 210 comments.

This was a grenade post!         

So, what exactly is a grenade post?

A grenade post is a term I’ve made up for when a post does so well it blows things out of the water!

You can call this a viral post, if you like, but I prefer grenade! lol

The great thing about a grenade post is the ripple effect. Not only do you reach both active and dormant connections with this kind of post (I had people liking and commenting that I didn’t even know were on LinkedIn!), you also reach and attract people beyond your existing network.

And the best part is, some of these people will be your target audience!

A grenade post attracts attention to your profile and your content so if you’re going to do one, you need to make sure your profile, in particular, is great before you go blowing things up!

My LinkedIn blew up last week based on that one grenade post and the ripples are still trickling in this week.

Hundreds of new people have followed me; I’ve received dozens of connection requests from my target audience; a whole load of inbox messages about my services, and many more people have gone on to Amazon to buy my book!

BOOM!!!

7 ways to create a grenade post

A grenade post is a great tool to have in your LinkedIn content arsenal to bring out every now and again (trust me, you don’t want to be doing this too regularly since the ripple effect in following up is very time consuming!). 

It is possible to create one by accident, but if you want to be intentional about it, here are 7 ways to create your own grenade post.

(PS: I’ve included some examples from my own posts and/or posts from my clients so you can have a visual demonstration of what the grenade posts look like.) 

1.   Turn adversity into publicity 

Did someone say something or do something bad to you? No problem! Turn that adversity into publicity by sharing the lessons you drew from the experience. People love to be inspired and motivated. 

Example: My one-star review post

2.   Celebrate every major occasion

Got a birthday coming up? A milestone business anniversary? Written a book? Signed a major contract? If it means something to you, chances are it’ll mean something to your audience too, so share it! People love to celebrate achievements. 

Example: Joy’s book cover reveal

3.   Get audience involvement

Torn between two profile pics for your rebrand? Can’t decide on a title or cover for your book? Don’t struggle alone, get your audience involved! People love to offer opinions. 

Example: Janet’s new brand image 

4.   Lead with your picture

There are few things more attention-grabbing on LinkedIn than a picture of you! Couple this with some meaningful text and you’re on to a winner! People love to look at pictures.

Example: Liz's service offer 

5.   Share something useful

Do you have a go-to tool that’s made your life easier? Or maybe you’ve learnt something recently that’s revolutionised the way you think? Don’t keep it to yourself, share it! People love to gain useful knowledge.

Example: Kris' reward chart

6.   Use video

Videos are a great way to connect with your audience on a deeper level while teaching, sharing an idea or simply offering meaningful entertainment. Stop hiding from the camera and start showing your face! People love to engage with videos.

Example: Kim's impostor syndrome video

7.   Share popular content

If you come across something interesting online that’s already popular, share it with your audience, if it’s in line with your brand. People love to consume popular content and be in the know!

Example: Lorlett’s ‘power in creativity’ post

So, there you have it – seven different ways to create your own grenade post!

❓ ❓ Which of the seven ways will you try this week? Let me know in the comments!

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ABOUT MILDRED TALABI

Mildred Talabi specialises in helping women in business get visible on LinkedIn so they can effortlessly promote their brand and easily attract their ideal clients.

Prior to making this transition, Mildred ran a CV makeover business for 12 years, with LinkedIn as her number one source of inbound leads, and previously had a career in Journalism, PR and Communications.

Mildred has authored four books to date, including Start Being Visible: Raise your profile, promote your brand, and attract your ideal clients – through LinkedIn! (published September 2020).

When she’s not busy making women visible on LinkedIn, Mildred likes to binge on podcasts, read personal development books, watch movies and spend time with her husband and two daughters.

Connect with Mildred via LinkedIn and on her website, www.mildredtalabi.com