# Post Format Templates

Ready-to-use templates for different platforms and content types.

## Contents
- LinkedIn Post Templates (The Story Post, The Contrarian Take, The List Post, The How-To)
- Twitter/X Thread Templates (The Tutorial Thread, The Story Thread, The Breakdown Thread)
- Instagram Templates (The Carousel Hook, The Reel Script)
- Hook Formulas (Curiosity Hooks, Story Hooks, Value Hooks, Contrarian Hooks, Social Proof Hooks)

## LinkedIn Post Templates

### The Story Post
```
[Hook: Unexpected outcome or lesson]

[Set the scene: When/where this happened]

[The challenge you faced]

[What you tried / what happened]

[The turning point]

[The result]

[The lesson for readers]

[Question to prompt engagement]
```

### The Contrarian Take
```
[Unpopular opinion stated boldly]

Here's why:

[Reason 1]
[Reason 2]
[Reason 3]

[What you recommend instead]

[Invite discussion: "Am I wrong?"]
```

### The List Post
```
[X things I learned about [topic] after [credibility builder]:

1. [Point] — [Brief explanation]

2. [Point] — [Brief explanation]

3. [Point] — [Brief explanation]

[Wrap-up insight]

Which resonates most with you?
```

### The How-To
```
How to [achieve outcome] in [timeframe]:

Step 1: [Action]
↳ [Why this matters]

Step 2: [Action]
↳ [Key detail]

Step 3: [Action]
↳ [Common mistake to avoid]

[Result you can expect]

[CTA or question]
```

---

## Twitter/X Thread Templates

### The Tutorial Thread
```
Tweet 1: [Hook + promise of value]

"Here's exactly how to [outcome] (step-by-step):"

Tweet 2-7: [One step per tweet with details]

Final tweet: [Summary + CTA]

"If this was helpful, follow me for more on [topic]"
```

### The Story Thread
```
Tweet 1: [Intriguing hook]

"[Time] ago, [unexpected thing happened]. Here's the full story:"

Tweet 2-6: [Story beats, building tension]

Tweet 7: [Resolution and lesson]

Final tweet: [Takeaway + engagement ask]
```

### The Breakdown Thread
```
Tweet 1: [Company/person] just [did thing].

Here's why it's genius (and what you can learn):

Tweet 2-6: [Analysis points]

Tweet 7: [Your key takeaway]

"[Related insight + follow CTA]"
```

---

## Instagram Templates

### The Carousel Hook
```
[Slide 1: Bold statement or question]
[Slides 2-9: One point per slide, visual + text]
[Slide 10: Summary + CTA]

Caption: [Expand on the topic, add context, include CTA]
```

This is the generic shape. For five full slide-by-slide narrative architectures (Value-Stack, Problem-Proof, Hack List, Rant Callout, Demo Walkthrough) with selection guidance and per-slide copy slots, see [carousel-frameworks.md](carousel-frameworks.md).

### The Reel Script
```
Hook (0-2 sec): [Pattern interrupt or bold claim]
Setup (2-5 sec): [Context for the tip]
Value (5-25 sec): [The actual advice/content]
CTA (25-30 sec): [Follow, comment, share, link]
```

---

## Hook Formulas

The first line determines whether anyone reads the rest.

### Curiosity Hooks
- "I was wrong about [common belief]."
- "The real reason [outcome] happens isn't what you think."
- "[Impressive result] — and it only took [surprisingly short time]."
- "Nobody talks about [insider knowledge]."

### Story Hooks
- "Last week, [unexpected thing] happened."
- "I almost [big mistake/failure]."
- "3 years ago, I [past state]. Today, [current state]."
- "[Person] told me something I'll never forget."

### Value Hooks
- "How to [desirable outcome] (without [common pain]):"
- "[Number] [things] that [outcome]:"
- "The simplest way to [outcome]:"
- "Stop [common mistake]. Do this instead:"

### Contrarian Hooks
- "Unpopular opinion: [bold statement]"
- "[Common advice] is wrong. Here's why:"
- "I stopped [common practice] and [positive result]."
- "Everyone says [X]. The truth is [Y]."

### Social Proof Hooks
- "We [achieved result] in [timeframe]. Here's the full story:"
- "[Number] people asked me about [topic]. Here's my answer:"
- "[Authority figure] taught me [lesson]."
