This isn’t your average LinkedIn growth blog.
This is your MASTERY in Human Psychology.
Algorithms change, people don’t.
Learn what makes them tick, and you’ll never have to worry about any algorithm update or resort to cheap engagement farming.
Below are 10 cognitive biases and common thinking errors you can exploit to create viral content at your will.
How do I know it works?
Because they already did.
All of them have actual examples from popular accounts so you can model after them.
- Plug and play formats included
How to use this:
You ever see a good post and instantly get an idea for another?
Then you post that and it goes viral?
And you’re like “Whooahh...”
That’s not by accident.
That’s pattern recognition, something which humans have been using for thousands of years to survive.
When you’re exposed to good ideas, you’ll get your own.
That’s why I’ve explained all biases with actual examples, it’s basically like a giant swipe file.
Start to read without any pressure.
Open Postdrip’s editor in another tab and write your ideas down.
Save as drafts, edit the following morning and schedule them.
Helpful tip:
Try to write one post for every section.
But if you can’t, it’s fine.
Go to the next one.
The trick is to stay relaxed.
You’ll get more ideas when you’re doing something else - walks, coffee, shower, etc.
Keep your notepad open so you can immediately write the ideas when they come to you.
With that being said, let's dive right into it!
1. Confirmation Bias
You have certain beliefs about yourself.
- Smart
- Handsome
- Intelligent & Ambitious
And you look for evidence to support that belief.
This is called the “Confirmation Bias”.
If you say smart people do X, people will be more inclined to listen because they believe they're smart.
Chase always nails this.
Instagram reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts - they all weaponize this bias and by tailoring your feed according to your preferences.
You can also take advantage of it by confirming the pre-existing beliefs in your niche.
Some ideas:
“People are more than a PDF, look beyond a resume.”
“It’s not the economy or recession, it’s your fault that you don’t have the skills.”
“Build a business.”
2. Us v/s Them
Think back to your college days.
You’d roast the other classes, get into fights and the sports and events you’d give it your all TO. WIN.
Why?
To prove that your class is the best.
Apply this to content.
Everyone likes to think they belong to a group.
But what they like even more is believing that their group is superior to others.
Show them why they’re right.
Example:
“You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.
Morpheus, “The Matrix”
This is why Andrew Tate resonates with us all.
“The Matrix”
Who exactly are “they”?
It doesn’t matter.
This format works the best when you take a dig at another group instead of praising your own.
Just like high school ;)
Here's the sauce:
If you praise people, they think it’s about them.
If you criticize people, they think it’s about someone else.
Here the state is the enemy.
We’re the smart ones, we understand crypto and we want control of our money.
3. Illusory Superiority Effect
Everyone thinks they’re above average.
If you can write a post that makes people believe that their way of thinking is superior to others, you have a banger piece.
Be a thought leader:
“Your 9-5 isn’t slavery, it’s a blessing.
You get to work on your side biz while it takes care of your bills.
Treat it as what it is, a tool for achieving financial freedom.
Anybody telling you to quit and go all-in because you’ll be “locked in” is an idiot.”
Think of the super polarizing takes in your industry that you disagree with, and post a smarter take.
Ideas:
- Don’t argue with stupid people
- If your friend has a business, buy something from them
- Learn instead of getting jealous of someone who’s better
4. Barnum Effect
People will believe vague and general personality descriptions are tailored specifically to them.
Good examples:
Horoscopes.
Fortune cookies.
Tarot.
You can use this to your advantage by writing things like that:
“If you had a problem with authority growing as a kid, you’ll make a good entrepreneur.”
“If you don’t fit into the traditional molds…”
“If you don’t like being told what to do, you’d make a good XYZ.”
“If you’re kind and compassionate, you’d do ABC.”
You get the point.
5. Simple & Easy
People often overestimate their ability to understand and do something they haven’t done before.
You know how stupid people think they’re smart?
It’s called the Dunning-Kruger effect.
The way you use it to create engaging posts is by simplifying the goals your audience has.
“Fastest way to make your first $1k:
- Pick a skill
- Learn cold outreach
- Work for free/performance basis
Once you get them results, post it and start charging.”
Give them a simple roadmap.
This reduces their anxiety and gives them direction.
- It’s easy
- I’m overcomplicating it
- I needed to be reminded of this
Here’s another great example:
5. Stories
The best content creators don’t create, they collect.
There are things you do during the day that you think are mundane but people don’t.
Think of the lesson you want to share.
Back it up with a story.
6. Anxiety
Look around you.
Social media is designed (read incentivized) to make you anxious.
If you can create posts that make people “zoom out” and see the bigger picture, it relieves some of their anxiety and they engage.
For example:
“Nobody is as stressed as the guy working hard in his 20s to compete with millionaires twice his age.”
This is another great one:
“Reminder:
Compounding takes time.
If you’re putting in the reps daily, and nothing seems to be working, don’t stop now.
You’re already successful, time just has to catch up.”
Make people think it’s okay to feel a certain way.
7. You're an Idiot
This is an interesting one because you get to call people out on their excuses.
You:
“Why am I so sad all the time?”
Also you:
- Watches porn
- Doesn’t exercise
- Sits at home all day
This makes them feel like “He’s right. I have to do something to improve. This post hits hard.”
And engage with the post because it makes them feel like they’re doing something.
Give them some tough love.
“Unpopular opinion:
If you’re not making the money you want right now, it’s your fault.
You’ll always be paid in proportion to your skills.
Stop blaming the market and the economy.”
Tip:
Look at your own life.
Look at some of the excuses you yourself make.
And turn them into posts.
8. Hate
Everybody gets hate.
If you’re a content creator or business owner and your audience consists of the same, take advantage of the fact.
The trick here is to use haters as a badge of honor.
Talk about the unnecessary things people in your industry get criticized for.
And call the haters out by saying things like “hate always comes from below, never above.” and you’ll rake in numbers.
Stand up for your audience.
So, now that you’re aware of the most common biases that make most posts go viral, it’s time to start writing them yourself.
Tey’ll always be operating in the back of your head helping you create viral content.
Most people just copy-paste the viral posts without even understanding the psychology of what makes it great.
That’s what I aimed to give you through this article.
These biases are your weapons.
Use them well.
I’m so excited to see your progress!
Keep Winning.
Dylan
Ready to write better LinkedIn posts and grow your personal brand?
