linkedin-post-formatter ยท diff
git:20260515.b861afb to git:20260710.ffb3400
1 added, 1 removed. Audit A to A.
---
- description: 'Format and draft compelling LinkedIn posts using Unicode bold/italic styling, visual separators, structured sections, and engagement-optimized patterns. USE FOR: draft LinkedIn post, format text for LinkedIn, create social media post, write thought leadership post, convert content to LinkedIn format, LinkedIn carousel text, Unicode bold italic formatting.'
name: linkedin-post-formatter
+ description: 'Format and draft compelling LinkedIn posts using Unicode bold/italic styling, visual separators, structured sections, and engagement-optimized patterns. USE FOR: draft LinkedIn post, format text for LinkedIn, create social media post, write thought leadership post, convert content to LinkedIn format, LinkedIn carousel text, Unicode bold italic formatting.'
metadata:
skill-author: 'Marie-Lynne Block'
---
# LinkedIn Post Formatter
Transform raw content, ideas, or technical material into polished, engagement-optimized LinkedIn posts using Unicode typography and proven structural patterns.
## Overview
LinkedIn only supports plain text โ no Markdown rendering, no rich formatting. This skill uses Unicode Mathematical Alphanumeric Symbols to simulate bold, italic, and bold-italic text that renders natively in the LinkedIn editor without any external tools.
## Unicode Typography Reference
When converting plain text into Unicode-styled LinkedIn text, first load and use `references/unicode-charmap.md` as the authoritative character mapping reference.
Apply these character mappings to create visual emphasis in plain text:
### Bold (Mathematical Sans-Serif Bold)
Use bold for key phrases, section headers, and emphasis words.
| Plain | Unicode Bold |
|-------|-------------|
| A-Z | ๐-๐ญ |
| a-z | ๐ฎ-๐ |
| 0-9 | ๐ฌ-๐ต |
### Italic (Mathematical Sans-Serif Italic)
Use italic for subtle emphasis, technical terms, or quotes.
| Plain | Unicode Italic |
|-------|---------------|
| A-Z | ๐-๐ก |
| a-z | ๐ข-๐ป |
### Bold-Italic (Mathematical Sans-Serif Bold Italic)
Use sparingly for maximum emphasis.
| Plain | Unicode Bold-Italic |
|-------|-------------------|
| A-Z | ๐ผ-๐ |
| a-z | ๐-๐ฏ |
## Visual Separators
Use these characters to create visual structure:
- **Section divider**: `โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ` (box-drawing heavy horizontal)
- **Bullet points**: `โ` (diamond with dot) or `โ` (bullseye)
- **Arrow flow**: `โ` for vertical flow, `โ` for horizontal continuation
- **Sub-points**: `โณ` for indented sub-items
- **Numbered items**: Use bold Unicode digits `๐ญ. ๐ฎ. ๐ฏ.` etc.
## Post Structure Patterns
### Pattern 1: Hook โ Content โ CTA (General Purpose)
```
[Bold hook line โ provocative statement or question]
[1-2 lines of context setting the stage]
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
[Main content with bold section headers]
[Bullet points using โ or numbered with bold digits]
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
[Bold takeaway or summary]
[Call to action โ repost, comment, or grab resource]
#Hashtags
```
### Pattern 2: Listicle (Numbered Insights)
```
[Bold opening line with a strong claim]
[Setup line explaining what follows]
๐ญ. [Bold item title]
[Supporting detail]
๐ฎ. [Bold item title]
[Supporting detail]
...
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐: [Summary in italic]
#Hashtags
```
### Pattern 3: Story โ Lesson (Thought Leadership)
```
[Italic opening with a personal or observed moment]
[2-3 short paragraphs telling the story]
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐น๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ป:
[Bold lesson or principle extracted from the story]
[CTA]
#Hashtags
```
### Pattern 4: Resource Share (Cheatsheet/Guide/Tool)
```
[Hook: "If you do X, you cannot miss this..."]
[Brief description of what the resource covers]
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
[Bold section count]. [Bold section titles as numbered list]
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐:
[Why this resource matters โ bold key phrase]
[Grab it / Share it CTA]
โป๏ธ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ if this is useful to your network.
#Hashtags
```
## Formatting Rules
1. **Line breaks matter**: LinkedIn collapses multiple blank lines. Use single blank lines between paragraphs.
2. **Hook above the fold**: The first 2-3 lines must compel the reader to click "see more." Front-load value.
3. **Short paragraphs**: 1-3 sentences max per paragraph. Wall of text kills engagement.
4. **Bold sparingly**: Bold key phrases and headers, not entire paragraphs.
5. **Italic for nuance**: Use italic for technical terms, internal thoughts, or subtle emphasis.
6. **Hashtags at the end**: 5-8 relevant hashtags on the last line. No mid-post hashtags.
7. **No emojis in body** unless the user explicitly requests them. Exception: one strategic emoji in CTA (โป๏ธ for repost).
8. **Character limit**: LinkedIn posts can be up to 3000 characters. Aim for 1500-2500 for optimal engagement.
9. **No URLs in body**: LinkedIn suppresses reach for posts with links. Add links in comments instead. Mention "link in comments" or "grab it below" as CTA.
## Engagement Optimization
- **Opening hooks that work**: Questions, bold claims, "If you do X...", contrarian takes, surprising stats.
- **Closing CTAs that work**: "โป๏ธ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ if...", "Save this for later", "Tag someone who needs this", "What's your take? ๐"
- **Whitespace is your friend**: Dense text gets scrolled past. Airy, scannable layout wins.
- **The "see more" hook**: LinkedIn truncates posts after ~210 characters on desktop. Make sure the first 2 lines create enough curiosity to click.
## Process
1. Analyze the source content (text, HTML, image, or idea).
2. Identify the best post structure pattern (HookโContentโCTA, Listicle, StoryโLesson, Resource Share).
3. Extract the core message and 3-5 key points.
4. Apply Unicode bold/italic formatting to headers and emphasis words using `references/unicode-charmap.md`.
5. Add visual separators between sections.
6. Write a compelling hook for the opening.
7. Add a CTA and hashtags at the end.
8. Verify the post is copy-paste ready for LinkedIn.