If you’ve ever started a post with “I’m honored” or “Excited to announce,” you’re not alone.
We all do it because we don’t know what else to say. Or because it feels like it’s the right way. The traditional way. The safe way.
But it’s also the easiest way to get ignored.
Think about it. How many posts have you scrolled past that started the exact same way? I spoke at an event. I got an award. I got a new job. Yadda yadda ya… Even if the picture caught your eye, chances are, you didn’t read the words. Because when a post sounds like every other announcement, your brain signals: “I know what they are going to say, I don’t need to read this.”
And that’s a missed opportunity.
Because these posts aren’t just updates. They are strategic opportunities to increase your visibility, grow your credibility, expand your influence, and even transform the way others see your value at work.
Case in Point: Shay Gillespie’s Post
As I was scrolling my LinkedIn feed, my thumb stopped.
Shay, a Senior Diversity Business Development Manager at World Wide Technology, posted this photo, and it immediately commanded my attention.
Look at her! She’s standing tall, arms outstretched in front of the company building she’s called home for two decades. Dressed in white, radiating confidence, celebration, and pride.
But here’s the key: Her picture caught you looking, but her words kept you reading.
Instead of a generic “Celebrating 20 years!” caption, she opened with a powerful line: “20 years ago, I walked through the doors of the BIGGEST Black-owned business in the country and I never walked out!”
In her post she shared why she stayed, what she’s learned, and the culture that made it all possible. She tied her success to leadership, company values, and the impact she’s been able to make, turning her milestone into a conversation starter.
It’s An Employee Advocacy Masterclass
Shay’s post doesn’t just celebrate her own success. She showcases her company as an incredible place to work, making it a dream employer for future talent.
And in the process, she elevates her own credibility, showing up as a passionate leader who embodies the company’s values.
It’s a win-win. Her company benefits from a glowing endorsement, while she strengthens her visibility, influence, and professional brand—both inside and outside the organization.
Six Ways to Make YOUR Posts Stand Out
While Shay’s approach worked perfectly for her milestone announcement, here are six more ways to make your own wins more engaging:
1. Instead of: "Honored to speak at the Tech Leadership Summit..."
Lead with Your Best Insight: "The room went quiet when I shared how our team cut project delays by 40% without adding headcount. Just broke this down at the Tech Leadership Summit..."
Leading with insight makes people care more. By giving value right out of the gate, your audience immediately sees what’s in it for them—before they even know where you spoke. That’s what keeps them reading.
2. Instead of: "Thank you for having me on the Future of Work podcast..."
Open with the Unexpected: "Turns out, the most productive teams aren’t the ones with the best tools—they’re the ones with the clearest boundaries. This got people fired up when I shared it on the Future of Work podcast..."
This works because it flips a common belief on its head. A surprising truth stops people mid-scroll and makes them want to know why and how. If your post challenges the way they think, they’ll stick around to read the full story.
3. Instead of: "Excited to announce I won the Innovation Award..."
Share the Room’s Reaction: "When I revealed how we transformed our customer experience, three competitors grabbed me afterward for my contact info. Still buzzing from sharing this at the Innovation Awards, where our team’s approach took first place..."
This is powerful because it shows, rather than tells. Instead of just stating that you won an award, you’re proving its significance by sharing the real-world impact it had. When people see your work sparked a reaction, they know it mattered beyond a shiny trophy.
4. Instead of: "Last week I was part of an amazing panel discussion..."
Start with the Problem: "If your hybrid meetings feel like a game of digital charades, you’re not alone. This hit home hard when I joined leaders from Tesla, Adobe, and Microsoft to tackle what’s really going on with today’s workforce..."
This stands out because it immediately acknowledges a shared challenge. People perk up when they see their own struggles reflected back to them. Leading with a problem makes them curious to hear what solutions came out of the discussion.
5. Instead of: "Thrilled to share I was interviewed..."
Drop a Powerful Stat: "Companies worldwide are burning through $2.3 trillion on failed digital transformations because we are making everything too complicated. I broke down why this is happening and 3 simple ways to fix it in my interview with Digital Leaders Today..."
It’s effective because a striking number immediately grabs attention and creates urgency. Following it with the promise of a solution makes your post a must-read, rather than just another "Look ma! They interviewed me!" post.
6. Instead of: "I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as..."
Open with Heart + Proof: "15 years ago, I was the only woman in a room of 50 technical leaders. Today, after mentoring 100+ women in tech and leading $50M in cloud transformations, I'm stepping into my dream role as VP of Technology Strategy"
This connects better because you open with an emotional connection point that resonates with many in tech, then back it up with concrete impact numbers. It transforms a job announcement into a story of breaking barriers and creating lasting change.
The Bottom Line
Your win isn’t the story. Look at it as an opportunity to serve your audience while letting them know you did the thing.
Next time you’re about to type “I’m honored,” stop and ask yourself:
👉🏽 What’s the most interesting thing I learned or shared in this experience?
Start there.
Sure, what you accomplished is impressive. But when your audience can see what’s in it for them, you’ll make them stop scrolling and start reading.
Want Your Team to Nail This?
Imagine hosting a team retreat or employee leadership training, where every participant walks away not just inspired—but equipped to share their experience in a way that builds their credibility and advocates for your company.
Instead of a handful of company-approved posts, your entire team is posting their own unique take—on what they’ve learned, the relationships they’ve built, and the experience they’ve had.
And the best part? They leave with the confidence to keep sharing their expertise, strengthening both their personal brand and your company’s reputation.
That’s exactly what I teach in the #ScrollShop Workshop—helping teams share posts effectively and become great advocates while growing their own brands at work.
Want to learn more? Drop me a message or book a time to chat.
NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🫵🏽
Which one do you see yourself using next?
💬 Drop your pick in the comments—I’d love to hear which one resonates most!
Thanks Cher. #4 will work well for me. Just last week I was a panelist on a webinar and you have given me a classy way of sharing my experience.
First, I rarely open emails but I was captivated enough to open yours. Secondly, I was blown away by this insight because yes, I usually share these types of announcements and yes, I usually scroll on past others. Brilliant!!