What to Post on LinkedIn That People Will Read
Discover effective LinkedIn content ideas that will captivate your audience's attention. Gain insights on what to post and write content that people will read.
Staring at a blank LinkedIn page with the cursor blinking, unsure of what to post. Sound familiar? If you are wondering what to post on LinkedIn that people will read and what captures people's attention, you're not alone in your struggle for content inspiration. The platform is saturated with professionals vying for attention, hoping to make their mark. It's an overwhelming task to stand out in the crowd.
When you share your thoughts and ideas, you aim to ignite meaningful discussions and create a ripple effect of inspiration. Deep down, you hold a secret desire for your post to captivate the online community, spreading like wildfire and becoming a viral sensation that resonates with people far and wide.
You dive in, all eager to create thoughtful content and connect with others. But what do you get in return? Just a trickle of interaction. Disappointing, right? It's so tempting to look at those effortlessly growing folks and compare your own journey. But here's the truth: their reality is often far from the shiny highlight reel.
And you know what's even more perplexing? Seeing those average posts from relative unknowns skyrocket. How on earth do they do it? Well, let me tell you a secret: smoke and mirrors.
Are Viral LinkedIn Posts Really Viral?
I've been actively posting on LinkedIn for over five years now. In that time, I've published hundreds, if not thousands, of posts - including ghostwritten content for others. But out of all those posts, I only have one that I would consider truly viral (below), with a handful reaching over one or two million views.
So how do some influencers consistently garner 20k+ likes and hundreds of shares within hours on posts that seem mediocre at best? What are they doing differently from the rest of us?
The answer often comes down to one thing: LinkedIn pods!
What is a LinkedIn pod, you ask? Essentially, it's a group of profiles (real and fake) that have agreed to like and comment on each other's content when notified in order to amplify reach and engagement.
Many of the influencers (not all, of course) you see dominating your LinkedIn feed are members of engagement pods, which they leverage to quickly grow their following. It's a form of manipulation - artificial engagement achieved through coordination, not quality content.
They're not using free LinkedIn pods, but rather paid ones. A typical pod offers packages like 2,500 likes for $170 and 750 shares for $39. You can, of course, find cheaper services.
If you don't want to take the risk of anyone finding out, you can actually buy LinkedIn accounts and create your own pod. It's a solution that some people are using, and you can find out more about it by checking the users who comment and give likes. You'll notice that they're usually the same profiles, and if you look at their activity, you'll see that they only like and share posts from that one influencer.
Over the past few months, I've also noticed many fake profiles reacting to posts with #letsconnect in their posts. To investigate, I tested with several LinkedIn accounts and found that I received likes from people who were 3rd connections and had never interacted with those accounts or their posts.
I am unsure if this method is still effective, but it made me suspect that certain LinkedIn pods or individuals behind fake LinkedIn profile farms are automating interactions for certain hashtags to create the illusion of authenticity.
Just so you know, I don't recommend any of those methods because I truly believe that quality work, even if it takes time, is better than taking shortcuts. And I personally find using pods to be highly unethical.
Why Are People Part of LinkedIn Pods?
While it may not seem worth the investment and time, let's break down the math, why people are doing that:
If you pay $80 for 250 shares and 500 likes across 20 posts, you would spend $1600 USD per month ($9,600 over six months).
Over six months, combine that with networking efforts, and you could easily gain 80-120K+ followers in that timeframe.
This will give them bragging rights to say that they were able to grow their network within months. And guess what? It'll attract even more people as they try to replicate their success. Plus, it's a great selling point for the paid content they'll start offering.
With a large network, you can position yourself as an industry expert and offer paid services like 1:1 Creator Coaching for $999. So after spending $9,600 over six months for LinkedIn pods, you need just ten people to purchase your $999 coaching session. Everything else is profit and money for continue buying likes and shares to keep this illusion going.
This “growth hacking” technique enables influencers to quickly expand their reach and have the opportunity to do sponsored posts, promote tools, and other services. They may also be invited to be guests on podcasts, webinars, and events. It's a great way for them to strengthen their image as influencers, get more clients, and earn more money.
While growth hacking through pods may seem efficient, focus on providing value to your connections. Share useful insights, start meaningful discussions, and build relationships with those who find your content helpful.
When you're building your presence on LinkedIn, remember to focus on quality rather than quantity. It does take time, but trust me, it's totally worth it. So, if you're still with me and not busy searching for tips on starting a LinkedIn pod, let me share some ideas on what to post on LinkedIn that people will read.
Before You Start Posting On LinkedIn
If you have already built a network of at least 2K people, consider enabling LinkedIn's Creator Mode before sharing posts. This feature helps you gain an audience of followers who engage with your content.
Creator Mode optimizes profiles for creators by showcasing insights prominently over job details. This puts your posts front and center to boost visibility. The Follow button also replaces Connect, allowing anyone to follow you without needing a connection request.
You should also clearly define your goals. Growth-oriented content often looks different than content focused on quality connections. You can gain 100K followers in 9-12 months by optimizing for reach, or it may take years if you prioritize meaningful engagement.
But here's the thing: patience and persistence are what really pays off in the long run. Consistently delivering value is what attracts your community, even if it takes a bit more time.
What to Post on LinkedIn That People Will Read
Creating engaging content on LinkedIn requires understanding which formats perform best. The platform accommodates diverse content types - articles, blog posts, images, videos, podcasts, and more.
Each format has the potential to resonate depending on your professional niche and your connections' preferences. Experiment to see what works for you and observe what influential creators in your industry are sharing.
Aim to mix up your content types to keep your audience interested. Don't just stick to sharing articles. Infographics, videos, and other media can captivate viewers in new ways.
You may also want to choose one or two core topics to focus on - your specific passions and areas of expertise. Consistently creating content around mental health, marketing, or any niche sets you apart as a thought leader.
However, don't limit yourself exclusively to your niche subjects. Feel free to discuss other topics relevant to your audience. Finding the right balance between specialized knowledge and variety keeps followers engaged. Experimentation and observation of others in your space will reveal the engagement "formula" unique to your LinkedIn presence.
Here’s a guide on what to post on LinkedIn to engage your network and enhance your professional presence:
1. Industry Insights
What to do: Make sure to share articles, studies, or news about the latest developments and trends in your industry.
My tip: Why not leverage the power of AI for LinkedIn? Tools like Taplio can help you find what is trending and get more reach, engagement, and followers. You can check their site for trending LinkedIn posts. It's a great way to stay updated and get some inspiration for your own content!
Of course! Since it's an AI tool, it can generate engaging and captivating post ideas, helping you connect with your audience effectively. This way, you can increase your visibility on autopilot, reach a broader audience, and make a bigger impact.
But if you're like me and prefer having more control over what you're posting, sticking with manually writing your posts is still a great choice.
2. Curate from Social Media - Trending Topics
What to do: Discover and share trending topics from social media that align with your expertise or interests. Engage in discussions, offer your insights, and connect with a broader audience.
My tip: Did you know that sites like X (formerly known as Twitter) and many others offer a list of trending topics? It's an awesome source of content and ideas for your posts!
Here's why: if you notice on tools like X, Tweethunter, or others that some topics, like the 4-day work week, are trending among users, chances are it'll also be popular with your audience here on LinkedIn. These tools will help you determine what to post on LinkedIn that people will read. If something is trending on X, it is likely to trend on LinkedIn as well!
So, all you need to do is find an article, like the one below, take a screenshot of the headlines, write your 2 cents about the topic, and you're good to go!
If CEOs of big corporations are doing it, you can totally do it too!
Quick note: Make sure to save the link to the article; you never know when someone might ask you about it! Alternatively, include the link to your post.
4. Career Learnings and Advice
What to do: Share tips, advice, and learnings from your professional journey that can benefit others in their careers.
My Tip: One of the things you can do is share your own tips or tips from others. Throughout the week, collect interesting posts and share them at the end of the week or the beginning of the next.
By tagging the original posters, you also increase the chances of them liking your post and boosting its visibility. So, basically, all you have to do is curate a list of posts written by someone else.
Since the links are direct to LinkedIn posts rather than external sources, they will not have a negative impact on your engagement. This is also a very effective way because if the original poster interacts with your post, it will be seen by their audience. If you create a lot of your own content, you can run a post every week or month featuring the "Top Posts" you wrote during that period. This way, your content will help you create new LinkedIn posts.
6. Thought Leadership Content
What to do: Write and share articles or posts expressing your thoughts, opinions, and insights on relevant topics to position yourself as a thought leader.
My Tip: How about running a newsletter here on LinkedIn (Talent Spotlight) or on some other platform? It's a great way to keep yourself writing every week! Plus, you'll have content for your newsletter subscribers and also content you can share on LinkedIn.
If writing is not your thing, you can even share an article from any newsletter or online magazine. Let's say you come across this article called "The Truth About LinkedIn's Job Applicant Numbers". What you can do is write a short post, add the link to that article, and share your thoughts on it with your network. It's a great way to spark a discussion! This is exactly what people are doing: they are using the content of others and adding their two cents.
With the right hook, they will often get way more views than the original poster!
7. Engagement Posts
What to do: Ask questions, create polls, or share content that encourages interactions and discussions amongst your connections.
My Tip: Engagement posts, such as polls, are great because they save people from having to read for an extended period. Instead, they can see one question, a few options, and simply click to move forward.
If you want to increase engagement, try giving people only two answer choices, such as Yes/No or Agree/Disagree. This can simplify the decision-making process for respondents and potentially lead to higher engagement.
Note: There are many fake engagement posts on LinkedIn. One of the best examples of engagement posts is #socialsaturday posts. Personally, I see them as one of the biggest scams on LinkedIn. They're using all sorts of psychological tactics to get engagement, and those posters don't really care about people.
A lot of these posts give job seekers hope that recruiters will find their LinkedIn profile. Can you imagine recruiters sifting through over 2,000 comments on a Saturday or Sunday, trying to find the perfect candidate for their role? If you open a dictionary to find the meaning of "ineffective sourcing method," you'd see these Social Saturday posts right next to it. They're basically a perfect example!
8. Revisit Your Old Content
What to do: Your past articles, blog posts, presentations, and reports can be a trove of valuable content. Update them with recent developments or break them down into bite-sized posts.
My Tip: You know what's a great strategy? Re-using your old content! People barely remember what they saw a few months ago, so why not use it again? Just add fresh content, and boom, you've got yourself a brand new post. Easy-peasy!
9. Real-Life Experiences and Stories
What to do: Celebrate and share your real-life experiences, stories of overcoming challenges, and the wisdom gained along your journey to showcase the human side of your professional persona.
My Tip: Never underestimate the power of a well-told story. Sharing real-life experiences related to your profession can be highly engaging. These could be success stories, lessons learned, or an interesting incident at work.
Turning Content Creation into an Empowering Journey on LinkedIn
Starting your LinkedIn content creation journey might seem daunting, but trust me, with the right strategies and tools, it becomes an enriching experience.
The key? Embrace authenticity and value-driven content. Connect with your audience and fuel your passion and growth. Share milestones, industry insights, and real-life stories. Each post builds your network and establishes thought leadership on LinkedIn.
Don't worry about mistakes or criticism. Every interaction is a chance to learn, improve, and broaden horizons.
Make your mark on LinkedIn, one post at a time. Your voice matters, and the community is eager to engage with your value!
Stuck in a Creative Rut? Here's Where to Find Inspiration!
If you write every day, it can get tough sometimes. So, let me share with you the sources that inspire me, what works for me, and how I found a topic for content that got me 1.5 million views in just four days.