Posting on LinkedIn can be daunting - even if it’s just on your personal page. Not to mention the time and energy it takes to try and grow a presence on LinkedIn. Luckily, we’ve got good news on that front because with some consistent effort and a few key tactics, you can pretty quickly stand out and build an engaged audience. So, get moving with these five tips to ensure your content gets seen… and hopefully, interacted with! 

1. First impressions matter - so make sure your profile stands out.

• Use a clear, updated photo (personal or company!):

  Avoid avatars or outdated pictures. People trust real faces and proper branding that matches the professional presence and credibility.

• Write a value-focused personal profile description:
  For your personal page, make sure you highlight the value you bring to your audience (aka. Companies of interest!). Instead of listing tasks or achievements, explain how you solve problems or create opportunities.

• SEO matters, even on LinkedIn:
  Think about what your target audience might search for on LinkedIn or Google. If they’re looking for a "copywriter" or "digital marketer," make sure those terms are in your brand or personal profile.

• A professional banner image does matter.
  If you search for a brand, and their profile has a random beach picture as their banner… you’re most likely going to question their credibility. Unless they’re perhaps a surfing brand? Otherwise, you can use a tool like Canva to create a visually appealing image that reflects your brand or personality.

2. Post valuable (not salesy) content

The key to LinkedIn success is creating content that provides value. Sales pitches won’t cut it. Instead, aim to educate, inspire, or entertain your audience. Here are some content ideas:

• Share your expertise by offering practical tips, like "5 Resume Mistakes to Avoid" or "Top Interview Questions to Ask Candidates."

• Highlight industry trends or fun facts to engage your audience.

• Repurpose existing content, such as blog posts or articles, and add your unique perspective.

• Incorporate thought leadership on your brand page, and even re-share employee posts to showcase engagement.

To get started, brainstorm three content pillars—for example, education, thought leadership, and industry insights. This framework will help you generate a variety of posts that showcase expertise.

Pro Tip:

The first line of your post is crucial. Make it catchy enough to grab attention and encourage readers to click "see more."

3. Work with the LinkedIn algorithm, not against it

The LinkedIn algorithm determines how many people see your posts. Here are some tactics to keep the algorithm on your side:

• Use 3-5 hashtags:
  Any more than five, and your post could be flagged as spam.

• Keep paragraphs short:
  Posts with one- or two-sentence paragraphs are more likely to be read and engaged with.

• Include images or videos:
  Visual content performs better. Experiment with videos, as LinkedIn is currently promoting its video shorts.

• Avoid external links:
  LinkedIn prefers content that keeps users on the platform. If you need to share a link, post it in the comments instead.

• Limit automated tools:
  Scheduling posts directly through LinkedIn tends to yield better results than using third-party platforms like Hootsuite or Buffer.

• Space out your posts:
  Don’t post more than once a day. If you must, leave several hours between posts to avoid being penalised by the algorithm.

• Tag strategically:
  Tagging can increase visibility, but avoid over-tagging as it may come across as spammy.

4. Engage with others!

Engagement is a two-way street. Try to:

• Respond to comments:
  Acknowledge every comment on your posts to show you value your audience.

• Engage with and on other posts:
  Like, comment, and share other people’s content to stay active in their feeds.

• Personalise connection requests:
  When connecting with new people, include a note explaining why you’d like to connect. It’s a simple step that builds trust.

Consistent engagement signals to LinkedIn that you’re an active, valuable member of the community, which can improve the visibility of your posts.

5. Be consistent

Consistency is the secret sauce for LinkedIn growth. Posting sporadically won’t build momentum. Aim to post at least two to three times per week, and consider batch-creating content to make the process easier.

Regular posting achieves two goals:

1. It keeps you top of mind:
   Even if people don’t interact, they’re watching. When they need your expertise, they’ll remember you.

2. It builds trust:
   Consistent activity shows you’re serious about your work and helps establish you as a go-to professional in your field.
   

Pro Tip:

Not sure what to post? Let AI help! Tools like ChatGPT can generate ideas or draft content based on your prompts. For example, ask for "30 LinkedIn post ideas for a PR consultant," and you’ll have a ready-made list to work from.