LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 800 million members. It’s a great platform for establishing connections, building your professional brand, networking, and sharing insights. One of the key ways to leverage LinkedIn is by reposting and sharing content to your connections.
Reposting and sharing is an effective way to amplify content, add your perspective, and engage with your network. However, it’s important to do it thoughtfully to get the most value. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about reposting and sharing on LinkedIn.
What is the Difference Between Reposting and Sharing on LinkedIn?
While reposting and sharing on LinkedIn both involve redistributing content to your connections, there are some key differences:
Reposting
– Reposts show up prominently in the feeds of your connections.
– The original post is embedded in your repost.
– You can add your own thoughts and commentary to the repost.
– Reposting attributes the original creator by name and links to their profile.
– You can repost your own existing posts to recirculate them.
Sharing
– Shares show up less prominently in feeds compared to reposts.
– Shared posts do not embed or show the original post.
– You can add your own thoughts when sharing a post.
– Sharing attributes the original creator but does not link to their profile.
– You cannot share your own existing posts.
So in summary, reposting circulates the full original post more prominently along with your added commentary, while sharing only includes your thoughts and attribution back to the original creator.
When Should You Repost Instead of Share?
Here are some best practices to follow for when to repost versus share content on LinkedIn:
Consider reposting when you want to:
– Amplify and give exposure to someone else’s quality content.
– Add your substantive perspective to commentary on the source material.
– Position yourself as an expert by engaging deeply with content within your domain.
– Increase engagement and visibility by circulating in your network.
– Showcase thought leadership content created by others you want to endorse.
Consider sharing when you want to:
– Provide your brief take on an article or post.
– Give exposure to content without commentary.
– Visibly attribute content to the original creator.
– Quickly circulate content without embedding the full original post.
– Demonstrate your interests and perspectives through others’ content.
How to Repost on LinkedIn
Reposting on LinkedIn is easy to do and a great way to add your own insights to existing content while sharing with your professional network. Here are step-by-step instructions:
1. Find the Post You Want to Repost
– While browsing your LinkedIn feed, look for a high-quality post from your connections that aligns with your interests or industry.
– You can also search for posts using keywords related to topics or authors you want to repost.
2. Click on the Repost Button
– Every LinkedIn post has a repost button (it looks like a recycling arrow icon).
– Click this Repost button on the post you want to share.
3. Add Your Commentary
– You’ll be brought to a new post window where you can add your own text, thoughts, media, etc.
– Provide unique value-add through your commentary, opinions, and angle on the source material.
4. Preview and Post
– Review how your Repost will appear to your connections.
– Make any final edits.
– Click the Post button to share your Repost with your network!
Best Practices for Reposting
Here are some top best practices to follow when reposting content on LinkedIn:
Add Value Through Commentary
– Don’t simply repost verbatim. Share your own insights, opinions, and angles on the source material.
– Position yourself as a thought leader by providing unique analysis.
Repost Thoughtfully
– Be selective about what you repost. Make sure it’s high-quality content aligned with your brand.
– Don’t overdo it. Repost consistently but avoid too much frequency.
Credit the Original Creator
– Always attribute properly and call out the original author/creator by name.
– Link to their profile when possible to drive connections.
Engage With Your Network
– Monitor comments and respond to build relationships with your connections.
– Tag relevant connections to get their input and extend your reach.
Use Multimedia
– Incorporate images, videos, slides and graphics to make your reposts more engaging.
– Add visuals that support key points.
How to Share and Add Your Own Commentary on LinkedIn
In addition to reposting, sharing posts and adding your own color commentary is a great way to provide your hot take while circulating content:
1. Find the Post You Want to Share
– Identify relevant posts from your feed, Groups, influencers or publisher Pages.
– Look for timely articles and discussions to share your perspective on.
2. Click the Share Button
– Click the Share icon (it looks like an arrow pointing outward) anywhere the post appears.
3. Add Your Commentary
– In the sharing window, add your own brief thoughts, opinions and commentary on the post.
– Keep it concise but insightful. Your commentary appears first before the linked post.
4. Preview and Share
– Give your share one final review.
– Click “Share” to publish to your connections.
Best Practices for Sharing on LinkedIn
Here are some top tips for effectively sharing content while adding your own thoughts:
Be Concise
– Keep your commentary clear and succinct. A few sentences or short paragraph.
– You don’t need lengthy analysis.
Add Your Perspective
– Comment on why the post resonates with you or relate it to your views.
– Your unique take is what provides the value.
Use Multimedia
– Include images, stats or other visuals to make your share more engaging.
– Visually reinforce your key points.
Engage With Your Network
– Reply to any comments and @ mention people to get their take.
– Extend your commentary with an open-ended question.
Monitor Shares
– Pay attention to which shares drive the most reactions, comments and shares.
– Leverage these insights to refine your sharing strategy over time.
When is the Best Time to Repost or Share on LinkedIn?
Timing is an important factor for when you repost or share content on LinkedIn. Here are some recommendations on optimal timing:
Best Times to Post
– Tuesday – Thursday: Most engagement happens during the workweek.
– Morning or Afternoon: Before/after focus hours but not too late.
– 7-8:30 AM, 12-1 PM, 5-6 PM: Peak engagement windows.
Major Caveats
– Avoid first thing Monday morning: Low engagement.
– Avoid Friday afternoons: Traffic drops off.
– Avoid weekends: Much lower interaction.
Consider Your Audience
– Target timezones and availability of your key connections.
– Member activity patterns can vary greatly by industry, role, and geo.
Driving Engagement With Your Reposts and Shares
The goal when reposting or sharing content on LinkedIn is to spark engagement and discussion within your network. Here are some proven tips:
Leverage LinkedIn Features
– Use @mentions to loop in connections and extend your reach.
– Add relevant #hashtags to help content surface in other feeds.
Ask Thought-Provoking Questions
– Pose open-ended questions to spark discussion in the comments.
– Ask for others’ opinions, perspectives and advice.
Run Poll Questions
– Use LinkedIn’s native polling feature to survey your audience.
– Crowdsource input with A/B polling questions.
Request Shares
– Proactively ask your connections to share your repost further.
– Amplification extends the reach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While reposting and sharing on LinkedIn can be very effective, there are some common pitfalls to sidestep:
Only Reposting Your Own Content
– Don’t make your feed exclusively about your own content.
– Actively repost and engage with others too.
Reposting Too Frequently
– Avoid sharing or reposting multiple times per day.
– This can seem spammy to your network.
Reposting Without Commentary
– Simply reposting verbatim adds little value.
– Take the time to add your unique commentary and analysis.
Using Clickbait or Misleading Headlines
– Don’t use hyperbolic headlines meant to grab attention.
– Headlines should accurately reflect the content.
Conclusion
Reposting and sharing thoughtfully on LinkedIn can significantly expand your reach and showcase thought leadership. By adding your own color commentary, you demonstrate your unique perspective. Be selective about what you share, focus on quality over quantity, and always add value through your insights. With the right strategy, reposting and sharing is a highly effective way to engage your professional network on LinkedIn.