Getting likes and comments on your LinkedIn posts is important for building your personal brand and expanding your professional network. However, it can be disheartening when you put effort into writing an insightful post only to see it get little to no engagement. There are a few key reasons why your LinkedIn posts may not be getting the attention you expected.
Your network isn’t large enough
LinkedIn’s algorithm shows your posts primarily to your 1st-degree connections, so if you have a small network your reach will be limited. Focus on growing your network by connecting with colleagues, clients, people in your industry, etc. Aim for 500+ connections to increase the visibility of your posts.
You’re not posting at optimal times
The time of day and day of the week you post can significantly impact your engagement. According to LinkedIn, the best times to post are:
Tuesday at 7:00 a.m |
Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. |
Thursday at 1:00 p.m. |
Posting multiple times per week during peak hours can help maximize views. Avoid posting late at night or on weekends when engagement is lower.
Your content isn’t captivating
Generic or self-promotional posts often get overlooked on LinkedIn. The most engaging posts provide value to your connections by teaching them something new or offering unique insights. Make sure your content is thoughtful, original, and professionally relevant. Use eye-catching images, videos, infographics, and other visual content whenever possible.
You’re not optimizing for keywords
Using relevant keywords in your headline and post description can help the right people find your content in LinkedIn’s search and feed algorithms. Research keywords your target audience may be searching for and incorporate them naturally into your posts.
Your headline isn’t clickable
The headline is one of the main drivers of post engagement on LinkedIn. You need a short but compelling headline that sparks interest and inspires people to click. Ask a question, provide useful tips, or highlight the value of your post content in your headline.
You’re not engaging with your audience
Are you liking and commenting on others’ posts in your network? LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards active engagement on the platform. Regularly interacting with other people’s content makes you more visible and likely to get engagement in return.
Your posts are too salesy
Avoid using your LinkedIn posts solely as a platform for promoting your company, products or services. While it’s fine to occasionally share company news and offers, you should mainly focus on sharing valuable insights, ideas and resources. Over-promoting will cause many people to tune out.
You don’t have a consistent posting strategy
Sporadic, infrequent posting makes it hard to build momentum and grow your audience over time. Establish a regular content calendar and stick to it, whether that’s posting once a day, a few times a week, etc. Consistency and persistence are key.
Your profile needs improvement
Before people will engage with your posts, they need a reason to follow you in the first place. Make sure your profile is complete with a professional photo, headline, summary, work experience, education, skills, recommendations etc. The more robust your profile, the more credibility you will have.
You’re not utilizing hashtags
Hashtags allow you to tap into larger topic-based communities and extend your reach beyond just your direct connections. Identify 1-3 relevant hashtags to include in your posts – but don’t overdo it. This exposes your content to new audiences organically.
You’re targeting the wrong audience
It’s tough to get engagement if you’re not reaching the right people who would actually be interested in your content and perspective. Take some time to analyze your target audience(s) and adjust your content and posting strategy accordingly.
Your posts are too long
On LinkedIn, shorter posts tend to get more engagement than lengthy posts. Try to keep your posts under 100-200 words. You can include a link to a blog or other content if you have more you want to share. Long blocks of text can be overwhelming.
You’re not reciprocating engagement
Go through and see who is actively liking, commenting on and sharing your content already. Be sure to acknowledge and thank them by returning the favor. This helps build a sense of community and they will be more likely to continue interacting with your future posts.
Your CTA is weak or missing
Every post should have a clear call-to-action, providing direction on the desired next steps. This might be checking out a linked resource, signing up for a webinar, or providing input/feedback. Giving people specific ways to act increases the chance they will engage further.
Conclusion
Gaining traction with your LinkedIn posts takes time, persistence, and testing. Analyze these potential issues to determine what adjustments you can make to your approach and content to spark more interest. Focus on providing consistent value, engaging your audience, optimizing for LinkedIn’s algorithm, and leveraging best practices over time to boost your post reach and engagement. With the right strategy, your LinkedIn posts will start getting more of the visibility and interaction you desire.