Do you often comment merely “Good point” or “Great article!” when one of your LinkedIn connections posts something interesting on the platform?
Well, blah, blah, blah: you might as well have not commented at all, so little is your reply going to help you build a professional network. (Although it sure will make your connection feel good, so there’s that, at least.)
LinkedIn is an incredible tool for building your professional brand and it’s not hard at all to “work” the social platform to do so. Plus, it’s enjoyable!
Take a look below for how to comment on LinkedIn in ways that result in engagement….and growth in your professional brand.
LinkedIn’s algorithm loves it when you provide engaging comments and shows its love by giving your profile more visibility. The more your profile pops up in other members’ feeds, the better for your visibility on the social platform.
But the key words here are “engaging comments.” The “Good point” gets you nowhere.
In other words, if you put in the effort to comment and so long as those comments provide – ahem – value to your network, LinkedIn pays attention….and helps you rise up in your connections’ feeds as well as their connections. Your presence on LinkedIn thus grows exponentially, as does your brand.
What types of comments are engaging and provide value?
Those that reply to something in the original post and then add an opinion or fact to the conversation.
For example: let’s say a connection posts that they’re having a tough day with a client and that they did such and such to make the day better.
A good comment for you would be to acknowledge that what they did was brilliant. And then to add your own reasoning as to why their successful action worked.
Notice that you didn’t give an example of when you had an unhappy client and what you did to make him feel better. Instead, you kept your comment focused on your connection’s success and then backed up their genius with a reason why it was genius.
Another example:
Let’s say someone comments/complains that they’ve noticed that new connections always seem to ask them for a meeting or a conversation as soon as they become a connection!
A good reply would be to commiserate: “Sheesh, that’s annoying!” and then add that you’ve noticed that those who provide the best value on LinkedIn usually try to build rapport with a new connection first before asking for a sale. This way you don’t denigrate any who one who does ask for a sale immediately and you infer that your connection is the type who would never do that (of course!).
Additional Types of Engaging Comments:
- Ask a clarifying question of the original post or commenter.
- Add a link to relevant data that backs up your comment, if applicable (the link should not go to your own work).
- Mention your own success applying the technique/advice in the post.
General LinkedIn Commenting Guidelines:
- Always keep comments professional. Always. No matter what.
- Never slander or insult other commenters.
- Keep your comment relevant only to your area of expertise.
- Focus your comment on building up the person who started the conversation.
- Be polite and gracious.
- Never use ALL CAPS.
Have you looked at our job opportunities lately? If not, take a look and if one or more look interesting, follow the instructions on the job posting and/or contact the Helpmates branch nearest you.
