LinkedIn has become a great tool for finding freelance work and B2B opportunities. But many members make big mistakes that stop audience from following their posts. LinkedIn is the host of 260 million active users; so, you should get the attention of your ideal prospects.
Yet, many professionals make small but costly mistakes that limit the visibility of their posts. Writing compelling content for your LinkedIn audience can be challenging, especially if you are new to the platform. However, to make the most out of LinkedIn, you need to avoid some common content writing mistakes. If you’re not getting the results you want on LinkedIn, these 10 mistakes might be the reason.
1. Inconsistent Content
In a world where competitors are consistently updating clients in real time, you simply have to keep up. Customers will have no idea to keep visiting a page that seems to be static or a business that seems to be out of business. Establish a strategy, what days will you post? Posting randomly won’t help you grow. LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards regular activity. Plus, your audience needs to see you often to remember and trust you. To fix this create a content schedule so you’re active every week.
2. Type of Content
After establishing your posting pattern, ask yourself “What type of content am I going to post?” Understand the platform that you are using and how that product or service would best be represented on that platform. You can’t be everything to everyone, ensure that your content reflects what you do or is related to what you do. Therefore, it’s ok to repost, retweet or share other content from other pages but try to ensure that there is relevance and a connection. Most importantly, if you are posting content, do not pass of content as yours if it isn’t. Declare that it isn’t your work but you were inspired by the work of “XYZ.” In this way you maintain your credibility and aren’t seen as a scammer.
3. Poor Post Structure
Long, unorganized posts lose people’s interest fast. Your readers don’t want to sift through walls of text. Use a simple format: an eye-catching hook, engaging content, and a clear CTA. My Content Bundle includes 120 templates that follow this structure, so your posts stay clear and engaging.
4. Not Engaging with Your Audience
Posting and disappearing doesn’t work. LinkedIn is all about interaction, and engagement boosts your visibility. Take 10-15 minutes after posting to reply to comments. Also, engage with other people’s content to increase your reach. This shows that you respect your audience.
5. Being Too Broad
If your content is generic, it won’t stand out. People want to read stories, personal insights, and unique viewpoints. Be specific. Share real experiences and how they connect with your audience. The Content Bundle includes storytelling templates to make your posts feel more genuine and memorable.
6. Not Expanding Your Network
If you only connect with people you know personally, you limit your opportunities for being seen. Connect with industry peers, alumni, recruiters, and thought leaders. Personalize your connection requests to increase acceptance rates. Engage in LinkedIn groups related to your industry for valuable discussions and connections. Networking is about expanding opportunities—not just maintaining the status quo.
7. Only Liking Content Without Commenting
Liking a post is passive engagement. While it does contribute to visibility, it doesn’t position you as an expert or add value to your network. Commenting, however, shows thought leadership and helps you stand out. Leave meaningful comments that add value—ask a question, share an insight, or offer a different perspective. If you like a post, take 10 extra seconds to write something engaging. Participate in discussions on industry-relevant posts to expand your reach. Even small comments can increase your visibility and position you as a knowledgeable professional.
8. Poor Headline
Headlines are the first thing that your audience sees. Therefore, ensure that your headline is catchy, informative, and relevant to your content. Avoid using vague or overly generic headlines, as they may fail to grab attention. A poorly structured or misleading headline can reduce engagement and credibility. Additionally, testing different headline styles can help determine what resonates best with your audience.
9. Not Using Visuals
Visuals can make your content more engaging and shareable. Therefore, include relevant visuals such as images, infographics, or videos in your posts. Low-quality or irrelevant visuals can weaken your message and reduce engagement. Ensure that your visuals align with your brand identity and support the key points of your content. Additionally, using alt text for images can improve accessibility and enhance the user experience.
10. Being shy
When you first start posting on LinkedIn it takes courage. You’re putting yourself out there, and that takes bravery. But once you get over the hurdle, it becomes easier and easier, and you get much better at it. The easiest thing to do is to expect that your posts will be a bit rubbish. And that you’ll get zero engagement.
Posts from some of the most popular people on LinkedIn have been analyzed and the average engagement rate is between 1% – 3%. Don’t be swayed by vanity metrics. If someone viewed your profile, they may have seen something they liked, but they themselves were too shy to request a connection. Perhaps they were viewing the world through their lens and assuming everyone else thinks the same – that it’s a bit creepy to request to connect with someone who only looked at your profile.