LinkedIn is like shouting into an official vacuum. Then you post something thought-provoking, however, you get... It's a cricket. While someone else posts "I woke up at 5 AM and had black coffee," and is greeted with 1,000 likes.
The key? It's not about becoming viral. It's all about being useful and being visible. The good news? Anyone can boost their level of engagement using just a few intelligent actions.
Here are 6 strategies to improve your interaction on LinkedIn and not come across as an attempt to be hard.
1. Nail the First 3 Lines (a.k.a. Your "Scroll Stopper")
The first few lines of your profile will be your defining moment. This is all that people will see prior to the moment when LinkedIn stops you with an"Please "...see additional link.
In order to draw attention, you must lead by introducing:
- An opinion that is strong
- Unexpected discovery
- A relatable question
- One line that causes people to stop and think
Examples:
"I was unable to pass 3 interviews in just a week. This was probably the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me."
"Most people do not get elevated because of their talent. What really counts is."
"Your resume may have been working against you. Here's why."
What works? This strategy captures attention and inspires others to expand the scope of your article, thereby increasing its visibility quickly.
2. Tell Stories, Not Just Stats
It's tempting for people to view LinkedIn as a type of brag board; however, people are more connected to the journey you took instead of what you accomplished.
The next time you're looking to discuss a milestone with your friends, you can follow this basic format:
- The problem you were faced with
- What actions did you take
- What have you learned?
- An unassuming request or a thought for your viewers
Example:
"I was rejected by 12 clients at a time. This hurt, but it caused me to alter my proposal. This week, I made three contracts. Sometimes, it's only the kind of feedback we require."
The reason it works is that stories make your experience more relatable and help build confidence. The people don't only want "success tips" they are looking to witness the struggles too.
3. Then, You Can Ask a Genuine Question. (Not Only "Thoughts?")
If you're trying to get people engaged, provide people with something they can answer. However, not all questions are the same.
The lazy "Agree?" "Thoughts?" "What do you think?"
Effective: Open-ended, reflective, specific.
Better examples:
"What's one leadership lesson you wish you learned earlier?"
"How do you handle impostor syndrome when starting something new?"
"Would you ever be able to quit your job with no backup plan? The reason or the reason why?"
The reason it works is that people enjoy sharing stories and experiences. The right questions can turn your blog post into an opportunity to engage others.
4. Use Formatting That's Easy on the Eyes
People scroll quickly. If your blog is an unreadable block of text, the reader will simply scroll past it. Divide your text with:
- Short paragraphs (1-2 lines max)
- White space that is between concepts
- Emojis or bullet points to arrange information
- Bold text or all caps to emphasize (sparingly)
Example:
Poor formatting:
I learned an important lesson about leadership today when I had to give tough feedback to an employee, but it wasn't going well. However, I realized the lesson...
Better formatting:
Yesterday, I gave hard feedback to a team member. This didn't go as planned.
However, I realized what I should have done earlier...
The reason it works: Good format = more time studying = greater reach. Simple.