LinkedIn has become much more than just a place to upload your resume; it’s a platform where professionals connect, share insights, and establish themselves as thought leaders. But engaging on LinkedIn goes beyond posting updates—it’s also about joining conversations. Strategic commenting on LinkedIn posts can elevate your presence, broaden your network, and even open doors to career opportunities. Here’s a guide on what to say in your comments and why it’s worth your time.
Why Commenting Matters on LinkedIn
Commenting allows you to interact meaningfully with other professionals, showing your expertise, interest, and thoughtfulness. A well-crafted comment doesn’t just show up in your network’s feed; it also enhances your visibility to a broader audience, often extending to the connections of the person whose post you’ve commented on. In other words, commenting is a smart way to amplify your reach and position yourself as an active, engaged professional.
What to Say: Crafting Effective LinkedIn Comments
1. Add Value with Insightful Responses
Instead of a generic response like “Great post!” aim to provide an insight or perspective. Think of your comment as a mini contribution to the conversation, acknowledge what the post has covered, then add your own viewpoint or additional information. For example:
Example: “This is a timely topic! I’ve found that introducing more flexible policies has significantly improved morale on my team as well. One challenge I’ve noticed is balancing flexibility with maintaining productivity. What strategies have you found helpful?”
This type of comment shows that you’re both interested and knowledgeable about the topic, encouraging further interaction.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Comments with questions can spark a dialogue, inviting the author or other readers to respond. This approach helps you learn more and keep the conversation going, which increases your visibility. Tailor questions to the post, asking about strategies, lessons learned, or alternative perspectives. For example:
Example: “Thank you for sharing these insights on remote work. I’m curious—how has your team tackled communication challenges with remote staff?”
This demonstrates active engagement and a genuine interest in the topic, making it more likely that people will remember your input.
3. Share Relevant Experiences
Relating the post’s content to your own experiences personalises your comment and adds credibility to your expertise. Sharing a brief story or example also reinforces that you’re a professional who applies what you’ve learned. Just make sure to keep it concise and relevant:
Example: “When I introduced these leadership principles to my team, it made a huge difference in our productivity. We particularly saw improvements in how team members communicated openly with each other. I’d be interested to hear if others have seen similar results.”
Experiential comments show that you’re more than a passive observer—you’re someone who takes action.
4. Express Genuine Appreciation or Agreement (With Specifics)
If you truly found the post valuable, mention specific parts of it that resonated with you and why. Simply stating “thanks” or “great post” is common and doesn’t stand out, but adding a bit more substance can make your comment memorable:
Example: “Really appreciate your points about balancing soft and hard skills in leadership. It’s refreshing to see a focus on interpersonal skills in addition to technical expertise—I think both are critical for long-term success.”
Specificity shows that you’ve actually read and reflected on the post, making your appreciation feel authentic.
Commenting Etiquette: Tips for Professional Engagement
Stay Positive and Constructive – Criticism is fine but always keep it respectful. Aim to add value rather than detract from the conversation.
Be Concise – Lengthy comments can be overwhelming. Keep your response short and to the point so it’s easy to read.
Proofread – A professional comment reflects on you, so check for spelling and grammar before posting.
The Benefits of Engaging on LinkedIn
Consistently commenting thoughtfully can position you as a proactive, insightful professional in your industry. It helps you:
Build Your Personal Brand – People in your network will begin to recognise your name as someone who contributes meaningfully to conversations.
Expand Your Network – Engaging with new people through comments can lead to new connections and opportunities, as others in the industry notice your involvement.
Attract Job Opportunities – Recruiters and hiring managers may take note of your comments and consider you for roles, even if you haven’t applied.
Start Engaging with Confidence
So, the next time you come across an interesting post on LinkedIn, take a moment to add your voice to the conversation. Thoughtful commenting can help you grow your professional presence and build a network that aligns with your career goals.
For more career advice and to explore job opportunities in local government, reach out to Leading Roles at hello@leadingroles.com.au or call 1800 088 000.