The Art of Digital Dialogue: 20 Techniques for Commenting on LinkedIn

Once upon a digital age, the art of conversation transcended coffee shops, conference rooms, and water coolers to find a home in pixels and bytes. Ah, LinkedIn—a kingdom of corporate knights and networking sorcerers. You don't merely comment; you dance with words, spar with ideas, and sometimes you even find yourself amidst a jamboree of jests. Get ready to elevate your online conversations with these 20 effective LinkedIn commenting techniques.

• The Oracle's Questioning

Asking a question can be like tossing a pebble into a still pond. The ripple may grow beyond imagination. Use this technique when facing a veiled idea, a mysterious pronouncement that yearns for light.

????Example: "Pray, unravel this enigma: What do you mean by 'innovation' in this mystical realm?"

• The Echo and the Symphony: Affirm+Associate

Picture yourself walking through a forest of thoughts. You hear a melody and decide to harmonize. You affirm the other's view, then contribute your own tune.

???Example: "Ah, sustainability! The music of the future. Permit me to add, it's not just music; it's an entire orchestra of cost-saving measures."

• The Handshake of Souls: Acknowledge+Agree

When one finds a gem of wisdom, it's an act of grace to admit its brilliance. This is the proverbial nod across cyberspace, an unspoken handshake of souls.

???Example: "Ah, communication—the linchpin of empires and startups alike. I bow to your wisdom."

• The Jester's Elixir: Humor

Laughter is a spell that dispels awkwardness and warms icy debates. Unsheathe this technique when the atmosphere grows thick with tension.

???Example: "Ah, but we can surely all agree, the elixir called coffee is the true MVP of any quest!"

• The Philosophers' Hypotheticals

A hypothetical question is a secret doorway to a parallel universe of thoughts. Use it to explore untrodden paths and hidden mazes of the mind.

???Example: "Ah, a conundrum indeed. What would transpire if the winds of the market shifted abruptly?"

• The Detective's Clarification

Unclear statements are like foggy landscapes. You can put on your detective's hat and shine a light to unveil the hidden contours.

???Example: "Pardon my intrigue. Could you illuminate what you mean by 'operational efficiency'?"

• The Bard's Wit

Ah, wit—the sparkle in the conversation, the zesty lime in the social cocktail. Unleash your inner Shakespeare when dialogue feels like a stagnant pond.

??Example: "Ah, telecommuting—where every day is a festival with your pet as the honored guest!"

• The Harmony of Play-Along

Sometimes, a jest is a ship that sails better with a crew. Board the ship of humor and hoist its sails high.

???Example: "Indeed, and may I add—mandatory 3 pm dance breaks make the voyage even more exhilarating!"

• The Magician's Deflection

Is debate getting too hot? Behold, a sleight of hand! Redirect the conversation like a stream finding a new course.

???Example: "Ah, a tempest in a teapot! On a lighter note, how fares your remote work setup?"

• The Empath's Warm Embrace

For hearts heavy with emotion or laden with vulnerability, sometimes what's needed is an embrace of words.

???Example: "Your tale weighs heavy on the heart. Your courage in sharing is a light for others."

• The Constructive Alchemist

Disagreement is not destruction; it's the raw material for something golden. Convert it into a road to progress.

???Example: "Ah, but have we considered the potion of team collaboration?"

• The Fellowship of Common Ground

Every quest has a shared treasure—finding it makes the journey worthwhile. Seek those threads that bind you to others.

????Example: "While we follow different stars, it appears we both seek the same horizon—to better the realm."

• The Inviting Garden: Invitations

A conversation is a garden that grows richer with diversity. Water it by inviting others to plant their seeds.

???Example: "@Jane, I summon thee! What's your elixir for a sustainable kingdom?"

• The Labyrinth of Open Questions

Let not your conversations be dead-ends. Open-ended questions are doors to mazes filled with treasure.

???Example: "So many paths to choose! What other strategies might lead us to the golden fleece of team performance?"

• The Tale-Telling Anecdotes

History is a kind sage; let it speak through you. Weave anecdotes to make your tapestry rich.

???Example: "In a past life as a project overseer, the same dragon was slain with the sword of clear guidelines."

• The Librarian's Facts

In a realm rife with myths and rumors, facts are your shield and your sword.

????Example: "Hold, adventurers! Scrolls reveal that remote work may enhance productivity by up to 15%!"

• The Diplomat's Polite Disagreement

Respect is the herald of diplomacy. Disagree, but let your words be wrapped in velvet.

????Example: "Your words echo in this hall, yet my song sings a different tune."

• The Sage's Limitations

In the temple of discussion, humility is a golden offering. Admit what you do not know.

????Example: "Ah, the stars are many, and my telescope is but narrow. Teach me, if you will."

• The Enchanter's Reframing

The magician's skill makes you see the old in a new light. Reframe and charm the debate.

???Example: "Could we not see this not as a setback, but a quest for a new Grail?"

• The Narrator's Recap

As the final pages turn, sum up the story, reminding all of the epics they partook in.

???Example: "In this chapter, we've unsheathed swords, sung songs, and perhaps found a treasure or two. Onward!"

Ah, dear reader, every comment is a quill, every thread a tapestry, every interaction a scene in the grand play of human connection. So, comment away! For in this kingdom of LinkedIn, your words are your wand. Cast spells, tell tales, and maybe, just maybe, change the world...one comment at a time.

PS: this work was done by carefully analyzing hundreds of comments from some of the best commenters in my LinkedIn network, feeding the analysis to various AIs, and using a story-telling AI persona to hatch a first version that was subsequently edited.