Great Post! Thanks for Sharing!

Scroll leisurely through your LinkedIn feed, and you will behold a plethora of posts with user comments like “Great post!” (GP), “Thanks for sharing!” (TFS), and other trite phrases peppered throughout the threads.

Despite their ubiquity, these responses are poor excuses for visibility strategies. They signal to the author, ‘Hey, I don’t have the time, desire, or attention span to go through your post, but I’d like to support you and maybe get a little exposure within your network.’ When combined in the same comment – “Great post! Thanks for sharing!” – you get double the banality. This is a learned behavioral shortcut that undermines intentionality, dilutes engagement quality, and pads the so-called vanity metrics of a post.?

Eliminating Mundane LinkedIn Engagement

Engaging in a LinkedIn post is a decision trap. It is fair to state that once a post enters your perceptual field and you process the information, you make a binary choice; you either will or won’t comment. When you stumble upon a post—authored by people you know or would like to know—that triggers an urge to engage, you get a golden opportunity to share your perspective, increase your connectivity, and bring your virtues to the fore. Take this work seriously.?

Sadly, many LinkedIn users do not see the inherent value of insightful, thoughtful commentary and default to stock responses like “Great post!” (GP) and "Thanks for sharing!” (TFS). These terms head a class of hackneyed expressions, which show zero sentiment or creativity and constitute non-engagement engagement, the LinkedIn equivalent of a perfunctory nod. The repetitive use of such phrases has become symbolic of the ordinary on LinkedIn.

I have expanded my LinkedIn first-degree community through the years by responding imaginatively in posts. How? Because I visualize the exchange from the author’s viewpoint. I understand that those who post content crave engagement; they pay attention to the performance of their posts, especially the comments. Vanity metrics aside, I believe in the golden rule regarding LinkedIn: I respond to others' posts as I would have them respond to mine.

Commenting Stylishly on LinkedIn Posts

Thoughtful, intentional engagement is the primary driver of LinkedIn style. How you interact with others differentiates you on the site. Some of the most valuable connections you will make on LinkedIn originate through the comments you leave on others' posts and your replies to those who comment on your posts. Make it a point to be on point. Create intrigue. Strike a chord.

In addition to “Great post!” and “Thanks for sharing!”, many other generic exclamations should be avoided as stand-alone post comments. I have cataloged these responses in the following two plates, along with examples of how their integration into a more detailed commentary can deliver your engagement brilliance and steer the thread toward a meaningful exchange.

When I decide to weigh in on a post, I add weight. I assert conversational force on the thread. Each comment I leave reflects my personality and my keen desire to see good people flourish on LinkedIn. As a proponent of the Power of Three, I favor three sentences in sequence for simple responses, which I expand to a three-paragraph format when I have more to offer. Consider the following:

CASE 1: COMMENTING ON EDUCATIONAL OR INSPIRATIONAL POSTS

Say that I arrive at a post where the author parses out knowledge or offers motivational content to educate and inspire others. My comment should demonstrate that I have consumed the content. From there, I order my thoughts, stylishly put forth my point of view, and buoy the author's spirits. Extrapolating my Power of Three preference, it may go something like this:

1). “Your well-written piece gave me pause for thought and opened my mind to possibilities. These are immediately actionable ideas. I will apply and let you know the outcomes.”

2). “Interestingly, I was unaware of this development. It is good to see you are on top of trends in your industry and conveying them promptly. I appreciate your diligence.”

3). “Your words resonate with me in so many ways. I believe we all could use a lift in our daily lives. From where do you draw daily inspiration?” (NOTE: You get extra style points for engaging the author.)

CASE 2: COMMENTING ON OVERTLY SELF-PROMOTIONAL POSTS

Say I come across a post where the author announces an accomplishment, honor, or upcoming opportunity. Posts of this sort are pervasive on LinkedIn. Supporting others in their moments of achievement does not mean doling out empty praise. When you comment sincerely, you add relational cohesion and position yourself as an ally. Evoke the Golden Rule: respond to others as you would have them respond to you.

Perhaps the author landed a new job, received a promotion, hit a milestone, garnered an award, secured a speaking gig or media placement, delivered a sold-out workshop, or launched a book, online course, or podcast. My comments across posts of this nature might look something like this:

1). “Kudos to you on a well-deserved promotion. I am delighted to see that your talents have not gone unnoticed. Your skills and temperament seem ideal for the opportunity, and I wish you all the best in your new role.”

2). “I’ve always thought you should host a podcast. You have the gift of gab and touch on topics that interest many, including me. I look forward to listening.”

3). “You will unquestionably rock the conference with your keynote. Having seen you speak before, I know how prepared and focused you are. Tell me, what new wrinkles have you added to your talk for this audience? (NOTE: You get extra style points for engaging the author.)

A Parting Thought (or Two)

Active participation on LinkedIn facilitates the assembly of cohesive, inclusive communities, provides fertile soil for meaningful relationship development, and promotes personal well-being. From a branding standpoint, your comments on LinkedIn posts can heighten your visibility, draw more traffic to your profile, and strengthen the association between you and your offerings. I challenge you to go deep with each comment, avoid the mundane, and provoke thought.

On a related note, your comments become part of your?LinkedIn activity log, a window into your psyche that others can review when visiting your profile. That alone should make you rethink your LinkedIn engagement strategy.

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