How to comment on LinkedIn posts for maximum engagement (feat: why not to use pods on LinkedIn)

With the introduction of creator mode in 2021, there is most definitely an increased focus on good quality content on LinkedIn.

We musn’t forget that LinkedIn is primarily about building relationships in order to get business. What better place to start building those relationships than in the comments?

While encouraging comments on your own posts is vital, commenting on other people’s posts is as just as important. Some would say it’s even more valuable. Read on to find out why. But first of all, I’d like to answer the question:

What is a LinkedIn pod?

A pod is a group of people who pay a subscription to be a member of a group run by leader/s. Members are usually not from related industries and, ordinarily, would never come across each other’s content, let alone engage with it. I am not talking about a group of friends or colleagues who support each other’s posts. If you’re aligned with each other and you’re genuinely interested in each other’s content, then comment away! Pods are different. They can have hundreds of members from a huge variety of backgrounds and locations.

Why are pods a bad thing?

Those that run pods sell them on the basis that good engagement on a post when it’s first posted can help it get even more traction. This is true.

But: please note I said ‘good engagement’.??If a random group of people are repeatedly commenting on the same people’s post, we’re pretty sure LinkedIn can pick up on that activity. LinkedIn doesn’t like pods as it wants genuine engagement on posts. There is always a possibility that if it thinks there is pod in action, LinkedIn could close the account down with no notice.

When I see a post with a lot of comments which say things like ‘Great post’ or ‘Lovely picture’ or ‘Well done x’, my internal alarm will ring ‘Beware, LinkedIn pod alert!’. Looking closer I see that the people commenting aren’t aligned with the post or the ‘poster’ at all. ‘Ching! Pod confirmation’!

Why spend time commenting on other people’s posts?

???????????1. To increase your network

If you comment on someone else’s post, you are ‘exposing’ yourself to that person’s audience. Let me explain using a real life situation.

Picture this: you walk into a huge networking event in a hotel ballroom. You only know one person in the whole room. You scan the place, and there she is, standing in a large circle of other networkers. You pull up your brave pants and head on over. You tap her on the shoulder very quietly as she’s listening to someone in the group talking. She turns and is obviously pleased to see you. (She invited you so she should be!). She steps back and introduces you to the WHOLE circle! Wow, how cool is that?

You’ve potentially just increased your network by being introduced to all these people. Don’t forget that each one of these people can then introduce you to another set of interesting folk/potential collaborators and clients and on it grows like ripples in a pond when you throw in the pebbles.

This is what happens when you join a discussion on LinkedIn. If you comment on someone else’s post, all those who are interested in the post are likely to read the comments before they comment themselves. This is how we expand our networks and build relationships on LinkedIn. It’s simple and SO effective.

???????????2. To improve your experience on LinkedIn

The LinkedIn algorithm puts content in your feed based on your activity. Commenting on posts which aren’t relevant to you will lead the algorithm to think this is the content you want in your feed. If you comment on posts that ARE relevant to you, you’ll start to see more relevant content in your feed for you to engage with. This will help you connect with more people who may be potential collaborators or customers.

How to comment on posts

???????????1. Add value or something of interest

Let’s go back to the networking meeting. I’d like you to imagine you’re standing in that circle and your friend is speaking to the group. Every now and again you throw in a ‘That’s a great point you’ve made.’ Or ‘Yes, I agree with that.’. Are you really contributing to the conversation? Will the other people in the circle take you seriously? Will they even remember who you are when they go for coffee?

Compare that to when you really contribute to the conversation, by adding something of interest or value. For example - ?‘I agree with what you’re saying, I’ve seen this happen in X situation.’ or ‘Have you read the article by X which backs up what you’re saying? It’s a fascinating read. I’d be happy to send it to anyone who’s interested.’?Now people will take notice of you and will want to engage with you directly. You’ll have people approaching you over coffee for more of your thoughts.

????????????2. Don’t show off

Don’t fall into the trap of ‘outdoing’ the person though. Nobody likes a show off! Avoid making them look as if they don’t have enough knowledge. ADD to what they’re saying, don’t take away from it.

???????????3. Use at least 5 words

Using 5 words or more will trigger the algorithm that you’ve commented. This is a good thing as it may help the algorithm push out your posts to more people. (We don’t know this for sure but we suspect it to be true).

????????????4. Tag in the person who posted

In a group it’s easy to talk to everyone yet talk to no-one. If you want to get someone’s attention, using their name is a good way of doing that. ?On LinkedIn, you can do this by tagging in the person who has posted. Just type the @ symbol and start typing their name. You can remove the surname by backspacing over it. This adds an even more personal touch.

When you tag people in posts or comments, they get a notification they’ve been tagged. This will encourage them to go over to the post and comment on it!

????????????5. Tag in relevant others

If you think the post is of interest to someone in your network then invite them into the conversation. Doing this in a conversational way is ideal. You may want to say ‘@xxxx you may be interested in this’ then they’ll come in and thank you for bringing the post to their attention.

?6. Try to continue the conversation

Even though it’s not your post, it is still worth having a conversation in someone else’s comments. Using open language and asking questions will facilitate discussions with other people.

???????????7. Comment on comments as well as on the post itself

Commenting on other people’s comments is also a great way of building relationships with new people. It can help build a relationship with that person.

Let’s go back to the circle. Your friend says something and a person from the other side of the circle contributes. Being the smart cookie that you are, you then comment on what they’ve said. Boom – you’ve started a conversation with that person. This could be the start of a bigger conversation over coffee and – well who knows where that could lead?

????????????8. Finally – build on the relationships further!

If you’ve been in a conversation with a 2nd or 3rd+ degree connection, head over to their profile and connect with them. Continue the conversation in the DM’s and even ‘link out’ with them and who knows where that relationship can lead?

Summary – how best to comment on other people’s posts

???? ? 1. Add value

2. Don’t see it as a competition

???????????3. Use at least 5 words

???????????4. Tag in the person who’s post it is

???????????5. Bring other people in to the conversation

???????????6. Use ‘open’ language

???????????7. Commenting on others’ comments

???????????8. Continue the conversation in the DM’s

I really hope this has been of interest to you! I’d love to see your comments below?;)

If you’ve learned one thing today, please follow my newsletter and also my hashtag #LinkedInSimplified.

If you’re interested in working with me to improve your LinkedIn experience, please DM me the word ‘help!’ and I’ll come right back to you.

Have a wonderful day,

Sarah??