The LinkedIn Engagement Strategy You're Missing Out On

Ever wonder why your LinkedIn efforts aren’t paying off? Here’s the cold, hard truth: content alone isn’t enough!

Too many creators spin their wheels on LinkedIn, obsessing over content perfection, like counts, and follower growth.

Meanwhile, they’re neglecting the most powerful tool at their disposal — talking to people.

As LinkedIn expert Richard Moore puts it, “Just a bunch of likes or profile views doesn’t convert to money.

You must eventually descend from your throne and interact with the person.

Everyone has made the mistake of believing that “if I just create amazing content and build a massive following, opportunities will naturally find me.” Let’s face it, we’ve all been there.

But that’s not how the real world works.

To truly thrive on LinkedIn, you need to regularly engage with actual humans. Whether you’re a content creator or not, avoiding conversations on LinkedIn is a recipe for struggle.

But what does “engaging” actually mean? It’s one of those buzzwords thrown around so much it’s lost its meaning. Let’s break it down into actionable steps.

The 3 Pillars of LinkedIn Engagement

Your LinkedIn engagement strategy boils down to three key activities:

Commenting – on both your posts and others’ content
DM-ing – having meaningful conversations in direct messages
Connecting – building your network thoughtfully

Let’s dive into each one.

The Art of Commenting on Others’ Posts

The comment section is where the magic happens. It’s your opportunity to join conversations, make connections, and build your authority.

Here’s something most people miss: comments are like mini-posts that can reach the audiences of other creators.

While your new post might only reach a few hundred people, your thoughtful comments on popular posts can be seen by thousands — often within the same timeframe.

But random commenting while scrolling is a waste of time. Instead, follow these four steps:

1. Create Your Target List

Make a list of 5-20 creators who speak to your target audience. Include a mix of audience sizes — creators similar to you are more likely to return the favor and comment on your posts, while bigger creators give your comments more visibility.

2. Set Up Your Notifications

Visit each creator’s profile and click their notification bell so you’ll know when they post.

3. Track Their Posting Schedule

Note when they typically post and set reminders to engage quickly. A simple spreadsheet works wonders here.

4. Leave Valuable Comments

Aim to comment on their posts as soon as possible after publishing to maximize visibility.

Over time, reach out to these creators with personalized connection requests. Keep it simple:

“Hey [Name], this post resonated with me. [Share a specific thought related to their post]. Thank you. [Link to the post]”

If they respond, show genuine interest in their goals and projects. Remember, being a creator can be lonely — finding supportive peers makes everything more enjoyable and effective.

Why You Should Comment on Your Posts

Think of LinkedIn as the world’s biggest networking event that never ends. Conversations are happening everywhere, and anyone can join in.

When you post, you’re essentially starting a conversation. People stop to listen and sometimes comment, helping spread your ideas further.

Now imagine if after presenting an idea, you simply disappeared. All those comments, questions, and praise — ignored. Would those people engage with you next time?

As Dale Carnegie wisely said, “To be interesting, be interested.”

The whole point of creating content is to encourage your ideal customers to express interest. Having a massive following means nothing if it doesn’t translate to business results.

Does this mean ignoring commenters who aren’t potential customers? Not. Everyone who engages with your post — even those who disagree — helps push your message to more people. To respond thoughtfully. People remember when you take the time to acknowledge them.

Plus, every comment you leave on your post counts as additional engagement, encouraging the algorithm to show it to more people.

You don’t need to spend hours every day on this. Most creators aren’t getting hundreds of comments anyway.

Aim for 15-30 minutes daily, ideally within the first 30 minutes after posting when the algorithm is most active. Or break it into smaller chunks throughout the day if that works better for you.

8 Ways to Write Comments That Get Noticed

When commenting, ignore what most people do. If you want meaningful conversations, network growth, and business opportunities, be intentional.

First, avoid these common pitfalls:

Generic comments like “Great post!” or “I agree”
Excessive negativity that damages your brand
Pitching your services in others’ comment sections
Using AI to write your comments (people can tell)

Instead, focus on being genuinely helpful. Treat every comment as if it were a mini-post.

Here are eight strategies for writing comments that stand out:

1. Focus on Reader Benefits

Always comment with the reader in mind. People want solutions to problems, not just your opinion.

2. Offer Practical Advice

Share quick wins that can be implemented immediately.

3. Share Your Professional Insights

Mention what you tell clients—this positions you as an expert.

4. Summarize Key Points

For longer posts, a concise summary adds tremendous value.

5. Include Helpful Resources

Link to useful tools or articles that expand on the topic.

6. Call Out Your Target Audience

Using phrases like “I often tell freelancers…” catches the attention of your ideal clients.

7. Provide Unique Perspectives

Stand out by offering a fresh angle that sparks discussion.

8. End With a Powerful Takeaway

Leave readers with something memorable, just like you would in your posts.

The Hidden Power of LinkedIn DMs

Direct messages are your gateway to anyone on LinkedIn. They’re crucial for networking, growing your reach, and especially for selling on the platform.

The problem? Most people send terrible DMs, giving them a bad reputation.

Many creators mistakenly believe that good content alone should be enough. But you need to create your opportunities by following up with people who show interest in your profile or content.

Instead of sending generic messages like “Hi” or “How can I help you today?”, remember that DM-ing is just digital networking — and networking is relationship-building.

You wouldn’t propose marriage on a first date, right? So don’t jump straight to asking for something in your first message.

Instead, ask yourself: “How can I genuinely help this person?”

4 Effective Icebreaker DMs for Warm Prospects

Focus on people who’ve already shown interest in you or your content:

1. Profile Viewers

When someone views your profile, they’re curious about you. Try:

“Hey [Name], thanks for checking out my profile. Out of interest, is there anything that caught your eye?”

(Pro tip: LinkedIn Premium reveals who’s been visiting your profile)

2. Post Engagers

When someone likes or comments on your post:

“Hey [Name], thanks for engaging with my post about [topic]. Out of interest, why did you decide to do that?”

Or for thoughtful comments:

“Hey [Name], thanks for your insightful comment on my post about [topic]. If you’re dealing with [related challenge], here’s a resource that might help…”

3. Connection Requesters

When someone sends you a connection request:

“Hey [Name], thanks for connecting. What made you decide to reach out?”

4. Poll Respondents

After someone votes on your poll:

“Hey [Name], I noticed you voted for [option] in my poll this morning. What made you choose that option?”

For those who respond, share relevant advice or resources aligned with their needs before exploring how you might work together.

Building Genuine Connections

Always include a personalized message with connection requests. Without context, you’re just another random person trying to connect.

Focus on prospects who’ve already engaged with you, as you’ll have a natural reason to connect.

For cold outreach, do your homework first. Check if they post content, have a website, or have been featured in podcasts or events. Reference something specific they’ve done to show genuine interest.

Moving Toward Opportunities

The end goal is qualifying prospects and making sales, but timing matters. Only pitch your products or services when you’re confident the person has a problem you can solve and they’re interested in your solution.

Before pitching, simply ask if they want to know more about how you can help. You might share a case study or mention how you’ve helped similar clients.

Many creators don’t pitch directly on LinkedIn — instead, they schedule calls to better understand the prospect’s needs before making an offer.

Pro tip: Track questions prospects ask during calls. They’re goldmines for future content ideas.

The Complete LinkedIn Success Formula

By now, you should see that posting great content is only half the battle on LinkedIn.

Business success on this platform requires conversations. If you’re not proactively engaging, you’re leaving your success up to chance, hoping ideal customers will somehow find and reach out to you.

Content builds awareness and trust, but engagement turns that interest into opportunities.

Make these engagement activities part of your daily LinkedIn routine:

Comment on your posts (15-30 minutes daily)
Engage with 5-20 creators in your niche
Send personalized connection requests and DMs

Remember: Your content gets them in the door, but your engagement gets them over the line.

The LinkedIn Engagement Strategy You’re Missing Out On