LinkedIn is a game-changer for building professional connections and showcasing expertise.
But let’s be real—creating engaging content on the platform isn’t as simple as throwing together a quick post and hitting “Share.”
Many people unknowingly make common mistakes that limit their impact.
Whether you’re a salesperson, a founder, a consultant, or job hunting, LinkedIn content can be your superpower to connect and grow. Sadly, some put it off, unsure how to get started or worried about doing it wrong.
Let’s tackle 11 common mistakes and how you can sidestep them to make your LinkedIn presence shine.
1. Ignoring Your Audience
Mistake: Writing content that doesn’t speak to what your audience cares about.
Fix: Think about their challenges, interests, and goals. Create posts that solve problems, spark ideas, or offer helpful advice.
The content you create must match the interests of your audience.
For instance, if you’re in IT sales, talk about IT trends—not your sales pipeline.
2. Being Too Promotional
Mistake: Only posting sales pitches or self-promotion.
Fix: Focus on adding value. Share tips, industry news, or your unique perspective. Sprinkle in personal stories alongside professional insights. When people see your content as helpful, they’ll naturally trust you—and what you’re offering.
3. Not Trying Different Formats
Mistake: Sticking to just one kind of post, like plain text.
Fix: Mix it up! Try images, carousels, articles, or videos. Audiences love variety, and experimenting will keep them interested.
You’ll also discover what grabs the most attention. Here is the overview of all the formats you can test.
4. Writing Posts That Are Too Long
Mistake: Rambling on and losing your reader halfway through.
Fix: Keep it short and sweet. Use bullet points or numbered lists to make your post easy to skim. Time is precious, so cut the fluff and get straight to the point.
5. Using Buzzwords and Jargon
Mistake: Filling your post with corporate speak or confusing acronyms.
Fix: Keep it simple. Write as if you’re talking to a colleague over coffee. Clarity beats complexity every time.
6. Not Engaging with Comments
Mistake: Ignoring the comments or questions your audience leaves.
Fix: Reply to comments, ask follow-up questions, and thank people for their input. It’s how relationships—and visibility—grow. If you don’t respond, why should they keep engaging?
7. Failing to Post Consistently
Mistake: Disappearing for weeks or months at a time.
Fix: Stick to a schedule. Posting once a week is a good start, but only when you’ve got something relevant to share. Quality beats quantity, but consistency is what keeps you on people’s radar.
8. Skipping the Call-to-Action (CTA)
Mistake: Ending your post without inviting your audience to act.
Fix: Add a simple CTA, like “What’s your take on this?” or “Let me know in the comments.” It’s a small step that can spark big conversations and grow your network.
9. Overlooking Formatting
Mistake: Posting giant blocks of unbroken text.
Fix: Break it up! Use short paragraphs, emojis, or headings to make your post easy on the eyes. If it looks overwhelming, people will scroll right past.
10. Ignoring Analytics
Mistake: Posting blindly without checking how your content performs.
Fix: Dive into LinkedIn analytics to see what clicks (literally). Use the data to fine-tune your content and give your audience more of what they love.
11. Writing GPT-Flagged Text
Mistake: Using patterns that make your post seem AI-generated.
Fix: Be authentic (I wrote this blog article about how to be authentic in this GenAI era). Avoid repetitive phrases or overusing emojis. Make sure your tone reflects your unique voice, not a machine’s.
Creating LinkedIn content that truly resonates isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection.
Understanding what works, staying ahead of LinkedIn trends, and observing other publishers can make all the difference. Y
our strategy doesn’t need to be flawless; even small tweaks can make your content more engaging and appealing.
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The point about mixing formats is a great tip. 😊
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this article!
I really love the point about making sure our content aligns with the audience’s needs, not just our own agenda. It’s easy to forget that LinkedIn is about connection, not just promotion.
Love the emphasis on consistency! It’s easy to think you have to post daily to stay relevant, but I’ve found that posting quality content once a week is often more effective than spamming the feed with random thoughts.
I completely agree with the point about mixing formats! I’ve found that switching between text posts, carousels, and short videos really keeps things fresh. Plus, it’s a great way to see what resonates most with your audience.
I completely agree with the point about mixing up content formats! It’s amazing how just adding a carousel or a quick video can elevate engagement. Plus, it keeps things fresh!
I really resonate with the idea of mixing up formats. I’ve found that alternating between carousels, videos, and plain text posts helps keep things fresh and engaging. It also allows you to discover what resonates best with your audience.
I couldn’t agree more on the idea of responding to comments. I think it’s easy to forget how important it is to show up and engage with your audience, but it really does make all the difference. It shows you care about the conversation, not just the post.
Great point about mixing content formats! I’ve found that varying between articles, polls, and videos really keeps things fresh. Also, focusing on audience needs over self-promotion has definitely boosted my engagement on LinkedIn.
Great point about mixing content formats! I’ve found that videos and carousels can really make a post stand out. Plus, they often encourage more interaction than plain text.