LinkedIn is an incredible platform for building your personal brand, expanding your network, and showcasing your expertise. But there’s one place where many professionals fall short – the comments section. If you’re leaving vague, repetitive comments like “Well said!” or “Great post!” you’re not doing yourself or the original poster any favors. In fact, you might be harming your personal brand without even realizing it.
Here are the top 7 LinkedIn comment mistakes you should avoid and how to improve your commenting strategy to make a real impact.
1. 🤷♂️ “Well said!”
Why It’s a Problem:
“Well said!” is a classic non-comment. While it might seem supportive, it adds zero value to the conversation. It doesn’t show that you’ve truly engaged with the content or taken the time to think critically about it. Worse yet, linkedin comments like this often go unnoticed by both the author and the rest of the audience because they blend into the noise.
What to Do Instead:
If you find yourself wanting to say “Well said!” after reading a post, pause and reflect on what specifically resonated with you. Take the time to offer insightful feedback or share how the post’s ideas relate to your own experience.
Example:
– Avoid: “Well said!”
– Better: “Your point about the importance of consistency really resonated with me. I’ve noticed that…”
2. 🚀 “Great post!”
Why It’s a Problem:
Similar to “Well said,” leaving a “Great post!” comment feels like an empty gesture. While it’s certainly a positive comment, it lacks depth and doesn’t show any meaningful engagement. It tells the poster nothing about why the post resonated with you or what value you got from it.
What to Do Instead:
To upgrade your comment, explain why you think it’s a great post. Highlight specific takeaways or offer a personal perspective that expands on the author’s point.
Example:
– Avoid: “Great post!”
– Better: “I really enjoyed your take on how to adapt to algorithm changes. I’ve been struggling with the same challenge and found your suggestions on building consistent engagement really helpful.”
3. 💰 “This is gold!”
Why It’s a Problem:
Comments like “This is gold!” might sound enthusiastic, but they can come across as vague and uninspired. The problem with generic praise is that it doesn’t show why the post was valuable or what made it “gold” in your eyes.
What to Do Instead:
Instead of leaving a comment that could apply to any post, provide a more specific reason why the content felt valuable to you. Mention a point that struck you or ask a question to deepen the conversation.
Example:
– Avoid: “This is gold!”
– Better: “Your tip about batching tasks for productivity is awesome. I’ve been using time-blocking, but this idea takes it to the next level. How do you prioritize which tasks to batch?”
4. 🤮 “Totally agree!”
Why It’s a Problem:
“Totally agree!” is yet another common comment that doesn’t offer anything new to the discussion. It might seem like a show of support, but in reality, it’s a missed opportunity to engage with the content on a deeper level. Simply agreeing with someone doesn’t spark conversation or add value.
What to Do Instead:
Instead of simply agreeing, build on the idea. Offer an additional perspective, share how you’ve seen the concept in action, or ask a follow-up question to keep the conversation going.
Example:
– Avoid: “Totally agree!”
– Better: “I completely agree with your point about the importance of active listening in leadership. In my experience, the most successful teams I’ve worked with were led by people who made time to really hear their team members. How do you encourage leaders to practice this?”
5. ✅ “You’re so right!”
Why It’s a Problem:
Much like “Totally agree,” “You’re so right!” doesn’t help you stand out in the comments section. It’s an acknowledgment, but it doesn’t contribute anything meaningful to the conversation. The author may appreciate the sentiment, but they – and others – are less likely to engage with you.
What to Do Instead:
If you think someone is right, explain why you feel that way. Show how their perspective aligns with your own or how you’ve seen their ideas play out in real life. Offering an example can make your comment much more engaging and insightful.
Example:
– Avoid: “You’re so right!”
– Better: “You’re absolutely right about the importance of focusing on relationships over sales. I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful relationships in business lead to long-term success, even when sales take longer to close. The thing that has worked for me the most has always been…”
6. 🎢 “This is awesome!”
Why It’s a Problem:
Saying “This is awesome!” might express excitement, but it leaves the reader wondering why you thought it was awesome. Comments like this are too general and lack any indication that you’ve thoughtfully considered the content.
What to Do Instead:
When you’re impressed by a post, dig deeper and share what exactly caught your attention. Was it a new insight? Did the post change how you think about a topic? Be specific about what made the content “awesome.”
Example:
– Avoid: “This is awesome!”
– Better: “I loved your breakdown of how to use LinkedIn analytics to improve engagement. I’ve been wondering how to measure the impact of my posts, and this is a super clear guide on where to start.”
7. 👎 “Thanks for sharing!”
Why It’s a Problem:
“Thanks for sharing!” has become a default comment that many people use, and while it’s polite, it doesn’t offer any real value to the conversation. It’s a missed opportunity to make an impression and engage with the content in a meaningful way.
What to Do Instead:
If you genuinely appreciated the post, explain what specifically was helpful or share how you plan to apply the advice. If you can, ask a question to encourage further discussion.
Example:
– Avoid: “Thanks for sharing!”
– Better: “Thanks for sharing these productivity tips! I especially liked the part about avoiding multitasking. I’ve found that focusing on one task at a time has really improved my work. Do you have any advice on staying focused when distractions pop up?”
Why Thoughtful Comments Matter for Your Personal Brand
Leaving thoughtful, valuable linkedin comments does more than just show appreciation for the content – it helps build your personal brand and positions you as an expert in your field. When people see you adding meaningful insights to the conversation, they’ll start to recognize you as someone who’s engaged, knowledgeable, and worth connecting with.
Thoughtful comments:
– Increase your visibility: Engaging meaningfully increases your profile views and makes you more memorable.
– Build your authority: Consistently leaving value-packed comments positions you as an expert in your niche.
– Foster relationships: You build deeper connections with the post authors and other commenters, expanding your network in a meaningful way.
– Drive engagement: The more thoughtful your linkedin comments, the more likely others will engage with you in return.
How to Craft More Impactful LinkedIn Comments
If you want to stand out and make a lasting impression in the comments section, here are some tips to follow:
- Be specific: Always point out which part of the post resonated with you and why.
- Share a personal experience: Relate the post to something you’ve experienced in your professional journey.
- Ask a question: Keep the conversation going by asking a follow-up question or requesting the author’s thoughts on a related topic.
- Add value: Offer insights, share additional resources, or expand on the ideas in the post.
By applying these strategies, your comments will stand out in a sea of generic responses, and you’ll build a stronger personal brand as a result.
Final Thoughts: Avoid the “Must-Avoid” LinkedIn Comment Mistakes
Commenting on LinkedIn is about more than just throwing out compliments. If you want to build your brand, expand your network, and grow your authority, your comments need to be thoughtful and value-driven. By avoiding the generic comments like “Well said!” and “Great post!” and instead offering specific insights, asking questions, and adding value, you’ll make a much stronger impact.
FAQ: Commenting on LinkedIn
Q: Why should I avoid generic comments on LinkedIn?
A: Generic comments like “Great post!” or “Well said!” don’t offer any real value and don’t help you stand out. Thoughtful, personalized comments increase your visibility, build relationships, and enhance your personal brand.
Q: How can I improve my LinkedIn comments?
A: Be specific about what resonated with you in the post, relate it to your own experience, and ask questions to keep the conversation going. Add value by offering new perspectives or additional resources.
Q: How do thoughtful comments help my personal brand?
A: Thoughtful comments position you as an expert in your field, make you more memorable, and encourage others to engage with you. This helps build your personal brand and expands your professional network.
By putting these strategies into action, you can transform your LinkedIn commenting from generic to value-packed, setting yourself up for greater success on the platform.