How to Post on LinkedIn Step by Step

Posting on LinkedIn can feel like a high-stakes game, but it's simpler than you think to get started and build momentum. This guide will walk you through everything, step by step, from creating your first post to leveraging advanced formats that grab attention and spark conversation. We'll cover the mechanics of making a post and the creative strategy that turns a simple update into a catalyst for professional growth.

Getting Started: Your First LinkedIn Post Step-by-Step

Let's begin with the absolute basics. Whether you’re on a desktop or your mobile phone, the process for creating a post is straightforward and consistent. Understanding the layout of the post composer is the first step toward getting your ideas out into the world.

On Your Desktop

At the top of your LinkedIn homepage feed, you’ll see a box that says “Start a post.” Clicking this opens the post editor, your main creative canvas. Here’s a quick tour of what you’ll find:

• The Text Box: This is where you'll write your message. LinkedIn allows up to 3,000 characters, but most high-performing posts are much shorter.
• Media Options: Below the text box, you'll see icons to add media. You can add a photo, video, document (for carousels), or even celebrate an occasion.
• Expanded Options ("..."): Clicking the three dots reveals more post types, including creating a poll, sharing that you're hiring, or listing services that you offer.
• Visibility Settings: By default, your post is visible to "Anyone," but you can use the dropdown menu to restrict it to just your connections if needed.

On the Mobile App

The mobile experience is just as user-friendly. Tap the “Post” button located in the center of the bottom navigation bar. This will open a new screen with a similar layout to the desktop version. You can write your text, then use the icons at the bottom of the screen to add photos, videos, or access other post types. It's designed for creating content on the go, making it easy to share a thought or a picture from a conference or team meeting.

How to Craft a LinkedIn Post That Stands Out

Knowing how to post is one thing, knowing what to post is another game entirely. A great LinkedIn post isn’t just a random update - it’s structured to catch attention, provide value, and encourage interaction. Follow this simple three-part formula: the Hook, the Body, and the Call to Action.

1. Start with a Powerful Hook

You have about two seconds to stop someone from scrolling past your post. The first line is your hook, and it needs to be compelling. Don't waste it on generic openings. Instead, try one of these approaches:

• Ask a provocative question: "What’s the single biggest misconception about your industry?"
• Make a bold statement or share a counter-intuitive opinion: "Most professional networking advice is outdated. Here's why."
• Start a personal story: "The worst mistake I ever made in my career taught me one incredible lesson..."
• Present a surprising statistic: "Only 8% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions. Let's talk about what the other 92% are missing."

The goal is to intrigue the reader enough that they click the “...see more” link to read the rest of your post.

2. Write a Clear and Readable Body

Once you’ve hooked your reader, you need to deliver on that initial promise. The body of your post should be where you explain your idea, tell your story, or share your advice. To keep people engaged, readability is essential.

• Keep paragraphs short. One to two sentences max. Big blocks of text are overwhelming and will cause people to tune out.
• Use whitespace. Hit the "enter" key to break up your thoughts. This simple formatting trick makes your post feel less intimidating and easier to skim.
• Use lists and emojis. Bullet points or numbered lists are great for breaking down ideas or steps. A few relevant emojis can also add personality and visual interest, just don't overdo it.

This is where you provide the core value of your post. Share a lesson learned, offer a practical tip, or break down a complex topic into simple terms. Give your audience something they can walk away with.

3. End with a Clear Call to Action (CTA)

Don't leave your readers guessing what to do next. End every post with a clear call to action that encourages them to engage. The LinkedIn algorithm tends to favor posts with healthy levels of engagement (comments, in particular), so prompting a response is always a smart move.

Your CTA could be as simple as asking a question to spark a discussion:

• "What’s one piece of advice you’d add to this list? Share it in the comments below!"
• "Have you ever experienced something similar? I’d love to hear your story."
• If you’re sharing a link, direct people to it: "You can read the full article at the link in the comments." (Note: Many creators prefer putting links in the first comment to keep the main post "clean" and focused on engagement.)

A good CTA transforms a passive reader into an active participant, helping to extend the reach of your post.

Leveraging Different LinkedIn Post Formats for More Engagement

LinkedIn offers a variety of content formats beyond a simple text update. Mixing these into your content strategy keeps your feed interesting and allows you to communicate your message in different ways.

Text-Only Posts

Never underestimate the power of pure text. A well-written story or a powerful piece of advice can perform incredibly well without any visuals. This format feels personal and direct, making it perfect for sharing personal reflections, industry insights, or asking thought-provoking questions.

Image Posts

Posts with images consistently get more views than those without. Attaching a relevant photo - whether it's of you, your team, an event, or a simple graphic you've made - can make your update more eye-catching. An authentic, even low-quality-camera phone photo often performs better than a stock photo because it feels more genuine.

Pro Tip: Use a free tool like Canva to create simple "quote graphics" or visuals that summarize the key point of your post. For dimensions, a 1:1 square ratio (1080x1080 pixels) or a 4:5 vertical ratio (1080x1350 pixels) works best.

Video Posts

Video is a fantastic way to connect with your audience on a more personal level. LinkedIn favors video uploaded directly (natively) to the platform rather than links to YouTube or Vimeo. Keep LinkedIn videos short, focused, and professional.

• Aim for 1-3 minutes.
• Add captions. Most users watch videos with the sound off, so captions are essential.
• Start with a strong visual or verbal hook to capture attention within the first few seconds.

Document Posts (Carousels)

This has become one of the top-performing formats on LinkedIn. A document post, or "carousel," is a PDF that users can click through slide-by-slide without leaving their feed. It's like a mini-presentation, perfect for breaking down tips, showcasing a portfolio, or visualizing data.

How to Create a Document Post:

1. Create your "slides" in a program like Canva, Google Slides, or PowerPoint. Keep text minimal and visuals strong.
2. Export the entire presentation as a single PDF file.
3. In the LinkedIn post composer, click "Add a document" and upload your PDF.
4. Give your document an engaging title, as this will appear at the top of the viewer.
5. Write your post text and a strong CTA to encourage people to swipe through your carousel.

This format is a great way to provide a ton of value in a very digestible format, and the interactive element often leads to higher engagement.

Advanced Tips to Maximize Your Post's Reach

Once you've mastered the basics, you can apply a few extra strategies to get your content in front of more people.

Use Hashtags Strategically

Hashtags help categorize your content and make it discoverable to people who don't follow you. Use a mix of broad and niche hashtags relevant to your topic. The unofficial best practice on LinkedIn is to use between 3 and 5 relevant hashtags. Placing them at the end of your post keeps the main body text clean.

Example: For a post about leadership tips, you might use #Leadership #Management #CareerDevelopment.

Tag Relevant People and Companies

If your post mentions a specific person or company, tag them using the "@" symbol. This will send them a notification and may encourage them to share or engage with your post, exposing it to their network.

Use this feature ethically. Only tag people you are genuinely referencing or collaborating with. Don't spam unrelated influencers just to get traction, it's bad etiquette and rarely works.

Post at the Right Time

LinkedIn is a professional network, so users are most active during the work week. General wisdom suggests that posting Tuesday through Thursday mornings (around 8-10 AM) and afternoons (around 12 PM or 4-5 PM) can give your post a good initial boost. However, the best time to post is ultimately when your specific audience is online. Experiment and check your analytics to see what works for you.

Engage with Comments Immediately

The first hour after you publish a post is important. The more engagement you get in that first hour, the more likely the LinkedIn algorithm is to show your post to a wider audience. Make an effort to be present and reply to every comment you receive in that window. Your replies create more conversation, which signals to the algorithm that your post is worth showing to more people.

Final Thoughts

Posting on LinkedIn is a powerful way to build your personal brand, grow your professional network, and create new opportunities. By mastering the fundamentals of a great post - a strong hook, valuable body, and clear CTA - and experimenting with different formats, you can turn LinkedIn into a valuable tool for your career or business.

We know that managing a consistent content calendar across multiple platforms can feel like a full-time job. That's why our team created Postbase, a social media management tool designed to simplify your workflow. You can plan all your LinkedIn content visually, schedule posts in advance to publish automatically, and handle all your comments and messages in a single, clean inbox without constantly switching tabs.