7 LinkedIn Content Sharing Ideas for Reluctant Users

Providing your LinkedIn network with rich and valuable content is not only helpful to your connections but can also demonstrate your expertise. Many of my clients, however, shudder at the thought of posting content on LinkedIn.

“I’m not on Facebook,” is often one of the first things I hear when I suggest they share content. This immediate association with Facebook speaks to how some people consider LinkedIn and Facebook as one and the same.

If this reaction mirrors yours—and you equate LinkedIn content sharing with the social networking most people do on Facebook—I encourage you to reconsider. Instead, view LinkedIn as a professional tool. Thinking of LinkedIn as an extension of your professional identity will help you reframe questions like “What should I post?” and lead you to different questions, such as:

• “What can I share that will add value to my LinkedIn network?”
• “What can I share that will be helpful and informative to others?”
• “How can I support my connections on LinkedIn?”
  

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“I’m not on Facebook,” is often one of the first things I hear when I suggest that clients share content. If this reaction mirrors yours—and you equate LinkedIn content sharing with the social networking most people do on Facebook—I encourage you to reconsider. Instead, view LinkedIn as a professional tool.

LinkedIn Content Sharing Ideas

Approach your LinkedIn content sharing strategy with a mindset of giving rather than receiving. To that end, here are seven ideas to boost your activity and content creation on LinkedIn (that don’t require you to explicitly toot your own horn—or post videos, which reluctant LinkedIn users rarely want to do).

Give Advice

What tips can you provide to someone looking to break into the field you’re in? What advice would you give your younger self? If you have a blog or website, you can point readers to it, although this is not necessary. A helpful tip in a single post works well, too.

Provide Updates about Your Company or Organization

Increasing your employer’s visibility shows you as a brand ambassador and team player. If your company is hiring, share their corporate post that announces the new position. If your employer is offering a new program aimed at DE&I, help spread the news. If the company received a “top employer” recognition, let your network know!

Offer Thoughts on an Article You’ve Read

If you’ve read an article about your industry, subject matter expertise, or professional development, you can post a link to the material and offer a nugget of information that you found helpful. You can also state how it relates to other current events. For instance, I have seen people remark on a technological innovation in one field and spark a conversation about how that technology will also soon likely transfer to a new field or industry.

Summarize a Conference or Webinar

If you’ve attended a conference or webinar, you can share a summary of key takeaway points. Consider tagging people who presented at the conference and people you know will be interested in the information.

Share What Inspires You 

Write your favorite quote and explain why you find it inspiring, and then make a habit of posting motivational information and stories.

Comment on Other People’s LinkedIn Posts

Consider commenting on posts that your connections share. When thoughtful (keyword: thoughtful) remarks are added, great conversations happen! This is also a way to build rapport with your connections.

Share Industry News

I try to share local news of job growth because it’s relevant to my industry. You can share similar trends relevant to your geographic region, industry, and area of expertise. For instance, are new regulations reshaping your industry? Have larger economic considerations caused a market contraction—or a projection of great growth? Has a new designation or certification become the gold standard to achieve in the field?

One of my connections consistently posts about manufacturing; I now associate him with all things manufacturing. Another posts about writing. And another about hiring within life sciences. Their intentional LinkedIn activity contributes to my own professional development. I also think of them first when something related comes up in conversation. While this might warrant a “So what?” response from cynics, this “top of mind” association suggests that each of these connections is helpful to their community and has been deliberate about cultivating a strong professional brand.

Takeaway

Like it or not, LinkedIn is the dominant professional networking tool for most industries and professions. Intentional use of this powerful platform by sharing content, insights, and expertise can boost your visibility as well as demonstrate your value to your connections and network.