Posting on LinkedIn: The Step-by-Step guide to writing posts that actually work

1. Know exactly who you’re writing for

Before you write a single line, pause. Ask: Who am I actually talking to right now?

Not a persona in a deck. Not “Samantha, 36, Head of Ops, yoga fan.” That’s great for strategy docs. But when you’re writing a post? You need real-world context.

What’s your reader dealing with today?  What are they feeling at 9:17 AM while scrolling between meetings? You’re not writing for a target audience. You’re writing for a human being. And to reach them, you need to tune in.

That’s where real-time profiling comes in. What’s your audience liking, commenting, resharing?  What words do they use?  What’s catching their eye or making them scroll past? If you miss their mindset, you’ll miss the mark.  But when you get it right? You write posts that stop the scroll, trigger emotion, and drive action.

Bonus tip: Go back and analyze your past top-performing posts. Look at the language, tone, timing, and topic. See the patterns. 

Or better yet let RedactAI do it for you. It shows you what worked, why it worked, and how to reuse it effectively.

2. Choose the right format for your message

Forget the hype. There is no “best format.” There’s only the right format for your message, today. Some messages are better in a clean, straight-to-the-point text post. Others need a carousel to walk people through step-by-step.  Some stories deserve storytelling raw, real, and human.

What matters is not the trend. It’s the fit.

Ask yourself:

• Does this idea need visuals?
• Is it a quick insight or something deeper?
• Is this stronger in writing, on video, or in my voice?
  
  

Mix it up. The best creators adapt. They don’t use one format over and over. They use the format that makes the message land.

Pro tip: RedactAI helps you analyze which formats your audience responds to most, based on your past data so you can publish smarter, not harder.

3. Structure your LinkedIn post: hook, problem, solution, invite

Let’s break down what actually makes a post work.

1. Start with a strong hook

Your first 2 lines? Everything. That’s where you either stop the scroll… or get ignored.

A great hook:

• Asks a bold question
• States an uncomfortable truth
• Teases a transformation
• Breaks the pattern
  
  

Example:
“What if your content was doing nothing for your business even with 100 likes?”

2. Highlight a real pain point

Don’t be vague. Get specific. Show you understand what your reader is dealing with. Not “why this matters.”  But “why this is hard for you right now.” That’s where the trust builds.

3. Share a clear insight or solution

No lectures. Just your take, your experience, your lesson learned. Something the reader can apply today. That’s what drives value.

4. End with a real invitation

Don’t wrap with “Thoughts?” Ask a real question. Invite the reader into the conversation.

Try:

• “Ever felt this too?”
• “What worked for you in this situation?”
• “Disagree? I’d love to hear your take.”
  
  

That’s how your post becomes a dialogue not a monologue.

How to use keywords when posting on LinkedIn

Yes, LinkedIn is a social platform. But it’s also a search engine. People search for topics. Hashtags. Thought leaders. Your post can show up on LinkedIn and on Google if you include the right keywords.

Do it naturally. Use phrases your audience actually types. Weave them into your hook, your post, and your hashtags.

Keyword: posting on LinkedIn Other related keywords to sprinkle in:

• LinkedIn post strategy
• LinkedIn engagement tips
• how to get leads on LinkedIn
• B2B content marketing
• LinkedIn for business
  
  

No stuffing. No jargon. Just smart placement.

For hashtags? Stick to 3–5 max. Use one broad, one niche, and one branded. Example: #contentmarketing #b2bgrowth #RedactAI

5. Post smarter (not more)

You don’t need to post every day. You need to learn what’s actually working and do more of that. Look beyond likes.
Focus on:

• Comments
• DMs
• Saves
• Shares
• Profile views
• Leads
  
  

Ask:

• Did this post start real conversations?
• Did it resonate with my ideal client?
• Did it bring people to my profile or DMs?
  
  

Then:

• Repurpose high-performing posts
• Turn one idea into a full content series
• Double down on the topics that spark action
  
  

That’s exactly what RedactAI helps you do. It shows you which posts performed best, why, and how to build on them fast.

The bottom line

A great LinkedIn post isn’t magic. It’s a mix of simple moves when aligned just right.

👉 You speak to a specific person
👉 You grab attention fast
👉 You share something that matters
👉 You pick the right format for the message
👉 You keep your tone real, your structure clear
👉 You end with an open door, not a monologue

With this approach, every post becomes more than a post it becomes a lever.
To get seen, get understood, get chosen. Not for likes. For real conversations. The kind that lead to clients, partners, and game-changing opportunities.

Want to scale that without burning out?

👉 RedactAI helps you repurpose your best posts, analyze what works, and post smarter without starting from zero.

Try it free → https://app.redactai.io

By now, you’ve got a clear, step-by-step method for posting on LinkedIn the smart way.

FAQs about posting on LinkedIn

Do I need to post daily to grow on LinkedIn?
No. Once or twice a week is enough if the content is good. Focus on quality and consistency, not volume.

What’s the best time to post?
Mornings (8–10 AM) and lunch breaks (12–1 PM) perform well. But the best time? When your audience is online. Track and test.

How long should my LinkedIn post be?
There’s no perfect length. Some of the best posts are short and punchy. Others are long-form stories. The key is clarity and flow.

How many hashtags should I use?
Stick to 3–5. Use a mix of broad, niche, and branded hashtags to maximize discoverability without spamming.

How do I know what worked?
Don’t just check likes. Look at comments, saves, profile visits, DMs, and shares. That’s where real engagement lives.