Ways to Encourage Engagement on Tech Posts

I'm speaking about something rather unconventional for a procurement conference. LinkedIn. Yep. I'm running a 90-min workshop to teach procurement practitioners, marketers & sales reps how to leverage LI in a way that actually works. How to produce content that people actually want to consume and engage with. How to find the right people to connect with & then do so in a meaningful way. Why am I qualified to teach people how to use LI? When I was selling marketing procurement software, I closed over $24.3M in net new business using LI. This platform has had a profound impact on my professional & personal life. I've landed two jobs as a result of the brand I've built on this platform. I met several of my industry besties here - even a roommate. How do I optimize my posts to get so much engagement (comments)? I follow what the data says in Richard van der Blom's algorithm report. It's a analysis of 1.5M+ posts from 34K individual profiles & over 26K company pages spanning over 50 countries & 25 languages showing what’s most impactful on LI in 2024. Some of my takeaways from Richard's report: 1. Aim for a 8am - 11am posting time in your time zone. 2. Maintain a regular posting rhythm: committing to a 3 or 4 weekly posting pattern is preferable over a daily burst followed by silence. 3. LI counts a 'repost with thoughts' as fresh content. 4. The first 60 mins: early engagement sets the momentum for the post's visibility in the next 6 hrs. 5. Personalized images, rather than generic stock photos, can increase engagement by 45%. 6. Vertical photos are the most effective, especially since 64% of users are on mobile devices, yielding a 15% higher click-through rate than square images and 25% more than horizontal images. 7. Ideal Text Length for Text & Image Posts: 900 - 1,200 characters. 8. Polls: most effective polls offer 3 answer choices & run for a week. Best to post on a Monday or Wednesday. 9. Strategic Tagging: mentioning others in comments can be beneficial if they contribute to the discussion. There's no downside to unresponsive tags in the comments, but lack of engagement from those tagged directly in your post might reduce growth potential by 25%. 10. Calls to Action: possible increase in reach by 10% for posts with calls to action. 11. If tagged individuals comment on your post, it positively influences your post’s visibility. Such comments are 1.5 times more impactful than those from untagged users, making tagging a potentially powerful tool for growth. 12. The presence of hashtags in posts does not significantly boost reach. 13. Document Posts: aim for 12 slides, include 25-50 words per slide & ensure the post's guidance is fewer than 500 characters. 14. Ending your post with a question can lead to an increase in engagement of 20% to 40%. 15. Optimal video time: 1 - 2 mins. Videos over 3 mins see a 15% decline in engagement. I've got a couple free SIG conferences passes. Ping if me you'd like one of them.

Your LinkedIn post doesn’t start when you hit publish. It starts 30 minutes before. Most people post and pray. (And hey—prayer is great. Just maybe not about LinkedIn 😅) Here’s the engagement strategy I teach clients who want visibility, leads, and real traction: 1️⃣ The 30-Minute Pre-Engagement Rule (a.k.a. Content Seeding) Don’t just drop your post cold. Warm up the feed. Before you publish, comment on 5–10 posts from people you want your content to reach. When you engage with them, you trigger LinkedIn to surface your upcoming post in their feed once it goes live. 📌 Pro Tip: Prioritize → Your ideal audience → Past engagers → Active accounts with good reach (they help amplify you if they engage) This is how you train the algorithm to pay attention. 2️⃣ The 15-Minute Post-Boost Once you publish, your post enters a test phase. It’s tracking: → How fast you get engagement → Whether people stick around (dwell time) → If the comments spark back-and-forth conversation So when the comments start coming in, don’t ghost. Reply quickly. Ask questions. Keep the thread alive. Every interaction signals to LinkedIn: “This post has value.” 3️⃣ The First 3-Hour Window Is Critical Your post gets a short trial run. If it performs, it gets pushed to a wider audience. If not, it gets buried. Remember: LinkedIn is in the business of keeping people on the platform. It rewards content that does the same. Your job in this window:  → Keep the engagement active  → Drop a thoughtful comment on your own post to extend the conversation.  → Send it to a few trusted peers and say, “Would love your POV on this.” (Don't spam though. Make it relevant.) Bonus: Save outbound DMs for people who actually care about the topic.  You’ll get better feedback and avoid annoying your network. Most people treat LinkedIn like a billboard. Top performers treat it like a system. Which of these tactics do you already use? Which one will you try next? 👇

A client, visible but overlooked, told me, “People are noticing my posts, but no one’s taking the next step.” They had the views, the engagement, the traction, but no movement. The problem wasn’t visibility. It was direction. We refined their messaging, clarified their offer, added stronger proof, and made the next step obvious. Engagement turned into leads. And leads turned into real conversations. I call it the Engagement to Action Framework. Because visibility is only the start. The goal is momentum. Here’s How You Can Do It: 🔸 Write for the Buyer, Not the Bystander • Stop creating content that impresses your peers but confuses your prospects • Speak to the ones who feel the problem and have the power to pay What Works: Talk to the person who needs you, not the crowd cheering you on 🔸 Connect Every Post to a Clear Outcome • Valuable content feels good, but people remember what it helps them do • Tie your insights to a transformation, not just information What Works: If they can’t repeat what you help with, they won’t think to hire you 🔸 Give Just Enough to Build Curiosity • Teaching too much upfront makes you sound complete, not clickable • People don’t need the full course, they need the first step What Works: Share the what and the why, but let the how live inside the offer 🔸 Use Proof That Feels Like Possibility • Big wins can feel out of reach if they’re not framed right • Share results in a way that feels doable, not distant What Works: The best case study makes people say, “That could be me” 🔸 Repeat Your Message Until It Sticks • Saying it once isn’t branding, it’s hoping • Repetition is how people remember, especially when they’re not ready yet What Works: Clarity builds memory. Memory drives decisions 🔸 Create Content That Starts Conversations • Not every post should be a mic drop • Sometimes the real value is in the reply, not the feed What Works: Make people feel safe to ask, curious enough to DM, or bold enough to comment Your next client might already be watching. But if your profile doesn’t guide them, they’ll keep scrolling. With the right setup, it does more than impress. It leads people to act. That’s the power of the Engagement to Action Framework. ⸻ ♻️ REPOST if this resonated with you! ➡️ FOLLOW Rheanne Razo for more B2B growth strategies, client success, and real-world business insights.

It took me an entire year to break 1 million impressions on LinkedIn in 2023, yet only 90 days to almost reach 2 million in 2024. Here is what I learned, and how it can help you. Some clarifying data: 1. I invest at most 5 minutes a day on the LinkedIn, which equates to~3,800 impressions per minute spent on the platform. 2. I experimented and measured both the range of times posted, along with forms of content (images, text, and video). 3. I also experimented and measured how much engagement/impressions on my content changed based on the frequency me engaging/commentating on other peoples content. Now, some of the lessons I learned: ➤ Video posts seem to be stickier and have a longer tail than non-video posts. If you have the capability to record and edit video, you are already there. A FAQ I get is how I edit my videos. I use Microsoft ClipChamp that comes stock in Windows. ➤ Videos on LinkedIn should be kept under 2 minutes to maximize reach and #engagement. That said, all the rules as they relate to an engaging video apply: set your hook in the first few seconds, keep it moving, and adding music almost always helps. ➤ Despite a decrease in overall impressions, LinkedIn's #artificialintelligence now targets content more effectively based on users' goals which could be getting clients, advancing careers, or growing your network. ➤ The AI also appears to boost your content if it deems said content is in your expertise, and depresses content that it deems not in your lane. For example, any time I post content not directly related to #videogames or game development, I would be lucky if it breaks 1k impressions. ➤ There does not seem to be any reason not to post frequently. For a while, I was under the (false) impression that the sweet spot was posting once every 2 days, which is not the case. So long as the posts are meaningful, they will get traction. ➤ Engaging with comments significantly boosts reach. I now cringe thinking back to when I would consciously "post and ghost". ➤ The first and last lines of written posts are crucial for grabbing attention and encouraging engagement, and they heavily influence the algorithm's perception of the post's value. ➤ You can edit LinkedIn posts (hooray!), but only up to 15% of the content without penalty. That means you can fix any typos after posting to your heart's content. If there is anything I missed that you think is worth sharing, please write them in the comments below. If you are curious about my other findings, feel free to reach out; I would love to exchange tips and tactics. If you are interested in growing on LinkedIn consistently and organically, for you or your company, feel free to reach out for that as well. As always, work with the #algorithm, not against it.

Not getting engagement on LinkedIn? Give this a try. If your posts aren’t getting the traction you want, it’s not because people don’t care—it’s because they don’t feel compelled to engage. Try one of these 7 content ideas this week to change that: 1. Share a success spotlight. Feature a client, partner, or leader who is making an impact. → What’s a creative solution they implemented? → How is their work shifting the industry forward? → What can others learn from them? 💡 Example: “How [Org/Person] is tackling [Industry Challenge] in a way we should all be paying attention to.” 2. Speak to a pain point. Your ideal audience should read your post and think: “Wow, they really get me.” → What’s a challenge your clients or partners struggle with? → What’s a small but meaningful shift they could make? 💡 Example: “Struggling to secure new corporate partnerships? Here’s what actually works.” 3. Tell a story with a lesson. People remember stories more than facts. Bring us into a moment that shaped you. → What’s a mistake you made that others can learn from? → What was a turning point in your career? 💡 Example: “The mistake that almost cost me [Lesson]—so you don’t have to make it.” 4. Share a bold take on an industry norm. Engagement thrives on fresh perspectives. Challenge conventional wisdom. → What’s something you believe about social impact, fundraising, or LinkedIn that others might push back on? → Where do most people get it wrong? 💡 Example: “We need to stop saying [Common Phrase]—here’s why.” 5. Offer an industry insight. Break down a common misconception or complex topic in your space. → What’s a strategy or approach that’s often misunderstood? → What’s an easier, more effective way to tackle it? 💡 Example: “Most people think the biggest challenge in solving the global water crisis is access to clean water. But the real issue is _____." 6. Show behind the scenes. People connect with people. Share something personal or vulnerable. → What’s a struggle you’ve faced in running your business? → What’s a challenge you’ve helped a client overcome? 💡 Example: “I used to believe [Old Belief]—until this moment changed everything.” 7. Give a quick, actionable tip. People love practical takeaways they can apply today. → What’s a simple, effective tip that can make a difference? → What’s the #1 thing you wish more people in your industry understood? 💡 Example: “If you want to [Achieve Goal], try this one simple shift.” If your LinkedIn content isn’t landing, try one of these ideas this week. And if you do—tag me! I’d love to see what you create. 🔖 Save this post so you never have to stare at a blank page again.

➡ What are you focused on? Because if you’re focusing on this, you’re losing out. Vanity metrics Most people get caught up in follower counts and likes, missing out on the real value that quality interactions bring. Focusing on vanity metrics will make your LinkedIn presence superficial, leading to missed opportunities to build genuine relationships and achieve your professional goals. 💡The result is a large but unengaged network. Your posts will receive minimal genuine interaction, and your influence will diminish over time. This lack of meaningful connections will hinder your ability to drive business growth, establish thought leadership, and make a lasting impact in your industry. ➡ Here’s how you will shift your focus to meaningful engagement and achieve success: 1. Engage Thoughtfully: Take the time to leave insightful comments on posts from your connections. Thoughtful engagement will build stronger relationships and increase your visibility. 2. Personalize Interactions: When reaching out to new connections or responding to messages, personalize your communication. Show genuine interest in their work and offer value. 3. Share Valuable Content: Post content that addresses the pain points and interests of your audience. Focus on providing solutions, insights, and actionable tips that will benefit them. 4. Join Relevant Discussions: Participate in LinkedIn groups and industry discussions. Share your expertise and learn from others to build a reputation as a thought leader. 5. Foster Conversations: Ask questions in your posts to encourage dialogue. Respond to comments and engage with your audience to keep the conversation going. 6. Track Engagement Metrics: Monitor metrics like comments, shares, and meaningful interactions rather than just likes and follower counts. These metrics will provide better insights into the effectiveness of your engagement strategy. ➡ Ready to transform your LinkedIn engagement strategy and achieve meaningful interactions? Follow me for more insights and schedule a consultation to start improving your engagement today. With the right strategy, your influence will expand, and your business will thrive. 🔽 🔽 🔽 👋 Hi, I'm Graham. Thanks for checking out my Post.   Here is what you can do next 🔽   ➕ Follow me to see me in your feed   🔔 Hit the bell on my profile for Post notifications   💬 Share your ideas or insights in the comments   ♻ Inform others in your network via a Share or Repost #fintech #finance #business #technology #innovation #socialmedia #sales

Posting and praying? Let’s fix that. If your engagement feels like a gamble, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Engagement isn’t about luck, it’s about intention. Here’s the Engagement Equation to ensure your posts get noticed and spark interaction: 1. Ask to Engage: -Want comments? Ask a thoughtful question. -Want shares? Share something relatable or highly valuable. -Make it easy for people to respond by giving clear prompts. 2. Use Features That Work: -Polls: People love to share opinions. Use polls to ask simple, engaging questions. -Tagging: Mention people or brands you admire—but only when relevant. -Media: A strong visual (photo, video, or infographic) can double your engagement. 3. Post When They’re Active: -The best content won’t matter if no one sees it. Analyze your audience’s activity and post during peak hours. Mornings on weekdays often work, but test what’s best for you. 4. Spark a Conversation: -Don’t just post and disappear. Respond to comments quickly and keep the conversation going. Engagement isn’t magic, it’s a formula. 💡 Valuable content + thoughtful timing + clear calls to action = results. Find this post helpful? Connect with me Maher Khan for more such posts.

Three variables determine if someone will engage with your posts: 1. How much it engages them 2. How much it entertains them 3. How much it educates them A good LinkedIn post focuses on 1 and 3— How much it engages and educates them. Why? Well, first, because any piece of content has to be engaging to succeed by definition. This is done with: 1. Catchy hooks 2. Clear, concise writing 3. Interesting visuals (optional) Second, LinkedIn posts should focus more on education than entertainment. While other platforms like YouTube and TikTok are best leveraged through a combination of the two (AKA “edutainment”)... …pure educational content does better on LinkedIn. This is a reflection of the userbase— It’s less people looking for something to amuse them, and more people looking to learn something useful and advance their career in some way. This means that, if your posts aren’t getting engagement, there are two culprits at play (likely both): 1. The concepts are boring You need to get serious about developing the most appealing post ideas possible. The most effective way of doing this? Literally just talking to your target market and learning about the problems they’re facing. Seriously, just set up 1:1s with 3-5 people interested in your niche, learn about what frustrates them the most, and write about it every day. 2. The posts aren’t educating/helping people Put yourself in the reader's shoes whenever you’re about to publish something— Ask yourself, “Is this teaching people something new? Is this solving a problem I know my target market is having?” If you do both those things… …you’re guaranteed to improve both your engagement and the leads you generate on LinkedIn. Any questions?