In today’s hyper-connected world, effective online networking is essential as your digital presence acts as your business’ calling card.
Every post, comment, and interaction contributes to how others perceive your professional brand. Today, social media isn’t just for staying in touch with friends—it’s a powerful networking tool (or liability) when it comes to building credibility, establishing thought leadership, and expanding your network.
LinkedIn has evolved from a simple job-seeking platform to the world’s premier professional networking ecosystem. With over 1 billion users globally, it’s more important than ever to leverage this platform effectively.
Yet many professionals continue to make fundamental mistakes that limit their visibility, engagement, and ultimately, their success. We consistently see the same errors that prevent people from achieving their goals on the platform.
Here are 18 critical LinkedIn mistakes you might be making—and what to do instead.
1. Posting with links in the main text
The Problem: When you include a URL in your post text, LinkedIn’s algorithm often deprioritizes your content, treating it as an attempt to drive traffic away from the platform.
The Solution: Share your thoughts in the post text without the link, then place your URL in the first comment. This simple change can significantly boost your post’s reach while still providing the resource you want to share.
2. Confusing reposts with original content
The Problem: Simply resharing others’ content doesn’t establish your voice or expertise, and the LinkedIn algorithm gives less visibility to reshares compared to original posts.
The Solution: Add substantial, thoughtful commentary when resharing, or better yet, create original content that reflects your unique insights. When you do reshare, explain why the content matters to you and your network.
3. Overusing hashtags
The Problem: Stuffing posts with too many hashtags looks spammy and unprofessional, diluting your message’s impact.
The Solution: Use 2-3 strategic, relevant hashtags per post. Focus on those that align with your industry, expertise, and the specific topic of your content.
4. Neglecting personal profile in favor of company page
The Problem: Company pages typically receive less engagement than personal profiles because LinkedIn is fundamentally a person-to-person network.
The Solution: Maintain a balanced approach. Post thought leadership from your personal profile while using your company page for organizational announcements, product updates, and culture highlights. Have executives and team members engage with and share company content from their personal profiles.
5. Ignoring comments on your posts
The Problem: Failing to respond to comments signals disinterest in genuine connection and discourages future engagement. It also hurts your post’s algorithmic performance.
The Solution: Respond to every comment, ideally within 24 hours. This engagement signals to LinkedIn’s algorithm that your post is generating meaningful conversation, potentially extending its reach.
6. Creating overtly sales-focused posts
The Problem: Direct promotional content feels like an advertisement, not a conversation, and typically performs poorly on LinkedIn.
The Solution: Focus on providing value first. Share insights, solve problems, or offer perspectives that benefit your audience. When you do promote offerings, frame them in terms of how they solve specific problems for your audience.
7. Missing an effective "hook" at the beginning
The Problem: Without a compelling first 2-3 lines, readers won’t click “see more,” and your message gets lost.
The Solution: Start with a provocative question, a surprising statistic, a bold statement, or a relatable problem. Your opening should create enough curiosity or tension that readers feel compelled to continue.
8. No call-to-action in posts
The Problem: Without guidance on next steps, even interested readers often scroll past without further engagement.
The Solution: End posts with a subtle, relevant call-to-action. Ask a question, invite comments, suggest connecting for further discussion, or direct readers to a resource. The key is making it feel natural, not forced.
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9. Inconsistent posting or not posting at all
The Problem: Sporadic activity makes you virtually invisible on the platform, as LinkedIn’s algorithm favors consistent contributors who master online networking techniques.
The Solution: Establish a sustainable posting schedule, even if it’s just 1-2 times per week. Consistency matters more than frequency. Use content planning tools or set dedicated time for LinkedIn activity.
10. Not engaging with others' content
The Problem: Online networking is a reciprocal environment. If you’re not supporting others, you’ll struggle to increase engagement on social media for your own content.
The Solution: Allocate 15-20 minutes daily to leave thoughtful comments on posts from connections, especially prospects and industry leaders. Quality matters more than quantity—aim for substantive additions to the conversation.
If you’re not sure what to say, leverage the evyAI side panel networking assistant to generate thoughtful comments in your own voice that will help increase engagement on social media.
11. Tagging people without context
The Problem: Random tagging appears spammy and can annoy those tagged, potentially damaging professional relationships.
The Solution: Only tag people when the content is genuinely relevant to them or when they’re directly mentioned in your post. Always provide context for why you’re tagging them.
12. Having a large following without a newsletter
The Problem: With thousands of followers, you’re missing an opportunity to directly deliver content to interested professionals outside the limitations of the algorithm.
The Solution: Launch a LinkedIn newsletter to convert your existing audience into subscribers who receive direct notifications of your content. Focus on a specific theme that addresses your audience’s key challenges or interests.
13. Not growing your network strategically
The Problem: A stagnant network limits your content’s reach and your access to opportunities.
The Solution: Send at least 20 personalized connection requests daily to relevant professionals. Focus on quality connections in your industry, potential clients, and thought leaders. Always include a brief, personalized note explaining why you’d like to connect.
14. Cold selling in direct messages
The Problem: Immediate sales pitches in direct messages violate effective online networking principles, feel intrusive and rarely convert, often damaging potential relationships before they begin.
The Solution: Focus on building rapport first. Reference something specific from their profile or content, ask a thoughtful question, or share a relevant resource without expectation. Only discuss your offerings after establishing a genuine connection.
15. Sending excessively long messages
The Problem: Most professionals skim LinkedIn messages, and lengthy blocks of text often go unread.
The Solution: Keep initial messages under 100 words. Be concise, specific, and focus on one clear purpose per message. Use short paragraphs and bullets for better readability when more detail is necessary.
16. Sending random group messages
The Problem: Group messages promoting content feel impersonal and intrusive, often alienating connections.
The Solution: Reserve direct outreach for individually tailored communications. If you must message multiple people, ensure the content is highly relevant to each recipient and personalize the introduction.
17. Missing contact information
The Problem: Without clear contact details, interested prospects and collaborators can’t easily reach you outside the platform.
The Solution: Include your professional email and/or phone number in your Contact Info section. Consider adding it to your About section as well for increased visibility.
18. Weak or incomplete headline
The Problem: Generic titles or job descriptions fail to differentiate you or communicate your unique value.
The Solution: Craft a headline that goes beyond your job title. Include who you help, how you help them, and results you’ve achieved. Use industry-specific keywords to improve searchability while maintaining a conversational tone.
While these mistakes are common, they’re also easily fixable.
Start by addressing 2-3 areas where you see immediate opportunity for improvement. The LinkedIn algorithm rewards authenticity, consistency, and genuine engagement—focus on these principles and your professional brand will strengthen organically over time.
Remember that online networking success isn’t measured solely by followers or likes, but by meaningful connections, conversations, and opportunities that advance your professional goals.
The right networking tool and strategies can help you increase engagement on social media while building genuine professional relationships.
With these adjustments, you’ll be well on your way to creating a LinkedIn presence that genuinely reflects your professional value and attracts the right opportunities.
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