15 LinkedIn Post Ideas

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This week’s newsletter is all about writing [science] content for LinkedIn posts and some ideas to help you get started if you are new or provide some ideas for novel ways to share content. Creating a LinkedIn profile that stands out is critical for career success, and aside from the obvious benefits of using a professional headshot, a banner that highlights your skills and expertise, recommendations, and endorsements, posting frequently will boost the visibility of your LinkedIn profile.

Initially, my LinkedIn posts mainly consisted of sharing content from others.

It wasn't until I actively pursued job opportunities that I began to prioritize posting on LinkedIn. Since then, I've consistently maintained my online presence.

A quick note on the LinkedIn algorithm. The LinkedIn algorithm is specifically designed to prevent content from going viral.

The LinkedIn algorithm strives to connect users with the most relevant professional advice and expertise. With the recent LinkedIn updates, emphasizing your own expertise is now more crucial than ever.

Here are 15 ideas for posting on LinkedIn, with examples tailored specifically for scientists.

1. Text-only Posts. Incorporate a compelling hook to encourage your audience to click "see more" and engage with your post. Clicking "see more" can significantly enhance the post's reach by signaling to the algorithm its value to users. The key is readability: avoid lengthy paragraphs and opt for concise wording, utilizing bullets, numbers, and spacing. Authenticity is also crucial in your messaging.

2. Outbound URL Link Posts. Pasting a URL directly into the post is undoubtedly my favorite and easiest method, yet the LinkedIn algorithm doesn't favor these posts as they discourage users from leaving the platform. However, there's a workaround. See #3. This approach is excellent for sharing recent publications, news articles, or regulations, accompanied by a brief summary and a few insights or thoughts.

   Spend 10–15 minutes of your morning routine sifting through the latest PubMed articles in your research area.

3. Single-image Posts. Capture a screenshot of the outbound URL link post image when you copy it into a LinkedIn post, or craft an image to upload and include the URL in the post. This method enables you to sidestep penalties for outbound URL links, while still allowing readers to click the URL to access the article.

   
   In this post, I experimented with QuillBot, an AI writing and grammar checker tool. It's designed to help with summarizing and paraphrasing research articles, making the process of summarizing and posting quicker and more straightforward. Check out the link below to explore QuillBot.

   Paraphrasing Tool - QuillBot AI

4. Multi-image Posts. These posts are ideal for sharing photos of posters, presentation slides, and colleagues, offering an effective means of sharing visual content from events with a few highlights.

Alternatively, you could incorporate a photo collage.

5. Photo Carousel Posts. These are highly favored on LinkedIn and serve as excellent mediums for content dissemination. I personally utilize Canva for crafting them, essentially creating PDF images that are uploaded to enable viewers to flip through them independently. Similar to an Instagram carousel, this format comprises multiple photos or videos within a single post, allowing users to swipe left (on the mobile app) or click an arrow (on desktop) to navigate through the content manually, akin to a customizable slideshow.

   For images, ensure a resolution of 1080 x 1080 pixels.

6. Video Carousel Posts. When creating your carousel slides, follow the structure of a typical photo carousel post, but incorporate a timer for the slides to advance automatically. You can introduce animation effects and specify the duration for each slide.

   Videos should maintain a minimum resolution of 600 x 600 pixels and a maximum resolution of 1080 x 1080 pixels.

7. LinkedIn Newsletter Posts. Instead of crafting a standard post, opt for "write article". This allows you to personalize and compose a newsletter according to your preferences.

8. Third-Party Newsletter Posts. Well-known newsletter platforms like Beehiiv, Substack, and others streamline the process of crafting newsletters, simplifying the creation process.

9. Webinar Clip Posts. Create a brief teaser video clip showcasing a key moment from the webinar to share on LinkedIn, accompanied by a link directing viewers to watch the complete webinar. Although I haven't tested this one yet, I'll definitely give it a try for the next webinar.

10. Share Posts. Enhance engagement by sharing someone else's post and providing your unique perspective or commentary to enrich the conversation. By adding your spin, you not only amplify the original content but also establish your voice and expertise within your network.

11. Video Posts. While I haven't personally experimented with this method yet, it's an excellent strategy for fostering connections with your audience. For me, it is getting over the fear and cringe factor that exists in my mind, but I am committed to stepping out of my comfort zone this year 😅.

    Ensure to incorporate subtitles into your content to assist viewers in comprehending the message, thereby enhancing accessibility and engagement.

12. Document Posts. Share various scientific materials, such as research papers, conference posters, regulatory articles, flyers, and more. This enables you to disseminate valuable information and engage your audience with diverse content relevant to your field or interests.

13. Poll/Question Posts. Prompt your audience with thought-provoking inquiries to foster engagement and spark meaningful discussions. Encouraging participation through questions not only invites interaction but also deepens the connection between you and your audience, cultivating a vibrant community around your content.

14. Celebration Posts. Acknowledge and highlight the contributions of a fellow colleague by giving them a shout-out in a post you craft or reshare. Recognizing their efforts publicly not only fosters a sense of camaraderie but also strengthens professional relationships within your network.

15. Post Comments. Engage with a post by leaving a thoughtful comment. By actively participating in discussions and sharing your insights, you not only contribute to the conversation but also potentially spark ideas for future content creation.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found inspiration to start writing and posting. Do you have a question you'd like to see answered or highlighted in the upcoming post? Submit your questions below in the Ask Me A Question form.

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Chat soon,

Bonnie