June 27, 2025 Joanna Dąbrowska

How to Post on LinkedIn for Leads, Not Just Likes

Because vanity metrics don’t pay the bills

How to Post on LinkedIn for Business Growth

LinkedIn isn’t Instagram in a suit. It’s a business tool – not a place to chase dopamine.

If you’re a founder, consultant, or agency looking to grow your pipeline, you don’t need applause. You need action.

Yet many users confuse visibility with value. A post that gets 300 likes might do… nothing. Meanwhile, a thoughtful insight that only reached 800 people? It might land a €30K client.

That’s the difference between performance and performance marketing.

Here’s how to post on LinkedIn like a bird with a strategy – flying toward the right conversations, not just noise.

Leads Come from Clarity, Not Creativity

You don’t need viral-worthy creativity to generate leads. What you do need is a crystal-clear message. Leads don’t convert because your post was fun – they convert because they immediately understood what you offer, who it’s for, and why it solves their problem.

📊 A LinkedIn-Edelman study found that 56% of decision-makers say thought leadership directly led them to award business to a company. But 71% say most content they see lacks insight.

Source: Edelman & LinkedIn Thought Leadership Study

Your Dream Client Is Lurking, Not Liking

One of the biggest myths on LinkedIn: your best leads will engage. Truth? Many decision-makers never like or comment.

They read silently, observe consistency, and click through your profile. Then one day – they message.

That’s why quiet traction is more important than public validation. Keep showing up even when engagement drops. The right people are watching.

The majority of my clients come from posts that got the least amount of likes.

Katelyn Bourgoin, Growth Marketer and Founder of Customer Camp Source

Speak to Pain, Not Praise

Want leads? Talk about problems. Not your achievements, not your team offsite, not your rebrand.

People engage when they see themselves. If your audience is struggling to scale a paid ad funnel, your post about your recent podcast episode won’t grab them. But a 3-step breakdown on how you cut CAC by 40% will.

💡 Use the “you” test: If your post says “we” more than “you,” it’s probably not lead-friendly.

As Anna Sójka, founder of SoBirds, puts it:

LinkedIn is the only social media platform where the algorithm doesn’t dominate over your brand. If you know who you’re writing to, LinkedIn becomes your biggest business opportunity.

Optimise Your Profile for Landing – Not Just Lift

Great posts get clicks. But if your profile isn’t ready to receive them, it’s a lost lead. Think of your LinkedIn profile as a landing page. You’ve drawn attention – now what?

Checklist for lead-ready profiles:

  • Clear headline: Who you help + how. Make it instantly clear what you do.
  • About section: Problem → process → proof → personality. Tell a story that resonates.
  • Featured section: Showcase your best work. Make it easy to contact you or book a call.
  • Call to action: “Let’s talk,” “Book a consult,” “View case study.” Guide them to the next step.

Know Your Conversion Timeline

B2B leads aren’t fast birds. They don’t swoop in after one post. It takes consistency and layered trust. Your audience needs to see you several times, across different contexts – strategy tips, case studies, client wins, even personal takes – before they feel confident enough to reach out.

📈 A common pattern:

  • See 2–3 posts they like.
  • Visit your profile.
  • Lurk for a few weeks.
  • Reach out with “I’ve been following you for a while…”

Beyond the Feed: Engage Actively

Posting is just one part of the flight. True lead generation on LinkedIn involves active engagement. Don’t just publish and disappear.

  • Comment thoughtfully: Add real value to other people’s posts. Show your expertise there.
  • Message strategically: Follow up on profile views. Send personalized connection requests. Don’t pitch immediately; build rapport first.
  • Use LinkedIn Events/Groups: Position yourself as a leader. Share insights and connect with peers and potential clients in specific niches.

The Power of Your Opening Line

On LinkedIn, the first few words are everything. They determine if someone stops scrolling. Think of it as your post’s “hook.”

  • Start with a question: “Struggling with lead gen?”
  • State a common problem: “Most LinkedIn posts miss the mark.”
  • Share a surprising statistic: “Only 1 in 10 posts actually convert.”
  • Begin with a short, impactful statement: “Vanilla content won’t cut it.”

Make your first line so compelling, it makes them want to click “see more.”

Content Pillars for Lead Generation

Not every post needs a direct call to action. Variety keeps your audience engaged and builds holistic trust.

Also, not every post needs to be a hard sell.

In fact, most shouldn’t. The art is in balance.

Consider these content types:

  • Educational: “How-to” guides, breakdowns of complex topics, industry insights. Position yourself as a teacher.
  • Problem/Solution: Identify a common pain point and show how you solve it (or how it can be solved).
  • Case Studies/Success Stories: Showcase client wins. Use data. Emphasize the client’s problem and the solution’s impact. (Always with client permission!)
  • Opinion/Thought Leadership: Share your unique perspective on industry trends or challenges. Don’t just report; interpret and predict.
  • Behind-the-Scenes/Process: Give a peek into your approach. This builds trust and shows expertise.
  • Client Testimonials: Let your clients do the talking. Social proof is powerful.

The optimal ration should be:

  • 50% educational / strategic: Share valuable insights that solve problems.
  • 25% credibility: Show proof, client results, case studies.
  • 15% personality / brand voice: Let your unique perspective shine.
  • 10% direct offer or CTA: Guide interested parties to the next step.

Think of your content as flying in formation. Each post supports the others. No one post has to do it all.

How to Post on LinkedIn and Stand Out

Share Your Knowledge

In a world full of noise, what truly makes you stand out is the value you consistently provide.

Don’t hold back your best insights. Share your expertise freely and genuinely. This builds immense credibility and attracts the right kind of attention. As LinkedIn growth expert Justin Welsh advises:

Be generous with your knowledge. That’s how you become unforgettable in a crowded feed.

Justin Welsh, LinkedIn growth expert

Mistakes That Cost You Leads

Even smart marketers fall into these traps:

Over-posting feel-good fluff: Motivation is nice. But it doesn’t build authority for your business.

Too much selling, not enough insight: Your content shouldn’t feel like a cold pitch. Think warmth + value first.

No offer clarity: If someone wanted to hire you today – could they figure out how? If not, fix that immediately.

Ghosting your comment section: If you can’t show up to answer one question… why would someone trust you with a €20K project?

Inconsistent posting: Disappearing for weeks makes you forgettable. Regular, valuable content keeps you top-of-mind.

Ignoring analytics: Are your posts actually leading to profile views or website clicks? Track what works.

Final Word: You’re Not Here for Applause. You’re Here for Impact.

So don’t chase the algorithm. Align with your audience. Write for the five people who matter, not the 500 who’ll scroll past.

Let’s grow your LinkedIn profile into a lead engine 🚀

At SoBirds, it’s not just about good-looking content – it’s about strategy that delivers. We show you how to post on LinkedIn in a way that speaks to decision-makers. By aligning your content, profile, and outreach, we turn your feed into a high-performing sales channel.

🕊️ Let’s talk: Contact us here – and let’s make your LinkedIn fly for real business.

 

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