50 LinkedIn Mistakes That Kill Your Reach
A practical list of LinkedIn mistakes with fixes you can apply today.
Shanjai Raj
Founder at Postking
These mistakes quietly destroy reach, saves, and DMs. Fixing even five will move your results fast.
Mistakes and Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Generic headline with no outcome | Add a clear outcome and audience |
| Posting without a target audience | Write for one role or niche per post |
| No hook in the first two lines | Open with a problem, result, or contrarian view |
| Overusing hashtags | Use 2 to 4 relevant tags only |
| Posting only wins | Add lessons and tradeoffs |
| No proof or examples | Include one example or range |
| Too long without structure | Use short paragraphs and bullets |
| Link dumping | Share the lesson first, add link after |
| No CTA or question | End with a simple question |
| Copying trends blindly | Adapt to your audience and outcome |
| Using corporate jargon | Use plain language |
| Ignoring comments | Reply within the first 24 hours |
| No content pillars | Pick 2 to 3 repeatable themes |
| Inconsistent posting | Commit to 2 posts per week |
| Broad positioning | Narrow to a clear niche |
| Writing like a press release | Write like a person |
| Trying to go viral only | Optimize for saves and DMs |
| No profile optimization | Fix headline, About, Featured |
| Posting without context | Explain why it matters |
| No credibility signals | Add proof and scope |
| Repeating the same format | Rotate story, list, checklist |
| No experimentation | Test hooks and formats |
| Ignoring internal company angle | Show process without leaks |
| No metrics tracking | Track saves, comments, views |
| Over-automation | Keep it human and relevant |
| Too many CTAs | Use one clear CTA |
| No cadence for comments | Spend 10 minutes daily |
| No follow-up | Engage with commenters later |
| No differentiation | Share unique POV |
| Posting without a goal | Define outcome per post |
| Talking only about yourself | Tie to audience problems |
| Ignoring story tension | Use problem and resolution |
| Overly long intros | Get to the point fast |
| No checklist or framework | Give the reader structure |
| No pinned post | Pin your best explainer |
| Posting at random times | Test consistent time slots |
| Ignoring content reuse | Repurpose best posts |
| Writing without editing | Cut 20 percent before posting |
| Never asking for feedback | Invite responses |
| Forgetting credibility links | Use Featured section |
| Only posting once per month | Increase frequency |
| Not using formatting | Break lines for readability |
| No clear offer | Add a simple offer line |
| Ignoring DMs | Respond with value |
| No examples for claims | Add numbers or stories |
| Posting too many links | Limit to one |
| No hook variety | Use 3 hook styles |
| No learning posts | Share experiments |
| No audience research | Use comments and FAQs |
| No follow-up content | Turn comments into new posts |
Quick Audit
- Review your last 10 posts and mark which mistakes show up.
- Fix the top 3 in your next 2 posts.
- Compare results after 2 weeks.
Internal Links
- The LinkedIn Engagement Checklist: Daily, Weekly & Monthly Actions That Actually Work
- LinkedIn Comment Strategy: How to Get Noticed
- LinkedIn Content Strategy for 2026: The Complete Framework
- LinkedIn Post Formatter
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Written by
Shanjai Raj
Founder at Postking
Building tools to help professionals grow on LinkedIn. Passionate about content strategy and personal branding.
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