The Power Of A Commenting First Engagement Strategy

The Power of a Commenting First Engagement Strategy

Why the smartest people on LinkedIn talk before they post

There is a quiet shift happening on LinkedIn.

Not a new feature.
Not another algorithm hack.
Not a viral content format.

It is happening in the comments.

If you feel like you are posting consistently, sharing thoughtful insights, and still wondering why growth feels slower than it should, this is likely the missing piece.

A commenting first engagement strategy is not about being louder.
It is about being present.
And more importantly, being remembered.

I have seen this work repeatedly for founders, investors, operators, executives, and real estate professionals who do not want to feel salesy but still want inbound opportunities.

Let’s unpack why this works, how to do it properly, and where most people get it wrong.

Why commenting works better than posting alone

Posting is broadcasting.
Commenting is conversation.

The LinkedIn algorithm has always rewarded interaction, but what most people miss is that comments often outperform posts in terms of visibility and relationship building.

Here is why.

When you comment thoughtfully on someone else’s post, you are inserted into multiple feeds at once.
The original poster sees you.
Their audience sees you.
Anyone engaging in the comment thread sees you.

And unlike a post, a strong comment is contextual. It feels earned.

There is also a psychological layer here that matters.

People are far more likely to trust someone who contributes to a discussion than someone who only talks about themselves.

Think about it in real life.

The most credible person in the room is rarely the one giving a monologue. It is the person asking smart questions, adding nuance, or reframing the conversation in a way that makes everyone think.

That is exactly what a great comment does.

Commenting is relationship capital

This is the part most people underestimate.

Every meaningful comment is a micro touchpoint.
A signal that says I see you, I read this, and I have something to add.

Over time, this compounds.

People start recognizing your name before they ever follow you.
They click your profile because they keep seeing you show up intelligently.
When you do post, they are far more likely to engage because you are already familiar.

This is especially powerful if you are in a trust based industry like real estate, investing, finance, or professional services.

You are not asking for attention.
You are earning it.

The algorithmic advantage of commenting first

Here is where strategy comes in.

LinkedIn prioritizes early engagement.
When you comment shortly after a post goes live, your comment has a higher chance of being surfaced and pinned near the top of the thread.

That means more eyes on your name.
More profile clicks.
More second degree exposure.

A commenting first strategy also warms up your account.

Engaging for ten to fifteen minutes before you post signals to the platform that you are an active participant, not just a broadcaster. Many creators see stronger initial reach on their own posts when they do this consistently.

This is not about gaming the system.
It is about participating in it properly.

What actually makes a powerful comment

Not all comments are created equal.

“Great post” does nothing.
A fire emoji does nothing.
Agreeing without adding value does nothing.

A strong comment usually does one of three things.

1. It adds perspective

You introduce an angle the original post did not cover.
A nuance.
A real world example.
A downstream implication.

This positions you as a peer, not a spectator.

2. It deepens the conversation

You ask a thoughtful question that invites a response.
Not a surface level question, but one that shows you understood the point and want to explore it further.

This often triggers a reply from the original poster, which boosts visibility even more.

3. It reflects shared experience

You connect the post to something you have lived or observed.
This builds emotional resonance and credibility at the same time.

People remember stories far more than statements.

How to build a commenting first routine

This does not need to be complicated.

In fact, the simpler it is, the more likely you are to do it consistently.

Here is a practical structure I often recommend.

Spend fifteen to twenty minutes a day engaging before you create anything.

Focus on ten to fifteen people whose audience overlaps with the one you want to reach. This could be industry peers, complementary service providers, operators, or thought leaders your ideal clients already follow.

Leave two to three high quality comments per session. Not rapid fire. Not generic. Thoughtful and intentional.

That is it.

If you do this five days a week, you are creating over one hundred meaningful touchpoints a month without posting a single word of your own content.

Most people do not come close to that level of visibility or goodwill.

Why this works especially well in Canada

Canadian LinkedIn culture tends to be more relationship driven and less performative than in some other markets.

People pay attention to tone.
They value credibility.
They notice consistency.

A commenting first strategy aligns perfectly with this.

It feels respectful, not aggressive.
Collaborative, not self promotional.
Grounded, not hype driven.

For professionals building long term trust rather than chasing viral moments, this approach is far more sustainable.

The biggest mistake people make

The most common mistake is treating comments like a lead generation shortcut.

Dropping subtle pitches.
Redirecting attention back to yourself.
Trying to be clever instead of helpful.

People feel that immediately.

The goal is not to convert in the comments.
The goal is to be remembered.

When you show up consistently with insight, generosity, and relevance, the conversion happens later and it feels natural.

Profile views turn into follows.
Follows turn into conversations.
Conversations turn into opportunities.

When this strategy really pays off

The magic moment usually comes a few weeks in.

Someone comments on your post and says “I always see your comments everywhere.”
Or sends you a message saying “I feel like I already know how you think.”
Or references something you commented weeks earlier.

That is when you know it is working.

You are no longer just a content creator.
You are part of the conversation.

If you are busy, overwhelmed, or tired of feeling like you have to constantly create to stay relevant, this is your permission slip to slow down and engage instead.

Commenting first is not a lesser strategy.
It is a smarter one.

In a noisy digital world, the people who listen well and respond thoughtfully will always stand out.

And the best part?

You can start today.

Turning content into connection!

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