Ready to share your expertise on LinkedIn but not sure where to start? It's simpler than you might think. Just head to your LinkedIn homepage and look right below the box where you'd normally start a post. You'll see a "Write article" button—that's your gateway. Clicking it opens up a full-fledged editor where you can craft your masterpiece with a headline, images, and proper formatting before sending it out to your network.
A Crash Course in Publishing on LinkedIn
At first glance, LinkedIn's publishing tool can seem a bit intimidating, but it's really just a space designed to let you share your deeper professional insights. Think of it as your personal blog, but with a built-in audience. This is where you go beyond a simple status update to tell a compelling story, break down a complex topic, or offer a unique take on industry news.
With over 2 million posts, videos, and articles hitting the platform every single day, you've got to be strategic to get noticed. The good news? Very few users take the time to write long-form articles, which gives you a huge advantage. Consistently sharing valuable articles is one of the fastest ways to build your authority. You can see the full research on LinkedIn content trends for more on this.
Getting Started: Finding the "Write Article" Button
It all begins on your main LinkedIn feed. That little "Write article" button whisks you away to a dedicated publishing platform. This isn't your average post editor; it's a robust tool with all the formatting options you'd expect, like headings, blockquotes, and image embeds. It lets you create something that looks polished and professional.
Before you jump in and start writing, though, a little prep work goes a long way. This quick visual breaks down the key steps to take before you even open the editor.
Thinking through your audience, topic, and structure first is the secret to writing an article that actually has an impact.
For a quick reference, here’s a high-level look at the entire process from idea to publication.
LinkedIn Article Publishing Workflow at a Glance
| Phase | Key Action | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ideation | Brainstorm topics and define your target audience. | Ensure your article is relevant, valuable, and targeted. |
| 2. Drafting | Write the content in the LinkedIn editor or a separate doc. | Create a compelling, well-structured narrative. |
| 3. Formatting | Add headlines, images, lists, and other visual elements. | Improve readability and keep the reader engaged. |
| 4. Optimization | Craft a strong headline, add relevant hashtags, and select a cover image. | Maximize visibility and click-through rates. |
| 5. Publishing & Promotion | Hit publish and share the article with your network. | Drive initial traffic and spark conversation. |
This workflow helps keep you on track and ensures you don't miss any critical steps.
The Bottom Line: A post is for a quick thought; an article is for establishing expertise. Use posts for immediate updates and conversations, but turn to articles when you want to share something substantial that builds your professional credibility for the long haul.
If you're looking for tips that cover all types of content, not just articles, be sure to check out our complete guide on how to post on LinkedIn.
Crafting an Article People Want to Read
Knowing the mechanics of posting a LinkedIn article is one thing. But writing something that actually stops people mid-scroll and gets them talking? That’s a whole different game. It’s less about shouting about your brand and more about giving away real value that cements your expertise.
Your headline is everything. It's your first—and often last—chance to grab someone's attention. A generic title like "Marketing Tips" is a guaranteed way to be ignored. A specific, punchy headline like "5 Common Marketing Mistakes Costing Startups Thousands" immediately signals value and creates a sense of urgency.
Always think about the real problems your audience is trying to solve. Your content should be the answer. Aim for articles between 1,000 and 2,000 words; I've found this is the sweet spot for going deep on a topic without losing the reader's attention.
Structuring for Success
A well-structured article is a joy to read. You need a logical flow, starting with an introduction that hooks the reader right away. I like to start by hitting on a common pain point or asking a question that makes them think.
After that, use clear subheadings to break your main points into easy-to-scan sections.
Key Takeaway: Your job isn't just to dump information. You're guiding the reader from one point to the next. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and bold text to make your key ideas pop.
And please, don't forget visuals. An article with a good cover image is just so much more inviting. Since visuals are a huge part of the puzzle, you might want to check out some online tools to improve photo quality to make sure your images look sharp and professional.
Finally, bring it all home with a strong conclusion. Don’t just rehash everything you just said. End with a final piece of advice or ask a direct question to get the comments rolling. This is how you turn a monologue into a conversation, which is the whole point of being on LinkedIn.
Getting to Know the LinkedIn Article Editor
Alright, you’ve clicked "Write article," and now you're looking at the LinkedIn publishing editor. It’s a clean, no-fuss space designed to get your ideas from your head onto the page. This is where you'll spend your time crafting, formatting, and making your article shine before it goes live.
Think of the little toolbar at the top as your command center. It’s got everything you need to break up those daunting walls of text and guide your reader through the key points of your piece.
Make Your Text Easy to Read
Good formatting is more than just making things look pretty. It's a sign of respect for your reader's time. Professionals on LinkedIn are busy, so you need to make it incredibly easy for them to scan your article and pull out the most important bits.
- Headings (H1 and H2): Your main title is automatically an H1. Use the H2 option for your main subheadings to create a logical flow and structure.
- Bold and Italics: Use bold text to make crucial words or phrases pop. I find italics work best for adding a touch of emphasis or when mentioning something like a book title.
- Blockquotes: Have a killer quote or a statistic that needs to stand out? Blockquotes are perfect for that. They visually separate the text and scream, "Hey, pay attention to this!"
A well-formatted article makes your content so much easier to digest. By using simple tools like headings, lists, and bold text, you're helping people stay on your page longer and actually absorb what you're saying.
These small touches make a massive difference in how professional and thoughtful your content feels to the reader.
Don't Forget Images and Other Media
An article with no visuals is a missed opportunity. Images, videos, and even slide decks break up the text, add context, and keep people from clicking away out of boredom.
When you start a new paragraph, a little icon will pop up on the left. Click it, and you’ll see options to embed different types of media right into your article. It’s a simple way to add some visual punch.
Speaking of visuals, the data doesn't lie. Carousel posts, for example, pull in an average engagement rate of 6.6%, and document posts aren't far behind at 6.1%. While articles are a unique format, this just proves how much the LinkedIn audience values visual content.
For your cover image—the first thing people see—make sure it's 1200 x 627 pixels. This specific size ensures it looks sharp on desktops, tablets, and phones. If you want to get really granular on image sizes, we have a complete guide covering all the optimal LinkedIn post dimensions.
Getting Your Article in Front of the Right People
Once you hit "publish," the real work begins. You've written a great piece, but now you need to convince LinkedIn's algorithm to show it to people. Think of it less as a mysterious gatekeeper and more as a system designed to promote content that keeps users engaged on the platform.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is dropping an external link right in the introductory post. It seems logical, right? You want to drive traffic. But LinkedIn sees that as you trying to pull users away, and your reach can take a serious hit.
Here's a simple workaround: Publish your article without any links in the post's text. As soon as it's live, be the first to comment and add your link there. This little trick satisfies the algorithm and still gives your readers easy access to your website or resources.
What the Algorithm is Looking For
At its core, the LinkedIn algorithm cares about three things: who you are, what your content is about, and how people react to it. That initial burst of activity in the first hour or two is absolutely crucial. When your network starts liking, commenting, and sharing right away, it sends a powerful signal to LinkedIn that your article is worth showing to a much wider audience.
Getting this right has a huge impact. For instance, putting external links in your post can tank your reach by 20% to 35%. On the flip side, using the right hashtags can give you a 30% boost in engagement. If you want to dive deeper into the nuts and bolts, you can find some great insights into LinkedIn's algorithm to really dial in your strategy.
How to Use Hashtags the Smart Way
Hashtags are essential for discovery. They act like signposts, helping professionals who don't follow you yet find your content. Forget stuffing your post with a dozen tags; the sweet spot is usually around 3-5 highly relevant hashtags.
The key is to be specific. A generic tag like #business is too broad and will get lost in the noise. Instead, think about your niche and your ideal reader. Let's say your article is about managing remote teams. A good mix of hashtags would be:
- #RemoteWork (a popular, relevant tag)
- #TeamManagement (gets more specific to the topic)
- #LeadershipDevelopment (targets a related interest)
This layered approach helps your article reach the people who will actually find it valuable, which is exactly the kind of signal the algorithm loves to see.
What to Do After You Hit "Publish"
So, you’ve published your article. Don't close that tab just yet! The real work—getting people to actually read it—is just beginning. An article without a promotion plan is just shouting into the void.
The first thing you should do is create a sharp, engaging post announcing your new piece. Never, ever just drop the link and run. You have to give people a reason to click. I find that posing a provocative question from the article or sharing a single, surprising stat works wonders for sparking curiosity.
The First 24 Hours are Everything
That initial burst of activity right after you publish is critical. It’s your chance to tell the LinkedIn algorithm, "Hey, people like this!" The more engagement you get early on, the more LinkedIn will show it to others.
Here's my immediate action plan:
- Tag relevant people. Mention 1-3 people or companies that you either featured in the article or who would find it genuinely valuable. The key is to be thoughtful, not spammy.
- Reply to every comment. I mean it. Every single one, especially in the first few hours. This simple action doubles your comment count and shows the algorithm that a real conversation is happening.
- Share it in the right groups. Find 2-3 active LinkedIn Groups where your article's topic is a hot-button issue. Don't just dump the link; introduce it by asking a question or offering it as a solution to a common problem.
The first hour after publishing is your golden window. The more quality likes, shares, and comments you can drum up in that initial 60 minutes, the better your chances are of LinkedIn pushing it far beyond your own network.
Keeping the Momentum Going
Your article shouldn't just be a one-day wonder. You can keep it working for you for weeks, or even months, if you play your cards right.
A simple but effective tactic is to add the article to the "Featured" section on your LinkedIn profile. This is prime real estate that every visitor to your page will see. It’s like putting your best work on display.
Of course, this is just one piece of the puzzle. A truly effective plan involves weaving this into your larger https://postiz.com/blog/content-distribution-strategies to make sure every single article you write gets the attention it deserves.
Answering Your Top Questions About LinkedIn Articles
Once you get the hang of publishing on LinkedIn, you'll inevitably start wondering about the finer points. I see the same questions pop up time and again from people trying to get real results. Let's clear up the most common ones so you can build a solid content strategy from day one.
How Often Should I Be Publishing Articles?
This is the big one, and the answer is simpler than you think: consistency is far more important than frequency. You don't need to churn out articles daily. In fact, that's a surefire way to burn out.
A much more sustainable and effective approach is to aim for one well-researched, high-quality article every 2-4 weeks. This gives you enough time to create something truly valuable. Then, you can fill the gaps with shorter, more frequent posts (2-3 times a week) to stay on your network's radar and keep the conversation alive.
What's the Sweet Spot for Article Length?
For LinkedIn articles, the magic number seems to be between 1,000 and 2,000 words. This length gives you enough room to dive deep into a topic, share meaningful insights, and provide real value—which is exactly what the algorithm loves.
Why does length matter? It all comes down to dwell time, which is how long someone actually spends reading your content. Longer, more engaging reads signal to LinkedIn that your article is a quality piece. Anything under 800 words can feel a bit thin, while pushing past 2,500 words might be asking too much of your reader's attention span.
The goal is to be comprehensive without being long-winded. Give your readers everything they need, but respect their time by cutting out the fluff and getting right to the heart of the matter.
Can I Fix a Mistake After I've Published?
Yes, and it’s a lifesaver! You can easily edit a published LinkedIn article. Just go to your article page, click to edit, make your tweaks, and republish. It’s perfect for correcting a typo, updating an outdated statistic, or adding a new thought that came to you later.
A word of caution, though: try to avoid making massive changes to the core topic or URL after it's been shared around. This can create confusion for people who linked to or engaged with the original version. It's best to use the edit function for minor refinements.
Ready to manage all your social media content—from your deep-dive LinkedIn articles to the posts that promote them—all in one place? With Postiz, you can schedule, analyze, and collaborate on your content with powerful AI-powered tools. Streamline your entire workflow with Postiz today.
