Why Your LinkedIn Content Isn’t Leading to Increased Engagement or Leads (And How to Fix It)

Here’s the harsh truth: just sharing tips isn’t a content strategy.

While tips and updates have their place in thought leadership, they don’t create connection or inspire action. If your goal is to drive engagement or attract leads, you need a deeper, more personal approach. Let’s break down why your LinkedIn content might be falling flat and how you can make it work for you.

1. You’re Reporting, Not Relating

Sharing industry updates or surface-level tips might feel like you’re providing value, but here’s the thing: anyone can Google that information. What makes your content valuable is the context and perspective you bring to it.

How to Fix It:
Instead of just reporting facts, ask yourself:

• What does this mean for my audience?
• How have I personally used this tip or insight to overcome a challenge?
• What’s a story that brings this to life?

Example:
I once posted about the importance of personal branding for women leaders. Instead of listing generic tips, I shared a story about a client—a VP of marketing—who felt invisible in her company despite her incredible results. By helping her craft LinkedIn content that highlighted her achievements and expertise in a relatable way, she not only gained engagement but also caught the attention of her CEO, who offered her a promotion.

That post didn’t just give advice—it created a connection by showing real-world results.

2. Your Content Lacks Personality

On LinkedIn, it’s tempting to stick to professional jargon and polished updates. But people engage with people, not robots. If your posts feel sterile or overly corporate, they’ll fail to resonate.

How to Fix It:

• Write like you talk: Use conversational language.
• Share your struggles and wins: Vulnerability builds trust.
• Inject personality: Add humor, anecdotes, or a unique perspective.

Example:
When I first started sharing content on LinkedIn, I was terrified of being too “human.” Then one day, I posted about how I landed my first keynote speech by cold-emailing 20 event planners and hearing 19 “no’s.” That post didn’t just perform well—it brought me DMs from people asking how they could start their speaking journey.

Lesson learned: Don’t be afraid to show the messy, real side of your journey.

3. You’re Not Solving Real Problems

If your content isn’t resonating, it might be because you’re not addressing the real challenges your audience is facing. Surface-level tips are easy to ignore; solutions to real problems are not.

How to Fix It:

• Get specific: What pain points does your audience have?
• Share actionable solutions: Provide clear, practical steps they can take.
• Use examples: Show how these solutions have worked for you or others.

Example:
I recently worked with a founder who struggled to get traction on LinkedIn. She was sharing tips about entrepreneurship, but her posts were generic and didn’t reflect her journey. When we shifted her strategy to include stories about how she navigated fundraising challenges and handled rejection, her engagement doubled—and she got inquiries from investors who resonated with her transparency.

The takeaway? Solve real problems, and the right people will find you.

4. You’re Not Engaging with Others

Content isn’t a one-way street. If you’re just posting and waiting for the likes to roll in, you’re missing half the equation. Engagement breeds engagement.

How to Fix It:

• Respond to comments on your posts.
• Leave meaningful comments on other people’s posts.
• Start conversations by tagging others in your content.

Example:
When I started commenting thoughtfully on posts from leaders I admired, I noticed a shift. My engagement increased, and some of those leaders began interacting with my content too. One even reached out to collaborate on a webinar!

The bottom line: Don’t just talk—listen and interact.

5. You Don’t Have a Clear Strategy

Posting randomly without a clear purpose or goal won’t lead to meaningful results. Thought leadership isn’t about throwing content at the wall to see what sticks—it’s about intentionality.

How to Fix It:

• Define your goals: Are you looking to increase visibility, drive leads, or build relationships?
• Create a content plan: Mix storytelling, thought leadership, and actionable tips.
• Track what works: Use LinkedIn analytics to see which posts perform best.

Example:
I noticed that my posts sharing client success stories performed far better than those focused on industry updates. By doubling down on storytelling and weaving in subtle calls to action, I started getting consistent inquiries about my services.

Final Thoughts

If your LinkedIn content isn’t driving engagement or leads, it’s time to rethink your approach. Move beyond surface-level tips and start focusing on what truly resonates: storytelling, relatability, and solving real problems.

Your audience doesn’t need another list of generic advice—they need to see you.

Ready to transform your LinkedIn strategy? Start by sharing your story and watch how your audience responds.