The Art of Posting Consistently on LinkedIn (Even When You’re Busy)

Struggling with LinkedIn consistency? Learn how to keep posting regularly, even when your schedule is packed. Simple tips for busy executives on LinkedIn.

In today's world of over-scheduled executives and fast-paced business environments, one of the most overlooked elements of personal branding is consistency. If you’re one of those LinkedIn users who posts sporadically—maybe three times in one week and then goes silent for six months—you're likely missing out on some serious opportunities. Let’s talk about how you can post consistently on LinkedIn, even when you’re too busy to even think about a post.


1. Why Posting Consistently Matters

Let's face it: the LinkedIn algorithm doesn’t give you much of a chance to shine if you’re not showing up regularly. A single post only has about 18 hours of visibility before it gets buried. So, if you're posting once every few months, you're essentially invisible. But there’s a more compelling reason to post consistently—staying top of mind.

Think about your network. These are people who know, like, and trust you. But here’s the thing: they’re not thinking about you. They’re busy with their own lives. By posting consistently, you remind them of your expertise and the value you provide. So, the next time they need someone with your skills, guess who’s at the top of their list?


2. How Often Should You Post?

How often should you post on LinkedIn? If you’re not posting enough, you won’t gain traction. But if you post too often, you might risk becoming that annoying voice that floods your followers’ feeds. So, what's the sweet spot?

  • Most CEOs post a grand total of 4 times a year (usually around major milestones).
  • The ideal frequency? Between 1 and 5 posts per week.

The key takeaway here is that consistency trumps frequency. You’d rather post once a month consistently than post three times one week and then disappear for six months. Regularity will keep your brand visible and your audience engaged.


3. How to Post Consistently (Even When You’re Busy)

I get it. Executives are busy. Time is tight, and the idea of churning out posts regularly can feel like an overwhelming task. But with the right strategy, staying active on LinkedIn doesn’t need to be a drain on your time. Here are four simple ways to stay consistent, even with a packed schedule:

3.1. Batch Content Creation

The key to consistent posting is batching. Instead of scrambling to create content at the last minute, set aside one hour per month to write 4-5 posts. If you're feeling extra ambitious, jump on a Zoom call with your team to discuss key topics, and have them turn that conversation into posts.

By batching your content in advance, you eliminate the stress of having to create something new every week. You’ll always have posts ready to go.

3.2. Follow the 80/20 Rule

It’s easy to get bogged down in self-promotion, but let’s be real: LinkedIn isn’t about constant sales pitches. Instead, focus on providing value. 80% of your content should educate your audience—share stories, lessons learned, and valuable insights. The remaining 20% can be used for promoting your business, celebrating milestones, or highlighting your services.

When you focus on offering value, your posts will resonate with your audience, keeping them engaged and coming back for more.

3.3. Steal from Yourself

The best content often comes from conversations you're already having. If you’re talking to a client, colleague, or even a friend, and they say something insightful, write it down. Chances are, that nugget of wisdom could make for a great LinkedIn post.

Keep an eye on your daily conversations—whether it’s a casual chat or a deep dive into a client issue—and turn those exchanges into posts. No need to reinvent the wheel when inspiration is all around you!

3.4. The 5-Minute Rule

Don’t let perfectionism paralyze you. One of the biggest barriers to posting consistently is the fear that your content won’t be perfect. Here’s the trick: Set a timer for 5 minutes and write your LinkedIn post during that time. No editing, no overthinking—just write and post.

Done is better than perfect. The more you embrace the idea of imperfection, the more likely you are to post regularly.


4. Small Efforts, Big Rewards

Consistency is the secret sauce to growing your LinkedIn presence and building your personal brand. By following the simple strategies above, you can stay active on the platform without needing to invest hours of your time each week. Whether it’s batching content, stealing from your own conversations, or using the 5-minute rule, these small efforts will add up to big rewards.

So, the next time you’re tempted to take a break from LinkedIn, remember: your audience is waiting to hear from you, and staying top of mind is just one post away. Happy posting!


Framework for Consistent LinkedIn Posting: A Step-by-Step Guide for Leaders

Maintaining a consistent presence on LinkedIn is essential for leaders looking to build their personal brand and stay top of mind. Here's a simple, easy-to-follow framework to ensure you post regularly, even when you're busy:

1. Plan Your Content

Goal: Set aside time to plan posts in advance.

  • Frequency: Decide how often you want to post (aim for 1–5 times per week).
  • Content Calendar: Create a simple content calendar where you plan topics for the upcoming month. This can be as basic as a Google Sheet or an Excel spreadsheet.
  • Batch Content: Once a month, spend 1 hour writing 4-5 posts. The idea is to get ahead so you’re not scrambling each week.

Action Step: Set aside one hour per month to batch content. Pick a day to sit down and plan your posts for the next few weeks.

2. Use the 80/20 Rule for Content Types

Goal: Maintain a healthy balance of value-based content and self-promotion.

  • 80% Educational Content: Share stories, industry insights, lessons learned, or advice that provides value to your network.
  • 20% Promotional Content: Highlight company updates, milestones, or your own personal achievements, but don’t make this the majority of your posts.

Action Step: When planning your content, ensure that 80% focuses on educating and engaging, while 20% focuses on promoting your work or company.

3. Leverage Existing Conversations

Goal: Make content creation easier by pulling inspiration from your day-to-day conversations.

  • Steal From Yourself: Pay attention to interesting ideas that come up in meetings or casual conversations. If you say something insightful to a colleague or client, jot it down—it can make a great LinkedIn post.
  • Repurpose Emails: Look at important emails or internal communications. Sometimes, these can be reworked into posts that provide value to your audience.

Action Step: After key meetings or discussions, take a few minutes to write down any insightful thoughts that could become a LinkedIn post.

4. Set a 5-Minute Timer for Writing

Goal: Avoid overthinking and make posting effortless.

  • The 5-Minute Rule: Set a timer for 5 minutes and write a LinkedIn post without worrying about perfection. The goal is to complete the post in that time, without getting bogged down in editing.
  • Post Imperfectly: Done is better than perfect—don’t stress over every detail. The point is to stay consistent.

Action Step: Use the 5-minute rule at least once a week to create one quick post.

5. Schedule Your Posts

Goal: Automate posting to avoid missing days.

  • LinkedIn’s Native Scheduling: You can schedule posts directly through LinkedIn’s interface (on desktop), which saves you time and ensures consistency.
  • Third-Party Tools: If you prefer more control or need to manage multiple accounts, use tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Sprout Social to schedule your posts in advance.

Action Step: Use a scheduling tool to plan out your posts for the week/month.

6. Monitor Engagement and Adjust

Goal: Analyze what works and adjust your strategy for better results.

  • Track Engagement: Pay attention to which types of posts get the most likes, comments, and shares. This will help you understand what resonates with your audience.
  • Refine Your Approach: Based on the feedback you get, tweak your content strategy to double down on what’s working.

Action Step: Review your LinkedIn analytics at least once a month to identify top-performing posts and trends.


Example Weekly Breakdown:

Monday

  • Task: Batch content for the week
  • Goal: Spend 10 minutes planning and scheduling posts for the week.

Wednesday

  • Task: Write a 5-minute post
  • Goal: Use the 5-minute rule for a quick, insightful post.

Friday

  • Task: Engage with comments
  • Goal: Take 15 minutes to respond to comments on your posts and engage with others' content.

Summary of the Framework:

  1. Plan your content: Set a content calendar and batch posts.
  2. Follow the 80/20 rule: Balance educational and promotional content.
  3. Leverage conversations: Use insights from meetings and emails.
  4. Write in 5-minute bursts: Use timers to beat procrastination.
  5. Schedule posts: Use LinkedIn’s scheduling or third-party tools.
  6. Analyze and refine: Track your engagement and tweak as needed.

By following this framework, you'll ensure a consistent presence on LinkedIn while still managing your busy schedule. Small efforts, like setting aside just 5 minutes for a post, can lead to significant long-term benefits for your personal brand.

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