Creating a LinkedIn post is the foundation of building your professional presence on the platform. Whether you're sharing insights, announcing a milestone, or engaging your network, understanding the creation process helps you publish content efficiently and reach your target audience.
This guide walks you through creating LinkedIn posts on both desktop and mobile, covering all post types, privacy settings, and how to save drafts for later.
How to Create a LinkedIn Post on Desktop
Creating a post on LinkedIn's desktop version gives you access to the full range of formatting and content options.
Step 1: Navigate to the Post Composer
- Go to linkedin.com and log in to your account
- On your homepage feed, look for the "Start a post" box at the top
- Click anywhere in the box to open the post composer
Step 2: Write Your Post Content
The post composer opens as a modal window. Here's what you can do:
- Type your text - LinkedIn supports up to 3,000 characters
- Add line breaks - Press Enter/Return to create space between paragraphs
- Format your text - Use bold, italics, and other formatting (see our LinkedIn text formatting guide)
- Mention people - Type @ followed by a name to tag connections or companies
- Add hashtags - Type # followed by a keyword to increase discoverability
Step 3: Add Media (Optional)
Below your text, you'll see buttons to add different content types:
- Image - Click the image icon to upload photos (up to 9 images per post)
- Video - Click the video icon to upload video files (up to 10 minutes)
- Document - Click the document icon to upload PDFs, Word files, or PowerPoint presentations
- Poll - Click the chart icon to create a poll with up to 4 options
- Celebrate an occasion - Click the star icon to add celebration context
- Find an expert - Click the lightbulb to request recommendations
You can only choose one media type per post. Text-only posts are also effective for increasing engagement.
Step 4: Set Privacy and Visibility
Before posting, control who sees your content:
- Click "Anyone" dropdown below the post composer
- Choose from:
- Anyone - Public, visible to everyone on and off LinkedIn
- Anyone + Twitter - Public and shared to your connected Twitter account
- Connections only - Visible only to your 1st-degree connections
- Group - Share to a specific LinkedIn group
Step 5: Post or Save as Draft
At the bottom right of the composer:
- Click "Post" to publish immediately
- Click the clock icon next to "Post" to schedule for later
- Close the composer window to auto-save as a draft (drafts are accessible from your profile)
How to Create a LinkedIn Post on Mobile
The LinkedIn mobile app (iOS and Android) offers a streamlined creation experience optimized for on-the-go posting.
Step 1: Open the Post Composer
- Open the LinkedIn app on your phone
- Tap the "+" button (usually at the bottom center of your screen)
- Select "Post" from the menu
Alternatively, tap the "Share a post" box at the top of your feed.
Step 2: Write Your Content
The mobile composer works similarly to desktop:
- Tap the text area and start typing
- Use your phone keyboard for basic formatting
- Tap @ to mention people or companies
- Tap # to add hashtags
- Line breaks work the same as on desktop (tap Return/Enter)
Step 3: Add Media
Tap the media icons at the bottom of the composer:
- Camera icon - Take a photo or video, or choose from your gallery
- Image icon - Select up to 9 photos from your device
- Video icon - Upload a video from your device (up to 10 minutes)
- Document icon - Upload a PDF or document from your files
- Poll icon - Create a poll with multiple choice options
Mobile supports the same media types as desktop, but the interface is optimized for touch interaction.
Step 4: Adjust Privacy Settings
- Tap "Anyone" at the bottom of the screen
- Select your preferred audience (Anyone, Connections only, etc.)
- If you've connected Twitter, you can enable cross-posting
Step 5: Post or Save
- Tap "Post" in the top-right corner to publish
- Tap the "X" to exit - the app will ask if you want to save as a draft
- Tap "Save" to keep your draft for later editing
Drafts are saved locally on mobile and sync with your desktop drafts.
LinkedIn Post Types You Can Create
Understanding the different post types helps you choose the right format for your message.
Text-Only Posts
Simple text posts with no media. Great for:
- Quick thoughts and observations
- Questions to your network
- Announcements
- Storytelling and personal narratives
Text posts often get higher engagement because they're easy to read and don't require clicking or scrolling.
Image Posts
Posts with one or multiple images:
- Single image posts work well for infographics, quotes, or screenshots
- Carousel posts (2-9 images) are effective for step-by-step guides and before/after comparisons
- Images make your post more visually appealing in the feed
Video Posts
Native video uploads perform well on LinkedIn:
- Videos auto-play in the feed (muted by default)
- Ideal for tutorials, interviews, behind-the-scenes content
- Add captions to make videos accessible without sound
- Keep videos under 2-3 minutes for maximum retention
Document Posts
Upload PDFs, Word docs, or PowerPoint presentations:
- Appears as a swipeable slideshow in the feed
- Great for sharing reports, guides, or educational content
- Documents can be up to 100 MB and 300 pages
- Works like a mini-presentation within LinkedIn
Poll Posts
Create polls with 2-4 answer options:
- Poll duration: 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, or 2 weeks
- Great for engaging your audience and gathering insights
- People love participating in polls (high engagement)
- Use polls to validate ideas or spark discussions
Privacy Settings Explained
LinkedIn offers several privacy options for controlling who sees your posts.
Anyone (Public): Your post appears in your connections' feeds and is visible to anyone on LinkedIn, in search engines, and to logged-out visitors. This is the default setting and maximizes reach.
Anyone + Twitter: Same as "Anyone" but also cross-posts to your connected Twitter account. Useful for increasing reach across platforms.
Connections Only: Only your 1st-degree connections can see the post. It won't appear in searches or be visible to logged-out users. Use this for more personal or sensitive content.
Group: Share directly to a specific LinkedIn group you're a member of. The post appears in the group feed and is visible to all group members.
Most users post publicly to maximize reach and build their personal brand. Use connection-only or group posts sparingly for targeted sharing.
Saving and Managing Drafts
LinkedIn automatically saves drafts when you exit the composer without posting. Here's how to access them:
On Desktop:
- Go to your profile page
- Scroll down to your activity section
- Click "Posts" tab
- Select "Drafts" from the dropdown menu
On Mobile:
- Tap your profile icon
- Tap "Posts & Activity"
- Tap "Drafts"
Drafts sync between desktop and mobile, so you can start a post on one device and finish it on another. Drafts remain saved indefinitely until you publish or delete them.
If you want to preview how your draft will look before publishing, use a LinkedIn post preview tool to see the exact formatting and layout.
Best Practices for Creating LinkedIn Posts
Follow these tips to create effective posts:
- Write a strong opening - The first 2-3 lines appear in the feed before "see more." Make them compelling. Check out our LinkedIn hook examples for inspiration.
- Break up long posts - Use line breaks and short paragraphs for readability
- Add formatting - Bold key phrases, use bullet points, and add emojis sparingly
- Include a call-to-action - Tell readers what you want them to do (comment, share, visit a link)
- Post consistently - Regular posting builds audience and reach
- Time your posts - Check our guide on best times to post on LinkedIn
- Engage with comments - Reply to comments quickly to boost visibility
Remember, you can always edit your LinkedIn post after publishing if you spot errors or want to update content.
Common Questions About Creating LinkedIn Posts
Can I schedule LinkedIn posts for later?
Yes. LinkedIn has a native scheduling feature available on desktop. Click the clock icon next to "Post" to choose a date and time. The mobile app doesn't have scheduling yet, but third-party tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can schedule mobile posts.
How many hashtags should I use?
3-5 relevant hashtags is optimal. More than that looks spammy and dilutes your message. Choose hashtags with a mix of reach (popular tags) and specificity (niche tags). Learn more in our LinkedIn hashtags guide.
Can I create a post without media?
Yes. Text-only posts often perform just as well or better than posts with media. They're easier to read on mobile and don't require users to click or expand content. Focus on writing valuable text and formatting it well.
What happens if I close the composer before posting?
LinkedIn automatically saves your post as a draft. You can access it later from your profile's "Drafts" section. This works on both desktop and mobile.
Can I create posts on behalf of a company page?
Yes, if you're an admin of a company page. Switch to the company page view in LinkedIn, then create a post as you normally would. The post will be published by the company page, not your personal profile.
Conclusion
Creating a LinkedIn post is straightforward once you understand the interface on both desktop and mobile. Choose the right post type for your content, set appropriate privacy settings, and use drafts to prepare posts in advance.
The key to effective LinkedIn content is consistency and quality. Preview your posts before publishing to ensure your formatting looks professional and your message is clear.
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