How to Network on LinkedIn Without Posting (The Comments Strategy)
Why Comments Are the Most Powerful Networking Tool on LinkedIn
Welcome to issue #159 of The Introverted Networker. Each week, I share my best networking advice to change the way you feel about networking. If you like this issue, share it with a friend.
This issue takes about 5 minutes to read…
Photo by Greg Bulla on Unsplash
Stop Scrolling. Start Commenting.
When most people think of networking on LinkedIn, they picture posting content.
Maybe even going viral.
Or they think about sending connection requests and hoping someone accepts.
But one of the biggest missed networking opportunities on LinkedIn is hiding in plain sight:
The comments section
Yes, comments.
Lately, I’ve been seeing comments on LinkedIn posts get more impressions than the actual posts they sit under.
LinkedIn is clearly pushing comments in the algorithm.
That means if you don’t feel comfortable posting, you can still grow your visibility and your network by showing up in the comments.
The problem? Most people aren’t doing it well.
They scroll. They read. But when they do comment, it’s usually something like:
“Great post.”
“Agree 100%.”
Or the classic 👍 emoji.
That’s not networking. That’s wallpaper.
Why Comments Matter More Than You Think
When you take the time to leave a thoughtful comment, something powerful happens:
You become familiar. As a daily LinkedIn poster, I can tell you this firsthand: when I see the same name showing up in my notifications with thoughtful comments, I remember them. They stop being “some random LinkedIn person.” They become someone I’d actually want to connect with.
You spark conversation. Sometimes the best conversations happen in the comment section. You might reply to someone else’s comment, and suddenly you’re in a back-and-forth thread with three people. That’s networking.
You attract the right people. Think of a conference Q&A. The speaker is the original poster. Sure, they’re interesting, but the real gold is in the people asking smart questions from the audience. Those are the folks you actually want to meet.
And here’s the best part:
Unlike at a real-life conference, there’s no awkward mingling, no name tags, no forced smiles.
Just you, your keyboard, and the chance to connect with people who care about the same things you do.
Commenting To Make A Career Pivot
This is a great strategy if you are trying to connect with people in a new industry.
If you’re looking to make a career pivot into something new, finding people who are already doing what you want to do and commenting on their posts is a great way to establish connections you can use to make this career change.
Speaking of career pivots, my friend, Beverly Smith, created a handy 3 Step Guide to Reinvent Your Career at Any Age that will help you design your career to be aligned with your values and helps you find your zone of genius.
She’s set up a special link just for subscribers of The Introverted Networker.
Get her Step Guide to Reinvent Your Career at Any Age here.
Rethinking Networking
I want to challenge the way most of us think about networking.
When I say “networking,” what image pops into your head?
For many, it’s a room full of strangers, stale coffee, and awkward small talk.
Maybe even standing alone in the corner wondering why you came.
No wonder so many people hate networking.
But commenting on LinkedIn flips that script.
You don’t have to go to events.
You don’t have to “work the room.”
You don’t even have to leave your house.
You can build your network simply by engaging with the conversations already happening in your industry.
And unlike walking into a crowded ballroom, you get to choose which conversations you want to join.
Networking doesn’t have to mean being the loudest voice in the room.
Sometimes, it’s being the person who listens closely and asks the thoughtful follow-up question.
What Makes a “Good” Comment?
Let’s be honest: not every comment is worth reading.
So what separates the throwaway “great post” from a comment that actually helps you grow your network?
It adds something new. Share your perspective, your experience, or a resource that builds on the original post.
It invites conversation. A simple “What’s been your experience with this?” can open the door for others to respond.
It shows you’re paying attention. Reference a specific idea from the post instead of dropping a generic reaction.
Here’s a personal example: last week, someone commented on my post about workplace connection.
Instead of writing “I agree,” they shared a story about how their team set up “connection walks” every Friday.
That stuck with me.
Not only did I remember their name, but I wanted to know more about them.
That’s networking.
The Ripple Effect
Another reason comments are so powerful: other people see them.
Think about your own scrolling habits.
When you read a post, do you ever skim the comments?
Most of us do.
That means your comment isn’t just for the author.
It’s for every single person scanning the thread.
One thoughtful comment has a ripple effect.
It can catch the eye of a hiring manager.
It can spark a connection with someone you didn’t even know existed.
It can lead to a conversation that changes your career.
Need more proof?
When I posted on LinkedIn about this newsletter issue this week, David Hannan, the ADHD Career Coach, posted this in the comments:
And the best part?
It doesn’t take hours of your day.
Fifteen minutes of intentional commenting can do more for your network than a year of awkward coffee mixers.
Your Challenge This Week
So here’s my challenge for you:
Find one post in your feed today that interests you.
Leave one thoughtful comment. Not wallpaper. Something that adds value.
Then do it again tomorrow.
That’s it. One comment a day.
Over time, those small actions add up.
People start to recognize your name.
Connections start to happen naturally.
And before you know it, you’re networking without ever setting foot in a networking event.
But don’t overthink it. Start small. Start today.
Leave one comment. See what happens. That’s how networking begins.
If you like this topic, I release the in-depth video and audio podcast every week to go with the newsletter:
The Introverted Networker podcast is like the weekly newsletter but with additional narration and thoughts from me. Be sure to listen to this week’s podcast and check out the previous episodes of the podcast for more networking tips and insights.
The video version of the newsletter is available on my YouTube channel.
Want More?
This is exactly the kind of strategy I teach inside my membership community.
We talk about practical, introvert-friendly ways to grow your professional network without going to awkward events or pretending to be someone you’re not.
If you found this helpful, imagine what you could do with a whole playbook of strategies and a community of people practicing them alongside you.
If you’re interested:
👉 Join The Connection Lab Community
Before You Go…
Best Things I Found Online This Week:
Joshua Baron lays out his whole process for finding new clients. He’s looking for legal clients, but his approach would work for any service business.
My guest appearance on Loren Greiff’s Career Blast in a Half podcast dropped this week. We talked about the human side of networking and job search in a world full of technology.
Bernadette Pawlik shared AI prompts to help job seekers find job opportunities that may not show up on LinkedIn
I appreciated this episode a lot! I really try hard to not just leave a generic comment on posts that I like, but to be really thoughtful. This episode nudges me to now be even more strategic as usually I’m just scrolling and commenting. But, I love the point around being intentional with who I follow and their related posts.
100%.