Ready to start publishing on LinkedIn? It’s surprisingly simple. From your desktop homepage, just look for the "Write article" button right under the "Start a post" box. Clicking that takes you straight into LinkedIn's editor, where you can begin crafting your piece.
Why Bother Publishing Articles on LinkedIn?
Before we get into the "how," let's talk about the "why." This isn't just another task to check off your list; it’s a powerful way to build your professional brand and create real influence.
Writing long-form content on LinkedIn is your chance to stand out. It lets you go deeper than a quick status update, allowing you to unpack complex ideas, share your unique point of view, and really cement your reputation as an expert in your field.
Build Authority and Spark Real Opportunities
Every article you publish becomes a permanent part of your professional story. Unlike a post that gets lost in the feed, your articles live on your profile, ready to be discovered by anyone who lands there—recruiters, potential clients, or even your next business partner.
When you consistently share valuable insights, you start to see real results.
- You get found more easily. Well-crafted articles can rank in search engines, bringing people to your profile from both inside and outside of LinkedIn.
- You attract the right people. Your content acts like a magnet for professionals who are genuinely interested in what you have to say.
- Real opportunities come knocking. I've seen countless professionals land new clients, get job offers, and even score speaking gigs all because an article they wrote started the right conversation.
An Uncrowded Platform Ready for Your Voice
Let's be honest, most social media platforms are noisy. LinkedIn is different. It’s less saturated, which is a huge advantage for anyone creating quality content.
The numbers back this up. LinkedIn boasts an average engagement rate of 6.50%, outperforming other major networks. With over 1.3 million feed updates viewed every minute, there’s a massive professional audience hungry for substance.
To make sure your articles are hitting the mark, it helps to fit them into a larger plan. For a complete roadmap, check out this guide on creating a winning LinkedIn strategy for business growth. A simple tip is to post during peak hours—think mid-morning between Tuesday and Thursday—to give your article the best possible start.
Finding Your Way Around the LinkedIn Publishing Platform
Ready to get your ideas out there? The best part about LinkedIn's article editor is just how easy it is to use. You don't need to be a tech wizard; the whole process kicks off right from your LinkedIn homepage.
First, head to the top of your feed where you’d normally start a post. You'll see the familiar "Start a post" box. Instead of typing there, look just below it for an option that says "Write article." Give that a click, and you'll be taken away from the noise of the feed and into a clean, dedicated writing space. This is where the magic happens.
Getting to Know the Editor
The editor itself is pretty minimalist, which is great for staying focused on your writing. The first thing you'll see is a big, can't-miss-it prompt for your headline. Honestly, this is probably the most important piece of text you'll write, since it’s what will make people stop scrolling. Spend some time on it—make it clear, compelling, and promise some real value.
Right above where you type the headline, there's a spot to add a cover image. I can't stress this enough: do not skip this step. A strong visual is essential for grabbing attention.
Think of your cover image as the cover of a book. It sets the tone and makes someone want to open it. For the sharpest look, use a high-resolution image that’s 1920x1080 pixels. This ensures it looks crisp on any screen, from a phone to a desktop monitor.
Here’s exactly where to find that "Write article" button on your homepage.
As you can see, LinkedIn makes it pretty obvious, so you can jump right in.
How to Format Your Article for Easy Reading
Once you start writing in the main body, you’ll notice a little toolbar pop up whenever you highlight text. This is your command center for formatting. It has all the basics you’ll need to make your article look professional. For a broader look at content creation, you might also find our guide on how to post on LinkedIn useful.
This little toolbar is packed with features to break up your text and make it scannable. Here’s what I use most often:
- Headings (H1, H2): Use these to break your article into logical sections. Nobody likes a wall of text.
- Bold and Italic text: Perfect for making key phrases, statistics, or important concepts pop.
- Blockquotes: I love these for pulling out a powerful quote or a key insight that you really want readers to remember.
- Lists: Bulleted and numbered lists are your best friend for organizing steps, features, or takeaways.
- Links: It’s super easy to add hyperlinks to back up your claims with sources or point readers to other helpful resources.
Using these tools thoughtfully is what separates a forgettable article from one that people actually read and share. Your goal is to keep the reader's eyes moving down the page, and smart formatting is how you get it done.
How to Write an Article People Actually Read
Knowing where to click is the easy part. The real art is writing something that stops the scroll and makes your network pause and think. This is where we shift from the mechanics of posting on LinkedIn to the strategy behind creating an article that truly connects.
The secret? It all starts with learning how to create engaging content. Don't just ask, "What can I write about?" Instead, reframe the question to, "What problems can I solve for the people in my network?"
Pro Tip: Your best article ideas are hiding in plain sight. They're in the questions you answer every day—in client calls, in team meetings, and in industry forums. Those common pain points are your content goldmine.
Once you have a solid idea, think about the best way to present it. Is it a deep-dive analysis? A step-by-step how-to guide? Or maybe a compelling case study that tells a story? The format should serve the message, not the other way around.
From Brainstorming to a Coherent Structure
Resist the urge to just start typing. A few minutes of planning will save you hours of rewriting. I always start with a simple outline to make sure my thoughts flow logically from one point to the next.
For example, if I'm writing about common project management mistakes, my quick outline might look like this:
- The Hook: Start with a relatable story of a project going off the rails.
- Mistake #1: Define the first pitfall and share a quick, real-world example of how it plays out.
- Mistake #2: Introduce the next common blunder, but this time, offer a tangible tip to sidestep it.
- The Wrap-Up: Briefly summarize the key lessons and finish with a strong question to get the comments rolling.
This simple framework transforms a random list of ideas into a story that people will actually follow.
Finding Your Voice and Getting It Published
When you finally start writing, just write like you talk. Forget the stiff corporate jargon. Use analogies, share personal stories, and keep your paragraphs short and scannable. Your goal is to make your expertise feel approachable, not intimidating.
Most high-performing articles land somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 words. That's the sweet spot for providing real depth without making your reader's eyes glaze over. And always, always end with a call-to-action that invites your readers to chime in with their own experiences.
Before you hit that publish button, it pays to run through a final quality check. A few extra minutes here can make a huge difference in how your article is received.
Here’s the checklist I personally use to make sure everything is polished and ready to go.
LinkedIn Article Pre-Publish Checklist
| Checklist Item | Why It Matters | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|
| Compelling Headline | It's the first—and sometimes only—thing people see. It has to grab them. | Does it spark curiosity or promise a solution? Is it under 70 characters? |
| Engaging Introduction | The first paragraph determines if they keep reading or bounce. | Did you start with a story, a surprising stat, or a relatable problem? |
| Clear Formatting | Walls of text are intimidating. Subheadings, bullets, and bold text make it easy to read. | Is the article scannable? Have you used H2/H3s, bullet points, and bold text? |
| Proofread for Typos | Simple errors can undermine your credibility. | Did you run it through a grammar checker and read it aloud? |
| Compelling Visuals | A great cover image stops the scroll and sets the tone. | Is the cover image high-quality, relevant, and properly credited? |
| Strong Call-to-Action | Tell your readers what you want them to do next. | Did you end with a question or a clear next step? |
| Relevant Hashtags | Hashtags help your article get discovered beyond your immediate network. | Did you add 3-5 relevant hashtags to your post? |
Taking a moment to tick these boxes ensures your hard work gets the attention it deserves. You've put in the effort to create something valuable—this final step helps it land with maximum impact.
Make Your Article Pop with Smart Formatting and Visuals
Now that you've got the words down, it's time to make your article look good. Let's be honest, nobody wants to read a giant wall of text. A little formatting goes a long way in keeping someone on your page, and thankfully, LinkedIn gives you the tools to make your article scannable and professional.
Think of it this way: good design isn't just about looking pretty; it’s about making your ideas easy to follow.
The simplest way to start is by breaking up your content with headings, subheadings, and bold text. These act like signposts, guiding your reader through your argument and highlighting the most important takeaways. It makes even complex topics feel more approachable and keeps people scrolling.
Add Visuals to Stop the Scroll
Text formatting is just the start. The real magic for engagement often comes from visuals. The numbers don't lie: posts with images get up to twice the comment rates of text-only posts. Go a step further with a multi-image carousel, and you could see engagement jump as high as 6.6%. If you're wondering about the perfect dimensions, our guide to LinkedIn post specs has all the nitty-gritty details.
This infographic lays out some of the article types that consistently do well on LinkedIn.
As you can see, things like deep-dive analyses, detailed case studies, and even strong opinion pieces are fantastic for showing you know your stuff.
But don't just stop at the cover image. Weave high-quality visuals right into the body of your article to bring your points to life.
- Embed a video: Got a complex idea? A quick video can explain it in a way that text can't.
- Show the data: If you're talking numbers, a simple chart or graph makes your argument instantly more credible and impactful.
- Try a document post: Sharing a PDF or slide deck can be a surprisingly effective move, often pulling in engagement rates around 6.1%.
Your goal is to make your expertise accessible. Every image, bulleted list, or blockquote you use is another chance to hook a busy reader and convince them to stick around.
So you've hit "Publish." Great feeling, right? But the real work is just beginning. Getting your article in front of the right people is what turns a good piece of writing into a career-building asset.
The first thing you need to do is craft a killer introductory post to announce your article. Don't just drop the link and run. That's a missed opportunity.
Think of this post as the movie trailer for your article. Pull out a juicy statistic, a provocative question, or a powerful quote from the piece to grab attention. And be sure to tag any people or companies you mentioned—it's a simple way to bring them into the conversation and get more eyeballs on your work.
Smart Ways to Spread the Word
Your initial post is just the beginning. To really get traction, you need to think about strategic distribution.
A great tactic is to slice up your article into smaller, bite-sized posts for the following days or week. This gives your content a longer shelf life and reinforces your key message. If you want to dive deeper into this, it's worth learning about the best practices for cross-posting on social media.
Your article is a professional asset. Don't let it get buried in the feed. Pin it to the "Featured" section on your LinkedIn profile. It becomes a permanent showcase of your expertise for anyone who visits your page.
It also helps to know who you're talking to. LinkedIn has a global daily active user base of 134.5 million people, with 60% of them being Millennials. These are career-minded professionals looking for valuable insights.
Here's something I always keep in mind: 74.24% of LinkedIn visits are from desktops. This means your formatting really matters. Make sure your article is easy to read on a larger screen with plenty of white space and clear headings. Since most people are coming directly to the platform, your content needs to deliver value instantly to keep them reading. You can find more useful stats about LinkedIn's audience on botdog.co.
Your LinkedIn Article Questions, Answered
Once you get into the rhythm of publishing on LinkedIn, a few practical questions almost always come up. I've been there. Let's walk through some of the most common ones I hear so you can publish with confidence.
How Long Should a LinkedIn Article Be?
LinkedIn gives you a massive canvas to work with—up to 125,000 characters. But just because you can write a novel doesn't mean you should.
From what I've seen, the articles that really gain traction and spark conversation land somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 words. That’s the sweet spot. It's enough room to dive deep into a topic and offer real value, but not so long that you lose your reader's attention. My advice? Don't obsess over the word count. Instead, focus on thoroughly covering your topic. When you've said everything that needs to be said, you're done.
Can I Go Back and Edit My Article After I Publish It?
Yes, and it’s a lifesaver. You can always go back and tweak your work. Just find the article on your profile, click the menu, and hit "Edit article." This is perfect for updating information, fixing a typo you missed, or adding a new image.
One crucial thing to know: when you edit an article, the original post that you shared with your network won't change. The link will always point to the newest version of your article, but the preview text and image in that initial share are locked in. So, try to get your headline and cover image right from the get-go.
What’s the Real Difference Between a Post and an Article?
It’s all about depth and permanence.
A LinkedIn post is like a status update. It's short-form content (with a 3,000-character limit) meant for quick insights, starting conversations, and staying top-of-mind. Think of it as your daily touchpoint with your network.
An article, however, is your long-form, evergreen content. It's a permanent piece of thought leadership that lives on your profile, almost like a blog post. Use articles to establish your expertise on core topics and use posts to drive the daily engagement around them.
Ready to put these insights into action and keep your content flowing effortlessly? With PostOnce, you can create your content once and automate its distribution across all your social networks, including LinkedIn.