Begging is Not Marketing: Why New Writers Fail to Build an Audience on LinkedIn

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I understand the frustration of being new to LinkedIn and posting valuable content only to witness zero engagement.

No likes. No comments. No shares.

Then, you start wondering ̶

“What if my content is not good enough?”

“Should I do anything to market it well?”

Which lead to the thought ̶

"Should I ask people to check out my post?" "What if I comment on influencers' posts and subtly mention my work?" "Maybe I should DM people and request them to engage?"

Stop right there

This is the biggest reason why newest writers build an audience don’t get audience on LinkedIn ̶ They don'’ appear professional. Barging into every comment section to gain attention, leaving generic template comments, and requesting people to engage with your posts; have we ever seen a professional doing that?

What’s important to understand here is that begging people to engage with your posts is not marketing.

It doesn’t show authority. People won’t respect your content. Naturally, that won’t lead to the kind of engagement that can get you any opportunities.

If you want to grow on LinkedIn, you need to appear professional, not desperate.

Let’s talk about how to fix the situation.

Why Desperate Writers Struggle on LinkedIn

I have witnessed this common pattern for most of the new content creators joining LinkedIn:

• They spam comment sections with “Check out my latest post!”

• They post about their struggle to get engagement instead of writing something valuable.

• They DM people, asking for likes, shares, and feedback.

Not necessary that their content doesn’t match the quality ̶ It’s their desperation that makes their content less attractive.

According to a LinkedIn Engagement Study conducted in 2024 audiences are 65% more likely to engage with posts from writers who appear authoritative rather than those who ask for engagement.

When it appears that you are chasing visibility, the mindset follows as:

• You’re new and inexperienced.

• Your content might not be valuable.

• You care more about numbers than substance.

And that kind of impression is generally hard to reverse.

So, what’s the alternative?

How to Appear Professional on LinkedIn and Not Desperate

Being professional on LinkedIn is not having a flashy job title and a large network. It’s about how we present ourselves and engage with people.

Here’s what professionals do:

a. They Let Their Content Speak for Itself

• Compelling, experience-based posts that resonate with their audience.

• Well-structured, thought-provoking content that sparks discussion.

• Headlines and hooks that immediately capture attention.

Example: Instead of posting “Check out my latest article on personal branding,” They would present it as:

“Most LinkedIn profiles are forgettable. Here’s how to make yours stand out in 5 minutes.”

Good content markets itself. Desperate self-promotion isn’t necessary.

b. They Don’t Hijack Other People’s Posts for Attention

Have you seen comments like these?

"Great post! By the way, I wrote something similar—check it out!"

Or

“Amazing article! I have also published a new article ̶ please check.”

That’s the red flag of desperation.

Professional creators engage meaningfully. Instead of dropping self-promotional links, they add valuable insights and stir conversation in a meaningful direction.

Instead of commenting, “Nice post, check out mine,” say:

"This is such an insightful take on leadership! I’ve noticed that leaders who embrace vulnerability tend to build stronger teams. How do you think this applies in remote work culture?"

This not only sparks a real conversation but also shows your authority over the subject matter.

c. They Drive Meaningful Discussions, not Template Compliments

Generic comments won’t make you visible:

• “Great Post!”

• “Loved this. Thanks for sharing!”

• “This resonated with me.”

These comments generally don’t add value or make people remember you.

Instead of “Great post on personal branding,” you can say:

"You mentioned that personal branding isn’t about self-promotion but storytelling. Do you think professionals should share more personal failures to build authenticity?"

And let the conversation go.

People Want to Read Expert Opinions, Not Wannabes

Ask yourself while scrolling on LinkedIn: Who do you follow?

Someone who shares confident, well-structured insights?

Or, someone who sounds uncertain and desperate for engagement?

And that is true in most cases; in a platform like LinkedIn, people want to read expert opinions not those of wannabes.

If you’re new, this doesn’t mean faking expertise. It means:

1. Writing with confidence. Instead of “I think personal branding is important,” say, “Personal branding is your digital handshake—ignore it, and you’ll be forgotten.”

2. Use stats, personal experiences, and examples. Provide proper backing to your claims.

3. Share real insights coming from the place of experience rather than regurgitating what others have said.

When you sound like an authority, people naturally trust and follow you.

How to Gain an Audience Without Looking Desperate?

If you’re struggling to grow on LinkedIn, stop focusing on engagement hacks and start focusing on writing content that attracts engagement naturally.

Here’s how:

• Write Value-Driven Posts – Give your audience insights they can’t ignore.

• Engage Authentically – Comment on posts with real insights, not self-promotion.

• Post Consistently – The best LinkedIn creators post regularly.

• Give Before You Ask – Build relationships before expecting engagement in return.

• Be Patient – LinkedIn growth takes time. The best content creators built their influence over months or even years.

Instead of asking, “How do I get more engagement?” Ask yourself, “How do I write something so compelling that people can’t scroll past it?”

New writers often fail on LinkedIn because they focus on chasing engagement instead of delivering value.

They request people to like and share their posts, spam comment sections, and drop generic compliments—all of which make them look desperate.

The real way to grow? Appear professional, not desperate.

Because at the end of the day, begging is not marketing. It never has been, and it never will be.

If you want to build a real LinkedIn audience, write with confidence, engage authentically, and let your content do the talking.