Justin Nassiri is the CEO of Executive Presence, helping companies build trust & awareness through executive thought leadership on LinkedIn.
For many CEOs, LinkedIn feels like another item on an already overwhelming to-do list. They know they should be active, but the thought of crafting original posts every day seems exhausting. What if I told you that you could grow your influence, increase visibility and build credibility—without ever posting?
The secret lies in strategic commenting.
My company specializes in helping professionals succeed on LinkedIn, and I’ve found most leaders underestimate the power of commenting; they see it as secondary to posting. But in reality, a well-placed, insightful comment can generate just as much—if not more—visibility than a standalone post. Here’s why commenting is the most underrated LinkedIn growth strategy for CEOs and how you can leverage it for maximum impact.
Why LinkedIn Comments Are A Growth Shortcut
When you comment on a post, your name, profile and insights appear in front of not only your network but also the original poster’s audience. For the right accounts, this could mean tens of thousands of additional eyeballs on your profile.
Here’s why comments can be so effective:
1. Comments can bypass the algorithm struggles of posting.
LinkedIn’s algorithm is unpredictable. Even well-crafted posts can get buried due to poor timing or lack of early engagement. Comments, however, are automatically attached to posts that are already performing well.
A thoughtful comment on a viral or highly engaged post means your insights are positioned in front of an already engaged audience—without having to fight for reach.
2. Comments showcase thought leadership without the pressure of posting.
I’ve seen many CEOs struggle with LinkedIn because they feel pressured to always have original insights. But commenting allows you to demonstrate expertise through dialogue rather than monologue.
Instead of worrying about creating new content every day, you can leave comments that challenge conventional wisdom in your industry, expand on a key point someone else made, share a quick anecdote or example to add value or offer a counterpoint to spark discussion.
3. Comments can build more meaningful relationships.
Posting is often a one-way broadcast, whereas commenting is inherently interactive. When you leave thoughtful comments, you’re engaging in real-time conversations with industry leaders, potential customers, investors or partners—without the formality of a direct message.
Over time, consistent engagement through comments positions you as an active and valuable voice in your industry, which can lead to more profile views, connection requests and direct opportunities.
This is something I’ve seen firsthand. I once commented on a first-degree connection who has a large following. I took the time to write a well-thought-out comment and was also one of the first people to comment on the post. A few weeks later, during a sales call, I asked how a sales prospect heard about my company. The prospect, who became a client that week, said we were both connected to the same person on LinkedIn; they saw my comment and thought I made a good point. They then saw my title, thought it sounded interesting, visited my profile and reached out to me on our website.
How To Use LinkedIn Comments Strategically As A CEO
Not all comments are created equal. A lazy, “Great post!” won’t move the needle. If you want to use comments as a growth strategy, you need to be intentional. Here’s how:
1. Follow the right people (and set up alerts).
Identify 10 to 15 industry leaders, peers and key decision makers in your field. These could be influential voices in your industry, potential clients or partners, journalists covering your space or investors or advisors. Follow them and turn on notifications for their posts. This allows you to be among the first to engage, ensuring your comment gets maximum visibility.
2. Aim for early, value-driven comments.
In my experience, the first few comments on a LinkedIn post tend to get the most engagement. Whenever someone in your target group posts something relevant, leave a comment within the first 30 to 60 minutes to maximize visibility.
Your comment should add a unique perspective or insight, ask a thoughtful question that sparks discussion or reference real-world examples or personal experience. For example, let’s say someone posted, “The biggest mistake CEOs make on LinkedIn? Treating it like a resume instead of a conversation.”
Weak comment: “Agree! Good point.”
Strong comment: “Spot on. When I started posting on LinkedIn, I thought I had to be overly polished. But engagement skyrocketed when I started sharing real stories and lessons. What types of content have you found work best?”
3. Engage in comment threads, not just top-level comments.
A hidden gem of LinkedIn commenting is engaging within the comments of others. Often, some of the most meaningful discussions happen in response threads—not just the main post.
Look for high-engagement posts and jump into discussions that:
• Challenge an assumption or conventional wisdom.
• Have multiple responses where you can add insight.
• Offer a chance to connect with the poster and their audience.
This keeps you visible in a thread and expands your exposure beyond just the post owner’s audience.
4. Don’t just comment. Follow up.
A comment is only the start of the conversation. If your comment leads to an interesting exchange, follow up with:
• A connection request, such as, “Loved our discussion on XYZ—would love to stay connected.”
• A direct message along the lines of, “Your point about XYZ really resonated. Curious how you see that evolving?”
• A future post inspired by the discussion, such as, “Had an interesting exchange about XYZ in the comments today—here’s my take.”
This transforms passive engagement into real relationships and opportunities.
Final thoughts: Commenting is the ultimate low-lift LinkedIn growth strategy.
If you’re a CEO who wants to build influence on LinkedIn but doesn’t have time to post daily, strategic commenting is your best tool. By engaging with the right people, adding value-driven insights and participating in comment threads, you can stay visible in your industry, build credibility without the pressure of posting and generate real relationships and business opportunities.
Next time you scroll LinkedIn, don’t just consume—comment with intent. Your next big opportunity could be just one well-placed insight away.
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