LinkedIn Post Scheduling: Best Practices Guide

Learn best practices for scheduling LinkedIn posts to enhance your visibility and engagement while managing your professional presence effectively.

Discover LinkedIn scheduling best practices to boost reach and engagement.

LinkedIn post scheduling can supercharge your professional presence. Here's what you need to know:

  • Schedule 3-5 posts per week for optimal visibility
  • Best times: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 AM to noon
  • Use LinkedIn's built-in scheduler or third-party tools
  • Mix content types: text, images, videos, and documents
  • Track engagement and adjust your strategy

LinkedIn's scheduler lets you plan posts up to 3 months ahead. Here's how:

  1. Write your post
  2. Click the clock icon
  3. Pick date and time
  4. Hit "Schedule"

Remember: Quality trumps quantity. Focus on valuable content that resonates with your audience.

Quick Comparison of Scheduling Tools:

Tool Key Feature Best For Price/Month
LinkedIn Built-in, simple Casual users Free
ContentIn AI writing help Personal branding $24-$42
Hootsuite Multi-platform Large teams $49-$739
Buffer User-friendly Small businesses $5-$100

LinkedIn's Built-in Scheduling Tools

LinkedIn's post scheduling feature is a handy tool for pros and businesses who want to keep their presence consistent. Let's break down how this built-in tool works and how you can use it to streamline your content game.

Basic Scheduling Tools

LinkedIn's scheduler is pretty straightforward. You can plan your content up to three months ahead, and it works on both desktop and mobile. Here's the quick rundown:

  1. Make your post
  2. Click the clock icon next to "Post"
  3. Pick your date and time
  4. Hit "Schedule"

Easy, right? Just remember, once it's scheduled, you can't edit it - only reschedule or delete.

What You Can (and Can't) Schedule

The scheduler works for most stuff, but it has its limits:

Go for it Not gonna happen
Text posts Events
Single images Multi-photo posts
PDFs Polls
Videos Group posts
  Company page posts (for now)

This covers most of what you'd usually post, so it's still pretty useful.

The Fine Print

LinkedIn's scheduler has a few quirks:

  • You can't schedule beyond 90 days
  • No bulk scheduling - it's one post at a time
  • Can't edit after scheduling - only reschedule or delete
  • No repeating posts

If you're a power user or managing multiple accounts, you might want to look at third-party tools instead.

How to Use It

Here's how to schedule a post:

1. Write your post

Create your content like normal. Don't forget those hashtags and mentions.

2. Find the scheduler

Look for the clock icon next to "Post" and click it.

3. Pick your time

Choose when you want the post to go live. Think about when your audience is most likely to be online.

4. Double-check and schedule

Give everything a once-over, then hit "Schedule."

5. Keep track

To see or manage your scheduled posts, click the clock icon again and select "View all scheduled posts."

"Scheduling LinkedIn posts ahead of time is a great way to save time while maintaining a consistent LinkedIn presence." - Christina Newberry, Author

Using LinkedIn's scheduler can help you keep a steady flow of content without the daily hassle. But don't just set it and forget it - stay engaged with your audience and be ready to switch things up based on how your posts are doing.

Planning Your Post Schedule

Want to nail your LinkedIn post schedule? Let's break it down.

How Often to Post

Posting frequency can make or break your LinkedIn game. Here's the deal:

Daily posts can boost your personal brand fast. But it's not for everyone.

The sweet spot? 3 to 5 posts per week. It keeps you visible without burning out.

Take Matt Barker, for example. He cut back from daily posts to 3-4 a week. Result? He grew his following to 3,000 and kept engagement high.

"Quality over quantity is key. Posting 3 to 5 times a week can significantly enhance visibility and engagement without sacrificing content value." - Sebastian Kinzlinger, Founder of ContentIn

When to Post by Industry

Timing matters. A lot. Here's a quick industry breakdown:

Industry Best Posting Times
B2B Tuesday-Thursday, 9 AM-12 PM
Tech Wednesday-Friday, 10 AM-2 PM
Finance Tuesday-Thursday, 7 AM-10 AM
Healthcare Monday-Wednesday, 11 AM-1 PM
Education Monday-Friday, 8 AM-3 PM

Pro tip: 9:00 AM is often prime time across industries. 10:00 PM? Not so much.

Making a Content Plan

A solid content plan keeps you on track. Here's how to build one:

1. Set clear goals: What do you want from your LinkedIn presence?

2. Know your audience: What makes them tick?

3. Create content pillars: Pick 3-5 main themes that match your expertise and audience interests.

4. Mix it up: Use text, images, videos, and polls to keep things fresh.

5. Use a content calendar: Plan ahead to balance your content types and themes.

Want to streamline your process? Try tools like ContentIn's AI Ghostwriter and Viral Template Library.

Working with Time Zones

Got a global audience? Try these tactics:

1. Focus on your main audience: Which time zone has most of your target audience?

2. Use LinkedIn Analytics: When are your followers most active?

3. Experiment: Test different posting times and see what sticks.

4. Try a scheduling tool: Platforms like ContentIn let you schedule posts in advance, making it easier to hit multiple time zones.

How to Schedule Posts

Want to boost your LinkedIn game? Let's talk about scheduling posts.

Writing and Scheduling Posts

Here's how to schedule your LinkedIn posts:

  1. Log into LinkedIn and write your post
  2. Look for the clock icon in the bottom right of the post editor
  3. Click it to open scheduling options
  4. Pick your date and time
  5. Hit "Schedule"

You can plan up to 90 days ahead. That's three months of content ready to go!

"Scheduling LinkedIn posts ahead of time is a great way to save time while maintaining a consistent LinkedIn presence." - Christina Newberry, Author

Picking Post Times

When's the best time to post? Hootsuite says it's before and after work on weekdays.

Tech folks? Try Wednesday to Friday, 10 AM to 2 PM. Finance pros? Aim for Tuesday to Thursday, 7 AM to 10 AM.

Managing Your Post Queue

Want to see what's coming up?

  1. Go to the post creator
  2. Click the clock icon
  3. Select "View all scheduled posts"

This lets you check your content mix at a glance.

Changing or Removing Scheduled Posts

Need to switch things up?

  1. Head to your "Activity" tab
  2. Click "Posts & Activities"
  3. Find your scheduled post
  4. Edit the time or delete it

Remember, you can't edit the content once it's scheduled - only the time.

If you're juggling multiple profiles or need more features, try a tool like SocialPilot. It lets you bulk schedule and offers more flexible options. You can upload a CSV file with multiple posts, review them, and schedule across different social channels in just a few clicks.

Create Engaging LinkedIn Content

Use ContentIn's AI Ghostwriter to write posts that resonate with your audience and build your personal brand effortlessly.

Start Your Free Trial

Other Scheduling Tools

LinkedIn's built-in scheduler is useful, but it has its limits. Let's check out some alternatives that can boost your LinkedIn posting game.

ContentIn AI Tools

Contentin Screenshot

ContentIn is shaking things up for LinkedIn content creators. This AI-powered platform packs a punch:

  • It writes posts that sound like you
  • It has over 100 post templates that work
  • It helps you plan when to post
  • It shows you how your posts are doing

Sebastian Kinzlinger, who started ContentIn, says:

"Our AI helps users make great LinkedIn content way faster, and it still sounds like them."

ContentIn's prices are pretty good. You can start at $24.15 a month for 3 posts a week and AI writing help. If you want more, $41.84 a month gets you unlimited posts and extra features.

How Different Tools Stack Up

Here's a quick look at some popular LinkedIn scheduling tools:

Tool What It Does Who It's For Price Per Month
ContentIn AI writing, post templates, stats Personal branding, efficiency $24.15 - $41.84
Hootsuite Works with many platforms, team tools Big teams, agencies $49 - $739
Buffer Easy to use, suggests content Small teams, beginners $5 - $100
Sprout Social Deep stats, works with CRM Data-loving marketers $249 - $499
Agorapulse All messages in one place, detailed reports Brands focused on engagement $99 - $299

Each tool has its strong points. Hootsuite is great for teams working together. Buffer is simple, perfect for small businesses. Sprout Social has tons of data for marketers who love numbers.

When picking a tool, think about:

1. How much you want to spend: These tools cost from $5 to over $700 a month. Make sure it's worth it for your LinkedIn goals.

2. What features you need: Do you want AI to help write? Or do you need lots of data? Pick a tool that fits what you want to do.

3. How easy it is to use: Some tools like Buffer are pretty simple. Others like Sprout Social can do more but might be trickier to learn.

4. Room to grow: If you think you'll have a bigger team later or want to post on other platforms too, choose a tool that can keep up.

The best tool is the one you'll actually use. Most of these offer free trials, so give a few a test run before you decide.

Tips for Better Scheduling

Want to boost your LinkedIn engagement? Here's how to nail your post scheduling:

Mix Up Your Content

Don't bore your audience. Keep things fresh:

"You want the maximum engagement you can get but you don't want to cause fatigue in your audience." - Adam Gray, social selling expert

Here's what to do:

  • Share both work stuff and personal stories
  • Try different post types (text, images, videos, docs)
  • Use ContentIn's templates for new ideas

Did you know? Posts with images get TWICE the comments. And video? It's 5x more engaging than other content.

Track Your Engagement

LinkedIn's got great analytics. Use them:

  • Check likes, comments, and shares
  • Look at who's engaging with your posts
  • Spot what's working best

Sebastian Kinzlinger from ContentIn says:

"Our AI helps users make great LinkedIn content way faster, and it still sounds like them."

Use tools like ContentIn to figure out what your audience loves.

Improve Your Schedule

Timing matters on LinkedIn. Find your best posting times:

  • Use LinkedIn stats to see when your audience is online
  • Test different times and see what works
  • Think about your industry's habits

Most people say Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon are best. But your audience might be different.

Check Your Results

Don't set it and forget it. Every month:

  • Look at your top posts
  • Find themes that get people talking
  • See if you're hitting your goals

Maria, a social media pro, says:

"A consistent schedule is key."

Use what you learn to make your strategy even better.

Mix Scheduled and Live Posts

Don't just rely on scheduled posts. Get in there and engage:

  • Plan your main content ahead
  • Jump on hot topics when they pop up
  • Chat with your network in the comments

Steve Kearns from LinkedIn Ads points out:

"People follow brands on LinkedIn, but they engage with the people behind those brands."

Blend your planned posts with real-time chats. It keeps things real and lively.

Fixing Common Problems

Let's tackle some frequent issues with LinkedIn post scheduling and how to solve them.

Posts Not Publishing

Your scheduled posts aren't going live? Here's why:

1. Audience Too Small

LinkedIn needs at least 300 followers matching your targeting criteria. If you see an error about this, broaden your audience.

2. Wrong Permissions

You need super or content admin permissions for the Page. Without these, your posts won't publish.

3. Content No-Nos

LinkedIn has strict rules. Break them, and your post stays unpublished.

Fix these by checking your audience, verifying permissions, and reviewing LinkedIn's content policies.

Overlapping Posts

LinkedIn's scheduler only allows posts at :00 or :30. This can cause overlap if you're not careful.

To avoid this:

  • Use a content calendar
  • Space posts 30 minutes apart
  • Try third-party tools for more flexible scheduling

Time Zone Mix-ups

Managing posts across time zones can be a headache. Here's how to handle it:

Use time zone converters, schedule in your audience's time zone, and plan ahead.

"Managing time zones for posts is like juggling while riding a unicycle. Tricky, but doable with practice." - Social Media Pro

Working Around Limits

LinkedIn's scheduler has some restrictions. Here's how to deal with them:

  • 90-day limit? Use a content calendar and set reminders.
  • No bulk scheduling? Try tools like SocialBee or Hootsuite.
  • Can't schedule events, multi-photo posts, or polls? Use third-party tools or schedule manual posting reminders.

When Things Go Wrong

If your scheduled posts aren't working:

  1. Check your permissions
  2. Review post content
  3. Clear browser cache
  4. Refresh data access in third-party tools
  5. Contact support if problems persist

Conclusion

LinkedIn post scheduling can supercharge your presence on the platform. With a smart posting plan, you'll boost engagement, save time, and show off your expertise.

Here's why a solid LinkedIn post schedule matters:

Post regularly: Aim for 3-5 posts a week. This keeps you visible without spamming your followers.

Time it right: Business hours are usually best, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. But your audience might be different, so test and see what works.

Focus on quality: Don't just post for the sake of posting. As Neil Patel says:

"LinkedIn is no longer an online resume. It's your digital reputation."

Use scheduling tools: LinkedIn's built-in scheduler or third-party tools can help you plan ahead. This frees up time for engaging with your network.

Mix it up: Don't just stick to one type of post. Use text, images, videos, and documents to keep things interesting.

Check your stats: Look at your LinkedIn analytics regularly. See what's working and what's not, then tweak your approach.

Don't just schedule and forget: Scheduling is great, but don't forget to actually engage. Reply to comments, join discussions, and share your thoughts on current events.

The point of scheduling isn't just to save time. It's about strategically building your brand or personal reputation. Follow these tips, and you'll create a LinkedIn presence that clicks with your audience and drives real engagement.

FAQs

Does LinkedIn have a post scheduling tool?

Yes, LinkedIn has a built-in post scheduling tool. Here's how to use it:

  1. Log into LinkedIn and start creating your post
  2. Find the Clock icon in the bottom-right of the post window
  3. Click the Clock icon for scheduling options
  4. Choose your publication date and time
  5. Hit "Schedule" to confirm

But heads up: LinkedIn's scheduler has some limits. You can only schedule one post at a time, up to three months ahead. And there's no bulk scheduling or post repeating.

Need more scheduling power? Third-party tools like Hootsuite might be your answer. They offer beefed-up content planning for both personal and company accounts. Prices? $40 to $100 per month.

"LinkedIn's built-in scheduler is a game-changer for professionals who want to maintain a consistent presence without being glued to their screens." - Sebastian Kinzlinger, Founder of ContentIn

So, is LinkedIn's scheduler enough for you? Or do you need the extra features of a third-party tool? The choice is yours.

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