Why I Stopped Using Hashtags on LinkedIn
You know those hashtags you see everywhere on Instagram or TikTok?
#ContentCreator or #SocialMediaMarketing?
I used to use them on LinkedIn too, but I’ve stopped. Here’s the reason why:
- Hashtags are great for getting noticed. And sure, that’s true… on Instagram and TikTok. LinkedIn? Not so much.
- The way LinkedIn works has changed. They now pick up on all the words in your posts, not just the hashtags. So, hashtags don’t really get you more views anymore.
- Back in the day, I used them to make certain words pop and to “claim” a category with a custom hashtag like #BehindCleanLines (a client’s podcast).
Nowadays, that doesn’t really fly since LinkedIn doesn’t put that much weight on hashtags.
And making words stand out? There are smarter ways to do it now without the “#”.
Why I Stopped Obsessing Over “Hooks”
Hooks are those lines that make people want to read more.
I used to really sweat over making the perfect hook for every LinkedIn post.
But one day I stopped up and started thinking on how i worked with these “hooks”:
- Hooks make people curious so they’d interact with your post, but it feels a bit fake.
- I was using tricks instead of just telling a good story.
- I was kind of making clickbait, which isn’t a good vibe.
Don’t get me wrong, hooks still matter. A strong opening line can still capture attention. I’ve just eased up on being super aggressive with them every time.
These days, I focus on simply telling a good story rather than aggressively trying to reel people in.
A good story naturally keeps people interested.
Why I Cut Back on Using Emojis 😐
Ah, emojis. Once upon a time, emojis in LinkedIn posts could grab attention and make you look more laid-back and approachable.
LinkedIn used to be kind of stiff, so a smiley face 🙂 or a thumbs up 👍 really stood out.
But then everyone in tech jumped on the emoji bandwagon, and soon, every other post was overflowing with them 😂🔥💯. Here’s what i noticed:
- Emojis stopped being a fresh, attention-grabbing tool.
- They became just…normal. A bit boring.
- An emoji can still be a nice touch, but only if the main content is solid.
I now focus more on crafting clear, engaging, and well-formatted text.
If an emoji fits, cool! But I don’t rely on them like I used to.
The Moral of the Story
The main idea here is that what works on LinkedIn keeps changing.
Strategies that were a hit a couple of years ago can become outdated fast. Here is 3 tactics to keep up the change:
- It’s vital to keep reevaluating and tweaking how you do things. What worked great in the past might not keep cutting it.
- You need to stay in the loop, adapt, and be willing to drop tactics that aren’t working anymore.
- It means ditching unnecessary hashtags, being less intense about “hooks,” and thinking twice about emojis.
LinkedIn is always changing, so you’ve got to roll with it.
If something’s not working, let it go and try something new. That’s how you keep your content fresh and engaging.
So, tell me, have you had to drop any LinkedIn strategies lately? I’d love to hear what you’ve learned! Leave a comment below and let’s chat about it.
