First LinkedIn Post: 15 Examples & Ideas to Get Started (2026)

You've been meaning to post on LinkedIn for months. Maybe years. But every time you open the app, you freeze. What do you even say? Who cares what you think? What if it's terrible?

Here's the truth: Your first post doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to exist. These 15 examples and templates will help you break through the fear and start building your LinkedIn presence.

Key Takeaways

• Done beats perfect: Your first post won't be your best, and that's okay
• Personal stories resonate: Authenticity outperforms polished corporate speak
• The introduction post works: Telling people who you are and what you do is a valid first post
• Questions drive engagement: Asking your network for input lowers the pressure
• Consistency matters more: One imperfect post beats zero perfect posts

Why Your First Post Matters Less Than You Think

According to LinkedIn's algorithm research, the platform rewards consistent posting over time. One viral first post won't build your presence—regular activity will.

Common First-Post Fears (Debunked)

Fear	Reality
"Nobody will care"	Your network receives notifications; some will engage
"It's not good enough"	First posts are always imperfect; that's normal
"I have nothing to say"	Your unique perspective is valuable, even if common topics
"People will judge me"	Most people are too busy thinking about themselves
"It won't go viral"	Viral isn't the goal; starting is the goal

The 5 Types of First LinkedIn Posts

Choose the approach that feels most natural to you.

Type 1: The Introduction Post

Simply tell people who you are and why you're here.

Why it works:

• Low pressure—you're just introducing yourself
• Your network learns what you do
• Sets context for future posts

Type 2: The Career Milestone

Share something you've recently achieved or a transition you've made.

Why it works:

• Built-in credibility marker
• Natural reason to post
• Easy to support and celebrate

Type 3: The Lesson Learned

Share an insight from your experience that others might find valuable.

Why it works:

• Demonstrates expertise without bragging
• Provides value to readers
• Opens conversation about shared experiences

Type 4: The Question

Ask your network for advice, opinions, or recommendations.

Why it works:

• Removes pressure of being "the expert"
• Drives comments and engagement
• Shows you value others' input

Type 5: The Industry Observation

Share a trend, change, or observation from your field.

Why it works:

• Positions you as someone who thinks about your industry
• Can spark discussion
• Easier than personal stories for some people

15 First LinkedIn Post Examples & Templates

Here are ready-to-use examples for your first post. Customize them to fit your situation.

Introduction Posts

Example 1: The Simple Introduction

Hey LinkedIn 👋

After years of lurking, I'm finally posting.

I'm [Name], a [role] at [company]. I spend my days [what you do] and
I'm passionate about [what drives you].

Looking forward to learning from this community and sharing
what I'm discovering along the way.

If you work in [industry/field], I'd love to connect.

Example 2: The "Why I'm Here" Post

For the past 3 years, I've been scrolling LinkedIn, learning from
others, and never posting.

That changes today.

I'm [Name]. I help [who you help] achieve [what outcome].

I'm here to:
- Share lessons from [your experience area]
- Learn from others in [your field]
- Build genuine connections (not just numbers)

If any of that resonates, I'd love to connect.

Example 3: The Informal Introduction

First post energy 🙃

Hi, I'm [Name].

A few things about me:
→ [Fact 1 about your work]
→ [Fact 2 about your interests]
→ [Fact 3 that makes you human]

What I'm working on: [Current focus or project]

What I'm curious about: [Something you want to learn]

What brings you to LinkedIn?

Career Milestone Posts

Example 4: New Job Announcement

Excited to share: I've joined [Company] as [Role]!

After [X years] in [previous area], I'm taking everything I've learned
about [relevant skill] and applying it to [new challenge].

What drew me to this opportunity:
• [Reason 1]
• [Reason 2]
• [Reason 3]

Grateful to everyone who's been part of my journey so far.

If you're working in [relevant area], I'd love to connect.

Example 5: Career Pivot Announcement

Plot twist: After [X years] as a [previous role], I'm becoming a [new role].

This might seem random, but here's what I realized:

[The insight that led to your pivot]

The skills I'm bringing with me:
✓ [Skill 1]
✓ [Skill 2]
✓ [Skill 3]

To anyone considering a pivot: [One piece of advice]

Has anyone else made a major career change? How did it go?

Example 6: Work Anniversary Reflection

[X years] ago today, I joined [Company].

What I expected: [Original expectation]
What actually happened: [Reality]

Biggest lessons from [X years]:

1. [Lesson 1]
2. [Lesson 2]
3. [Lesson 3]

If you'd told me [X years] ago that I'd [achievement],
I wouldn't have believed it.

Grateful for this journey. Here's to what's next.

Lesson Learned Posts

Example 7: The Hard-Won Lesson

Nobody tells you this when you start in [field], but:

[Your insight]

I learned this the hard way when [brief story of how you learned it].

Now I always [what you do differently].

Anyone else had to learn this one themselves?

Example 8: The Career Advice Post

Advice I wish I'd received [X years] ago:

[Your main piece of advice]

Here's why it matters:

When I started as a [role], I thought success meant [old belief].

But after [experience], I realized [new insight].

What advice do you wish you'd received earlier in your career?

Example 9: The Mistake Story

I made a big mistake early in my career.

[What happened]

What I learned from it:

• [Lesson 1]
• [Lesson 2]

Now, when I see others heading toward the same mistake,
I tell them: [advice]

Have you made a mistake that turned into a valuable lesson?

Question Posts

Example 10: The Genuine Question

Genuinely curious:

[Your question related to your field]

Context: I've been thinking about this because [why you're asking].

Would love to hear perspectives from people who've
[relevant experience or expertise].

What's worked for you?

Example 11: The Recommendation Request

Asking for recommendations:

I'm looking to learn more about [topic].

Can anyone suggest:
📚 Books worth reading?
🎙️ Podcasts worth subscribing to?
👤 People worth following?

Bonus points for anything contrarian or underrated.

I'll compile the best suggestions and share them later.

Example 12: The Poll-Style Question

Quick question for my network:

When it comes to [topic], which approach works better?

A) [Option A]
B) [Option B]
C) Something else (share in comments!)

Curious to see how this breaks down across different industries.

Industry Observation Posts

Example 13: The Trend Observation

Is anyone else noticing this shift in [industry]?

[Describe the trend you're observing]

I'm seeing more companies:
→ [Change 1]
→ [Change 2]
→ [Change 3]

My take: [Your brief opinion on why this is happening]

What are you seeing in your corner of [industry]?

Example 14: The "Things Are Changing" Post

[Industry/field] is changing faster than I expected.

A year ago: [How things were]
Now: [How things are]

What's driving this shift:
1. [Factor 1]
2. [Factor 2]
3. [Factor 3]

The implications for [professionals in your field]:
[Your prediction or advice]

How are you adapting?

Example 15: The Hot Take (Moderate)

Unpopular opinion about [topic]:

[Your somewhat contrarian take]

I know many people believe [common belief].

But in my experience [supporting evidence for your take].

Change my mind? Or tell me you agree 👇

First Post Best Practices

Formatting Tips

• Keep paragraphs short: 1-2 sentences max
• Use white space: Easy to scan on mobile
• Add emojis sparingly: 1-3 is enough
• Include a question: Encourages comments
• End with a call to action: What should readers do?

Timing Considerations

According to research on LinkedIn posting times:

• Tuesday-Thursday tends to perform best
• Morning (8-10 AM) or lunch (12-1 PM) in your target audience's time zone
• Avoid weekends and late nights

After You Post

1. Don't obsess over metrics: Your first post won't be your best
2. Respond to comments: Thank people who engage
3. Note what resonated: Learn for future posts
4. Post again within a week: Momentum matters

What Most Guides Get Wrong About First Posts

Myth 1: Your First Post Needs to Go Viral

It doesn't. A first post with 5 likes from people you respect is a win. You're building a foundation, not chasing viral fame.

Myth 2: You Need Original Insights

Sharing what you've learned—even common wisdom—is valuable. Your perspective and voice make even familiar ideas worth reading.

Myth 3: You Should Wait Until You're "Ready"

You'll never feel ready. The best time to start was years ago. The second best time is today.

Myth 4: One Bad Post Will Ruin Your Reputation

People barely remember their own posts, let alone yours. A mediocre first post is forgotten within hours.

Building Momentum After Your First Post

Your first post is just the beginning. Here's how to keep going:

Week 1-2: Comment More Than Post

• Leave 5-10 thoughtful comments daily on others' posts
• This builds visibility without the pressure of creating content

Week 2-4: Post Once Per Week

• One quality post per week is enough to start
• Use templates above as starting points

Month 2+: Increase Frequency

• Move to 2-3 posts per week
• Mix content types (insights, questions, stories)

For a complete content strategy, see our LinkedIn content guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should my very first LinkedIn post be about?

Start with whatever feels most natural. An introduction post, a career milestone, or a lesson learned all work well. The goal is to start, not to be perfect.

How long should my first LinkedIn post be?

Aim for 100-300 words. Long enough to provide value, short enough to be read completely. You can experiment with length as you gain experience.

Should I use hashtags in my first post?

2-3 relevant hashtags can help with discoverability. Don't overdo it—more than 5 looks spammy. Examples: #FirstPost, #YourIndustry, #CareerGrowth

What if nobody engages with my first post?

It happens. Post again in a few days. Engagement builds over time with consistency. Comment on others' posts to build visibility before your next post.

Should I include a photo in my first post?

You don't need to, but visual posts often perform better. A relevant image, simple graphic, or even a selfie with context can boost engagement.

Is it weird to announce that it's my first post?

Not at all. Many successful creators make a point of it. "First post" vulnerability often drives engagement and support from your network.

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Ready to build a consistent LinkedIn presence? Learn how to create content that attracts leads or check out our high-engagement post examples for ongoing inspiration.