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Why Posting on LinkedIn Is Like Training for a 5K: LinkedIn Content Best Practices

  • Writer: Hillary HuffordTucker
    Hillary HuffordTucker
  • Aug 2
  • 3 min read
Professional starting a race on a track in reference to posting and commenting on LinkedIn to build a personal brand.
Photo credit: istockphoto.com
It’s not about going viral or winning. It’s about showing up and building strength.

 

Over the past month, I’ve led two LinkedIn seminars, and something surprising came up. A few people said they didn’t want to post unless they could go viral or get lots of likes. It reminded me of a friend who once said she wouldn’t run a local 5K unless she could win.

 

But she was missing the point. The benefit of a 5K isn’t found in the finish line photo or a medal. It’s in the training, the community, and the confidence that builds with each step. LinkedIn works the same way. Posting, commenting, and showing up consistently bring value in ways that LinkedIn analytics can't measure.

 

When I coach clients on their LinkedIn strategy, we discuss who they’ve helped, what they’ve learned, and how they’ve contributed. Like a race, it's about your pace, your goals, and the people who grow alongside you.

 

1. Know Your Audience: Run Toward the Right Crowd

Before starting a race, you check the route and consider who else will be there. On LinkedIn, your path begins with your audience. You're showing up to support, inform, or inspire the people you want to reach.

 

  • Think about how your audience sees you and what they might expect to learn from you.

  • First impressions matter. What you post and comment on helps shape that view.

  • Ensure your content aligns with your values and goals, not someone else's.

 

2. Set Your Intention: Show Up with Purpose

Every training plan has a reason behind it. Maybe it’s to get faster, build stamina, or stay accountable. The same goes for showing up on LinkedIn. You don't need to post just to post. You need a defined reason for being there.

 

  • Identify who you want to support and why your message matters to them.

  • Share ideas and insights that offer something valuable to your network.

  • Keep the focus on being relevant, inspiring, consistent, and helpful.

 

3. Shape Your Messaging: Stay on Course with Content Pillars

Runners benefit from variety, like tempo runs, long runs, and rest days. On LinkedIn, content variety keeps your presence interesting and valuable. Choose a few key topics that reflect your expertise and speak to your audience.

 

  • Comment and engage with others, not just your own posts.

  • You don’t need to post daily. You do need to show up regularly.

  • Aim to support and encourage others, rather than chasing popularity.

 

4. Focus on Impact Over Growth: The Real Win Is Connection

Just like in a 5K, the most meaningful progress is often personal. You build endurance. You meet others who motivate you. On LinkedIn, growth is more than follower count. It’s about connection and contribution.

 

  • A smaller, engaged network can be more powerful than a big one with little interaction.

  • Use transitions, such as a layoff or new role, as an opportunity to refine your story and update your presence.

  • Continue to show up with clarity about who you are and what matters most.

 

 

LinkedIn Content Best Practices

You don’t need to be the fastest, the loudest, or the most followed to succeed on LinkedIn. I don’t chase the numbers because I know most of my clients come from referrals. For me, showing up on the platform is about reinforcing credibility, supporting my network, and sharing value.

 

Like training for a race, my LinkedIn efforts are a steady rhythm of presence, purpose, and connection to make the most significant difference for my network and followers. If you're ready to strategize about your LinkedIn presence, I’d love to help you get started.


 

Hillary Hufford-Tucker is the founder of Relevated Brands. Since 2019, she has helped professionals build relevance and elevate their visibility through distinctive resumes, LinkedIn profile optimization, and individualized personal brand plans. Hillary holds certifications in career coaching, transitions, digital strategy, and reinvention, along with an MA in strategic communications and a Level Two Award in Wine from WSET. Splitting time between Illinois and California, she’s a cyclist, author, traveler, and Syrah enthusiast, sometimes all at once.

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