Imagine ... you’re scrolling through LinkedIn one morning, coffee in hand, and you stumble upon a brilliant post from a company you absolutely admire; perhaps your dream employer. You love what they’ve shared. You want them to notice you. So you type “Great post!” and hit send.
And just like that... you’ve missed an opportunity.
Knowing how to comment on social media is an art form and when done thoughtfully, it can open doors you never even knew existed. Whether you're looking to build connections, grow your personal brand, or even land your next job, your comments can be your secret weapon. But they need to be good comments, not just the generic, drive-by ones we’re all guilty of leaving now and then.
In today’s post, we’re diving into how to comment on social media properly, what to avoid, and how a few simple tweaks can make a massive difference to your online presence.
Why Commenting Matters More Than You Think
First off, why bother?
Leaving thoughtful comments is more than just being polite. It shows you’re engaged, that you pay attention, and that you bring value to the conversation. Particularly if you’re looking for a job, regular, meaningful interaction with a company’s posts shows genuine interest, far more than a CV landing in their inbox ever could.
Here’s what good commenting can do for you:
Build relationships with industry professionals
Boost your visibility on platforms like LinkedIn
Demonstrate expertise and critical thinking
Show your interest in a company’s culture and mission
Create opportunities for conversation (and yes, job offers)
Now, let’s get into how to comment on social media the right way.
The Anatomy of a Good Comment
When you comment, you want to show that you’ve genuinely read or thought about the post. This can be broken down into a few simple tips:
1. Be Specific
Generic comments blend into the background. "Love this!" might feel supportive, but it doesn’t add anything to the conversation. Instead, pull out a specific detail you enjoyed or found interesting.
Bad example:
"Great article!"
Good example:
"I really liked your point about prioritising quality over speed, it’s so easy to forget that when deadlines are looming. Thanks for the reminder!"
2. Add Value
Where possible, add a little something extra. Perhaps you share your own experience, ask a question, or suggest an additional resource. Think of your comment as a continuation of the conversation.
Bad example:
"Totally agree!"
Good example:
"This reminded me of a similar strategy we used in my last role, focusing on customer feedback loops really accelerated our product development. Have you found that works too?"
3. Keep It Positive and Respectful
Even if you disagree, keep your tone respectful. A thoughtful counterpoint can actually make you look smarter - and more employable - if you handle it well.
Bad example:
"This is wrong."
Good example:
"Interesting perspective! I’ve seen a slightly different approach work well too, curious how you’d compare the two?"
4. Be Human
You’re not writing an academic essay. It's perfectly okay, preferable, even to be conversational. A little warmth, a little personality. It makes you relatable and approachable.
Bad example:
"Upon careful analysis, I have deduced the following conclusions."
Good example:
"Really enjoyed this! It's refreshing to see someone talk about leadership so openly."
What to Avoid Like the Plague
Some comments can actually do more harm than good. Here’s what to steer clear of:
One-word comments: “Nice!” “Awesome!” “Agree!” (They’re lovely... but forgettable.)
Copy-paste jobs: If you’re posting the same comment on multiple posts, it’s glaringly obvious.
Salesy behaviour: Don’t use someone else’s post as an excuse to plug your services or slide in a spammy link.
Overly negative or critical comments: Disagree if you must, but always be respectful.
Irrelevant comments: Stay on topic. If someone posts about leadership tips, don’t comment about your cat's birthday.
A Word of Caution: Don’t Rely on AI to Write Your Comments
Let’s address the elephant in the room. AI is everywhere these days. It's tempting to use it for a quick, polished comment. But here’s the thing: people can usually tell when a comment wasn’t really written by a human who read and engaged with the post.
One giveaway? The overuse of the long dash (—) in places that feel a bit too stiff or scripted. Another red flag? Comments that sound overly formal, generic, or just... suspiciously "perfect".
If your comment feels like it was copied out of a corporate handbook or written by a robot, it won’t have the warm, genuine touch that actually makes people want to engage with you.
Remember:
Real > Perfect.
Genuine > Polished.
Take a couple of minutes to read the post properly. Think about what stood out to you. How did it make you feel? What experience can you connect to it? Then comment naturally, like you would if you were chatting over a coffee.
Social media is about human connection. If you try to shortcut that, you miss the whole point.
This is why it’s crucial to understand how to comment on social media in a way that feels authentic. Your voice matters, don’t let AI take that away.
How Commenting Can Help You Get a Job
Let’s say your dream company regularly posts about their projects, team culture, or industry news. By engaging meaningfully with their content, you’re doing three very important things:
Getting noticed by the right people: Hiring managers and decision-makers do notice regular, smart commenters.
Demonstrating cultural fit: By responding to what they share, you show you’re aligned with their values.
Building relationships before you even apply: When you eventually send in your CV, your name won’t be a stranger.
Pro tip: If the company’s employees are active too, comment on their posts as well. Be genuine, it’s not about brown-nosing; it’s about building authentic relationships.
A Real-World Scenario
Imagine two candidates, Alex and Jordan.
Both apply for a marketing role at a company they admire. Alex submits an excellent CV. Jordan submits a similar CV but Jordan has also spent the last two months commenting thoughtfully on the company’s blog posts and LinkedIn updates.
Jordan's comments look something like:
"Loved seeing how you approached your latest product launch. Your emphasis on customer feedback really stood out to me, particularly the survey loop you mentioned. Brilliant idea!"
Guess who’s already a familiar name when the hiring manager sees the application?
(Hint: It’s not Alex.)
Quick Commenting Cheat Sheet
When you’re short on time but still want to leave a good impression, here’s a simple structure to follow:
Greet or compliment: “(Name xyz), really enjoyed this post!”
Pick out a specific detail: “Especially loved your advice about setting clear KPIs.”
Add your own thought: “In my team, we’ve found a quarterly review helps too, would love to hear how you approach that.”
Done in under two minutes. Personal, specific, and valuable.
Bonus: Great Comment Starters
If you’re stuck for how to begin, here are some ideas:
“This really resonated with me because...”
“Thanks for sharing this! I particularly liked the point about…”
“Such an insightful post. In my experience, I’ve found that…”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way, brilliant perspective. It made me think about…”
(Notice how they all sound friendly and interested, not robotic.)
Final Thoughts
In the fast-paced world of social media, thoughtful comments are your secret handshake; a little nod that says, “Hey, I see you. And I care enough to engage properly.”
If you’re serious about building your personal brand, expanding your network, or catching the eye of a future employer, start by levelling up your comments. It’s easy to fire off a “Love this!” and call it a day, but if you slow down just a little, put a bit of thought into your words, and show that you’re really paying attention, the rewards will speak for themselves.
And please, resist the urge to let AI do the talking. Your authentic voice is what makes you stand out.
So next time you’re about to hit send on a one-word comment, pause. Think. And make it count.
And that, my friends, is how to comment on social media.
If you know someone who might find this helpful, don’t keep it to yourself—please share it.
You never know how much of a difference it could make in someone’s life.
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