🍴I thought my post was a dud... then this happened

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Have you experienced the "sugar rush" of engagement on a post?

It's that influx of likes and comments within the first 60 minutes of posting.

It was awesome, right?

Well, the algorithm's evolving again and honestly, that's not surprising. LinkedIn tweaks things constantly. But this particular shift is worth paying attention to.

I published a post last week and... it just kind of sat there at first.

Here’s the one I’m talking about.

It wasn't complete silence. A few likes trickled in. A handful of comments. But nothing like what I expected for a post I felt good about.

It felt like the wheels were turning, but the car wasn't moving.

I almost wrote it off as a dud.

But a few hours later, the post picked up steam. Comments started rolling in. People were sharing their thoughts and opinions, and by the end of the day, it had more engagement than some posts that started with a bang.

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I think this shift is good news. Yes, the golden hour still matters; you just don't need everything to pop off in the first 60 minutes.

You need to show up, respond to early comments, and keep the conversation going throughout the day.

Here's how to adapt:

Focus on dwell time, not dopamine.

For a while there, we were seeing one-liners crush it. Every now and again, they still do.

But I'm noticing that LinkedIn's rewarding posts that offer more depth. Those quick, clever quotes grab a like, but they're not getting saved, and the comments stay surface-level.

It seems comment quality matters more now. The more intentional the comment, the stronger the signal that your content is worth engaging with. And that boosts your visibility.

That's why I always look for a place to slow readers down in my posts:

• Adding a specific example

• Explaining the "why" behind a point I’m making

• Or sharing a detail from an experience

That's the same principle behind my MEAL Method:

• M – Make it memorable or relatable

• E – Explain your insight

• A – Action step

• L – Lead engagement

If your post hits all four, you'll keep readers on the post longer, and LinkedIn will notice.

Find your ideal posting time

As much as I wish you could post whenever inspiration strikes, and your audience would be there waiting to engage, that's not reality. 

There's no universal best time to post, and that's why my advice is to find your window when your audience is active and you're available to engage during the golden hour. 

I’ve tested early mornings, late afternoons, and everything in between.

For me, my best time is 9 a.m.

That’s when my audience is online, and I can reply to comments in real-time.

Those early replies give a post the momentum it needs.

Play the long game.

Don't judge a post after 24 hours. Give it some time to breathe.

Stick around to fan the flame. Spend time responding to comments, asking follow-up questions, keeping the conversation going. That engagement throughout the day matters more than you think.

This keeps your profile active and the algorithm happy.

The golden hour isn't dead. There’s just more to the story now.

Most people post and disappear when the rush doesn't come.

Don't be like most people! Stick around and you’ll get rewarded.

👀 ICYMI

I was a guest on Matt See and Mark Palmer’s podcast, the Interim Era! During my episode, we covered the topics of today’s newsletter and A LOT more! Check it out ⬇️