A lawyer recently shared a common hesitation with me about why he hasn’t posted on LinkedIn yet. He said: “I’m not sure why I’ve never posted on LinkedIn, but it’s probably a mix of not fully understanding the platform, a bit of social media anxiety and feeling like I don’t have anything meaningful to say.”

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

This sentiment resonates with many professionals, particularly lawyers who may view LinkedIn as intimidating or simply don’t know where to begin. The reluctance to post on LinkedIn is widespread, especially among professionals who are more accustomed to focusing on their work than on promoting it online. However, LinkedIn has evolved into an important tool—not just for networking but also for building your professional reputation, staying updated in your field and identifying and taking advantage of new opportunities.

In this article I’ll explore why posting on LinkedIn matters, address common concerns that might be holding you back and provide practical tips to help you get started. The goal is to help you see LinkedIn as a valuable tool that can enhance your professional life, rather than as a daunting or mysterious platform.

Why Posting on LinkedIn Matters for Lawyers

1. Building Your Personal Brand: Let’s start with the basics: why should you, as a lawyer, bother posting on LinkedIn? It all comes down to personal branding. Whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand—it’s how people perceive you professionally, the reputation you’ve built and the value you bring to your clients and colleagues.

If you’re not actively shaping your brand, someone else will do it for you. By posting on LinkedIn, you take control of your narrative. You decide how to present your expertise, your successes and the unique perspective you bring to your practice. Over time, this builds trust and positions you as a thought leader in your area of law.

Consider this: when potential clients Google you and find a LinkedIn profile filled with insightful posts, commentary on legal trends and evidence of your active engagement, they see someone who is not just skilled at what they do but also passionate and knowledgeable—someone they want representing them.

2. Expanding Your Network: LinkedIn is essentially the world’s largest professional networking event, and you don’t have to leave your office or put on a suit to attend. Every time you post, like or comment, you’re connecting with potential clients, colleagues and industry leaders.

For lawyers, networking goes beyond exchanging business cards. It’s about building relationships that can lead to referrals, collaborations and new career opportunities. Being visible on LinkedIn reminds your network that you’re active, engaged and available.

Think about the last time you heard about a great opportunity—it likely came through someone in your network. By posting on LinkedIn, you keep those connections warm and create new ones, ensuring you’re top of mind when opportunities arise.

3. Showcasing Your Expertise: As a lawyer, your expertise is your currency—it’s what clients pay for and what colleagues respect you for. LinkedIn offers a platform to showcase this expertise in an accessible, impactful way. You don’t need to write lengthy legal analyses – sometimes, it’s about sharing a quick insight, posting an article with a brief note or reflecting on an interesting matter. These posts show that you’re knowledgeable, engaged with current developments and care about your field.

This kind of content builds your credibility and provides value to your network. When someone in your network faces a legal challenge, who do you think they’ll turn to—the lawyer who’s been quietly lurking on LinkedIn or the one who’s been sharing valuable insights and staying on top of industry trends?

4. Staying Relevant and Informed

The legal field is constantly evolving. New laws, regulations and industry trends emerge regularly, making it crucial for lawyers to stay updated. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for keeping up with these changes. By following industry leaders, joining relevant groups and engaging with content, you stay informed and relevant.

When you share your thoughts or start discussions based on this content, you demonstrate that you’re not just passively consuming information but actively participating in the legal community. This keeps you visible and relevant to both peers and potential clients.

Overcoming Common Concerns

Now, let’s address some of the concerns that might be stopping you from posting on LinkedIn.

1. Fear of Social Media: It’s natural to feel apprehensive about social media, especially if it’s not something you’re used to. Social media can feel like a different world, full of hashtags and likes that might not come naturally.

However, LinkedIn isn’t like other social media platforms. It’s designed for professionals, which means the content and interactions are generally more serious and respectful. You don’t have to worry about the noise and distractions you might find on platforms like Twitter or Facebook. Start small by liking posts or leaving a comment on a post or two. This way, you’ll gradually ease into the platform without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Not Knowing What to Post: You might wonder, “What do I have to say that’s worth sharing?” It’s a common feeling, but you’re likely underestimating the value of your everyday experiences and knowledge. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—start by sharing insights from your daily work. Did you recently learn something new? Did a case or client interaction teach you a valuable lesson? These are all worth sharing.

Remember, what’s routine to you might be enlightening to someone else. Your insights could help a colleague navigate a similar challenge or give a potential client the confidence that you’re the lawyer they need.

3. Time Constraints: Lawyers are busy, and it’s easy to feel like there’s no time for something like posting on LinkedIn. But posting doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. Start by dedicating just 10 minutes a week to LinkedIn. You can share a quick thought, engage with others’ posts or even repost an article that you found interesting. Over time, you might find that these small efforts start to pay off in terms of connections, opportunities and visibility.

Practical Tips to Get You Started on LinkedIn

Not sure where to begin? These practical tips will help you get started on LinkedIn.

1. Begin with What You Know: Your first few posts don’t need to be groundbreaking. Start with what you know best—your area of expertise. Share an article related to your practice area with a few thoughts of your own. If you’ve recently attended a conference or read a compelling case, write a brief post about your takeaways.

2. Engage with Your Network: Posting isn’t the only way to be active on LinkedIn. Engage with your network by liking, commenting or sharing their posts. This strengthens your relationships and increases your visibility on the platform. Engagement is a great way to ease into posting because it helps you get familiar with the type of content that resonates with your network.

3. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key to building your presence on LinkedIn. You don’t need to post every day, but setting a regular schedule (like once a week or bi-weekly) can help you stay on track. Consistent posting shows your network that you’re active and engaged, which helps build your credibility over time.

4. Incorporate Visuals: Visual content tends to catch the eye more than plain text, so whenever possible, include images, infographics or videos in your posts. This could be as simple as a photo from a conference you attended, an infographic summarizing a legal concept or even a short video where you share a tip or insight.

5. Don’t Overthink It: One of the biggest barriers to posting is the fear of getting it wrong. You might worry that your post isn’t perfect or that it won’t resonate with your audience. But here’s the truth: no post is perfect, and not every post will be a hit. The important thing is that you’re putting yourself out there and contributing to the conversation.

If you’re unsure about a post, ask a colleague for feedback or draft it and let it sit for a day before posting. Remember, you can always tweak or delete a post if needed. The key is to start posting and learn as you go.

Final Thoughts

LinkedIn doesn’t have to be intimidating. By addressing your concerns and taking a few small steps, you can start building a presence that enhances your personal brand and opens up new opportunities.

So, why not take that first step? Whether it’s sharing an article, commenting on a colleague’s post or writing your first original piece, LinkedIn is a platform where your voice matters. Your insights are valuable, and by sharing them, you’re not only enhancing your personal brand but also contributing to the broader legal community.

Don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back. Start posting today, and watch your professional network—and your confidence—grow.