How to Turn LinkedIn Comments Into Conversations

The Missed Opportunity Sitting in Your Notifications

You check your LinkedIn notifications. Someone thoughtful just left a comment on your post. It's not generic—they clearly read what you wrote and added a genuine perspective.

You hit "Like" on their comment. Maybe you reply with a quick "Thanks!" And then... nothing.

You both move on. The thread dies. The opportunity to turn that micro-interaction into a real relationship? Gone.

Here's the truth most people miss: Comments are not the end of engagement—they're the beginning of something bigger. Every thoughtful comment is a warm door, cracked open. But most professionals never walk through it.

This post is about how to turn LinkedIn comments—both the ones you leave and the ones you receive—into genuine conversations, valuable connections, and tangible opportunities. You'll learn when to move from public threads to private DMs, how to do it naturally, and what to say to keep momentum alive.

Why Comments Matter More Than DMs

Cold DMs are hard. They require context, personalization, and perfect timing. Even then, most go unanswered.

But when someone comments on your post—or when you comment on theirs—the context is already there. You're not interrupting. You're continuing a conversation that's already started.

Here's why comment-based networking works better than cold outreach:

• It's opt-in engagement. They commented because they care about the topic. That's a signal of interest you can build on.
• There's already shared context. You both engaged with the same idea, problem, or story. That's an instant connection point.
• Public visibility builds credibility. When others see your thoughtful comments, you're positioning yourself as someone worth connecting with—before you even send a DM.

In short: Comments lower the barrier to real conversation. The question is, how do you take it from thread to relationship?

Step 1: Start With Observant, Value-Adding Comments

Not all comments are created equal. Most fall flat because they're too generic, too short, or too self-promotional.

Here's what doesn't work:

• "Great post!"
• "Totally agree 👍"
• "This is so true. Check out my post about [shameless plug]."

These comments get ignored—or worse, they signal that you didn't actually read the post.

Here's what does work—comments that:

• Reference something specific from the post. "Your point about [specific insight] really resonated—especially the part about [detail]."
• Add a new perspective or story. "We tried something similar at [Company] and found that [unique insight]. Curious if you've seen that too?"
• Ask a thoughtful question. "This makes me wonder: how would you apply this in [specific scenario]?"

These comments do two things: they show you're paying attention, and they naturally invite a reply. That's the foundation of a comment strategy that creates conversation, not just noise.

Step 2: Identify When to Move to DMs

Not every comment thread should turn into a DM. The key is recognizing when someone is open to going deeper.

Here are the signals that indicate someone is ready for a private conversation:

• They reply thoughtfully to your comment. If they're engaging back—not just liking, but adding substance—they're interested.
• The conversation feels like it's building momentum. You've exchanged 2–3 messages in the thread, and the dialogue is getting more specific.
• They ask you a question. This is a green light. They're curious about your perspective, experience, or approach.
• The topic is getting too detailed for a public thread. When the conversation starts requiring paragraphs or deeper context, it's time to move to DMs.

Example transition:

"This is a great discussion—I'd love to continue this without clogging up the comments. Mind if I send you a quick DM?"

Simple. Direct. Low-pressure.

Step 3: Bridge Naturally (Public → Private)

The jump from comment thread to DM can feel awkward if you don't frame it right. Here's a formula that works:

Acknowledge → Context → Offer

• Acknowledge: Reference the comment thread. "Really enjoyed your take on [topic] in the comments on [Post Author]'s post."
• Context: Explain why you're reaching out. "I've been working on something similar and your perspective stood out."
• Offer: Give them a reason to engage. "I'd love to share what I've learned and hear more about your approach—no pitch, just a genuine exchange."

Example DM:

"Hey [Name], I loved your comment on [Author]'s post about [topic]—especially your point about [specific detail]. I've been navigating something similar with [context], and your perspective was spot-on. Would love to pick your brain for 10 minutes if you're open to it. Either way, appreciate the insight you shared!"

Why this works: You're not asking for a favor. You're acknowledging their expertise, explaining why their insight matters, and making it easy to say yes (or no). This is exactly how to continue conversations privately without feeling pushy.

Step 4: Keep the Momentum Alive

So they replied to your DM. Great! Now what?

This is where most people drop the ball. They get the reply, have a nice conversation, and then... nothing. The connection fades.

Here are three ways to keep the relationship going:

• Set a follow-up reminder. If the conversation ends on a natural note ("Let's stay in touch!"), set a reminder to check in 2–3 weeks later. Share an article, reference a new post they wrote, or revisit the topic you discussed.
• Engage with their content regularly. Like, comment, share. Stay present in their world without being intrusive. Consistency builds familiarity.
• Look for reasons to reconnect. Did they post about a challenge you can help with? Did they achieve a milestone? These are natural, low-pressure opportunities to re-engage.

The goal isn't to be in constant contact—it's to stay memorable. Small, thoughtful touchpoints over time build lasting relationships.

Step 5: Leverage Comment Threads for Discovery

Here's a pro move most people miss: the best prospects aren't just the people you comment on—they're the people commenting on the same posts as you.

When you see a thoughtful comment on a post you care about, click into that person's profile. If they're in your target audience or have relevant expertise, engage with them directly:

• Reply to their comment in the thread. "Great point, [Name]—I hadn't thought about [specific detail]. Do you have experience with [related topic]?"
• Send a connection request referencing the thread. "Saw your comment on [Author]'s post about [topic]—your take on [detail] was spot-on. Would love to connect!"
• Follow their activity. If they consistently comment on topics you care about, they're worth staying connected to.

Comment threads are goldmines for finding engaged, thoughtful people in your space. Most professionals ignore this entirely.

Step 6: Tools to Help You Track and Engage

As you start turning comments into conversations, you'll quickly realize it's hard to keep track manually. That's where smart tools come in.

Pursue Networking (ANDI) is built exactly for this. It helps you:

• Track comment-based relationships. Tag people based on where you met them (e.g., "Engaged on [Author]'s post") so you remember the context.
• Set follow-up reminders. "Check in with [Name] in 2 weeks" keeps relationships from slipping through the cracks.
• See engagement history at a glance. Know who you've interacted with, when, and what you talked about—so every follow-up feels personal, not generic.

The goal isn't to automate relationships—it's to systematize the small actions that build them. Tools like ANDI let you focus on being thoughtful, not on remembering who you talked to three weeks ago.

The "3 Comment" Rule

Here's a simple framework to avoid coming off too strong: Engage three times publicly before sending a DM.

This could look like:

• Comment #1: Leave a thoughtful comment on one of their posts.
• Comment #2: Reply to a comment they left on someone else's post.
• Comment #3: React to or share something they posted.

By the time you send a DM, you're not a stranger—you're someone who's been showing up in their world. This is the same philosophy behind building consistent habits that compound into real results.

Why this works: Familiarity lowers resistance. When they see your name in their DMs, they'll think, "Oh, I recognize them!" instead of "Who is this?"

Micro-Conversations → Macro Opportunities

Every big opportunity—whether it's a partnership, a client, a job offer—starts with a small exchange. A comment. A reply. A thoughtful DM.

The professionals who win on LinkedIn aren't the ones with the biggest audiences. They're the ones who know how to turn small moments into meaningful relationships.

So the next time you see a thoughtful comment on your post—or the next time you leave one on someone else's—ask yourself: Could this become something more?

Most of the time, the answer is yes. You just have to take the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you turn LinkedIn comments into conversations?

Start by leaving thoughtful, specific comments that reference details from the post and add value. When someone replies meaningfully, continue the discussion in the thread. Once the conversation builds momentum (2–3 exchanges), transition naturally to DMs by saying something like, "This is a great discussion—mind if I send you a DM to continue?" In your DM, acknowledge the thread, provide context for why you're reaching out, and offer value rather than making an ask.

When should I move a comment conversation to LinkedIn messages?

Move to DMs when you notice these signals: the person is replying thoughtfully (not just liking), you've exchanged 2–3 messages and momentum is building, they ask you a question, or the conversation is getting too detailed for a public thread. The key is to transition when engagement feels natural, not forced. If someone is giving one-word replies or only liking your comments, they're probably not ready for a DM yet.

How can I keep LinkedIn conversations going?

After a good initial exchange, set a reminder to follow up in 2–3 weeks with something relevant—a helpful article, a reference to their recent post, or an update on the topic you discussed. Between formal check-ins, engage with their content regularly by liking, commenting, and sharing. Look for natural trigger events (they post about a challenge, achieve a milestone, or share news) to reconnect. The goal is consistent, thoughtful touchpoints over time—not constant contact.

Can tools help manage comment-based networking?

Yes. Networking tools like ANDI help you tag connections based on where you met them (e.g., "Engaged on Sarah's post"), set follow-up reminders so relationships don't slip through the cracks, and track engagement history so you remember context from previous conversations. The key is using tools to systemize small actions—not to automate them. Tools should help you be more thoughtful and consistent, not replace genuine human interaction.

Next step: Take control of your LinkedIn relationships — Try ANDI Free.