Here's the thing about LinkedIn that most people miss: the platform is just the beginning. The real magic happens when comments turn into conversations, and conversations turn into relationships.
I know a founder who landed her lead investor through a comment thread. A consultant who got his biggest client after months of thoughtful engagement. A job-seeker who skipped the application pile because a VP already knew her name from her insights.
The comments were just the door. The relationship was what mattered.
The relationship ladder:
Think of it as stages:
- Stranger - They don't know you exist
- Regular commenter - They recognize your name
- Valued contributor - They look forward to your insights
- Connection - You're connected, you've DM'd
- Relationship - Mutual benefit, real trust, maybe even offline
Moving through the stages:
Stranger → Regular (2-4 weeks)
- Comment consistently on their posts
- Always add value, never be generic
- Stay visible, don't disappear
Regular → Valued (1-2 months)
- Share additional resources or insights
- Reference previous conversations ("Building on what you said last week...")
- Ask thoughtful follow-up questions
- They start replying to YOUR comments specifically
Valued → Connected (when it feels natural)
- Send a connection request with context
- "Loved our discussions on [topic], would be great to connect"
- DM with something specific and valuable
Connected → Relationship (ongoing)
- Share opportunities, not just content
- Make introductions when relevant
- Meet in person if possible
- Collaborate on content or projects
The time horizon:
This isn't a 2-week strategy. Real relationships take months. Some of my most valuable professional relationships started with a comment, and took a year to develop into anything meaningful.
But when they do? They're worth more than thousands of cold connections.
Signs you're doing it right:
- They start commenting on YOUR posts
- They tag you in relevant discussions
- They respond to your DMs quickly
- They introduce you to others
- They say "I always see your comments"
The mindset shift:
Stop thinking of comments as a growth tactic. Start thinking of them as the first line of a conversation with someone you might know for decades.
Because that's what they are.
"The LinkedIn algorithm rewards conversation, not broadcasting. The more genuine replies your post generates, the wider it travels." - Richard van der Blom, LinkedIn Algorithm Researcher, Author of the annual LinkedIn Algorithm Report
Related resources:
- Write better comments: How to Write Valuable LinkedIn Comments That Get Noticed
- Avoid generic comments: How to Avoid the Generic Comment Trap
- Next step - DMs: How to Write LinkedIn DMs That Actually Get Replies
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to move from the comments to a DM?
The "right" time is when you've had 2-3 back-and-forth exchanges in the comments that felt natural and valuable. At that point, a DM feels like a continuation of a conversation rather than a cold outreach (LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, 2024).
Should I ask for a meeting in my first DM?
Rarely. Unless the person has explicitly invited it, your first DM should focus on adding more value or asking a specific, low-friction question. Jumping straight to a "coffee chat" can feel too aggressive and often leads to non-responses (LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, 2024).
How do I handle it if someone doesn't reply to my comment?
Don't take it personally. Large creators often receive hundreds of comments and simply can't get to all of them. Keep showing up and adding value; eventually, you will catch their eye. Persistence and quality always win out (Richard van der Blom, 2025).