How to Schedule LinkedIn Posts: Complete Guide
How to Schedule LinkedIn Posts: Complete Guide
You can schedule LinkedIn posts directly through LinkedIn (free) or using third-party tools (more features). LinkedIn's native scheduler works for basic needs—select "Schedule for later" when creating a post, pick your date and time, and you're done. Third-party tools add bulk scheduling, cross-platform posting, and analytics.
Scheduling lets you batch your content creation and maintain consistency without being online during business hours.
Why Schedule LinkedIn Posts
LinkedIn rewards consistency. The algorithm favors accounts that post regularly, and your audience learns to expect content from you at certain times. But most professionals can't stop their workday to post at optimal times.
Scheduling solves this:
- Hit optimal times — Post at 9 AM Tuesday even if you're in meetings
- Batch content creation — Create a week's content in one focused session
- Maintain consistency — Never miss your posting schedule
- Plan strategically — See your content calendar and ensure balanced topics
- Reduce stress — No more scrambling for last-minute posts
Method 1: LinkedIn's Native Scheduler
LinkedIn offers free scheduling for both personal profiles and company pages.
How to Schedule a Post
- Go to your LinkedIn home feed
- Click Start a post
- Write your content and add any media
- Click the clock icon next to the Post button
- Select Schedule for later
- Choose your date and time
- Click Schedule
Your post will publish automatically at the scheduled time.
Managing Scheduled Posts
To view or edit scheduled posts:
- Go to your profile
- Click Posts & Activity
- Select Scheduled from the filter options
- Edit or delete as needed
Limitations of Native Scheduling
- No bulk scheduling — One post at a time
- No cross-platform — LinkedIn only
- Basic calendar view — Hard to see your full content plan
- Limited analytics — Basic engagement metrics only
- No team features — Difficult for multiple people to manage
Method 2: Third-Party Scheduling Tools
For more advanced needs, third-party tools offer additional features.
What Third-Party Tools Add
| Feature | Native LinkedIn | Third-Party Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule posts | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk scheduling | No | Yes |
| Visual calendar | Basic | Advanced |
| Cross-platform | No | Yes |
| Team collaboration | No | Yes |
| Advanced analytics | No | Yes |
| Content recycling | No | Some tools |
| Best-time suggestions | No | Some tools |
How to Choose a Tool
Consider these factors:
For solo professionals:
- Look for affordable per-account pricing
- Cross-platform posting if you manage multiple networks
- Simple interface over complex features
For teams:
- Approval workflows for content review
- Role-based permissions
- Shared content calendars
For agencies:
- Client workspaces for separation
- White-label options
- Bulk actions and templates
Popular Options
Most social media management tools support LinkedIn scheduling:
- All-in-one platforms (Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social)
- Affordable alternatives like Posta
- LinkedIn-specific tools
Evaluate based on your budget and which platforms you manage beyond LinkedIn.
Best Times to Post on LinkedIn
LinkedIn activity follows the traditional workweek. Professionals check it during business hours, not evenings or weekends.
Optimal Posting Times
| Day | Best Times | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8-10 AM, 12-1 PM | Midweek productivity mode |
| Wednesday | 8-10 AM, 12-1 PM | Peak midweek engagement |
| Thursday | 8-10 AM, 12-1 PM | Still strong before Friday wind-down |
| Monday | 8-10 AM | Good but competing with week-start tasks |
| Friday | 8-10 AM | Decreasing attention toward weekend |
Avoid: Weekends and evenings typically see significantly lower engagement.
Time Zone Considerations
If your audience spans time zones:
- Identify your primary audience location
- Optimize for that time zone
- Consider posting twice daily for global audiences
Building a LinkedIn Content Calendar
Scheduling works best with a content plan behind it.
Weekly Structure Example
| Day | Content Type |
|---|---|
| Monday | Industry insight or news commentary |
| Tuesday | How-to or educational content |
| Wednesday | Personal story or lesson learned |
| Thursday | Company/team highlight or case study |
| Friday | Question or conversation starter |
Content Pillars for LinkedIn
Build your calendar around 3-5 themes:
- Industry expertise — Share knowledge in your field
- Professional insights — Lessons from your experience
- Behind-the-scenes — Humanize yourself or your company
- Thought leadership — Opinions on industry trends
- Community engagement — Questions, polls, discussions
Batching Your Creation
Instead of creating content daily:
- Block 2-3 hours weekly for content creation
- Draft all posts for the coming week
- Schedule everything in one session
- Spend daily time on engagement (comments, replies)
This separation makes both creation and engagement more effective.
LinkedIn Scheduling Best Practices
Do
- Post consistently — Same days and times each week
- Vary your content types — Text, images, documents, videos
- Check scheduled posts — Review before they go live
- Engage after posting — Reply to comments within the first hour
- Track performance — Adjust timing based on your analytics
Don't
- Schedule and forget — Be present for engagement
- Post too frequently — 1 post per weekday is plenty; more can feel spammy
- Ignore analytics — Your data should drive scheduling decisions
- Use the same content everywhere — Adapt for LinkedIn's professional context
- Schedule controversial content — Be available for sensitive topics
Common Scheduling Questions
Does LinkedIn Penalize Scheduled Posts?
No. LinkedIn doesn't distinguish between scheduled and manual posts in how it distributes content. Consistent posting at optimal times typically improves engagement.
Can I Edit a Scheduled Post?
Yes, both in LinkedIn's native scheduler and most third-party tools. Find your scheduled posts, make changes, and save.
What If I Want to Post Now Instead?
You can always post manually even if you have scheduled content. Just be mindful of posting too frequently in one day.
Should I Schedule on Weekends?
Generally no for LinkedIn. Professional content performs best during business hours on weekdays. Save weekend scheduling for more casual platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule posts on LinkedIn for free?
Yes. LinkedIn offers native scheduling for both personal profiles and company pages at no cost. You're limited to scheduling one post at a time without bulk features, but it covers basic needs. Third-party tools offer more features but typically require paid subscriptions.
Does scheduling hurt LinkedIn engagement?
No. LinkedIn doesn't penalize scheduled posts—the algorithm treats them the same as manual posts. In fact, consistent posting at optimal times typically improves engagement compared to sporadic manual posting whenever you happen to be free.
What's the best time to post on LinkedIn?
Tuesday through Thursday, 8-10 AM and 12-1 PM in your audience's time zone. LinkedIn activity closely follows the traditional workweek—professionals check it during business hours, especially around start-of-day and lunch breaks. Weekends and evenings see significantly lower engagement.
Can I schedule LinkedIn carousels and documents?
LinkedIn's native scheduler supports document posts (PDFs that display as carousels). Most third-party tools also support document uploads, though some have format limitations. Check your specific tool's capabilities if documents are central to your strategy.
Ready to schedule your LinkedIn content consistently? Posta lets you plan your LinkedIn posts alongside other platforms, schedule at optimal times, and track performance—all from one dashboard. Start your 7-day free trial.