Should I Use Humor on LinkedIn? How?

It depends on you

"Should I use humor on LinkedIn?" is one of those questions where the real answer is "it depends." And I don't mean that as a cop-out. It genuinely depends on who you are, who your audience is, and whether humor comes naturally to you or feels like putting on a costume.

Here's how to figure that out. And if the answer is yes, how to actually pull it off without wrecking your professional reputation.

Ask Yourself These Questions First

Before you try being funny on LinkedIn, sit with these honestly:

Is humor natural to me? Do people in your real life -- at work, at dinner, in meetings -- laugh at things you say? If humor is part of how you naturally communicate, it'll translate to LinkedIn. If you're not naturally funny in conversation, forcing it in writing is going to feel awkward for everyone.

Can I be funny without being mean? This is the big one. Humor that works on LinkedIn never punches down. If your instinct is to be cutting or sarcastic in ways that could make someone feel small, LinkedIn isn't the place. The platform rewards humor that's warm, observational, or self-aware.

Does my audience appreciate humor? If your audience is mostly C-suite executives in traditional industries, humor needs to be subtle and sophisticated. If you're talking to startup founders and tech workers, you've got a lot more room. Think about who's actually reading your posts and what would make them smile versus what would make them unfollow.

If you answered yes to all three, humor is probably a strong move for your content. If you hesitated on any of them, that doesn't mean you can never use humor -- but start small and pay close attention to how people respond.

Types of Humor That Work on LinkedIn

Self-deprecating humor. Making fun of yourself is almost always safe and almost always endearing. An embarrassing moment, a naive mistake from early in your career, a time you were hilariously wrong about something -- it makes you relatable. People love seeing that successful professionals don't take themselves too seriously.

Observational humor about your industry. Every industry has its absurdities. The jargon nobody actually understands. The unspoken truths everyone recognizes but nobody says. Pointing these out in a lighthearted way creates instant connection. "Why does every enterprise software demo start with a slide about the company's founding year?" That kind of thing makes people nod and laugh at the same time.

Absurd comparisons and analogies. Comparing a professional experience to something completely unrelated can be surprisingly effective. "Managing a product launch is basically like planning a wedding where the venue changes three times and half the guests cancel the day before." It's exaggeration for comic effect, and it works because there's truth underneath.

Unexpected honesty. Sometimes the funniest thing you can do on LinkedIn is just be honest about something everyone experiences but nobody says out loud. "I've been on LinkedIn for 10 years and I still don't understand what half my connections actually do." That kind of candor, delivered with a light touch, resonates deeply.

Types of Humor to Avoid

Sarcasm. It almost never lands in text, especially with an audience that doesn't know you personally. What sounds witty in your head reads as rude or confusing to a stranger scrolling their feed.

Inside jokes. If the humor needs context your audience doesn't have, it falls flat. LinkedIn is a wide audience. Your joke should work for someone who's never met you.

Anything that punches down. Don't make fun of junior employees, job seekers, people who are struggling, or anyone in a vulnerable position. It's not funny -- it's mean. And LinkedIn audiences will let you know.

Forced memes or trends. Referencing a meme that doesn't naturally connect to your point feels like trying too hard. If you have to explain why it's funny, it's not.

Jokes at a specific person's or company's expense. Even if you think the target deserves it, this kind of humor creates way more risk than reward. It comes across as petty.

People Who Use Humor Well on LinkedIn

A few creators who blend humor with substance really well: Sam Parr uses blunt, irreverent humor rooted in real business experience. Dave Gerhardt mixes dry wit with actionable marketing advice. Sara Blakely shares hilarious personal stories tied to business lessons. All three prove you can be funny and credible at the same time.

Study how they do it. The humor always serves a point -- it's never just a joke for the sake of a joke. There's always a takeaway, an insight, or a lesson baked in.

How to Start Using Humor Safely

If you want to experiment but you're nervous about it, here's a low-risk way to start:

• Start with self-deprecating humor. It's the safest kind and the easiest to pull off. Share a funny mistake or an honest moment of confusion from your career.
• Test with a small observation. Pick something in your industry that's universally relatable and poke fun at it gently. See what happens.
• Read it out loud before posting. If it sounds like something you'd actually say in a conversation, it'll probably read well. If it sounds like you're doing a stand-up routine, dial it back.
• Don't make every post funny. Even the most humorous LinkedIn creators mix in serious, substantive content. Humor should be a spice, not the main course.

If you're using TeamPost to draft and schedule your posts, try drafting both a humorous version and a straight version of the same idea. See which one feels more natural. Over time, you'll develop an instinct for when humor helps your message and when it gets in the way.

If humor is genuinely part of who you are, bring it to LinkedIn. But if it doesn't come naturally, that's completely fine. Sincerity, depth, and expertise are just as compelling. Not every great LinkedIn creator is funny. But every great one is genuine.

Figure out what fits your personality: the 7 LinkedIn writing styles that work. And if you're feeling self-conscious, read how to get over the LinkedIn cringe.