Hisham Sarwar
LinkedIn has become a powerful platform for professionals to connect, network, and advance their careers. With over 950 million users, the potential to grow your network and expand your influence on the platform is immense. However, gaining more followers on LinkedIn requires a strategic approach. In this article, we’ll discuss five key strategies that can help you increase your LinkedIn following.
1- Show Expertise:
One of the most effective ways to attract followers on LinkedIn is by showcasing your expertise. This platform is designed for professionals to share knowledge, insights, and experiences related to their industry or field. To demonstrate your expertise:
- Publish Quality Content: Regularly share well-researched articles, blog posts, and updates that provide value to your network. These should highlight your knowledge and experience in your field.
- Engage in Thought Leadership: Engage in meaningful discussions, post thought-provoking questions, and offer solutions to industry challenges. Being seen as a thought leader can help attract followers who value your insights.
- Highlight Achievements: Share your accomplishments and projects you’ve worked on. Success stories and case studies can be powerful tools to establish yourself as an expert in your domain.
2- Personal Branding:
Your personal brand is crucial in the professional world, and LinkedIn is an excellent platform to build and showcase it. Your personal branding strategy should:
- Use a Professional Profile Picture: A high-quality headshot with a professional appearance is essential. It creates a positive first impression and shows that you take your LinkedIn presence seriously.
- Craft a Strong Headline: Your headline should be more than just your job title. It should succinctly convey your expertise, passion, and unique selling points.
- Write a Compelling Summary: Your LinkedIn summary allows you to tell your professional story. Share your journey, your values, and your vision.
- Recommendations and Endorsements: Encourage colleagues and connections to write recommendations for your skills and expertise. This social proof can enhance your credibility
- Creating your personal hashtag and also including popular hashtags in your posts weighs a long way.
- Create a Newsletter and add value to your readers. The key here is to flip features into benefits. People always look for “what is in it for them”. Educate your audience, and keep them well-informed about the latest updates in your niche.
3- Cater to a Wider Audience:
Expanding your LinkedIn network requires reaching beyond your immediate circle. If you publish posts that cater to a specific niche, you will only grow inside that category but the key to growth on LinkedIn is to cater to a broader audience so people with common interests can follow you.
- Connect with a Purpose: When sending connection requests, customize your message to explain why you want to connect. It’s more likely to be accepted if you share a common interest or goal.
- Join Groups and Participate: LinkedIn Groups are a great way to interact with professionals who share your interests. Engage in discussions and share your insights within relevant groups.
- Follow Influencers: Following industry leaders and influencers can expose you to a wider audience. Their posts may also provide inspiration for your content.
- Post Jobs: Are you hiring? If yes, the best platform to post your next job is LinkedIn. Not only the potential job seekers follow your profile for future job opportunities, but your opinion about important matters in your niche is also valued.
4- You’re a Human:
While LinkedIn is a professional platform, it’s essential to remember that you’re connecting with real people. Building authentic relationships can help you attract followers. Be personable by:
- Engaging with Stories: Share personal anecdotes and experiences that relate to your professional journey. This humanizes your profile and helps people connect with you personally.
- Respond to Comments and Messages: Actively engage with your connections. Responding to comments on your posts and promptly addressing messages shows that you’re approachable.
- Give Back: Show appreciation for your followers and connections by acknowledging their achievements and supporting their content. A simple “congratulations” or “well done” can go a long way.
5- Engage With Your Audience:
Engagement is a two-way street on LinkedIn. To build a loyal following, you should actively interact with your audience:
- Respond to Comments: When people engage with your content, respond to their comments thoughtfully. This shows that you value their input and are interested in meaningful conversations.
- Ask Questions: Encourage discussions by posing questions in your posts. Questions stimulate engagement and create opportunities for you to share your expertise.
- Live Video and Webinars: Hosting live video sessions and webinars can be a great way to engage your audience in real time. It’s an opportunity for direct interaction and Q&A.
Gaining more followers on LinkedIn is not just about accumulating numbers; it’s about building a network of engaged and relevant connections. By showcasing your expertise, working on personal branding, reaching a broader audience, humanizing your profile, and actively engaging with your network, you can grow your LinkedIn following while also enhancing your professional presence. Remember that it’s a journey, and consistent effort will yield rewarding results.
You can follow me on LinkedIn here.
