This Is How I Reached 10,000 Followers on LinkedIn

My ideas for you to copy

I wrote about my experience on Linkedin previously, and they are attached below under “Related Stories From The Author.” for further exploration of Linkedin topics. This story details my journey of growing followers, specifically how I went from 1 to 10,000 followers under 5 months.

First, a little explanation of my motivation to do Linkedin.

My motivation for a Linkedin presence is simple. I needed to build my professional network. I needed to have peers I can bounce ideas with. And I wanted to explore other career options. That’s all it is.

I downloaded the application onto my smartphone. Then I figured that Linkedin isn’t a passive tool. It is a software that allows ideas to cross-pollinate. To thrive, I had to contribute. And so, I did.

It was then I started to experience slight growth in the follower population. It was tough at first. The first 3 months were linear growth. I will probably initial connection with 10 industry peers, and I would get 5 invites on the same day.

Then the point of exponential growth came when I started getting 20, 30, 40 invites to connect in a day. It was then I turned slightly passive. I allowed my account to grow without my interference.

The kid has grown up.

It takes work and effort to grow the Linkedin account. I will detail the Dos and Do-Nots below, sharing what works and what do not. This ensures that the readers will get the best learning takeaway while avoiding the path of futile results.

Do-Nots # 1 — Do Not Give Likes Incessantly.

There is no value in giving Likes incessantly. While it does make the content contributor feel good, take note. That is all it is.

We are contributing to the content contributor’s reach by spreading his/her work to our connections. In short, we magnify their digital marketing. We are probably selling ourselves short.

Our network trusts our content and endorsement. Do not just give “Likes” incessantly. When our network realizes that lack-of quality filters through us, our engagement metrics will crash.

Do-Nots # 2 — Do Not Use Direct Message To “Get Friends.”.

I will make 2 points here.

This is my first point — There are many people out there who are trying to do business with us under the pretext of “Friendship.”. Their technique starts with making friends, and within 3 sentences, trying to sell us something.

If we are turned off, then we should not do this. We will be ignored till perpetuity.

And my second point — There is a purpose in the Direct Message function on Linkedin. Use it for professional purposes, and let people know our genuine intent.

When I needed to seek advice from a peer in the same industry as I am, having more years of experience as I do, I said what I intended to seek. The result was genuine trust and further referral.

Harassing our peers through Direct Messages trying to sell for the sake of selling will not work. I have disconnected from such folks, especially when they text every other day using the disguise of “maintaining professional relationships.”.

I am not too sure how that works because I know it doesn’t work.

Now, onto the fun stuff.

Dos # 1 — Do Create Content.

To thrive on Linkedin, creating content is a must. The question is, what types of content?

Typically, content with a motivation spin, solving workplace problems, allowing others to grow their connections through your work. This is no different from the way a successful sales professional thinks. They don’t assume that they provide value to get your attention.

This is one of my Linkedin content about how I felt after work.

This is another piece of my content where I wrote about complications in the workplace.

They are contextualized to the workplace, and how I felt, which is the social element required in social media.

If we can create content that helps others to solve a potential problem at work because we have done so successfully, that piece of content will go far.

Remember, as we get likes or comments, it pushes our contents further into our 2nd-degree, 3rd-degree contacts’ network.

That is where we get our exponential growth.

Dos # 2 — Do Comment To Help Or Appreciate.

Commentating as a strategy is time-efficient. This is especially true when time is the issue.

I would comment while commuting to work. I do this when the commute is short or when the transport is jerking too much for me to focus on the screen.

Commentating works for engagement. This is like the Quid Pro Quo in action within the Social Media space. Content creators want to know that people value their content. While getting multiple Likes does the job, comments come across as being more personalized and genuine.

Authentic engagement matters.

We can feel it. Doing this pulls our network closer to us. They will look forward to our content when we publish ours.

SIDE NOTE — What About Job Searching On Linkedin?

Direct job searches do not that well compare to having access to career head-hunters. If we are searching for the next career spring, I suggest the following.

Search for head-hunters’ profile on Linkedin, initiate connect with a note explaining why we want to connect. Grab their professional email addresses from Linkedin and email them subsequently. Based on my previous experience, this works way better.

At least I received call-backs.

As for applying for jobs on Linkedin itself, well, do that when you need to feel good because you have done something. There will be results, though the yield will be low.

My Thoughts.

As with all growing our presence on any social media platform, it takes work. Linkedin is no different.

The difference is on the topic of engagement and content creation. If we can push out our experience in problem-solving and helping others get better daily, our follower population will explode.

Authenticity works. Your peers will start coming to you.

Linkedin Is About Link In, Aldric

Related Stories from the Author.

About the Author:

As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure.

Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.

As a Consultant by training, I believe in making the complex simple.

Because simplicity adds value.

And with clarity — We grow.

Follow me for my stories on Medium!

This is more “About Me”.

Do reach out and say hi on Linkedin!