How to Grow Your LinkedIn Following the Right Way: A Reality Check

Ever wonder why your LinkedIn following isn’t growing the way you’d expect, despite following all the "expert" advice? 🤔 I recently watched a video by Ishan Sharma on boosting LinkedIn followers. His tips sounded great at first, but here’s the shocking twist: even he doesn’t follow his own advice! 😳

The Reality Check 📊

It's easy to get caught up in the idea that following influencers with massive followings will somehow help grow your own network. After all, we’re all drawn to shiny, high-profile accounts, right? However, what’s the real benefit?

Let’s be honest: Following someone for the sake of their follower count or engaging content doesn’t necessarily translate into meaningful growth for you. Sure, your follower count may increase, but does it lead to real connections, valuable insights, or opportunities? Often, the answer is no.

Here’s the truth: simply following people to increase your numbers or boost visibility doesn’t always help you achieve your professional goals. If you want genuine LinkedIn success, it’s time to rethink how you approach your connections.

The Pro Tip 💡

So, what’s the smarter approach? Instead of blindly following people because they have a large following, focus on those who:

✦ Actively engage with their audience: Don’t just follow someone who posts content and disappears. Look for people who interact with their community, reply to comments, and offer real conversations. That’s how you can build a meaningful connection.

✦ Offer consistent, valuable advice: It’s not about posting once in a while. Find individuals who consistently share insightful, helpful content that aligns with your professional goals or interests. Valuable content keeps you learning and evolving.

✦ Provide actionable insights: It’s not enough to read posts or watch videos. You need actionable advice that you can implement in your own life. Whether it's tips on career growth, networking, or personal development—seek out people whose advice you can actually apply.

Remember, quality over quantity. Following 100 accounts who rarely engage with their followers won’t get you anywhere. But connecting with just a handful of people who truly add value can make a significant impact on your professional journey.

What to Do if They Don’t Engage 👋

Here’s where things get real: If the people you follow don’t engage with you—whether it’s accepting your connection request or responding to your comments—don’t waste time waiting for a response. Move on.

If someone doesn’t engage with you after a reasonable amount of time (say, a week or so), it’s clear they’re either not active enough or not genuinely interested in building a real relationship. There are plenty of other experts and professionals out there who will engage with you and actually help you grow.

The Key to LinkedIn Success 🔑

Here’s the bottom line: LinkedIn isn’t about mindlessly following influencers or building a huge follower count for the sake of it. Success on LinkedIn comes from cultivating a network of people who provide real value, offer meaningful connections, and engage in two-way conversations.

Stop wasting time following anyone and everyone. Be strategic with your connections. Focus on quality, not quantity. Look for people who can offer guidance, actionable tips, and build a lasting professional relationship with you.

Final Thoughts 💬

So, the next time you decide to follow someone on LinkedIn, ask yourself: Are they adding value to my network? Will their insights help me grow in the long term? If the answer is yes, then connect with them. If not, don’t hesitate to move on and find someone who truly aligns with your goals.

In the end, it’s not about how many followers you have—it’s about how many meaningful connections you can make that truly help you grow, learn, and succeed.