Growing your LinkedIn account from scratch to 10,000 followers quickly is achievable by following a structured approach. This guide outlines six essential steps that have proven effective for individuals like Austin Hughes, who transformed his modest following into a robust community of 22,000 engaged followers. To succeed, it's crucial to implement all these strategies diligently.
The first step in building your LinkedIn presence is account positioning, which is vital for success on any social platform. A key framework to determine your positioning is to answer the golden question: What is the primary reason someone in your target audience would follow you? If you can't articulate this in a clear, concise sentence, you need to refine your positioning. Common pitfalls include unclear messaging and trying to cover too many topics. Focus on a specific niche to simplify your value proposition and attract the right audience.
In addition to defining your positioning, identify one to three core beliefs about your industry that may differ from the mainstream. Many founders struggle to gain traction because their content lacks a distinct voice. To stand out, embrace a polarizing viewpoint that resonates with your audience. This approach will help you build a more engaged following.
Once your account is positioned effectively, the next step is to develop a content strategy. Organize your content into a funnel: top, middle, and bottom. Top-of-funnel content is broader and can attract a wider audience, while middle-of-funnel content should focus on industry-specific insights that establish you as a thought leader. Bottom-of-funnel content includes promotional material about your products or services. Strive to create a mix of content types, including text, videos, and graphics, while ensuring consistency in your posting format.
Consistency is key to growing your audience on LinkedIn. Commit to a posting schedule that suits your capacity. Beginners may start with three posts per week, while more experienced users can aim for five or even seven posts weekly. Quality should always be prioritized over quantity, and as you practice, you'll become more efficient at producing high-quality content.
To overcome the initial cold start problem, actively engage with others on the platform. Send 20 outbound connection requests daily to individuals within your target audience. Additionally, spend 20 minutes each day leaving thoughtful comments on relevant posts. This engagement will help you build relationships and increase visibility, leading to greater audience growth.
Continuous improvement is essential for accelerating your growth. Regularly assess your content and identify areas for enhancement. Small, incremental changes can lead to significant results, such as transforming a post from 500 views to 500,000 views. Focus on refining your hooks, storytelling, and the use of relevant examples to enhance your content's effectiveness.
Credibility plays a crucial role in content performance. You can either leverage your own credibility or borrow it from well-known figures and companies in your industry. By referencing prominent names and events in your content, you can attract attention from those unfamiliar with you. However, ensure that you provide unique insights to maintain your audience's interest and build your own credibility over time.
While growing your LinkedIn following is important, converting those followers into revenue is the ultimate goal. Implement the strategies outlined in this guide to build a substantial audience and then focus on monetizing that audience effectively. By following these steps, you can create a thriving LinkedIn presence that drives business success.
Q: What is the first step to growing my LinkedIn account?
A: The first step is account positioning, which involves clearly articulating the primary reason someone in your target audience would follow you.
Q: How can I clarify my core beliefs for LinkedIn?
A: Identify one to three core beliefs about your industry that may differ from the mainstream to help you stand out and resonate with your audience.
Q: What should my content strategy look like?
A: Organize your content into a funnel: top (broad audience), middle (industry-specific insights), and bottom (promotional material). Ensure a mix of content types and consistency.
Q: How often should I post on LinkedIn?
A: Beginners may start with three posts per week, while more experienced users can aim for five to seven posts weekly, prioritizing quality over quantity.
Q: What is proactive engagement and why is it important?
A: Proactive engagement involves actively connecting with others and leaving thoughtful comments on relevant posts to build relationships and increase visibility.
Q: How can I improve my content over time?
A: Regularly assess your content for areas of enhancement and make small, incremental changes to improve effectiveness, such as refining hooks and storytelling.
Q: What is credibility jacking?
A: Credibility jacking involves leveraging your own credibility or borrowing it from well-known figures in your industry to attract attention and build your own credibility.
Q: What is the ultimate goal of growing my LinkedIn following?
A: While growing your following is important, the ultimate goal is to convert those followers into revenue by effectively monetizing your audience.