What Is More Effective? LinkedIn Followers vs. Connections

LinkedIn followers are people who see your updates and posts in their feeds. You don't have to approve them, like you do with connections. When someone follows you, they see the content you share on their homepage. This includes articles, posts, and any updates. It's a one-way interaction. They can see your content, but you don't see theirs unless you follow them back. 

Followers can be anyone on LinkedIn who finds your content valuable or interesting. This can include people outside your immediate network. Having many followers means your ideas and updates can reach a wider audience. This is great for sharing your thoughts and growing your personal brand.

How Do You Follow Someone on LinkedIn?

Following someone on LinkedIn is easy. Here's how you do it:

1. Go to the person's LinkedIn profile. You can find them by typing their name in the search bar at the top.
2. Look for the “Follow” button on their profile. It's usually next to the “Connect” button.
3. Click “Follow.” You'll see their posts and updates in your newsfeed, but you won't be a direct connection.

How Can You Get More Followers?

To get more followers on LinkedIn, here are three strategies:

1. Share Useful Content: Post blog articles, updates, and insights that offer real value. Topics should relate to your industry or interests. High-quality, helpful content gets noticed and shared by followers. This brings more eyes to your profile. 
2. ‍Use Hashtags: Add relevant hashtags to your posts. Hashtags help people find your content when they search for those topics. This makes your posts visible to a wider audience, not your connections.‍
3. Engage With Your Followers: Comment on, like, and share other people's posts. When you engage with others, they will likely check out your profile and follow you. Plus, your comments can appear in your connections' feeds, giving you more visibility.

These methods can help increase your follower count. More followers mean a wider audience for your messages and content.

Social media connections on LinkedIn are people you "link up" with. Think of them as your LinkedIn friends. When you connect with someone, you both agree to share your networks. You can see each other's updates, posts, and news. It's a two-way street.

To make a connection, you send or accept a connection request. Once it's a yes, you're connected. This is great for growing your professional circle. You get to know more people in your field or areas you're interested in. 

But there's more: you can connect with people outside your field. For example, if you want to communicate with people outside your industry, you can do that. Making connections doesn't limit you to your industry.

Having connections on LinkedIn helps a lot. It can lead to finding new job opportunities, getting advice, or finding new clients. LinkedIn connections make your network bigger. Like they say, it's not what you know — it's who you know.

How Do You Connect on LinkedIn?

Connecting with someone on LinkedIn is simple. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the person's LinkedIn profile. Use the search bar to find them.
2. Click the “Connect” button on their profile page. It's usually near their name.
3. You can add a note to your connection request. It's a good idea to say why you want to connect. This can make them more likely to accept.
4. After you write your note, click “Send.” Now, they'll get your request. If they accept, your connection is complete. 

Making more connections on LinkedIn isn't hard. Here's how you can do it:

1. Personalize Connection Requests: Add a personal message when you send a request. Tell them why you want to connect. You could read an article they wrote, or you have common interests. This personal touch can make them more likely to say yes.
2. Join LinkedIn Groups: Find groups related to your field or interests. Join them and take part in discussions. This helps you meet new people. You can learn from them, and they can learn from you. After some chat, send a connection request.
3. Attend Virtual LinkedIn Events: LinkedIn has many online events. These can be webinars or workshops. When you join these, you meet people who care about the same things you do. After the event, you can connect by talking about what you learned.

Share and Comment on Posts: If you like a post, comment. Share your thoughts. This starts conversations. The person who made the post and others who read it might want to connect with you.

Using these strategies can help you grow your LinkedIn network. More connections can mean more chances to learn, find jobs, or get new clients.

On LinkedIn, "followers" and "connections" serve different roles in growing your network. It comes down to how you choose to interact.

Followers are people who see your posts in their newsfeeds. You don't have to approve followers. They see your updates right away. This means more people can see what you share, even if they aren't connected to you. For example, if you post useful tips or industry news, anyone who follows you will see this in their feed.

Connections are different. They are more of a "relationship." When you connect with someone, you both agree to it. You see each other's posts and updates. Connections are like having someone in your professional circle. You can message them directly, endorse their skills, and see mutual connections. 

If you meet someone at a networking event, you become “connections” and add them on LinkedIn. This allows for more personal interactions. 

The main difference is in the level of interaction and visibility. Followers can only see what you share and post. Connections have a closer relationship. Connection provides access to each other's profiles. But there's more: it also provides the ability to interact on a deeper level.

Choosing between growing followers or connections depends on your goals. Increasing followers is good if you want a wide audience to see your content. If you're looking to build deeper professional relationships, focus on connections.

In some cases, LinkedIn lets users choose if others can follow or connect with them. This choice affects how others can interact with your profile. Having a large number of followers might be more beneficial if you aim to become a thought leader. It is also helpful if you want to become an influencer. It lets more people see your content without needing to connect.

So, what's more effective? It depends on what you're trying to achieve on LinkedIn. Both followers and connections have their place in building your professional network.

Building your professional network on LinkedIn can be through both followers and connections. Note that each serves a unique purpose.

Remember, followers allow you to share your expertise and updates. This is great for spreading your ideas and building your reputation as a thought leader. 

Connections are more about depth. They let you form closer professional relationships. Connections are valuable for deeper engagement. You can send messages, see more detailed updates, and build trust. This trust can lead to job opportunities, partnerships, or new clients.

What's more effective? It depends on your goals. If you want to be an expert in your field, having many followers can help. It gets your name out there. It's different if you're looking for job opportunities. Or if you want to grow your business. In this case, making strong connections is key. They can give personal endorsements and refer you to others.

In many cases, a mix of both is best. Followers boost your visibility. Connections offer deeper interactions. Together, they strengthen your professional network on LinkedIn.

Switching your profile from “Connect” to “Follow” might be worth considering. This is especially true if you aim to grow your audience. Having the option between both prioritizes gaining followers. It makes it easier for a wider audience to see your content, all without cluttering your direct network. It’s ideal for those focusing on content creation and brand building.

Switching your LinkedIn profile from “Connect” to “Follow” can be smart… but it all depends on what you're aiming for.

Switch to "follow" if your focus is on sharing your knowledge. This works as well if you want to become a thought leader. It lets more people see your posts without becoming direct connections. This way, you can reach a bigger audience. 

If you're more about building close professional relationships, stick with “Connect.” This makes sure your network is full of people you know. It keeps things intimate. You get to talk more in-depth with each person and share more.

The “Follow” option can also help keep your feed focused. It means you only see updates from people you've chosen to connect with, not everyone who follows you. This can make your LinkedIn experience more about quality, not quantity.

In the end, deciding to switch depends on your goals. To spread your ideas widely, “Follow” is great. If you want to create a network of close contacts, “Connect” might be better. Both options have their benefits. It's about what works best for you and your professional goals.

On LinkedIn, both followers and connections are important. But what's best for you? It depends on your goals. If you want a wide audience to see your ideas, go for followers. If building close professional relationships matters more, focus on connections.

Followers see your posts, but you don't see theirs. It's a one-way street. Connections are two-way. You can see each other's updates and messages.

Want to build your network? Mix both strategies. Share great content for followers. Make personal connections to deepen relationships.

Not sure how to start? Try Founder OS. It's a toolkit for entrepreneurs like you. FounderOS can help you grow on LinkedIn and beyond. Whether it's getting more followers or making connections, we've got tips and tools for you.

On LinkedIn, followers and connections each have their perks. You can make LinkedIn a powerful part of your professional journey. 

Ready to boost your LinkedIn game? Check out Founder OS to schedule a clarity call for your online business, or subscribe to the Founder OS newsletter.