Social Media Marketing: 8 Ways to Grow Your LinkedIn Followers
08/03/2024 | Social Media | 5 minutesWhere has the time flown, back in June we promised some fundamental guidance on growing your LinkedIn community. As Geoffrey Chaucer once said ‘better late than never’ LinkedIn has emerged as a powerful platform for professionals to network, build brand awareness, and generate leads.
As a senior marketing professional or a business owner, growing your LinkedIn followers is crucial to expanding your reach and influence within your target industry. In this article, we will explore eight effective but simple strategies to enhance your LinkedIn presence and attract a more engaged and relevant audience.
In other words, don’t expect this article to have too many light bulb moments. It’s more about giving you a reminder of the basics.
‘LinkedIn Marketing and Prospecting has been a crucial element of my business world for the last ten years. It has grown our brand, reinforced our credibility and generated new business.’
Natasha Ellard
MD
Urban Element
- Be Focused on Your Target Audience
Before you embark on any LinkedIn marketing efforts, it’s essential to identify and understand your target audience. Tailor your content, connections, and engagement to cater to the needs and interests of this specific group. Having a clear understanding of your audience will help you curate content that resonates with them, making it more likely for them to follow and engage with your profile.
‘Urban Element may create and manage our LinkedIn campaign but it’s a partnership. Urban Element took the time to understand me as a new MD, devise a strategy and most importantly focus the content at our target audience. We meet once a month to plan and then again to review progress and conversion in order that the message continues to reflect our core values and product offering.’
- Be Strategic in Who and Why You Follow Someone or a Company
When it comes to following others on LinkedIn, quality matters more than quantity. Strategically follow industry influencers, thought leaders, and companies that align with your niche or business goals. Engaging with these individuals and organisations will not only enhance your knowledge but also expose your profile to their followers, potentially leading to more followers for your account.
‘Back in June, we celebrated reaching 1000+ followers but, we could have reached this figure quicker. For us, we wanted on-profile followers and although we can’t stop people from following our page, we did avoid inviting all our connections. We were selective with mine and the team’s connections. Inviting those that would benefit from our content and hopefully become ambassadors for our brand’
Natasha Ellard
MD
Urban Element
- Book Time in Your Calendar for LinkedIn Marketing
Consistency is key when it comes to social media marketing, including LinkedIn. Allocate dedicated time in your daily or weekly schedule for LinkedIn activities. This can include creating and sharing content, engaging with your network, and responding to messages and comments. Regularly showing up on the platform will keep your profile active and relevant.
- Keep Your Profile Updated and Relevant
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card and represents your professional brand. Regularly update your profile with recent achievements, experiences, and skills. Use a professional and inviting profile picture and craft a compelling headline and summary that clearly communicates your expertise and value proposition. An up-to-date and engaging profile will make a lasting impression on visitors and encourage them to follow you.
- Create Engaging and Useful Content
Content is the backbone of any successful social media marketing strategy. Share valuable insights, CSR, industry news, career opportunities and helpful tips that resonate with your target audience. Utilise various content formats, such as articles, videos, and infographics, to keep your content fresh and engaging. Additionally, don’t be afraid to showcase your expertise by providing thought leadership content that adds value to your followers’ professional lives.
A good example of a local company to us that has strong content and the right balance is Smith & Sons.
- Increase Your Engagement and Commenting Activities
LinkedIn is a social platform, so engagement is key to building meaningful connections. Interact with your network regularly by liking, commenting, and sharing their posts. Thoughtful and relevant comments demonstrate your knowledge and willingness to engage with others in your industry. Engaging with others’ content also increases the likelihood of reciprocity, where they will engage with your content in return.
‘I am not sure if there is an exact number or perfect algorithm but since starting a new venture and account managing four Urban Element clients, I share 4 relevant posts for every one that I post. I have also become more active again commenting on posts that I find useful or can add value to.’
Jon Ellard
MD and Associate Director
Ellard Outloud Ltd and Opendoorz
- Revisit and Review How You Connect and the Invite Messages You Send Out
When connecting with new people on LinkedIn, avoid using generic invite messages. Personalise each invitation, stating why you want to connect and how you believe the connection will be mutually beneficial. A well-crafted message increases the chances of your invitation being accepted. Additionally, regularly review your network and remove connections that are no longer relevant or doing a hard sell on you. Keep your audience focused and engaged.
Don’t you just hate accepting an invite and then being bombarded by multiple sales messages?
- Have Some Fun with Your Content and Engagement
LinkedIn doesn’t have to be all serious and business-oriented. Infuse some personality into your posts and interactions to make them more relatable and enjoyable. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work, celebrate achievements, and participate in trending challenges or discussions within your industry. Humanising your brand will make it easier for people to connect with you on a personal level and follow your journey.
Growing your LinkedIn followers requires a combination of strategic planning, valuable content creation, consistent engagement, and a touch of authenticity. By focusing on your target audience, establishing a clear social media marketing routine, and staying relevant and engaging, you can effectively expand your LinkedIn presence and establish yourself as a thought leader within your industry. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so experiment with different tactics to discover what works best for your unique audience and brand. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article we don’t expect to have truly enlightened you or given you the finer or more technical elements of LinkedIn strategies. If you want us to take it to the next level in a future article then please leave a comment below.
Happy LinkedIn Marketing!
