After graduating, my first role was to grow my company’s LinkedIn profile to 5,000 followers by November, when we had a major event. I started in May.
We did. By November, we had over 5,100 followers, so here’s a guide on how I did it and the best strategies to grow yours.
1. Know who you’re talking to
The first, and probably one of the most important, is to define your target audience. This is where a lot of people fail, I think, because in this case specifically, they don’t treat LinkedIn as other social media, and they should. At the end of the day, you’re posting content, as you would on Instagram or TikTok. This content can’t be for everyone, because you will connect with no one. And on LinkedIn, that’s what earns you followers.
So, before you start posting, ask yourself:
- Who do I want to reach?
- What industry/jobs do they have?
- What tone resonates with them?
Your tone, language, format, visuals, and length should all match your target audience.
For example:
Executives prefer concise insights and strategic thinking.
Early-career professionals may engage more with tactical advice and relatable stories.
Founders often respond to lessons learned and behind-the-scenes experiences.
2. Optimise Your Profile for Search and Credibility
Your profile is your landing page. When someone discovers your post and clicks on your name, it is the first impression they have of you. So, what do you want them to see?
Make sure you:
- Use searchable keywords in your headline and about section.
- Clearly state who you are and what you do (who you help if applicable)
- Highlight your niche (2–3 key topics)
- Include proof (results, achievements, projects)
- Use a high-quality photo and banner.
3. Choose 2–3 Content to repeat weekly
Random content builds random audiences. Focus on content that builds credibility and a following. In this sense, pick 2–3 content series to repeat weekly and give your audience something to look forward to. Here are three examples I did:
- Did you know: Every Friday we post a short reel (20-30 seconds) about a scientific fact, such as the discovery of penicillin, the discovery of DNA, …
- Interview with a scientist. This was a biweekly series where we posted a carousel of an interview with one of our scientists. We’d use AI to create engaging creative images about the questions in the interview to complement the t
- New discoveries. Weekly series about a new scientific discovery or investigation taking place.
4. Create High-Value Content (Consistently)
Consistency beats intensity. You don’t need to post bad quality content every day if you can’t – but you do need a rhythm. It’s better to post high-value content three times a week than bad-quality content daily. In this context, what does “high-value” mean:
- Engaging content that people can comment on and that generates discussion.
- Thoughtful analysis
- Relatable content. People like identifying with other content.
5. Engage Like a Human
Increasingly, LinkedIn is becoming a social platform. That means building relationships and connections matter to grow faster:
- Send at least 5 connection requests per day (and if they’re accompanied by a message, better).
- Personalize your messages according to the recipient.
- Reply meaningfully to comments.
- Comment on others’ posts with substance (not “Great post!”)
When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they are far more likely to follow you and engage with your future content. Additionally, a strong network will allow you to reach other people’s profiles and grow organically faster.
6. Promote Your Profile Beyond LinkedIn
Growth accelerates when you don’t rely on one platform. If you have other social media accounts, link your LinkedIn profile. If you have a newsletter or blog, do it as well there. The more exposure you can get, the better.
Other ways to gain exposure:
- Add your LinkedIn link to your email signature.
- Share your profile on other social platforms.
- Mention it in podcasts or webinars.
- Include it in newsletters or blogs.
7. Use Smart Distribution Tactics
Other ways that might seem irrelevant or an afterthought to most can be very valuable to attract traffic and gain new followers:
- Tag relevant people with @mentions (when appropriate)
- Rotate hashtags to reach new audiences.
- Ask questions or use a CTA to spark a conversation.
- Review analytics to see what performs best.
- Engage with posts under hashtags in your niche.
Unlike other platforms where you can more or less post content and people follow accounts that do not necessarily 100% match their vibe, LinkedIn users usually follow pages based on values and affinity.
So, be clear in who your audience is (you don’t want your followers to be people who don’t align with your values). Be consistent with your content and make it high-value, and show up authentically and build real relationships with other users.
If your content is valuable and attractive, users will come.
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