Recently, I celebrated a milestone that feels pretty special: 11,000 followers on LinkedIn! When I first started using the platform, I had no idea it would become such a big part of my professional journey. What stands out most to me isn’t the number, but the real connections and meaningful conversations I’ve had along the way. LinkedIn has been more than just a tool—it’s been a community.
Reflecting on this milestone got me thinking about what’s worked for me and how you can grow your LinkedIn network too. Building a presence on LinkedIn isn’t about chasing followers or playing a numbers game. It’s about showing up, being authentic, and truly engaging with the people around you. Whether you’re looking to grow your connections, share your expertise, or simply learn from others, there are some key principles that can help.
In this article, I’ll break down the strategies that have helped me grow my network to 11,000 and beyond. These tips aren’t complicated, but they require consistency and genuine effort. If you’re ready to take your LinkedIn game to the next level, let’s dive in!
1. Show Up Consistently
The first thing you need to do is show up. Regularly. Consistently. If you only pop in once a month, your network won’t grow. Period.
For me, this meant making LinkedIn part of my daily routine. Whether it was posting, commenting, or even just scrolling to see what others were up to, I made a habit of being active. Consistency doesn’t mean you have to post every single day, but you should aim for at least a couple of times a week.
Why? Because people need to see you to connect with you. It’s that simple. And don’t worry—even small actions add up over time. A single post might not change the game, but showing up consistently builds momentum.
2. Genuinely Connect With People
Here’s the thing: LinkedIn isn’t just about collecting followers. It’s about building real relationships. That means you have to take the time to connect with people in a meaningful way.
Don’t just hit the “Connect” button and call it a day. Personalize your connection requests. Comment on posts. Send a quick DM when someone’s content resonates with you. Treat your LinkedIn network like a community, not a collection.
I’ve met so many incredible people through LinkedIn simply by starting conversations. Some of those conversations have led to collaborations, partnerships, and even friendships. It all starts with being genuine. Be curious about others and what they’re sharing—that curiosity is a bridge to deeper connections.
3. Listen More Than You Talk
This might sound strange coming from someone who just hit 11,000 followers, but LinkedIn isn’t just about what you post. It’s about what you hear.
When you take the time to listen to your network—whether that’s reading their posts, responding to their comments, or paying attention to their challenges—you learn so much. And that makes your own content stronger. You’ll start to see patterns in what people care about, and you can join those conversations in a meaningful way.
Plus, listening shows you care. And when people know you care, they’re more likely to engage with you. It’s a win-win—you gain insights, and you build trust at the same time.
4. Engage Like You Mean It
Engagement is the secret sauce to growing your LinkedIn network. But I’m not talking about spamming “Great post!” on every update you see. Real engagement means taking the time to leave thoughtful comments, ask questions, and share your perspective.
One of the best ways to get noticed on LinkedIn is to engage with other people’s posts. When you leave a comment that’s insightful or adds value, not only does the original poster see it, but so does their network. That’s how you get discovered by new people.
Engagement isn’t just about getting attention, though. It’s about building trust. When you show up consistently and engage meaningfully, people start to see you as someone worth following. A little effort goes a long way here—don’t underestimate the power of genuine interaction.
5. Post Things You Care About
If you want to grow your LinkedIn network, you need to post. There’s no way around it. But here’s the key: don’t just post for the sake of posting. Share things you actually care about.
For me, that’s been sports, business, tech, and content. These are the things I’m passionate about, so it’s easy for me to write about them. And because I’m genuinely interested, my posts come across as authentic—because they are.
When you’re passionate about your content, people can feel it. They’re more likely to engage, and they’re more likely to follow you. So, find your thing and start sharing.
PS — remember when we talked about creating your story library? Tap into that to tell your stories on LinkedIn as well.
Whether it’s insights from your industry, lessons you’ve learned, or even just your personal journey, post what matters to you. Passion and authenticity are contagious.
Bonus: Don’t Overthink It
One of the biggest mistakes people make is overthinking their LinkedIn strategy. They worry about whether their post is perfect or if their comment is insightful enough. Trust me, I’ve been there.
But here’s the truth: your network grows when you take action. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real. Post the thing. Comment on the post. Send the connection request. The more you do, the easier it gets.
It’s better to show up imperfectly than not show up at all. People value authenticity over perfection every single time.
Cheers to the Next Milestone
Hitting 11,000 followers is exciting, but it’s not the finish line. It’s just one step in the journey. Remember, to grow your LinkedIn network it’s not about chasing numbers; it’s about building relationships, learning from others, and sharing what you have to offer.
If you’re looking to grow your LinkedIn network, I hope these tips help. They’re not rocket science, but they work. And if we’re not already connected, feel free to reach out. Let’s grow together.
Here’s to your next milestone—and mine. 🥂
