Beginner's Guide to LinkedIn: My journey from 1k to 9k followers.

I eventually grabbed the opportunity and started publishing regularly on LinkedIn around a year ago. Since then, it has opened my eyes. I had about 1700 followers when I set out on my adventure back in October 2023. I have almost more than 9000 now. Maybe it won't be a huge number compared to others, but the growth itself has been the result of consistent efforts both from me and my team. We just started with no game plan and no experience, but learnt the way by using LinkedIn, and the journey taught us a lot about using LinkedIn effectively.

What We Tried and Learned:

If you are considering your LinkedIn journey, then here are some things that worked for us:

Share Personal Stories

One of the most effective methods has been sharing through personal, real, and sometimes raw experiences. Authenticity always resonates more with people. Stories about my entrepreneurial journey or personal battles were always shared in response.

Tip: Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. Authenticity builds trust.

2. Informative Content

You will deliver value to your audience. Whether that be through industry insights, professional advice, or useful tips, you will be able to show your followers that you know what you are talking about. I often shared lessons learned in business, which helped not only them but me as well in positioning myself as a thought leader in my niche.

Tip: Stop focusing on self-promotion and focus on value delivery. People don't follow accounts just because they like them-they want to learn something new.

3. Try Different Formats

We experimented with lots of different types of posts to figure out what one does better than others for what:

Carousels: Good for posting in-depth insights or step-by-step guides.

Memes: Used humor, and sometimes it just works better when you don't take yourself seriously. There's such a thing as too much seriousness, and occasionally, silly posts kill it.

Quotes: Are easy, motivational, and you can share. With these formats, we also discovered what works and what doesn't.

Tip: Mix it up sometimes. The audience at LinkedIn is one of its most diversified, and it will resonate differently with different people.

Challenges We Faced

No road is smooth without its potholes. Here are some we came up against:

1. Irrelevant Comments

It is a given that along with any public platform, there will be irrelevant or negative comments. Some people simply don't like what you post. So, this is fine. We learned to ignore all the unnecessary noise to focus on the bit that matters.

Tip: Don't let detractions discourage you. Keep a focus on the value being created.

2. Backlash and Support

While some people disagreed with our content, many did support it. Everyone has their thoughts, and we realized that backlash in this process is inevitable. Support from our community continued to drive us.

Tip: Criticism is all part of the growth journey, but always appreciate that support of your followers.

Our Accomplishment: Top Team Management Voice Badge

We received the Top Team Management Voice badge after posting very consistently for months. We targeted the Entrepreneurship badge from the start, but this one really was a big deal for us because it meant that efforts were recognized and that we were actually doing some good there.

Tip: Set some goals for your LinkedIn journey and track your progress. Celebrate all your small wins along the way.

Why LinkedIn is Worth It:

Of course, LinkedIn is not a job-seeking platform alone. It is actually one of the most useful tools for personal branding, networking, and learning. Whether you want to expand your network, share your expert thinking, or learn from others, you will find an endless number of chances in LinkedIn where you can extend your reach and knowledge.

Tip: Don't let LinkedIn slip you by. If you aren't being active, then you lose a place to connect, build and learn.

How to Use LinkedIn Effectively

Consistency : Hitting the posting regularly is the secret ingredient. It could be weekly or a daily regimen; establish a pattern, stick to it

Participate in other people's activities through posts, join threads on their discussion, comment on comments, etc. The more you engage with LinkedIn, the more profiled you become.

Be Patience: Growth does not happen overnight. It takes time, but continuous efforts help yield fruitful results.

Final Thoughts:

If you feel just a little bit apprehensive about opening your LinkedIn account, let this reminder open up: the site is what you make of it. Only you can turn it into a space where your thoughts, experiences, and expertise can thrive. Start today, and give yourself the chance to grow, learn, and connect with other people. So much to be had from LinkedIn, after all. The only thing standing between you and that triumph is the decision to begin.