Connect vs. Follow: Finding Your Best Approach

Growing your network on LinkedIn is one of the best ways to open yourself up to all kinds of professional opportunities and relationships.?

So, when it comes to starting things off, is it better to send a connection or follow request? While both are great options to help build your community, it depends on your goals and who you’re reaching out to.?

Ready to dive into the differences and find what works for you? Let’s do it!

Connecting: Building Meaningful Relationships

Connecting with individuals on LinkedIn is like extending a virtual handshake—a direct invitation to establish a professional relationship. When you connect with someone, you gain access to their updates, posts, and network, enabling you to engage with their content and send them direct messages. Connecting is ideal for establishing direct relationships with colleagues, industry peers, and others that you know and trust or would like to get to know.? It fosters personal interactions, opens doors to new opportunities, and lays the foundation for long-term professional relationships.

Following: Staying Informed and Inspired

On the other hand, following companies, influencers, thought leaders, and organizations allows you to stay informed and inspired within your industry or areas of interest. When you follow a page or individual, you receive their updates and content in your feed, keeping you up to date with industry trends, company news, and thought-provoking insights. Following is perfect for keeping up with individuals or companies that you may not necessarily know, but you’d still like to benefit from the informative and inspiring content that they share.

Choosing the Right Strategy for You

When it comes to networking on LinkedIn, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The key is to understand the unique benefits of connecting and following and appropriately leverage both to help you fulfill your networking objectives. Whether you prioritize building direct relationships with individuals or staying informed and inspired by following industry leaders, using both features strategically can enhance your networking efforts and expand your professional horizons.