Connections or Followers?

As you're leveraging LinkedIn to grow your business, the question of connections or followers becomes even more confusing. In today's newsletter, I will share my take on which one is better for monetizing your coaching business. Let's jump in!

First, let's define the difference between Connections and Followers:

• Connections - Usually assumed as 1st degree connections. These are individuals who've sent you a connection request or you've sent them one. When the connection request has been accepted, you can communicate freely in InMail. When you actively engage with a 1st degree connection's content, the algorithm will push more of their content onto your newsfeed as well.
• Followers - Can be a 1st degree connection, sometimes not. These are individuals who stumble across your page and then click the follow button vs. the connect button. When someone chooses to be a follower, they also receive an invitation to subscribe to your newsletter, if you have one. Communication with a follower, who isn't a 1st degree connection, will require a token to send an InMail.

So which one is better? I recommend that you focus on 1st degree connections over followers. Why? If your goal is to increase lead generation efforts on LinkedIn, you'll want to communicate openly with your ideal clients. This is how you monetize your LinkedIn presence - by connecting with and engaging with ideal prospects. Ideal prospects who may be interested in your services and book a discovery/sales call with you.

Additionally, connections allow you to be strategic and intentional with your monetization efforts. Are they an ideal prospect; someone you'd like to communicate with? Yes - send/accept the connection request. Followers on the other hand are a bit more lax. Anyone who comes across your profile can simply follow you; with or without your review.

In summary, save your 1st degree connections for your ideal prospects. Monetization of your LinkedIn presence requires the ability to earn the trust of your prospects before you earn their business. Open dialogue is the best and fastest way of building rapport. Sales happen during conversations. Lastly, focus on quality over quantity. Just because someone has a ton of followers, doesn't mean they're necessarily monetizing that.

I'd love to hear what your thoughts are about connections vs. followers. What stuck out to you? Connect with me, if you haven't already, and let's move this conversation to the InMails!

?? Mollie

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