How and Why I Built My Community of 50,000 Followers on LinkedIn

The other day, I reached 50K followers on LinkedIn, which is no small potatoes for this platform. Unlike other social media platforms, accounts with 10,000 followers or more are considered "influencer level" on LinkedIn, according to experts in the field.

Why does this matter?

It may sound like I'm bragging, but that is not my intention. The reason I'm so excited is because my goal on LinkedIn is to reach as many people as possible with evidence-based knowledge to prevent and heal childhood trauma, and YOU are helping me do that.

You see, what's most important to LinkedIn algorithms isn't my number of followers but the amount of engagement my posts receive. When you consistently comment and like my posts, LinkedIn pushes my content out to more users. Thank you for your help in reaching this monumental milestone!

I came to LinkedIn because, as a trauma therapist, it bothered me that children and families only had access to my knowledge if they were able to engage in therapy. This reality isn't fair. Everyone needs the information I have on childhood trauma, and I want to make sure they get at least some of it from a reputable source. LinkedIn is a way for me to reach a wider audience of professionals who need my help.

Too many children are suffering because adults don't know how to help them with their emotional pain. We are setting them up to fail, beginning in the womb.

I believe that various forms of trauma during pregnancy, birth, and early childhood influence the long-term mental and physical health of children. I'm focused on using my voice to spread practical interventions that can change a child's life trajectory, preventing them from entering our child welfare and justice systems. This work isn't just a job for me or even a career. It's my life's purpose.

I want my followers and readers to amplify the knowledge they gain from my posts and spread it to more people. To make a change in our world, we need "culture carriers" and "trauma ambassadors" willing to join this mission. I hope you use my tips below to create a ripple effect on trauma-informed knowledge on LinkedIn! Let's go!

How I Reached 50K Followers on LinkedIn Organically

• I started with about 500 followers in 2021. That year, I began posting research articles and trauma-informed content in large public groups to reach new people. I engaged with folks who commented on those posts and began building real-life relationships.
• In 2023, I started the Childhood Trauma Newsletter on LinkedIn, which catapulted me into a new stratosphere. I packed it with valuable resources and engaging content and quickly gained thousands of followers. Today, the newsletter also has almost 50K readers! Incredible.?
• I post about 4-5 times weekly on my feed and respond quickly to comments.
• LinkedIn likes this! My followers continued to grow rapidly.
• I offered free knowledge, tips, and guidance on childhood trauma. If you give, you will receive double. I truly believe that!?
• I meet members of my LinkedIn community on Zoom and have created lifelong friendships. This is the most valuable outcome of all the work I do here.
• I comment on other people's posts who have the audience I am trying to reach. I create a thoughtful and not generic response. I try to stand out from the crowd with meaningful conversation, which is a win/win for everyone.
• I share my real struggles as a therapist, caregiver, and flawed human being. I'm not afraid to admit my mistakes and what I did to overcome them.
• In 2023, I also started responding to LinkedIn writing prompts to earn the LinkedIn Top Voice designation on topics related to my work as a childhood trauma specialist.?
• LinkedIn really likes this! More followers flowed in.?
• I sometimes create controversial posts or state a strong opinion, but I do it with an open mind. I treat all commenters with respect, even when they disagree with me. I am curious and want to learn from my community. However, I will block anyone who is rude to me more than once.

So, there you have it. Of course, some of my success can't be replicated because it's based on my personality, 10+ years of expertise in trauma, and writing skills. However, I want to share what I learned through trial and error to help like-minded people spread hope on this platform.

Please take this knowledge and do the work to educate others on preventing and healing childhood trauma in any way you can.

Thank you for sticking with me and supporting my work! I love hearing from my readers. Please comment below and share this newsletter with a trauma ambassador today.

New Video Released!

Please watch my latest webinar, Trauma in the Workplace, below. It was an eye-opening conversation with business executive Mark F. and family doctor Anup Sharma, MD MBA , on how trauma impacts our leadership and the steps we can take toward healing our workplaces.

The three of us are currently taking requests on how we can help your business overcome trauma in the workplace. Send me a direct message if you want to schedule a time to discuss our services.

Book Me for Your Workshops and Speaking Events in 2025

As always, I am also taking requests for workshops and speaking events on healing and preventing childhood trauma. I specialize in child welfare-involved families, fortifying kinship families impacted by loss, and overcoming childbirth-related trauma.

Please contact me for service fees and proposals.

Trauma Tip of the Week

Surround yourself with people two steps ahead of you in healing. Who we spend time with profoundly impacts how we feel and who we become. While you're at it, take stock of who your children spend time with and their influence on the children. As caregivers, we must surround children with positive sources of support. We can't do this job alone.

With hope, grief, and compassion,

Beth