The Real Lessons from Growing 50K Followers on LinkedIn

Here’s the hard truth: nobody cares about what you say on LinkedIn.?

It’s how you make people feel that is important.?

People aren’t scrolling LinkedIn looking for your next great insight. They’re scrolling because they want to feel something.?

They want to be inspired…

?Challenged…

?Understood…

?Validated…

And entertained.

In other words, it’s not the words themselves that matter—it’s the emotion they create.

Don’t get me wrong, hitting 50,000 followers feels pretty good.?

It’s a milestone, a marker of growth, and a validation that people are paying attention. But if we’re being honest, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re more insightful, influential, or impactful than someone with 5,000 or even 500 followers.

And since it’s Oscar season, I’m going to use the Academy Awards as an analogy. I’m sure winning an Oscar feels good too, but that doesn’t mean your performance was any better than any of the other nominees. Plenty of actors have delivered breathtaking performances and never won. And some Oscar winners fade into obscurity, while others who never got the Statue build legendary careers. The reality is that winning an Oscar is about timing, momentum, and the right people championing you at the right time—not just talent alone.

The same applies to LinkedIn.

However, I have learned some hard lessons along the way that I believe you might find useful. I’ve distilled them down to four.

Build Relationships, Not Followers?

It’s cliché to say, but one of the biggest mistakes people make is writing for engagement rather than for impact. It’s tempting to chase the dopamine hit—the posts designed to go viral with catchy hooks, controversial takes, or generic advice repackaged in a trendy format. But while these posts might generate temporary attention, they rarely lead to real relationships with your target market.??

Relationships aren’t built in a single post—it’s built over time through consistent, genuine engagement. It’s about showing up not just to broadcast your thoughts but to interact, respond, and be part of the conversations happening in your network. It’s about being intentional with how you communicate, taking the time to respond thoughtfully to comments, and engaging with others’ content as much as your own. The more you give to your network, the stronger your relationships will become, and that’s what leads to lasting growth—not just in numbers, but in influence, credibility, and real opportunities.

If you want to succeed on LinkedIn, you have to shift your mindset. Stop focusing on how many people see your posts and start focusing on how many people truly connect with what you’re saying. The more real and authentic you are, the more your audience will trust you. And trust is what turns passive followers into engaged supporters, meaningful connections, and long-term business relationships.

Why ‘Salsy’ Doesn’t Work on LinkedIn

Ever scrolled through LinkedIn only to be hit with a post that feels like a desperate sales pitch? You know the type—the one that screams, Buy my product! DM me for an exclusive offer! Our solution will 10x your business—guaranteed!

What do you do when you see those posts? Probably keep scrolling. (Or unfollow.)

The reality is that people don’t come to social media to be sold to. And yet, so many people treat LinkedIn like a cold email campaign, pushing their services with no regard for the audience on the other side. Then, they wonder why no one is engaging.

The best way to get people interested in what you do is to provide value before you ever ask for anything in return. Share insights that help, tell stories that resonate, and start conversations that matter. When people feel like you understand their struggles and aspirations, they’ll naturally want to work with you.

Nobody wakes up thinking, I hope I see yet another sales pitch today. But they do wake up with challenges, goals, and frustrations. The more you can speak to those, the more trust you’ll build. And trust—not pushy sales tactics—is what ultimately leads to business opportunities.

So, if you’re posting just to close a deal, you’re missing the point. Focus on connection first, and the sales will follow.

Storytelling Wins Over Generic Advice

People don’t remember lists—they remember stories.

Let me prove it to you.

A few years ago, a friend of mine started posting on LinkedIn to grow his business. At first, he followed the usual advice: "Share valuable insights, post consistently, and engage with your audience." But despite doing all the right things, his posts weren’t getting much traction.

One day, he decided to do something different. Instead of sharing another “5 Tips to Be a Better Leader” post, he shared a personal story about the best boss he had ever worked for.?

He described how this boss would publicly praise his employees, give credit to them when things worked, and took the blame when things didn’t. He created a collaborative environment where people felt heard and understood.?

The response??

Explosive engagement.

Dozens of people jumped into the comments, sharing their own experiences with the best bosses they’ve ever had. Others talked about how a great leader had changed their career. It sparked a conversation that was more than just engagement—it was meaningful interaction.

Same topic. Different approach.?

Instead of generic leadership advice, he made it personal. He made people feel something.

Think about the posts that have stuck with you the most. Were they a neatly formatted list of advice? Or were they a personal experience that made you nod in agreement, laugh, or even rethink something?

Play the Long Game

If you think you can post on LinkedIn for four months, six months, even a year and see results—think again.?

Many people start with enthusiasm, post consistently for a while, and then get discouraged when they don’t see immediate results. They quit just before they would have started seeing traction. But here’s the thing about LinkedIn—or any platform, really: growth is exponential, not linear.

At first, it feels slow. You post, and maybe you get a handful of likes. Some posts might even flop completely. You wonder if it’s even worth it. But if you stick with it, something shifts. People start recognizing your name. They begin engaging more. They remember what you post. The LinkedIn algorithm notices your consistency and starts pushing your content to a wider audience.

And then, almost out of nowhere, you break through.

People often underestimate the power of compounding consistency. Just like in business, relationships, and investing, the biggest returns come to those who stay in the game.

?? You’re not just building an audience—you’re building trust. The more people see your content, the more they begin to trust your expertise. ?? Opportunities don’t come immediately, but they do come. The right connection, client, or job offer often arrives after months (or years) of consistent effort. ?? The LinkedIn algorithm rewards long-term consistency. The more regularly you post and engage, the more your content gets pushed to a wider audience.

And remember… the best time to start is yesterday—the second-best time is today. If you started posting six months ago and gave up, imagine where you could be if you had kept going. If you’re thinking about starting now but hesitating, fast-forward a year. Would you rather be someone who stuck with it and grew, or someone who looks back wishing they had started?

Keep Showing Up, Keep Building, Keep Growing

At the end of the day, growing on LinkedIn—or in any area of life—isn’t about chasing numbers. It’s about creating something meaningful. It’s about showing up, telling stories that matter, and building real connections with real people.

Yes, hitting 50,000 followers is a milestone, but the real achievement is the lessons I’ve learned along the way. So, if you’re on this journey, keep going. Keep sharing. Keep refining your voice. And keep learning. The results will not come overnight, but every post, every comment, and every interaction is building something bigger than you realize.