How to Get Followers on LinkedIn

Gaining followers on LinkedIn isn't about chasing vanity metrics, it's about building a community around your professional brand and expertise. You want an audience that trusts your insights, engages with your content, and sees you as a go-to voice in your industry. This guide walks you through the actionable strategies for optimizing your profile, creating value-driven content, and engaging thoughtfully to grow your following organically.

First Things First: Optimize Your Profile to Be a Follow Magnet

Before you publish a single post, your profile needs to be ready for visitors. Think of it as your digital storefront. If it looks unfinished or confusing, people won't stick around. A well-crafted profile signals professionalism and gives people a compelling reason to click "Follow."

1. Your Headshot and Banner Image

Your first impression is visual. Choose a high-quality, professional headshot where you look friendly and approachable. No vacation photos or blurry selfies. Your banner image is prime real estate to tell a story. Instead of the default blue background, use a custom banner that reflects your brand, shares your value proposition, or even includes a call-to-action to follow you.

2. Your Headline is Your Pitch

Your headline is more than just your job title. It's the most visible text on your profile and it follows you into every comment you leave. Use it to explain what you do, who you help, and the value you provide. A great formula is:

What I Am | Helping [Target Audience] with [Their Problem] | What I Do

Boring Headline: Marketing Manager at ABC Company

Compelling Headline: Content Marketing Strategist | Helping SaaS Startups Drive Organic Growth Through Storytelling | B2B Content &, SEO

The second one immediately tells potential followers what they can expect to learn from you, making them far more likely to be interested in your content.

3. Turn On Creator Mode

This is a simple but powerful switch. Toggling on Creator Mode in your profile settings does a few key things:

• It changes the default call-to-action button on your profile from "Connect" to "Follow," signaling that you are a content creator.
• It displays your follower count publicly.
• It allows you to list up to five "Talks about" topics (hashtags) at the top of your profile, instantly telling visitors your areas of expertise.

This small change frames your profile as a resource to be followed rather than just a professional resume.

4. The "About" Section is Your Story

Don't skip the "About" section. This is your chance to expand on your headline. Structure it for readability - use short paragraphs, bullet points, and maybe even a few relevant emojis. Tell a story about your journey, your passion, and the problems you solve for people. Sprinkle in keywords related to your industry so people can discover you through LinkedIn's search.

5. The "Featured" Section is Your Portfolio

The Featured section allows you to pin your most valuable content right below your "About" summary. Use it to showcase:

• Your most successful LinkedIn posts.
• Links to articles you've written.
• A link to your personal website or newsletter.
• Client testimonials or case studies.

This is your highlight reel. Make sure it represents the absolute best value you have to offer.

Create Content People Actually Want to Read

An optimized profile gets people in the door, but great content makes them stay. Followers want value, entertainment, or education. Your job is to define your lane and deliver consistently.

Find Your Content Pillars

You can't be everything to everyone. To build a loyal following, you need to be known for something specific. Choose 3-5 core topics, or "content pillars," that you can speak about with authority and passion. These pillars guide your content strategy and set follower expectations.

For example, a freelance web designer's pillars might be:

• Web Design Tips for Small Businesses
• Freelance Journey &, Lessons Learned
• Productivity &, Tools for Creatives
• Client Management Stories

Everything they post should fit into one of these buckets. This focus makes their content predictable in a good way - followers know what they’re getting and stick around for it.

How to Structure a Winning LinkedIn Post

LinkedIn isn't Twitter or Instagram. Long-form, value-driven content performs well here. A typical high-engagement post follows a simple formula:

1. The Hook (First 1-2 Lines): This is the most important part of your post. On the newsfeed, LinkedIn hides the rest of your post behind a "...see more" link. Your first lines need to be compelling enough to make people click. Use a bold statement, a relatable struggle, or an intriguing question.
2. The Body (The Story or Value): This is the core of your post. Tell a personal story, share a hard-won lesson, provide a step-by-step framework, bust a myth, or share data. Write like you talk, and use plenty of white space - short paragraphs of one or two sentences make your text much easier to read on a mobile device.
3. The CTA (Call to Action or Engagement): End your post with a clear takeaway and a question to spark conversation. Avoid generic questions like "What do you think?" Instead, ask something specific that relates to the post. Example: "What's the best piece of career advice you've ever ignored? Share below!"

Vary Your Content Formats

Don't stick to text-only posts forever. Mix up your formats to keep your feed interesting and appeal to different types of learners.

• Text + Image: A strong image can stop the scroll and complement your text. Use high-quality photos, simple graphics, or even a relevant meme.
• Carousels (PDF Documents): Carousels are one of the best-performing formats. Create a simple PDF (using Canva or another tool) that breaks down a concept into bite-sized, swipeable slides. The longer people spend swiping, the more the algorithm boosts your post.
• Polls: LinkedIn Polls are fantastic for quick engagement. They are low-friction and a great way to take the temperature of your audience on a specific topic. Use the results to inspire a follow-up post.
• Video: Native video, especially short-form clips with captions, can be very effective. Use it for quick tips, behind-the-scenes content, or to expand on a topic with more nuance than text allows.

Develop a Consistent Presence

Consistency signals to the LinkedIn algorithm that you're a serious creator. Sporadic posting makes it difficult to build momentum and stay top-of-mind with your audience. Aim to build a rhythm that you can maintain long-term.

How Often Should You Post?

Don't burn yourself out by aiming for daily posts right away. For most professionals, posting 3-5 times per week is a great starting point. The quality of your content is always more important than the quantity. It’s better to have three fantastic posts a week than five mediocre ones.

What Are the Best Times to Post?

You'll see a lot of general advice online about posting on Tuesday through Thursday mornings. While this is often a good starting point, the real answer depends entirely on your specific audience and their online habits. Pay attention to your post analytics. Do your posts get more engagement in the morning, around lunchtime, or in the evening? Test different time slots and see what works for you. The goal is to post an hour or two before your audience is most active, giving your content time to gain traction.

Engage Like a Human, Not a Broadcaster

LinkedIn is a social platform, not just a publishing platform. The biggest mistake creators make is logging in, dropping a post, and immediately logging out. Real growth comes from community building and genuine interaction.

Implement the "Comment First" Strategy

The 15-30 minutes *before* you publish your post are golden. Spend this time on your newsfeed leaving thoughtful, value-add comments on posts from other creators in your niche, especially those with larger followings. Comments should be more than "Great post!" Add your own perspective, share a related experience, or ask a follow-up question. This does two things:

1. It "warms up" the algorithm. A period of activity seems to signal to LinkedIn that you are an active user, which can give your post a slight initial boost when you do publish it.
2. It gives you visibility. Your headline follows you everywhere. By leaving smart comments on popular posts, you expose your expertise (and your compelling headline) to a new, relevant audience - and a single great comment can earn you dozens of new followers.

Always Respond to Your Comments

When people take the time to comment on your content, reward them with a reply. This not only shows appreciation but also builds community and doubles your post's engagement count, sending positive signals to the algorithm. Acknowledge their point and, if possible, ask another question to keep the conversation going.

Proactive Rhythms for Consistent Growth

While great content will attract followers passively, you can speed up the process by being proactive.

Follow and Engage with Relevant Hashtags

Identify the key hashtags in your industry. Follow them. This will populate your newsfeed with relevant conversations. Spend a little time each day engaging with posts under these tags to connect with new people discussing your topics of interest.

Participate Meaningfully in LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn Groups can be a mixed bag, but finding a few active, well-moderated groups in your niche can be incredibly valuable. Don’t go in and start plastering links to your own content - that's a quick way to get kicked out. Instead, read the posts, answer questions, provide genuine help, and become a trusted member of the community. People will naturally check out your profile and follow you if you provide consistent value.

Final Thoughts

Growing a meaningful following on LinkedIn comes down to three things: a clear professional brand, consistent value-driven content, and genuine community engagement. By optimizing your profile, creating relevant posts, maintaining a steady rhythm, and engaging thoughtfully, you can build an audience that respects your insight and trusts your voice.

Putting these tips into practice means planning, creating, and scheduling content consistently, which we know can feel overwhelming. Staying on top of posts and comments across different platforms is a real challenge. That's why we built Postbase - a simple, visual way to plan your entire content calendar, schedule your posts reliably, and manage all your engagement in one streamlined inbox. It's designed to help you stay consistent and build your community without the headache of clunky, outdated tools.