How do you grow LinkedIn followers in 2025 without joining follower pods or buying followers?
Whether you’re a founder, social media manager, or someone looking to build influence, LinkedIn offers unmatched opportunities to grow your audience, establish authority, and drive meaningful connections.
But follower growth on LinkedIn isn’t about flashy tricks or empty metrics. It’s about creating engaging content, optimizing your LinkedIn profile, and connecting authentically with your LinkedIn audience. Here’s how to take your LinkedIn presence to the next level.
1. Build a LinkedIn profile that attracts followers
Your LinkedIn profile is your first impression. Before hitting “Follow,” people want to know who you are, what you offer, and why you’re worth their time.
Here’s how to optimize your LinkedIn presence:
- Headline: Your headline is the hook. Instead of listing your title, focus on the value you bring. For example: “Helping B2B founders scale revenue through strategic content creation.”
- About section: Share your story. Explain your expertise, who you help, and what makes you unique. End with a call-to-action: “Follow me for insights on LinkedIn content strategy, audience growth, and more.”
- Featured section: Highlight your best LinkedIn posts, LinkedIn Articles, or case studies. Show your LinkedIn followers what kind of value they can expect from you.
An optimized LinkedIn profile turns casual visitors into loyal followers.
2. Leverage meaningful connections to grow your follower base
Every LinkedIn connection automatically becomes a follower, but not all connections are created equal. To build a strong follower base, focus on connecting with LinkedIn users who align with your goals.
Start here:
- Mutual connections: Use LinkedIn’s search to find users connected to your network. A mutual connection increases the likelihood of your connection request being accepted.
- Event attendees: Whether it’s a webinar, conference, or LinkedIn Live event, reach out to participants with a personalized message.
- Existing followers: Invite your current followers to engage with your new content or follow your LinkedIn company page if applicable.
Pro tip: Always personalize your requests to potential connections. For example:
“Hi [Name], I saw your comment on [topic] and loved your perspective. I’d love to connect and stay updated on your work.”
Growing meaningful connections is the backbone of follower growth on LinkedIn.
3. Create content your LinkedIn audience can’t ignore
Content is your currency on LinkedIn. Whether it’s a LinkedIn post, LinkedIn Article, or video, everything you share on the social media platform should provide value to your followers.
What works best on LinkedIn?
- Educational content: Break down complex topics into simple, actionable steps.
- Personal stories: Share real-life lessons or challenges to connect emotionally with your audience.
- Engagement-driven posts: Ask your audience questions or start conversations to spark interaction.
- LinkedIn Articles: Use long-form content to dive deep into topics relevant to your LinkedIn audience.
Remember, the LinkedIn algorithm rewards engaging content that generates meaningful conversations. Consistency is key — posting regularly keeps you visible in your followers’ LinkedIn feed.
4. Engage with your LinkedIn audience
Engagement is the secret sauce of LinkedIn growth. The more you interact with others, the more your content appears in the LinkedIn algorithm.
How to stay engaged:
- Comment thoughtfully: Instead of generic comments like “Great post,” share your perspective or ask a follow-up question.
- Respond to your followers: A quick “Thanks for commenting! What’s your take on [topic]?” can deepen connections.
- Join LinkedIn groups: Participate in LinkedIn groups related to your niche. These are treasure troves of potential followers.
Engagement isn’t just about visibility — it’s how you build trust and community on the platform.
5. Use LinkedIn features strategically
LinkedIn has tools designed specifically to help creators grow. Make the most of them to expand your reach.
- LinkedIn Creator Mode: Unlock features like LinkedIn Newsletters and highlight your most relevant hashtags.
- LinkedIn Articles: Perfect for SEO, these can rank well in search and attract new followers from outside LinkedIn.
- Thought Leader Ads: Boost your best-performing LinkedIn posts to your ideal audience, like decision-makers or potential followers in your niche.
For companies, don’t forget about your LinkedIn company page. While personal profiles typically outperform company pages in terms of engagement, a well-maintained LinkedIn company page can still showcase your broader brand identity.
6. Drive followers from outside LinkedIn
Your social media presence doesn’t stop at LinkedIn. Use other platforms and events to bring people back to your LinkedIn profile.
Here’s how:
- Promote LinkedIn content: Share your LinkedIn posts on platforms like Instagram or Twitter, linking back to your profile.
- Event shoutouts: After LinkedIn events or webinars, invite attendees to follow your LinkedIn page for more insights.
- Podcasts: Mention your LinkedIn presence during guest appearances and include it in the show notes.
When you make LinkedIn part of your broader social media strategy, follower growth happens naturally.
7. Avoid shortcuts that damage your credibility
It’s tempting to copy influencers or LinkedIn creators who peddle tricks for increasing followers, but know this:
Buying followers or joining engagement pods might inflate your numbers, but they won’t attract meaningful connections or clients.
If you look closely under the posts of many a LinkedIn Top Voice, you might notice repetitive comments from suspiciously similar accounts. This indicates a pod or paid-for engagement.
The LinkedIn algorithm is smart enough to detect low-quality engagement. Instead, post content to build a meaningful connection with each new follower.
8. Measure your success with engagement metrics
Follower count isn’t the only metric that matters. Focus on engagement metrics like:
- Comments: Are people engaging with your posts?
- Shares: Are your followers amplifying your content?
- Profile views: Is your LinkedIn profile attracting the right people?
Tracking these metrics can help you refine your LinkedIn content strategy over time.
Final thoughts
Growing your followers on LinkedIn isn’t about chasing numbers — it’s about building meaningful connections, creating engaging content, and showing up consistently.
Whether you’re using LinkedIn Creator Mode, joining LinkedIn groups, testing LinkedIn ads, or optimizing your LinkedIn company page, every small action compounds over time.
Start today:
- Optimize your LinkedIn profile.
- Share one piece of valuable content this week.
- Comment on three posts from your target audience.
With the right strategy, your LinkedIn followers will grow — and so will your opportunities.
And if you need help, get in touch.