Huma Siraj
Influencers on LinkedIn enjoy boasting about how many followers they have, but they seldom explain the true requirements for achieving that number. They market their “secrets” through masterclasses and post screenshots of milestone achievements. The reality?
The difference between what they display and what goes on behind the scenes is enormous. LinkedIn growth demands more perseverance, time, and effort than most people are willing to admit. The daily work that truly produces success is hidden by their highlight reels. In 2024, my LinkedIn following increased fourfold. In a single year, from 7,000 to 30,000 followers, using consistent behavior and scalable strategies. What those LinkedIn experts aren’t telling you is this.
The unsettling reality of success on LinkedIn
Just 1% of LinkedIn members routinely produce material. Almost all of the attention, opportunities, and business are claimed by this small fraction. Individuals register, post occasionally, and then question why nothing occurs. However, developing influence requires months of consistent, purposeful work rather than publishing haphazardly whenever inspiration strikes.
Real progress requires a significant time commitment
Influencers on LinkedIn assert that they developed their following in “just 20 minutes a day.” Pure imagination. They used the platform for hours every day during growth phases. Nobody becomes a LinkedIn expert by mistake.
Accounts with a large following put in more effort than they acknowledge. They research patterns of involvement. They test various kinds of content. They keep tabs on what works and focus more on the winners. They use direct messages to cultivate relationships and promptly reply to remarks. Treating LinkedIn as a valuable business tool rather than a social media pastime is the key to success.
Initially, you can’t outsource everything
By employing someone to manage their LinkedIn, many founders attempt to avoid the learning curve. A huge error. You need to understand the game yourself before you can teach someone else how to play it. You must give the first several months your full attention.
Compose your own content. Examine your metrics. When something fails, feel disappointment. Identify the subjects that capture your target audience’s interest.
When something takes off, get the dopamine rush. If you decide to enlist assistance later, this first-hand knowledge will be quite helpful. If you haven’t discovered your voice, your team won’t be able to.
An organization won’t resolve your issues
Authenticity is destroyed when you outsource your whole LinkedIn presence. LinkedIn users spend an average of 7 minutes and 42 seconds per session.
They are able to recognize generic content in those valuable minutes. They yearn to connect authentically with actual people who are aware of their struggles.
The accounts that are really taking off provide distinct viewpoints derived from personal experiences. An outsider who hasn’t experienced your path can’t duplicate your distinct perspectives, anecdotes, and accumulated knowledge. While an agency can reuse your story, they are unable to create original content.
You need to love the game
The people thriving on LinkedIn truly enjoy being there and it shows. Their energy and passion come through in every post. If you secretly have a dislike for the platform, your audience will sense it. That hesitation can dull your message and limit your reach.
Instead, find what excites you about LinkedIn. Maybe it’s crafting compelling hooks, building meaningful connections, or tracking your progress. Focus on the parts you genuinely enjoy, rather than pushing yourself through a routine you resent.
Things can get weird sometimes
As your LinkedIn presence grows, you’ll encounter some strange side effects unusual DMs from strangers, old coworkers suddenly tracking your activity, and even high school acquaintances popping up to cheer you on.
With greater visibility comes the need for firm boundaries. Know which messages deserve your attention and which connections are worth your time. Growth brings influence, and influence makes your time more valuable. Guard it carefully and direct it with intention.
You’ll Get Tired of Your Own Story
Retelling your origin story over and over can become exhausting. But consistency requires repetition. The people discovering you today haven’t heard it before. Research suggests it takes roughly seven interactions for a message to fully resonate.
The key is to find fresh ways to deliver your message. Use new examples, different angles, or switch up formats to keep it engaging. Your core story stays the same how you share it should evolve. This keeps your audience engaged and helps you stay motivated.
You’ll Cringe And That’s a Good Sign
Even the most successful LinkedIn creators have moments where they doubt themselves. They worry their posts aren’t good enough, fear judgment, or feel too exposed. But that discomfort? It’s an indication of personal growth. Stepping into the spotlight on a professional platform takes real bravery.
It feels vulnerable but that vulnerability is what builds real connections. Authentic human stories always outperform polished corporate content. That discomfort you feel? It usually means you’re headed in the right direction.
Forget Shortcuts Build Real Influence
There’s no secret formula to LinkedIn success. It just takes more consistency than most are willing to give. Ditch the hacks and focus on delivering value every day. Show up with purpose, learn by doing, and let your results compound.
When you commit to sharing real stories and building authentic relationships, your profile becomes a magnet for opportunity. The results you want come from the effort others avoid.
