following vs connecting on linkedin

2025

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31-03-2025

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Meta Description: Confused about the difference between following and connecting on LinkedIn? This comprehensive guide explains the nuances of each, helping you optimize your LinkedIn strategy for maximum impact. Learn when to follow, when to connect, and how to build a strong professional network. Discover the best practices for engaging with your connections and followers to boost your professional profile and career opportunities.

Understanding LinkedIn's Connection Model: Following vs. Connecting

LinkedIn offers two primary ways to engage with other professionals: following and connecting. While both allow you to see updates, there's a significant difference in the level of engagement and relationship they foster. Understanding this difference is key to building a successful LinkedIn presence.

What Does "Following" Someone Mean on LinkedIn?

Following someone on LinkedIn is akin to subscribing to their updates. You'll see their posts in your feed, but they won't receive a notification. It's a one-way street; they don't need to approve your request.

• Pros of Following:

  • Access to content: You can stay updated on their professional activities, insights, and shared articles without a direct connection.
  • No approval needed: You can follow anyone, regardless of their network settings. This is great for staying updated on industry leaders or thought leaders.
  • Low-pressure engagement: It's a passive way to engage with someone's content without necessarily building a direct relationship.

• Cons of Following:

  • Limited interaction: You can't directly message them or see their full profile unless they're public. You're mostly a passive observer.
  • No personal connection: It doesn't build a professional relationship in the same way a connection does. It's more of a subscription.
  • Missed opportunities: You miss out on networking opportunities and potential collaborations.

What Does "Connecting" Someone Mean on LinkedIn?

Connecting on LinkedIn is about establishing a professional relationship. You send a connection request, and the other person needs to approve it. Once connected, you gain access to more of their profile, and they can see yours. Both parties can message each other directly.

• Pros of Connecting:

  • Stronger relationship: A connection represents a formal acknowledgement of your professional relationship.
  • Increased visibility: Your profile and activity are more visible to your connections.
  • Enhanced networking: Connections lead to more opportunities for collaboration, referrals, and career advancement.
  • Direct messaging: You can easily contact your connections for information, advice, or collaborations.

• Cons of Connecting:

  • Requires approval: Your connection request may be declined, which can impact your professional image.
  • Increased responsibility: Maintaining connections requires more effort, including engaging with their posts and updates.
  • Network size limits: While beneficial, a massive network is not always ideal. Focus on building meaningful relationships over sheer numbers.

When to Follow vs. When to Connect on LinkedIn

The decision of whether to follow or connect depends on your goals and relationship with the other person.

When to Follow:

• Industry leaders or influencers: You want to stay updated on their insights without necessarily building a direct relationship.
• Large companies or organizations: You want to see their updates and company news.
• People you admire from afar: You don't have a direct professional reason to connect but want to follow their work.

When to Connect:

• People you've worked with: Strengthening existing professional ties.
• People you've met at networking events: Following up and building a relationship.
• People in your industry you'd like to collaborate with: Building a professional network for potential opportunities.
• Recruiters or hiring managers: Increasing your visibility and making yourself known in the job market.

Building Meaningful Connections on LinkedIn: Best Practices

Regardless of following or connecting, remember that engagement is key.

• Personalized connection requests: Don't send generic requests. Explain why you want to connect. Reference a shared connection or a common interest.
• Engage with content: Like, comment, and share posts from your connections. Participate in discussions.
• Provide value: Share insightful content, offer help, and contribute to the community. Don't just take; give back.
• Clean up your profile: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete, professional, and up-to-date.
• Be strategic: Focus on building genuine connections with people you genuinely want to network with, rather than accumulating a huge list of superficial contacts.

Conclusion

Following and connecting on LinkedIn are distinct strategies for interacting with other professionals. Following is ideal for passive engagement with industry leaders and organizations. Connecting is crucial for building genuine professional relationships, enhancing networking opportunities, and boosting your career prospects. By understanding the nuances of each and applying best practices, you can maximize your LinkedIn presence and leverage its power to advance your career. Remember, building a strong professional network requires effort and engagement. By strategically using both following and connecting, you can effectively broaden your reach and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.