What do you do if your professional network isn't growing on social media?

Never follow the crowd. Create your own path. The people who follow you will engage with your content because you voice it authentically. Be vulnerable. We're all going through tough times, overcoming challenges and adapting to change together. You'll find your tribe if you stay true to who you are.

Audit your content periodically. Look for areas of improvement to find ways for your audience to engage. Personal storytelling of success and failure is something your audience can relate to. Humanize your story. Give your audience a call to action to take the next step with your content. Another tip I have learned is to start the first sentence of your content with a hook to draw people in. The goal is to create clear and concise content for an audience to relate to and engage with. Be authentic.

Show up and be consistent. Engage with content by participating in the discussion with comments. For example, LinkedIn is a great platform to engage with content related to your field of interest. You build business connections and help support each other in your career journeys through engaging with content. Share your ideas by engaging in the comments section. It helps you become a thought leader through relevant ideas and leads to new connections. Have a proactive approach and strategy when engaging with content.

Optimizing your profile is how people search and find you. Have someone take your professional picture. It gives people an idea of what you look like if they met you. The picture is the first thing people look at when visiting your profile. A good tip is to be the only person in the picture. In addition, avoid distractions in the background. Express confidence. If you use a platform like LinkedIn, optimize it through keywords. You can optimize through the headline, about section, work experience section, and URL. Be strategic so your profile can be discoverable.

Share a specific reason when you reach out and connect with someone. The recipient will have a better understanding of what to do next with the message. Your message may be ignored or accepted. Keep it in mind. A great example is LinkedIn. They ask if you know the person before reaching out to connect with them. The platform allows you to leave a message for the connection to accept. Take initiative and demonstrate you took the time to learn about the person. A personal touch shows the character of a person. Be authentic and genuine.

Building a network takes time and patience. It is a matter of trial and error. Be adaptable to change and ask for advice. Expand your network through networking events and online community groups. You can learn to build your brand by studying successful people. It gives you a clear idea of what next steps to take. Show your authentic side and look at optimizing your profile. You have to work hard to achieve results and learn from mistakes.

If your professional network online isn't growing, I'm guessing you've already tried something and are frustrated so I would start here. Look at the tips above and pick 1! Optimize your profile, or start reaching out to others more with personalized requests. Don't think you have to do everything at once, but evaluate where you maybe need to put in some more effort and start there!