How do I connect on LinkedIn™ when I've only got the option to follow​?

Not so very long ago LinkedIn™ introduced a feature called “Creator Mode”, which you can choose to turn ON or OFF from your LinkedIn profile dashboard.

(If you’re not sure what I am talking about when I say ‘Creator Mode’ then please do check out my video on Creator Mode.

If you decide to turn Creator Mode on, one of the things that happens is that the option to “Connect” changes to “Follow”

This means it’s not as easy for someone to send you a connection request. For some of you that may be a blessing, if you find you are getting lots of rogue connection requests!

And actually, when do you try to connect, you get a little message popping up telling you “this person prefers to be followed” which can be a little off putting!

Let’s talk about Connecting Vs Following . . .

Just to be clear, when you directly connect with someone and they become a first degree connection, they also become a follower. This means they have the opportunity to see your content in their news feed and vice versa - you have the opportunity to see their content in your news feed.

However, you can choose to connect with someone and then UNFOLLOW them so you don’t see their content in your news feed OR you can choose to FOLLOW someone without connecting with them.

Personally, I have always wanted to connect, as there are benefits you get to connecting, such as being able to direct message people that are not available if you are only following.

So how do you connect when the person you want to connect with has Creator Mode turned on?

Recently, I met a lovely lady called Brogan at a networking event and wanted to connect with Brogan on LinkedIn. But Brogan has Creator Mode turned on, so the option was to ‘Follow’.

The first thing I did was click on ‘Follow’. That’s always a good thing to do, as Brogan then gets a notification that I am following her.

But I still wanted to connect with Brogan, so had to go through a few more steps in order to send the connection request, which I demonstrate in this little video:

Don’t be put off if you want to connect when the option is to follow!

You can still connect, but make sure you personalise your connection request, so they know why you’re connecting.

If LinkedIn isn’t working hard for you or you’re not sure where to start with using LinkedIn, email judy@judithparsons.com or connect with me on LinkedIn to chat about how I can help.