Followers For Entrepreneurs

Do you know what the Top Voice is on LinkedIn?

It is a recognition given to top creators on the platform. This badge, known as the Blue Top Voice badge, is awarded to members who consistently share valuable and high-quality content, demonstrating their expertise and thought leadership in their industry.

The program aims to help members identify and follow experts who provide meaningful insights and knowledge. It’s a prestigious accolade that signifies credibility and authority on LinkedIn.

And yesterday in the talk by Koo Ping Shung on AI, shows clearly why he is one!

Details: 1 Thing Startups should know about AI | EntreBoss Hub

In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. Having a large following can significantly boost your visibility. Imagine walking into a room full of potential clients, investors, and partners—if they already know you from your strong social media presence, you've already won half the battle.

And because of these above reasons, I had been pushing my colleagues and partners to share more on their LinkedIn or even Facebook, of whichever can help them establish themselves more. Many of them have vast knowledge and experience and I believe the more you share these insights and engage with the followers, the more opportunities will be created for your career!

It's like having a pre-established reputation, which can open doors and create opportunities that might otherwise be closed.

Take, for example, Koo, a startup advisor here in Singapore has been consistently sharing valuable content, engaging with followers, and showcasing success stories of Data Science and AI, and built up a solid online presence. This not only attracts potential customers but also helps establish credibility. People are more likely to trust and do business with someone they perceive as an industry leader or expert.

However, it’s not just about the numbers. In Asian cultures, relationships and trust are highly valued. This extends to the business world, where meaningful interactions and genuine connections often trump mere follower counts. An entrepreneur with a smaller, more engaged audience may find more success than one with a massive but passive following.

Engagement means having conversations with your followers, responding to their comments, and acknowledging their support. It’s about building a community where people feel valued and heard. This can lead to word-of-mouth referrals, which are incredibly powerful in markets like Southeast Asia, where personal recommendations carry a lot of weight.

It is common to have many ask other contacts, if they can refer to someone that they know of, to work with or to provide some services!

In a region where trust and authenticity are paramount, entrepreneurs must share content that resonates with their audience. This means being real about your journey, sharing both the highs and the lows, and providing value in every post.

For instance, a startup founder in Thailand might share behind-the-scenes looks at their product development, customer testimonials, and even challenges they face. This transparency builds trust and loyalty among followers, who appreciate the honesty and are more likely to support the brand.

Having scaled several companies over the 2 decades, I had come to a conclusion that those who are genuine usually go further than they anticipated for their business and lives.

A large social media following can help build a strong community around your brand. This community can provide support, feedback, and even advocacy for your business. It’s like having a group of loyal supporters who believe in your vision and are willing to spread the word.

In many Asian cultures, community and collectivism are important values. Building a supportive community online can mirror these cultural values and create a sense of belonging for your followers. This can be incredibly motivating for both the entrepreneur and their audience.

Investors and partners are more likely to take interest in startups with a strong online presence. A large social media following can be a sign of market validation—it shows that there is already a significant interest in your product or service.

For a startup founder in Jakarta, showcasing a robust social media following can make a compelling case to investors in the country of about 285 million people with about 70% in social media! It demonstrates that there is a demand and that the founder knows how to engage with their audience. This can make securing funding or partnerships much easier.

Ultimately, a large social media following can drive sales and growth for a business. By regularly engaging with followers and providing valuable content, entrepreneurs can keep their audience interested and invested in their brand. This can lead to increased traffic, higher conversion rates, and sustained growth.

A startup founder in Manila who I worked with uses social media to promote special offers, new products, or events. By creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity, they can drive sales and encourage followers to become loyal customers to their home appliances.

While having a large social media following offers numerous benefits, it’s important to address some of the challenges and misconceptions. One common misconception is that having a large following automatically translates to success. However, without genuine engagement and a clear strategy, even a massive following can fall flat.

Another challenge is the pressure to constantly produce content. For entrepreneurs juggling multiple responsibilities, this can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to find a balance and focus on quality over quantity. Authentic, valuable content will always outperform generic, mass-produced posts.

Success on social media isn’t just about follower counts. Entrepreneurs should focus on metrics that matter, such as engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. These metrics provide a better understanding of how well your content is resonating with your audience and driving business outcomes.

For a business in Vietnam selling Bubble Tea on Delivery, tracking these metrics can help refine their social media strategy and ensure they’re focusing on what works best. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and making data-driven decisions.

In conclusion, having a large social media following can be incredibly beneficial for entrepreneurs, especially in Asia. It boosts visibility, builds credibility, and fosters a strong community. However, it’s not just about the numbers—engagement, authenticity, and cultural sensitivity are equally important.

By focusing on meaningful interactions and providing valuable content, entrepreneurs can leverage their social media presence to drive growth, attract investors, and build lasting relationships. It’s about creating a brand that people trust and want to be a part of.

In the end, social media is a powerful tool in the entrepreneurial toolkit, and when used effectively, it can propel a startup to new heights. So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, remember that building a strong, engaged following can make all the difference.