From the First 500 to 16,000 and Counting. Here is My LinkedIn Journey
Every new connection felt like a mini-victory
I can still recall the days when hitting 500 followers on LinkedIn felt like a big deal — an achievement that seemed almost out of reach.
Every new connection felt like a mini-victory, a little nudge telling me, “You’re getting somewhere, Bhavik.”
I’m Bhavik Sarkhedi, and this journey hasn’t been a straight line.
It wasn’t one of those overnight success stories you hear about — no shortcuts, no magic tricks.
Every single follower, every piece of content, every bit of engagement was earned the hard way.
And let me tell you, it took dedication, persistence, and more than a few late nights.
You see, I started with 50 short of 500 followers, and even that took time, effort, and showing up when no one else would.
But that’s the thing about building something real — it doesn’t happen overnight, and it shouldn’t.
I wasn’t interested in vanity metrics or chasing numbers for the sake of it. What mattered to me was finding genuine connections, people who cared about what I had to say, and who could resonate with my voice.
When I finally inched closer to 5000 followers, 50 short of that milestone, it wasn’t because I cracked some secret code.
It was because I was showing up daily, consistently, even when the algorithm didn’t favor me or when it felt like my voice was echoing in an empty room.
I kept at it, and slowly, steadily, the numbers grew — but more importantly, so did the engagement, the conversations, the relationships.
The secret? There wasn’t one.
It was relentless consistency, a dedication to showing up even when it felt like nobody was watching.
I wasn’t looking for quick wins; I was building something sustainable.
And that meant being real, being honest, and sharing insights that weren’t just surface-level fluff.
It was about providing value, even when it felt like the value was going unnoticed.
Fast forward to today, and I’m 50 followers shy of 16,000.
That’s quite the leap, isn’t it?
But you know what?
The excitement is still there.
Every single connection still matters.
Every time someone clicks ‘Follow,’ it’s not just another number — it’s another person who believes there’s something worth sticking around for.
But here’s the bigger picture I’ve realized: Personal branding is so much more than just LinkedIn likes and shares. It’s not about one platform or one piece of content. It’s about showing up, not just once, but everywhere. You have to become a part of the conversation on every medium where your audience hangs out.
Medium articles, guest posts, podcast episodes, YouTube videos, Instagram stories, TikTok insights — you name it, and I’ve probably put my voice out there.
My edge?
I didn’t stay in one lane.
I didn’t confine myself to a single platform.
I made it my mission to be present across the web.
And that’s how you transform from just another name on LinkedIn to a brand that people recognize and remember across the internet.
My goal wasn’t to be seen everywhere, but to be of value everywhere. There’s a massive difference.
Personal branding isn’t about shouting the loudest or the longest.
It’s about being the one voice that others can’t help but listen to. It’s about being relevant, valuable, and, above all, authentic.
And let me tell you, authenticity has a magnetic effect.
When people sense that you’re genuine, that you’re not just here to sell or promote but to genuinely connect and offer something of worth — that’s when the magic happens.
So, when I say I’ve reached 50 short of 16,000 followers, it’s not the number that excites me. It’s the journey behind it.
It’s every late-night brainstorming session, every post that flopped, every comment that sparked a new connection, and every message that turned into a meaningful conversation. That’s the real measure of this journey.
And let’s get one thing clear — building a personal brand isn’t about being a LinkedIn superstar. It’s about showing up wherever you can make an impact. It’s about giving value in places where people least expect it. I’ve written articles, shared insights on podcasts, dropped knowledge on YouTube, and even joined conversations on TikTok.
You can’t expect to build a brand if you’re playing small. You’ve got to go big. You’ve got to be present. You’ve got to be the one that people can’t help but notice, regardless of the platform. You need to become the voice that cuts through the noise, the person that people turn to for answers, insights, and inspiration.
So, why should this matter to you? Because if you’re serious about building your own brand, you need to understand that it’s not just about LinkedIn posts or catchy hashtags. It’s about making your presence felt in every corner of the internet. It’s about becoming that person who, no matter where someone looks, they find your voice, your insights, and your story.
Followers will come and go. That’s the nature of social media. But your message? Your voice? That’s something that sticks. It evolves, it grows, and it gets stronger with every post, every comment, every share, every podcast episode, and every video you create. That’s how you move from being just another name on someone’s LinkedIn feed to becoming a brand they genuinely want to follow, engage with, and eventually, do business with.
So, where do I go from here? Well, the journey isn’t over. It’s far from it. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the milestones will keep coming. But it’s not about the end goal. It’s about showing up every single day, providing value, and being the voice that others turn to, no matter where they are in their journey.
If you’re in this for the long haul — if you’re genuinely interested in building something that lasts — then remember this: It’s not about being the loudest. It’s about being the most valuable. It’s about being everywhere, showing up consistently, and never settling for anything less than your best.
And that, my friend, is how you turn followers into believers, and believers into clients. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. And every single step is worth it.
