Decision
Megaphone should NOT default to switching client LinkedIn profiles to “Follow” mode. Keep the “Connect” button as the default.
Additionally: ensure all clients have a strong CTA button on their LinkedIn profile (e.g., “Visit My Website” or “Book a Call”).
Context
Blake Stewart raised the question in Megaphone after noticing Tim Draper’s account had been switched to Follow mode. Comparison was made against Ben’s profile which still showed Connect.
Michael’s reasoning: “if I see the Follow button on someone’s profile the psychology of it, for me, makes them seem less approachable and less likely to be worth it - connections on the other hand are like hey maybe I’ll be able to work with this person in some capacity”
Blake Emal added the mechanic: a Connect gets you both a connection AND a follower, while Follow only gets you a follow (which counts for less on LinkedIn than a connection).
Options Considered
- Default all accounts to Follow button (proposed by Blake Stewart)
- Keep Connect button as default (decided)
Consequences
- Do not change existing clients to Follow mode without explicit client request
- For any client currently on Follow mode: assess whether to revert case by case
- Ensure every client profile has a clear CTA button (Visit Website / Book a Call)
Source: Megaphone, permalink https://ryevalley.slack.com/archives/C06UJ3V2HEV/p1787085548423729