In my experience, simplicity is key when it comes to social follow buttons, and custom HTML can be a game-changer. I've seen better results when using plain links with small icons, like SVGs, and placing them in a non-intrusive spot, such as after the post title or at the end of an article. What I've noticed is that people are more likely to follow when the links are easy to find but not overly pushy. Manually embedding follow buttons using HTML and CSS from platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit can also give you more control over the design and placement, which can be really beneficial for building your brand. It's also worth considering adding a simple email subscribe form, as it can be more effective than follow buttons in some cases.