CEO of Judi Hays, Inc., LinkedIn marketing strategist and author of Elevate, Expand, Engage – A Refreshing Approach to Winning on LinkedIn.
The essence of professional growth is strategic networking. With its extensive global reach of nearly 1 billion members, LinkedIn is a goldmine of opportunities waiting to be tapped. However, the relationship game is not just about numbers; it’s about creating quality connections and building rapport that contributes to your professional goals. To help you realize LinkedIn’s true potential, this article dives into strategic ways to effectively grow your LinkedIn network.
1. Start with your profile.
It’s crucial to have a well-optimized and up-to-date profile with a current professional photo, compelling headline and header images, and engaging “Feature” and “About” sections. Think of it as your digital handshake. An enticing profile can significantly increase the likelihood of your connection requests being accepted.
2. Tap into the “Alumni” feature.
LinkedIn’s Alumni tool is a fantastic resource for finding potential connections. From your LinkedIn profile, select your school or university and explore the wealth of information about fellow alumni. This feature provides an excellent starting point for networking.
3. Initiate “Warm Introductions.”
Use a filter to review your close contacts’ connections for individuals aligned with your objectives. Make a short list to review with your mutual connection to find out about their relationship. If they know the person, they may be willing to make an introduction or allow you to mention their name when reaching out to connect. This can foster trust, making your connection request more likely to be accepted.
4. Publish valuable content.
Sharing high-quality content, such as insightful articles, thought-provoking questions, a LinkedIn newsletter or LinkedIn Live, can attract a good following. Make sure your content is valuable and relevant to your industry and audience. Always respond to comments and note who engages with your content so you can reach out to those who meet your audience criteria.
5. Make it personal.
Before you hit the ‘Connect’ button, take a moment to write a personal message. Let them know how you came to find them and why you want to connect. Make your message about them, and you’re more likely to have your invitation request accepted. Refrain from pitching. Full disclosure—I only accept 25% of the inbound invitations because many are impersonal, poorly targeted or automated. However, 85% of my outbound invitations are accepted because I make them relevant and personal.
6. Connect with people you meet in real life.
Following networking events, workshops, seminars, conferences and client meetings, make it a point to connect on LinkedIn with people you met in person and mention the specific event. This reinforces your relationship and expands your network.
7. Show some love.
Active engagement with your connections’ posts through reactions, comments and shares strengthens your existing relationships and exposes you to their networks, fostering increased visibility. This is a good way to reach out and follow up with a request to connect to people who share insights. Generic messages don’t cut it. Be sure to mention the specific post in your invite message.
8. Utilize LinkedIn’s advanced search feature.
LinkedIn’s built-in search feature is a powerful tool for identifying potential connections in a targeted and strategic way. It allows you to filter professionals based on several criteria, such as location, industry, current company, past company and school. In Sales Navigator, you have additional advanced filters that are helpful in identifying connections that align with your specific focus.
9. Participate in LinkedIn events.
LinkedIn live stream video and audio events offer an excellent platform for networking. Active participation can lead to meaningful interactions and connections with other professionals interested in similar topics. Mention something about the event in your message request. But whatever you do, do not hijack a competitor’s audience.
10. Connect with other learners who share your interests.
LinkedIn Learning is an extensive resource that serves as a directory for identifying potential connections with a demonstrated interest in topics relevant to your professional field. Pay attention to the comments people leave. Connecting with other learners who share your interests can be quite beneficial.
11. Engage with speakers from industry events.
Industry events publish a list of their speakers and their presentation topics. These individuals are usually thought leaders in their fields and can make great additions to your network. If they are actively posting on LinkedIn, engaging in discussions on their posts can attract their followers to your profile. If they are not actively sharing content, send a connection request mentioning their session.
12. Read “trade association” and “top industry leader” lists.
Many publications and associations release lists of “Top Professionals” or “Influencers” in various industries. Recognize these leaders in a brief invite request. Paying compliments goes a long way but don’t be patronizing. Connecting with and engaging with these individuals can expose you to their networks and enhance your visibility.
13. Reach out strategically to authors.
Search for relevant books on Amazon. If a book or article resonates with you, contact the author on LinkedIn, express your appreciation for their work and share your thoughts. Writing a LinkedIn post about your takeaways from their work could yield even better results when you follow up to connect. Flattery goes a long way.
Building a well-curated LinkedIn network requires more than simply accumulating connections; it involves fostering and nurturing relationships over time. The true value lies not just in the size of your network but in the quality and relevance of your connections and your meaningful interactions with them.
Each connection is a potential opportunity, and the strategies mentioned above can help you tap into those opportunities more effectively. Remember, networking on LinkedIn is not a one-time event but a continual process. With the right approach, your rewards can be significant.
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