What you should keep in mind is that the more contacts you have, the greater your reach on LinkedIn.
When searching on LinkedIn, 1st hand contacts come up first and then 2nd and 3rd hand contacts. This means that the wider the network you have, the more likely you are to appear in the search results.
LinkedIn is a powerful professional networking platform that can help you to connect with other professionals, build your personal brand, and expand your business opportunities. However, building a strong network on LinkedIn can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the platform. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and strategies for building your network on LinkedIn.
In this post, we advise on how to increase the number of contacts on LinkedIn.
Contents
1. Connect with those you know
Some have failed to make contact with the people they have met before or who are in the address book. Either you can manually go through your contacts or you can upload your address book on LinkedIn. Among other things, you can upload from Outlook and Gmail.
One of the easiest ways to build your network on LinkedIn is to connect with people you already know. LinkedIn makes it easy to find and connect with people you’ve worked with, gone to school with, or know through other professional or personal connections. Here are some tips for connecting with people you know:
- Use the LinkedIn search feature to find people you know by name, company, or location.
- Look at your email and address book to find people you know who are already on LinkedIn.
- Look for people you’ve worked with or gone to school with on LinkedIn groups or in LinkedIn events.
2. Engage with your new contacts
Once you have made new contacts, start “talking” with them. Remember to be more helpful than sales! This way you build a network that knows you and you can, for example:
- Comment on their posts
- Comment on posts in the same niche
- Send a message and ask if you can help with something
- Tip on relevant articles
3 Connect with team members
By being active in group discussions on LinkedIn you also reach people who have similar interests. An easy way to make contact with new people. You can also send messages to group members and easily make contact by hovering over a person’s name. You will then see a box where you can view the profile or make contact.
4 Be active
By being active you can see more. One recommendation is to make a post every day which is “just right” If there are too many posts then it is perceived as spam, especially with those who have fewer contacts. Remember that your posts should be relevant and create value for the reader.
Your activities may include:
- Share your own posts & movie clips
- Be active in discussions
- Be active in groups, own posts & in discussions
- Write articles
5 Make it easy for others to connect with you
To build a network, you also need to encourage others to connect with you. You can do this by including the link to your LinkedIn profile in all communications you have. This means that the link should be included on business cards, in letters, on the website, and in your email signature.
Make sure you have customized your link so it only contains your name and it will be easier to remember. By custom link I mean this: www.linkedin.com/in/yourname and if you have never manually changed this you have a much longer and more difficult link.
6 Use LinkedIn’s advanced search feature
Now that you have made it easier for others to connect with you, you can proactively search for new contacts through LinkedIn advanced search. Here you can search for a number of things but keep in mind that it differs depending on which version of LinkedIn you have.
Thus, a premium account offers a greater opportunity to search more narrowly and with more variables than a free account.
You can filter your searches with:
- Business
- First name
- Surname
- School
- City (or nearby)
- Country
- ZIP code
- You can combine these as you want so the more parameters you use, the better your search results will be.
7. Join Relevant Groups
Joining relevant groups on LinkedIn can be a great way to expand your network and connect with other professionals in your industry. Here are some tips for finding and joining relevant groups:
- Use the LinkedIn search feature to find groups that are relevant to your industry or interests.
- Look at the groups that your connections are members of and consider joining those groups.
- Participate in group discussions and share valuable content to build your reputation within the group.
8. Participate in LinkedIn Events
Participating in LinkedIn events can be a great way to connect with other professionals in your industry and expand your network. Here are some tips for finding and participating in LinkedIn events:
- Use the LinkedIn search feature to find events that are relevant to your industry or interests.
- Look at the events that your connections are attending and consider attending those events.
- Participate in event discussions and connect with other attendees to build your network.
9. Share Valuable Content
Sharing valuable content on LinkedIn can be a great way to build your personal brand and attract new connections. Here are some tips for sharing valuable content:
- Share articles, blog posts, and other content that is relevant to your industry or interests.
- Share your own original content, such as blog posts or whitepapers, to showcase your expertise.
- Share updates about your professional accomplishments and experiences.
10. Connect with Influencers
Connecting with influencers on LinkedIn can be a great way to expand your network and gain valuable insights and advice. Here are some tips for connecting with influencers:
- Use the LinkedIn search feature to find influencers in your industry or interests.
- Look at the connections of your existing connections and see if they are connected to any influencers.
- Reach out to influencers and introduce yourself, explaining how you can benefit from a connection.
- Comment on and share influencers’ posts to start a conversation and build a relationship.
11. Follow Companies and Organizations
Following companies and organizations on LinkedIn can be a great way to stay up-to-date on industry news and job opportunities. Here are some tips for following companies and organizations:
- Use the LinkedIn search feature to find companies and organizations that are relevant to your industry or interests.
- Look at the companies and organizations that your connections follow and consider following those as well.
- Engage with the content shared by companies and organizations by commenting and sharing.
12. Be Consistent and Engage Regularly
Building a strong network on LinkedIn takes time and effort. Consistency is key to building your network and staying top-of-mind with your connections. Here are some tips for being consistent and engaging regularly:
- Set aside time each day or week to engage with your network on LinkedIn.
- Respond to messages and comments in a timely manner.
- Engage with your network by liking, commenting, and sharing their content.
- Keep your profile updated with your latest professional accomplishments and experiences.
Commonly asked questions
Does LinkedIn networking work?
LinkedIn networking can be a very effective tool for building professional connections and expanding business opportunities. It is a platform specifically designed for professionals to connect and network with one another, and it provides a number of features that make it easy to find and connect with the right people.
Many professionals use LinkedIn to connect with other professionals in their industry, find new job opportunities, and stay up-to-date on industry news and trends. LinkedIn also offers a number of tools for businesses to connect with potential customers and partners, such as LinkedIn Ads and LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
Additionally, LinkedIn’s algorithm also promotes content from users who are engaging and active on the platform, which can help increase visibility and reach for both individuals and businesses.
However, like any other platform, the effectiveness of LinkedIn networking depends on how you use it. Simply creating a profile and connecting with a few people is unlikely to yield significant results. To truly benefit from LinkedIn networking, you must be active on the platform, engage with your network, and consistently share valuable content.
In summary, LinkedIn networking can be very effective when used properly, but it requires time, effort, and consistency to build a strong network. It can help you expand your business opportunities, find new job opportunities, and stay up-to-date on industry news and trends.
What is the most important thing on LinkedIn?
The most important thing on LinkedIn is to have a strong and professional profile. Your profile is the first thing people will see when they come across your profile, and it’s the foundation of your LinkedIn presence. A strong profile can help you stand out from the competition, attract the right connections and opportunities, and increase your visibility on the platform.
Here are some key elements of a strong profile:
- A professional headshot: A high-quality, professional headshot is a must-have on LinkedIn. It helps people put a face to a name and can make you appear more approachable and trustworthy.
- A clear and concise headline: Your headline is the first thing people see when they come across your profile. Make sure it’s clear and concise, and that it communicates your value proposition.
- A detailed summary: Your summary is your chance to tell your story and showcase your skills, experience, and what you can offer. Make sure it’s well-written and highlights your most relevant qualifications and accomplishments.
- A complete profile: Make sure to fill out all sections of your profile, including your work experience, education, skills, and certifications. This will help you appear more credible and professional.
- A consistent brand: If you’re a business or a professional, make sure to use a consistent brand across your profile and your online presence, this includes your profile picture, cover photo, and color scheme.
- A consistent engagement: Engage with your network regularly, share valuable content and respond to messages and comments in a timely manner.
By having a strong and professional profile, you will be able to attract the right connections and opportunities and increase your visibility on the platform. It’s the foundation of your LinkedIn presence, and it’s the most important thing on LinkedIn to have.
What are the dos and don’ts on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, and it’s important to maintain a professional image and behavior when using it. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
Dos:
- Do have a professional headshot: A high-quality, professional headshot is a must-have on LinkedIn. It helps people put a face to a name and can make you appear more approachable and trustworthy.
- Do have a clear and concise headline: Your headline is the first thing people see when they come across your profile. Make sure it’s clear and concise, and that it communicates your value proposition.
- Do have a detailed summary: Your summary is your chance to tell your story and showcase your skills, experience, and what you can offer. Make sure it’s well-written and highlights your most relevant qualifications and accomplishments.
- Do complete your profile: Make sure to fill out all sections of your profile, including your work experience, education, skills, and certifications. This will help you appear more credible and professional.
- Do use a consistent brand: If you’re a business or a professional, make sure to use a consistent brand across your profile and all your online presence, this includes your profile picture, cover photo, and color scheme.
- Do engage with your network regularly: Share valuable content and respond to messages and comments in a timely manner.
Don’ts:
- Don’t have a personal photo or an unprofessional headshot: A personal photo or an unprofessional headshot can make you appear unprofessional and less credible.
- Don’t have an incomplete profile: An incomplete profile can make you appear unprofessional and less credible.
- Don’t use controversial or offensive language: Avoid using controversial or offensive language, as it can damage your reputation and relationship with your network.
- Don’t ignore messages or comments: Ignoring messages or comments can make you appear unresponsive and unapproachable.
- Don’t use LinkedIn for personal or unprofessional purposes: LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, and it’s important to maintain a professional image and behavior when using it.
By following these dos and don’ts, you can maintain a professional image and behavior on LinkedIn, which can help you attract the right connections and opportunities and increase your visibility on the platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a strong network on LinkedIn can be challenging, but by following these tips and strategies, you can increase your visibility, connect with other professionals, and expand your business opportunities.
Optimize your profile, connect with people you know, join relevant groups, participate in LinkedIn events, share valuable content, connect with influencers, follow companies and organizations, be consistent, and engage regularly to build a strong network on LinkedIn. Remember that building a network is a gradual process, it’s not something that you can do overnight. Consistency and patience are key.
