Getting more connections on LinkedIn can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! With some simple strategies, you can quickly grow your network and expand your reach on the platform.
Optimize Your Profile
A complete, optimized LinkedIn profile is key for making connections. Be sure to include:
- A professional headshot
- A customized headline
- A summary section highlighting your background, skills, and goals
- Detailed work and education history
- Relevant skills and accomplishments
- Links to any websites, portfolios, publications, etc.
An eye-catching, informative profile will encourage others to connect and learn more about you. Set aside time to build out your profile fully.
Connect With Existing Contacts
Import contacts from your email, phone, and other social networks to find connections already in your network. Chances are many are already on LinkedIn but not yet connected to you. Search for them and send personalized connection requests.
This is the quickest way to get those initial connections up, leading to a network effect of meeting new people through your existing contacts.
Follow Companies You’re Interested In
Following relevant companies and organizations is an easy way to get noticed and connect with professionals in your industry. Engage with company pages by liking and commenting on posts. This visibility can lead to new connections.
You can also join industry or alumni LinkedIn Groups related to companies you want to work for to gain exposure.
Endorse Skills and Give Recommendations
Endorsing skills for your connections and writing recommendations for colleagues you’ve worked with are simple ways to strengthen relationships. People are notified when you endorse or recommend them.
In turn, they may reciprocate, which brings you back into their mind as someone positive to connect with. This strengthens bonds with your network.
Search People By Company or Position
Use LinkedIn’s advanced search to find people who work at target companies or have job titles you want to connect with. For example, search for marketing managers at top tech companies.
Reach out explaining why you want to connect and how you could mutually support each other. Building these strategic connections takes your network to the next level.
Connect After Interacting
Comment on someone’s post, congratulate them on their work anniversary, or endorse a skill. Then, use that interaction as an opening to connect by sending a request and personal note. People will recognize your name and be more open to connecting.
Stay top of mind by engaging with your network consistently. It becomes natural to strengthen those relationships with a connection.
Attend Events and Conferences
Look for relevant local meetups, conferences, and industry events. You can filter by location and category right in LinkedIn Events. Attend them to network face-to-face and follow up by connecting after.
Even large events often list attendees. You can request connections with people you hit it off with at the event.
Join LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn Groups centered on topics like industries, professions, interests, schools, and more enable you to connect with like-minded professionals. Engage in group discussions and connect with members with aligned interests.
You can join up to 50 groups. Pick ones strategically aligned with your goals to find relevant connections.
Follow Company Pages
Stay up to date on companies you want to work for or do business with by following their LinkedIn Company Pages. This gives exposure to their employees and posts.
You can then interact with updates and connect with individuals at the company. Company followers are one click away from connecting.
Offer Value in LinkedIn Messages
If there is someone you’d really like to connect with, like a senior leader or hard-to-reach connection, try sending an InMail or LinkedIn message. Personalize it to offer value about something you could help with or an article of interest based on their profile.
When they see you took the time to offer value, they will be more open to connecting. Make sure any outreach is thoughtful and relevant.
Use LinkedIn’s “People Also Viewed”
When viewing someone’s LinkedIn profile, scroll down and click “See all” under the People Also Viewed section. This shows you profiles of similar people in their network.
Reach out to request connections with relevant people in that list. Since you have some overlap already, they are more likely to accept.
Follow Hashtags
Follow relevant hashtags like #marketing or #humanresources to engage with people posting about those topics. You can like and comment on their posts, then connect by highlighting your shared interests.
This method surfaces active, topic-specific professionals to connect and network with.
Provide Value in LinkedIn Groups
Don’t just join Groups, engage with them! Share advice, post interesting articles, and answer questions. Provide value to the community.
People will take notice and likely want to connect with the helpful group member who contributes positively. But avoid self-promoting. Focus on value.
Connect With Alumni From Your School
Fellow alumni are natural connections since you already share the bond of attending the same school. Search alumni from your university under LinkedIn Groups and connect by highlighting that shared experience.
Message them congratulating fellow graduates on their accomplishments. That outreach makes networking smooth and natural.
Follow Company Employees on LinkedIn
Identify people who work at companies you want to work for. Follow them on LinkedIn to observe what they post, what interests them, and how they interact. This gives you insight before connecting.
Once you understand more about them, request to connect on the basis of your shared interests and passions.
Connect in Person First
If there is an in-person networking event, conference, meetup, or other opportunity to mingle, use it to make quality connections that transfer over to LinkedIn.
Get someone’s business card, then find them on LinkedIn after to connect. The face-to-face rapport will make them more likely to accept and remember you.
Send Thoughtful Connection Requests
When asking to connect on LinkedIn, avoid default connection requests. Instead, personalize each one with a friendly message about why you want to connect, like something you have in common or how you could help each other.
These meaningful requests stand out and make acceptance more likely. Take the time to write thoughtful notes.
Offer to Help Expand Their Network
One mutually beneficial way to connect is to offer to introduce a new contact to someone already in your network who could be helpful to them.
For example, you can volunteer to connect a professional interested in a certain company with someone you know who works there. This adds value for them and expands your connections.
Conclusion
Growing your LinkedIn network quickly yet authentically is achievable by optimizing your profile, proactively engaging with your existing connections, and expanding strategically through company pages, groups, events, and new value-focused outreach.
Focus on quality over quantity by building rapport first and offering value in your interactions. Consistently implement these tips to boost your LinkedIn connections with the right people.
