How do I Connect with someone on LinkedIn instead of follow?

LinkedIn is a professional networking site that allows users to connect with each other to build relationships, share information, and explore career opportunities. Unlike some social media sites where you can simply “follow” someone, LinkedIn requires users to connect by sending and accepting connection requests.

Why Connect on LinkedIn Instead of Follow?

There are a few key differences between connecting and following on LinkedIn:

• Connecting allows you to directly message other users, while following does not.
• Your connections are mutually agreed upon, while your followers may not necessarily know that you are following them.
• Connecting builds a two-way relationship, while following simply consumes content.
• Connections can view your full profile and share information with you, while followers only see your public posts and activity.

Overall, connecting on LinkedIn allows you to build more meaningful professional relationships compared to simply following someone. It enables direct communication and a deeper level of engagement between users.

How to Connect with Someone on LinkedIn

Here are the steps to send a connection request on LinkedIn and connect with another user:

1. Go to their LinkedIn profile page.
2. Click “Connect” next to their profile photo.
3. Choose how you know them from the options (Colleague, Classmate, etc).
4. Type an optional message to personalize the request.
5. Click “Send”. This will send them a connection request.

Once you have sent the request, the user will receive a notification. They can then:

• Accept your request – You are then connected on LinkedIn.
• Ignore your request – You stay pending and can send a reminder.
• Decline your request – You are not connected and cannot send another request.

Tips for Connecting

Here are some tips to send effective connection requests on LinkedIn:

• Personalize each request with a message – This gives context for how you know them or why you want to connect.
• Only connect with people you know or have interacted with. Don’t spam requests.
• Follow up on outstanding requests with a friendly reminder message.
• Focus on quality connections, not quantity. Build relationships.
• Use LinkedIn’s search tools to find connections based on companies, schools, interests, etc.

Who to Connect With

Some examples of people you may want to connect with on LinkedIn include:

• Former coworkers, colleagues, and clients
• Classmates and alumni from schools you attended
• People you meet at industry events, conferences, etc.
• Recruiters and hiring managers in your industry
• Business contacts, vendors, or strategic partners
• Influencers, leaders, and experts in your field

Expanding your network by connecting with relevant professionals on LinkedIn can provide many benefits, such as:

• Opportunities to collaborate, exchange ideas, and share expertise
• Access to career openings, business deals, or partnership opportunities
• Advice and insights on industry news, trends, techniques, etc.
• Exposure for your own profile and brand as a thought leader

Maintaining Connections

Once connected, be sure to regularly engage with your connections by:

• Commenting on and liking their posts
• Sharing their content if it’s relevant
• Congratulating them on work milestones or achievements
• Reaching out to catch up if you haven’t connected in awhile
• Recommending them for opportunities when relevant

This helps nurture the relationship organically over time. Also be sure your own profile is kept up-to-date, as your connections are likely to check in periodically to see what you’re up to.

Other LinkedIn Connection Tips

Here are some additional tips for effectively managing your LinkedIn connections:

• Organize connections into relevant lists like Industries, Companies, Locations, etc.
• Use advanced search to find connections based on criteria like skills, education, language.
• Check your “Relationship Updates” section for news about your network.
• Turn on notifications to be updated on connection activity.
• Provide recommendations and endorse skills for your connections.
• Respect privacy – don’t spam or overshare information without permission.

Key Takeaways

Here are some key points to keep in mind when connecting on LinkedIn:

• Connecting builds mutually agreed upon professional relationships.
• Take the time to personalize connection requests.
• Focus on quality over quantity when growing your network.
• Engage regularly with your connections.
• Keep your profile up-to-date for your network.
• Organize and manage your connections for optimal engagement.

Following these tips will help ensure you use LinkedIn connections properly to establish and cultivate meaningful professional relationships that support your career and business objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of connecting on LinkedIn vs. following?

Compared to simply following someone, connecting on LinkedIn allows for direct two-way communication, a fuller view of each other’s profiles and activities, sharing of information and opportunities, and an agreed-upon professional relationship.

Is there a limit to how many connections you can have?

There is no official limit to the number of connections you can have on LinkedIn. However, it is best to focus on building meaningful connections rather than connecting with as many people as possible.

Can you remove a connection on LinkedIn?

Yes, you can remove a connection at any time. Just visit their profile and click “More” > “Remove Connection”. Note that removing a connection is permanent unless you re-connect in the future.

What happens when you ignore a connection request?

When you ignore a connection request, you are not connected, but the user can continue to send you more requests. Their past requests will remain marked as “Pending” unless you remove them.

How do I manage my pending requests?

You can manage pending requests by going to your Network > Manage my network page. Here you can see outstanding requests and choose to confirm, delete, or remind people of the request.

Can I export my LinkedIn connections?

Yes, you can export your 1st degree connections from LinkedIn. On the My Network page use the “Manage synced and imported contacts” option to export connections.

What’s the best way to organize my connections?

Use LinkedIn’s connection “Groups” feature to organize connections into relevant buckets like Companies, Locations, Industries, etc. You can then easily search within specific groups.

Conclusion

Connecting with professional contacts on LinkedIn can lead to meaningful relationships that enhance your career opportunities, business networking, and personal brand. But simply sending connection requests is not enough – you need to thoughtfully build your network and regularly engage with connections. Use LinkedIn’s tools to organize, segment, and manage your connections for maximum impact. By focusing on quality over quantity of connections, you can derive immense value from your professionally curated community.