LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 722 million users worldwide. It’s an invaluable tool for expanding your professional network and making new business connections. One great way to grow your LinkedIn network is by connecting with “open networkers” – people who actively accept connection requests from anyone.
What is an open networker on LinkedIn?
An open networker on LinkedIn is someone who readily accepts connection requests, even from people they don’t know. They tend to have a large number of connections, often in the thousands. Open networkers don’t discriminate when it comes to connections and are happy to connect with anyone who sends them an invite.
The main benefit of connecting with open networkers is that it allows you to quickly expand your own network. If an open networker accepts your invite, you immediately gain access to all of their connections. This can significantly increase your networking reach and opportunities.
Why connect with open networkers?
There are several key reasons why connecting with open networkers can be beneficial:
- Rapidly grow your network – Open networkers provide an easy way to quickly accumulate more connections.
- Gain access to their extended network – Connecting with an open networker gives you access to all of their connections.
- Increase your visibility and reach – A larger network means your profile and content is visible to more people.
- Discover new opportunities – You may encounter career openings, business leads, or new connections via an open networker’s extended network.
- Improve your credibility – Having more connections can make your profile seem more established and credible.
The more quality connections you have on LinkedIn, the greater your opportunities often are. Open networkers provide an avenue for easily expanding your scope and presence on the platform.
Where to find open networkers on LinkedIn
Here are some tips on where to look for open networkers on LinkedIn that you can connect with:
- Group discussions – Join relevant industry or interest groups and look for members who actively participate in discussions. Engaged group members often make great connections.
- Search by number of connections – Use LinkedIn’s advanced search to look for profiles with 500+ connections. Sort by number of connections to surface open networkers.
- Search by keywords – Try searching for terms like “open networker,” “accepting all invites,” or “connect with me” to find receptive prospects.
- Look through your extended network – Sometimes 2nd and 3rd degree connections are more open to connecting compared to complete strangers.
- Follow company pages – Employees of companies you’re interested in who follow their company pages may be more open to connecting.
- Attend industry events – If you meet open networkers in real life, connect with them on LinkedIn after.
How to identify open networkers on LinkedIn
When searching for open networkers to connect with, look for these signs that someone actively accepts connections:
- Large number of connections – Typically 500+ connections may indicate an open networker.
- “Open Networker” in profile – Sometimes people explicitly state they are open to connecting with anyone.
- “Connect with me” or “Add me to your network” in profile – Clear signs that they accept connection invites.
- Posting valuable content and participating in discussions – Engaged users often want to grow their audience and network.
- Listed skills like “Networking” or “Relationship Building” – Suggests they actively focus on networking.
Pay attention to any cues in a profile that someone is enthusiastic about networking and expanding their connections. These types of users tend to readily accept connection requests.
Best practices for connecting with open networkers
When reaching out to request connections with open networkers, keep these best practices in mind:
- Personalize the request – Mention why you want to connect, compliment their work, or cite a shared connection.
- Provide value – Offer to share an interesting article, recommend them, or introduce them to someone useful to show you aim to add value, not just gain a connection.
- Follow up – After connecting, follow up to start a dialogue, share insights, or offer your assistance.
- Engage sincerely – Have genuine exchanges focused on helping each other. Don’t just ask for favors.
- Extend your network – Once connected, also reach out to new shared connections that may be valuable.
The more open networkers perceive you are adding value, the more receptive they will be to connecting and maintaining the relationship.
Who not to connect with
While most open networkers can be great connections, avoid sending requests to:
- Profiles with no picture or incomplete information – This signals the account may be fake or inactive.
- Anyone engaging in unethical or unprofessional behavior – Check profiles for any red flags before connecting.
- Contacts who clearly state they only accept invites from people they know – Respect their networking preferences.
- Those you have no legitimate interests in common with – Make sure there is a clear reason to connect.
You want to focus on reaching out to genuine, reputable professionals with common ground. Building authentic relationships leads to much more mutually beneficial connections.
Tools to identify open networkers
These tools can help streamline finding and connecting with open networkers on LinkedIn:
- Search by Number of Connections – Use LinkedIn’s advanced search filters to sort profiles by those with 500+ connections.
- Group Statistics – View Group Member Lists sorted by total number of connections.
- Connection Request Tracker – Chrome extensions like LinkedHelper show if your connections accept requests.
- Who’s Viewed Your Profile – People who view you may be more open to connecting.
- Third-Party Tools – Sites like Socilab or Leadsift identify prospects open to outreach.
Leveraging tools like these can help surface receptive prospects and show you which of your connection requests garner acceptance.
Following up with open networkers
Here are some ideas on how to follow up with open networkers after connecting:
- Send an appreciated message thanking them for accepting your request.
- Ask thoughtful questions to start a dialogue and get to know them better.
- Share an article or post you think they would find interesting or helpful.
- Comment on and like their posts to continue engaging with their content.
- Recommend them or endorse a skill if their profile warrants it.
- Introduce them to someone in your network who shares similar interests or would value connecting.
- Offer to provide information or insights to assist them in any way you can.
Proactively looking for ways to start meaningful conversations and add value after connecting goes a long way. Open networkers are more receptive to engaging with contacts who take the initiative to foster an ongoing, mutually beneficial relationship.
Turning open networker connections into opportunities
The connections you gain with open networkers have the potential to develop into impactful opportunities. Here are some ways to turn them into beneficial relationships:
- Partner on creating content or collaborating on projects that leverage both your skills and networks.
- Exchange business development leads and strategize on ways to collaborate.
- Join forces to author guest articles for publications you each have contacts at.
- Offer to interview them or have them as a guest for your podcast, Youtube channel, or other platform to cross-promote.
- Discuss job opportunities you are each aware of that may be a fit for people in your extended networks.
- Brainstorm ideas for an event you could host together that provides value for your connections.
- Introduce each other to key contacts that would benefit from knowing one another.
Converting open network connections into strategic partnerships takes initiative, but can catalyze all sorts of exciting opportunities.
Potential pitfalls to avoid
While connecting with lots of open networkers has benefits, be cautious of some potential drawbacks:
- Lower quality connections – Prioritize cultivating deeper relationships with fewer, more aligned prospects over amassing shallow connections.
- Appearing inauthentic – If you have thousands of connections but shallow interactions, it can seem disingenuous.
- Wasted time – Vet prospects first to avoid spending time connecting with low-value contacts.
- Spam messages – Having a wide open network may expose you to more unsolicited outreach.
- Difficulty tracking – It’s harder to maintain contacts effectively if you grow your network too rapidly.
The key is being selective about who you connect with and proactive in following up to strengthen the relationship after connecting. Quality trumps quantity when building an engaging professional network.
How to provide value to open networkers
While open networkers help you by accepting your connection requests, it’s important to also consider how to provide them value. Here are some ways:
- Share insights and best practices you’ve learned that may help them achieve professional goals.
- Provide advice and feedback on their LinkedIn profile and content strategy to help them improve.
- Comment on their posts, like, share, and help amplify their personal brand and messaging.
- Tag them in or forward relevant opportunities that align with their interests and expertise.
- Make warm introductions to key contacts in your network who may hold potential opportunities.
- Co-author content or invite them to present at an event to expand their audience reach.
- Endorse their skills and provide recommendations to enhance their credibility.
Relationships are a two-way street. Offering your expertise and assistance to open networkers makes them more inclined to want to help you in return.
Conclusion
Open networkers provide a valuable avenue for rapidly expanding your professional relationships and reach on LinkedIn. Take advantage of their receptiveness to connection requests, but do so strategically. Vet prospects first, personalize outreach, follow up meaningfully after connecting, and focus on cultivating authentic mutual value. With the right approach, connecting with open networkers can catalyze all sorts of exciting opportunities. Just be sure to provide help and support in return. Building quality relationships ultimately matters far more than the quantity of connections.
