What is the LION open networking list on LinkedIn?

The LION open networking list on LinkedIn is a large group dedicated to networking and making professional connections. With over 500,000 members, it is one of the largest and most active networking groups on LinkedIn. The LION acronym stands for “LinkedIn Open Networker” and the group is focused on helping professionals expand their networks and connect with others in mutually beneficial ways.

History and Background

The LION networking group was founded in 2007 by LinkedIn member David Spinks. As a new LinkedIn user, Spinks wanted to quickly grow his professional network on the platform but found that connecting randomly with people was ineffective. He decided to create a dedicated group where members could openly share profile links and network with each other in a structured way.

The idea caught on quickly and membership rapidly grew through word-of-mouth and viral sharing. Within a few years, the LION group had over 100,000 members. As of 2023, it now has over 500,000 members worldwide, making it one of the largest interest-based networking groups on LinkedIn.

Membership and Participation

The LION group on LinkedIn is open to anyone with a LinkedIn account. To join, you simply need to navigate to the group page and click the “Ask to Join” button. The group moderators will approve you, usually within a day or two. Membership is free for all LinkedIn users.

Once you are a member, you can actively participate in several ways:

• Post your own profile link or introductory message to connect with other members
• Like and comment on other members’ posts to establish connections
• Join discussions about networking strategies, advice, and best practices
• Browse member profiles and send connection invitations
• Participate in special networking events and subgroup activities

The most popular and effective way to use the LION group is to introduce yourself by posting your own profile link. Include a brief message explaining who you are, what you do, and what kinds of connections you hope to make. This lets other members quickly find and connect with you if there is a mutually beneficial reason to do so.

Benefits of Joining

There are several advantages to joining and actively participating in the LION networking group:

• Rapidly expand your LinkedIn connections
• Connect with professionals globally across all industries and career levels
• Increase your visibility and access new opportunities
• Get introduced to influencers, hiring managers, and decision-makers
• Learn best practices for networking online
• Collaborate with peers and exchange expertise
• Keep up-to-date on the latest LinkedIn features and strategies

In a short time, active LION group members can exponentially grow their LinkedIn networks. This provides greater visibility and access to new career and business opportunities. The group cuts through the noise and makes the networking process on LinkedIn more structured and effective.

Group Rules and Etiquette

To maintain a positive environment, the LION group has established some basic rules and etiquette guidelines:

• No spamming or overly-promotional posts. The group is for networking, not direct marketing.
• Be polite and professional in all interactions. No trolling, insults, or disrespect allowed.
• Add value to discussions by sharing insights and experiences. Don’t just ask for things.
• Review profiles before connecting to ensure fit. Only connect with members relevant to your goals.
• Limit profile link posts to no more than one per week.
• If you do not want to receive invitations, opt-out of email notifications.

Following these rules helps keep the LION group focused on productive networking. Members who violate the rules may be restricted or removed from the group if necessary. This helps maintain the quality of the interactions and connections made through the group.

Organization and Management

As the LION group expanded, dedicated organization and management became necessary. There are now 12 group moderators who oversee and administer the community. These volunteer moderators are long-time, active members of the group.

The moderators handle tasks such as:

• Reviewing and approving member requests to join
• Monitoring discussions and interactions
• Addressing any complaints or violation reports
• Managing submarine members (members who join just to post their link and leave)
• Removing spammers and suspending abusive members
• Coordinating special events and subgroup activities

The goal is to support beneficial networking and connections between quality members. There are also designated “Ambassadors” who are long-time LION members that help guide and support fellow members.

Subgroups

Due to its large size, the LION group has spawned several targeted subgroups over the years. These include:

• LION for Higher Ed Professionals
• LION Healthcare, Pharmaceutical & Biotech Professionals
• LION Technology Professionals
• LION Sales & Business Development Professionals
• LION Human Resources & Recruiting Professionals
• LION Financial Services Professionals
• LION Entrepreneurs & Founders
• LION Real Estate Professionals
• LION Nonprofit Professionals

Joining one or more of these subgroups can help focus your networking on specific industries, job functions, or interests. The subgroups have their own engaged communities while still operating under the larger LION umbrella.

Statistics and Data

Here are some key stats and data about the LION networking group on LinkedIn (as of October 2023):

This data shows the extensive reach and high engagement within the LION group. The active discussions and profile sharing lead to thousands of new professional connections made each week.

Controversies

Due to its open nature, the LION group has faced some controversies over the years while attempting to balance rapid networking with relationship quality. Here are some issues that have sparked debate:

• Low quality connections – Some members amass connections very quickly but with people they have little in common with. This can dilute potential value.
• Spam invitations – Mass connection invites can be spammy versus personalized outreach.
• Self-promotion – Members often debate the line between networking and promotional activities.
• Submarining – When members join just to post their profile link and leave without participating.
• Scammers & fake profiles – Scammers occasionally attempt to take advantage of the openness.

While criticisms exist, supporters believe the group’s overall open philosophy and large membership base outweigh the negatives for most serious networkers.

The Future

The LION group has already evolved and grown considerably since its inception in 2007. Looking ahead, some possible developments include:

• Spinning off additional targeted subgroups as membership expands
• Paid membership levels with extra features for power networkers
• More organized local events, conferences, and meetups
• Formal mentorship programs to connect experienced and emerging professionals
• Sponsored networking games and initiatives
• Premium tools and analytics for tracking networking success

The leaders may also update rules and moderation approaches to adapt to LinkedIn’s changing platform capabilities. However, the core open networking ethos is likely to remain unchanged. The LION group has filled an important niche and proven the strong demand for structured networking opportunities.

Conclusion

The LION group aims to make professional networking on LinkedIn simple, fast, and effective. By bringing together over 500,000 members in an open, transparent community, professionals can cut through the noise. They can quickly build global networks and access opportunities that might have otherwise remained out of reach.

Networking on this scale does raise some challenges. But for most members, the vast potential benefits outweigh the negatives. LION has trailblazed the concept of open networking groups on LinkedIn. It has achieved remarkable growth and engagement levels that serve as an inspiration to other LinkedIn communities. The group’s ongoing evolution will be interesting to monitor in the coming years.