How to Grow Your LinkedIn Network
Is your business active on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is traditionally considered to be a job search platform, but if you’re a freelancer, business owner, entrepreneur, or solopreneur, it can also be a powerful tool to grow your network.
While there are no real shortcuts to growing your network on LinkedIn, but if you’re willing to be consistent, there are some best practices that will hep you get results.
Whether you’re new the social media platform, or looking for a boost on LinkedIn, here are 5 ways to grow your LinkedIn network…
1. Optimize your profile
First and foremost, make sure your profile is complete and professional.
Add a high-quality profile picture, write a compelling headline, and fill out your work experience and education.
Load your profile with key words and phrases (think of how people you want to connect with would search for you).
If you have people who can vouch for you, ask them to submit you a Recommendation through LinkedIn and post it to your profile.
2. Start connecting with people you already know
Particularly if you’re new to LinkedIn, you will want to start with your inner circle.
If you haven’t already, import your email contacts and invite them to connect.
Look through the “People You May Know” section on LinkedIn and ask those people for connections.
Take a look at LinkedIn’s suggested Alumni page to see people you went to school with and send them connection requests.
Use the Search bar on the LinkedIn homepage.
When sending a connection request, include a personalized message explaining why you want to connect.
3. Be of value
I can’t stress this enough.
If you’re not helping, inspiring, or offering valuable information, people aren’t going to want to engage with you on LinkedIn.
Share valuable content: post articles, infographics, and videos that are interesting and relevant to your industry. This will attract people who are interested in the same topics.
If you can create your own content, all the better.
4. Engage with others
Like, comment on, and share the posts of your connections. This will make you more visible to their network and increase the chances of receiving connection requests.
5. Give more than you ask.
I’m sure by now you’ve felt the sting of someone who instantly throws you a sales pitch the moment you connect with them.
It’s so horrible, it’s become a LinkedIn cliche. Just be of value and the right people will see you. Cultivate relationships, and when the moment is right business will take place organically.
Remember, building your LinkedIn network takes time and effort, so be patient and stay consistent! This is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck!
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