If you have ever looked for a nice job or sought a deserved promotion, you know how important developing professional relationships is in these competitive days for every successful global executive on the planet. Connecting and networking with other professionals unveils various doors. These lead to new chances, collaborative efforts, and insightful gains. LinkedIn, in particular, flourishes as the primary platform for such endeavors.
LinkedIn stands out as a paramount digital tool, acting as a central hub where professionals from diverse backgrounds converge. With over 900 million users worldwide, including substantial user bases in North America (220M+), Europe (236M+), Asia Pacific (254M+), Latin America (141M+), and the Middle East/Africa region (52M+), LinkedIn boasts a global professional reach unparalleled in its sphere. What sets LinkedIn apart is not only its vast user base but also its value proposition. A staggering 91% of executives rate LinkedIn highly for networking and accessing professional content, underscoring its significance in the professional realm.
Moreover, LinkedIn serves as a nexus for education and business, with over 129,000 schools and 58.4 million companies registered on the platform. The demographic makeup of LinkedIn users is equally noteworthy, with nearly 60% falling within the age range of 25-34, representing a dynamic and engaged segment of the workforce. The platform’s extensive array of skills, like communication skills, effective multicultural communication skills, people skills, active listening, emotional regulation skills, and networking skills, to cite a few, encompasses up to 39,000 categories spanning digital and non-digital domains. This further accentuates its versatility and utility for all types of professionals seeking to showcase their expertise.
Notably, LinkedIn isn’t just a repository of profiles; it’s a catalyst for career advancement. With approximately 90 job applications submitted per minute and 50 million users utilizing the platform for job hunting weekly, LinkedIn serves as a dynamic job marketplace. Perhaps most compellingly, according to research, every minute witnesses an average of eight individuals securing employment through LinkedIn, highlighting its tangible impact on shaping career aspirations and professional trajectories. In essence, LinkedIn’s multifaceted offerings and widespread adoption underscore its pivotal role as the quintessential meeting ground for professionals worldwide, fostering connections, opportunities, and growth.
Here, they exchange thoughts and ideas, fostering enduring business connections. Yet, the act of connecting on LinkedIn is merely the starting point. To exploit the full potential of a new connection requires careful strategy and approach.
Throughout this piece, I aim to help you cultivate strong relationships on LinkedIn. We will explore actions from sending the initial invite to maintaining the relationship. Valuable tips and techniques are yours to learn, aimed at improving your networking.
Together, we will delve into how you, too, can effectively cultivate and use your LinkedIn connections. This is vital for your professional advancement and success.
Key Takeaways:
- known acquaintances.
- Building positive relationships on LinkedIn can be a valuable asset for professional development, growth, and opportunities.
- LinkedIn provides a platform for connecting and networking with like-minded professionals from various industries around the globe.
- Following the right strategies and approaches can help you fully leverage your new connections on LinkedIn.
- By nurturing and maintaining these relationships, you can open doors to collaborations, valuable insights, and career opportunities.
Why Should You Maximize Your LinkedIn Connections?
Maximizing your LinkedIn connections unlocks numerous benefits, aiding in professional growth and presenting extensive networking opportunities. As the globe’s premier professional network, LinkedIn acts as a bridge to connect with peers, leaders in your sector, and potential partners.
Enhancing your LinkedIn network boosts your industry presence and provides you with a wealth of resources. Through these connections, you can foster collaborations, unearth job prospects, gain valuable insights and opportunities, stay tuned with trends, and build your professional branding.
By widening your LinkedIn circle, you’re poising yourself to access a wealth of professional knowledge. Active engagement with the content shared by your connections keeps you updated on industry shifts, offers fresh insights, and aids in developing your leadership.
Moreover, dynamic networking on LinkedIn can pave the way for new career paths. It’s a place where recruiters actively seek out potential candidates, and a strong network elevates your chances of being noticed. Consistent participation, along with highlighting your achievements and skills, sharpens your professional image and broadens your employer relationship visibility.
LinkedIn, known for providing a platform to showcase achievements, skills, research, and stats, has facilitated many success stories. Countless professionals have benefited from job placements, formed profitable alliances, and achieved significant professional growth through their LinkedIn initiatives.
And this is not for employment seekers alone. If you are a business owner, starting in your profession, or an experienced veteran, enriching your LinkedIn connections is wise. It allows you to strategically grow your network, actively interact with your circle, and harness the platform’s potentials. This positions you for future gains, making your professional journey abundant with opportunities.
This is all to say one thing: LinkedIn is not only for people you already know. Use LinkedIn to extend your network around the world. View the platform as a virtual place to meet and greet new acquaintances who might help you grow. View LinkedIn as a virtual networking place to disseminate your high reputation.
TIP: Determining Whether To Accept A New Connection On LinkedIn
I know many people who customize their LinkedIn to reject new connections automatically. When I work with my clients, one thing I suggest is being more open-minded when it comes to meeting people. Yeah, we should not just connect with anyone. We should connect with people who make sense in our career growth strategy. By the way, if you don’t have a career growth strategy, it’s time to start building one. Check out my career development toolkit.
When faced with a new connection request on LinkedIn, it’s important to consider several factors before hitting the “Accept” button. While LinkedIn encourages expanding your network, quality connections can significantly impact your professional growth and opportunities. The billion-dollar question is, of course, what could be good decision criteria for accepting these new connections?
When I work with my coaching clients, I always suggest they build their own criteria. Something that feels authentic and true to them. But here are some criteria to help you kick off and evaluate whether or not to accept a new connection:
- Relevance To Your Industry And Field: Consider whether the requester’s professional background aligns with your interests, industry, or career moves. Connecting with individuals in your field can facilitate meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and potential collaboration opportunities. For example, if you are a medical researcher, it does not make sense to connect with carpenters unless you want to transition to that field at some point.
- Mutual Connections Or Shared Interests: Take note of whether you have mutual connections or share common interests with the requester. Mutual connections can provide credibility and serve as introducers, while shared interests can spark engaging and productive conversations to establish rapport for future professional opportunities.
- Personalized Connection Request: Pay attention to the quality of the connection request. A personalized message indicating why the requester wants to connect demonstrates genuine interest and increases the likelihood of meaningful relationship building. Conversely, generic or spammy requests may signal a lack of sincerity or professionalism.
- Professional Reputation And Profile Completeness: Review the requester’s LinkedIn profile to assess their professional reputation and credibility. Look for endorsements, recommendations, and a well-curated profile that showcases their skills, achievements, and contributions. Professionals who have Newsletters are also great to have as a connection. It shows they are thought leaders in their field and that they want to contribute to their industry. A complete and polished profile that also adds value to their community reflects seriousness and professionalism.
- Potential For Reciprocal Value: Evaluate whether the connection has the potential to offer value to your network and vice versa. Consider factors such as industry insights, expertise, mentorship opportunities, or the possibility of future collaboration. Building a network based on mutual benefit fosters meaningful and strong business relationships, and facilitates professional growth.
- Networking Goals And Strategy: Align the decision with your networking goals and strategy on LinkedIn. Determine whether expanding your network with the requester aligns with your career objectives, whether it’s expanding industry knowledge, exploring job opportunities, or seeking mentorship and guidance. The key point I want to make here is that everything you do on LinkedIn must be associated with a professional or career goal.
By considering these criteria thoughtfully, you can make informed decisions about accepting new connections on LinkedIn. Remember that quality connections contribute to a vibrant and valuable professional network, enhancing your opportunities for growth and success in the long run. I invite you to leverage these criteria to create yours.
Guide To Following Up Appropriately After First Connections
It’s pivotal to follow up on an initial connection with a tailored message on LinkedIn. This approach helps foster professional bonds and trust, shows your commitment to professionalism, and opens the door for further interactions. But beyond that, you still have to keep up with what I call “connection housekeeping.”
Here is a step-by-step suggestion to accomplish deeper connections with every additional contact you make on LinkedIn:
STEP 1 - Start With Thank You
A well-crafted thank you goes a long way in showcasing your appreciation for the connection. Don’t do like millions of people who completely MIA (miss in action) after they first connected. Take the opportunity to thank them for connecting and mention specific aspects from their profile or add a personal touch. This illustrates professionalism and sets a positive tone. Don’t wait a millennia to do it, either. As soon as your connection is accepted, thank your new connection for graciously accepting you into their network.
STEP 2 - The Engagement
Having 10 thousand connections that means nothing is worthless. That only impresses those who don’t know better. Staying active with your connections is crucial for maintaining stronger relationships. Here are a few ideas on how to do it:
a) Show Support: showing support by liking, commenting, and sharing their updates keeps your relationship vibrant. It also highlights your presence as a proactive professional on the platform.
b) Direct Messaging: don’t lose the opportunity to interact privately with your connections. If you connect with them first, ask how you can add value to them. If they connect first, ask questions about their industry insights, your opinion about their latest post, or anything that makes sense to both of you in an authentic way.
c) Share Resources: share valuable resources or ideas. I once connected with a salesperson, and he shared with me a benchmark Ad that I could use as inspiration for my business. He explained to me why he thought it could be an interesting approach for me. We developed a professional relationship after that and even met in person! There is power in adding value for people. Think about how you can do that for your connections.
STEP 3 - The Value-Add
I mentioned adding value many times already, but to make it crystal clear, I am creating a section just to emphasize that loud enough. Enhancing your connections’ experience illustrates your commitment to the relationship. Offering help, sharing useful content, or showcasing your knowledge in shared fields boosts your value. This establishes you not just as a connection but as a valuable resource, bolstering your professional image. In networking, your objective in adding value must be 2-fold: to make a difference in people’s growth and to become a name instead of just a connection.
One question I get asked a lot is: “I can’t keep adding value to my 4 thousand connections. How do I manage that?” The problem here is not management but your perspective on how to add value. If you keep interacting with people’s content, if you continue to share valuable thought-leadership content through posts, if you keep re-sharing your connections posts with your own take, then you are still adding value to everyone in your network.
Remember your objective? It’s twofold: to make a difference in people’s growth and to become a name instead of just a connection. You don’t have to keep direct messaging all your 4,000 connections every day to achieve that. Engage directly in earlier stages of connection, then make sure you keep adding value through other ways that can be scaled.
Leveraging Your Network For Opportunities
Starting a powerful professional network is only your first leap on LinkedIn. To truly benefit from your connections, building beneficial relationships by adding value is crucial, as I already posited. Acknowledging the importance of mutual growth can do wonders for building collaborative ties.
YOU CONNECTED: How To Add Value To A New Connection
Upon linking up with someone on LinkedIn, a key step is to show you both value their connection and aim for shared accomplishments. One method to achieve this is by extending support, wisdom, or advice pertinent to their professional aims.
- Share insights or resources beneficial to your contact. It can be an idea, an article, or even an interesting event that they might be interested in.
- Link them with professionals from your network who could help.
- Show support by engaging with their content, via likes, comments, and shares.
For a relationship to flourish, consistent interaction is essential to build trust. Staying engaged and seeking ways to aid each other enhances your connection. If you don’t know how, just ask. Asking powerful questions may be your best strategy with a new connection. It’s also wise to keep in touch frequently, discussing business trends, swapping knowledge, or exploring joint ventures.
Two-way efforts are what fortify professional bonds. While aiming to uplift your connections, remain accessible for their support and advice. Promptly respond to their queries and showcase your readiness for teamwork.
THEY CONNECTED: How To Answer 'How Can I Be Of Value As A New Connection'?
When I connect with new people, I genuinely ask them how I can add value to them as a new connection. What’s surprising is that most people don’t know how to answer this simple question. And that’s just because they probably never thought about it before and don’t already have a LinkedIn networking strategy.
Don’t make this mistake.
When newly acquainted contacts inquire about how they can be of value, detailing your needs is vital. Select from these approaches or use them to build yours:
- Ask For Constructive Feedback: “I’d love to hear your feedback about my Profile and what stood out to you the most.”
- Ask For An Introduction: “I noticed you know XYZ. I’d love to meet them. Do you know them well enough for an introduction?”
- Ask About Their Expertise: “I’d love to learn more about your area of expertise. What’s one thing that has been at the top of your mind lately in your field?”
- Request Industry Insights: “I’m always looking to stay updated on industry trends. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in our field?”
- Seek Career Trajectory Advice: “As someone with more experience in this industry, what’s one piece of advice you wish you had received when you were starting your career journey?”
- Offer Collaboration: “I’m a big believer in collaboration. Is there any project you’re currently working on where you think an extra pair of hands could be useful?”
- Discuss Mutual Interests: “Based on your profile, I noticed we have some shared interests in Pet Grooming as a hobby. What’s one good product or training you’d refer for beginners?”
I know this is a social skill that might be a bit of a stretch for those who have always just focused on technical skills. But by exercising this soft skill more often and articulating your needs while also being open to their help, both of you pave the way for a fruitful association. This method fosters a give-and-take relationship, propelling mutual success.
Maintaining And Nurturing Strong Connections
Networking on LinkedIn is an ongoing process. It demands continuous effort and interaction. To sustain and nurture professional bonds, several key strategies can be employed. These methods ensure you remain connected, fostering relationship duration.
1. Regularly Engaging With Connections' Content
Active involvement with your LinkedIn professional contacts is pivotal for connection durability. This involves interacting with their posts, articles, and updates. Also, if they appear in your notifications section with accomplishments or even their birthday, take the time to send them a private message congratulating them. Through such engagements, you support their endeavors while reinforcing your link.
However, the nature of your engagement is crucial. Ensure your actions are substantial and authentic. Investing the time to absorb and respond thoughtfully greatly enhances your professional image. It also strengthens relationship bonds through insightful dialogue.
2. Being Genuine And Authentic
Authenticity remains vital in all LinkedIn interactions. Strive for messages and responses that are tailor-made, avoiding generic content. Each engagement should add clear value to your connection.
On occasions of milestone achievements, go beyond simple congratulations. Offer guidance or insights tailored to their situation. This supportiveness not only underscores your value but also showcases a genuine commitment to their progress and a success mindset.
Building trust through authentic and substantive exchanges is pivotal. It’s about fostering connections that align with shared values and integrity. Such personal relationships are more durable, based on mutual trust and benefit.
Combining regular interaction with depth and authenticity in your exchanges leads to strong, sustainable, healthy relationships on LinkedIn.
Additional Resources For Your LinkedIn Journey
Here are some selected suggestions of books for you to explore this topic further:
LinkedIn For Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide
by Sandra Long | Oct 28, 2020
LinkedIn For Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide” by Sandra Long is a comprehensive handbook tailored for executives aiming to expand their network and amplify their personal brand on LinkedIn. It offers invaluable insights and practical strategies for leveraging LinkedIn’s full potential as a platform for personal branding and networking.
60 Days to LinkedIn Mastery: The Entrepreneur, Executive, and Employee’s Guide to Optimize Your Profile, Make Meaningful Connections, and Create Compelling Content . . . In Just 15 Minutes a Day
by Josh Steimle , Virginie Cantin , et al. | Oct 11, 2021
60 Days to LinkedIn Mastery” is a must-read for executives aiming to expand their network. This book offers a practical 60-day plan to optimize LinkedIn profiles, make meaningful connections, and create compelling content—all in just 15 minutes a day. With actionable strategies and time-efficient techniques, executives can unlock the full potential of LinkedIn for personal branding and networking success.
Personal Branding For Dummies, 2nd Edition
by Susan Chritton | Jul 14, 2014
I have the pleasure of knowing this author, but this is not why I am recommending this book. Personal Branding For Dummies, 2nd Edition” by Susan Chritton is essential reading for executives looking to enhance their personal brand. Released in July 2014, this book provides practical guidance on developing a strong personal brand that resonates with your target audience. Chritton offers actionable strategies and tips for defining your brand, leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn, and building a compelling online presence. Executives seeking to differentiate themselves in a competitive market will find this book invaluable for creating a powerful and authentic personal brand that drives career success.
Final Remarks On Building Professional Relationships On LinkedIn
Your network, along with your knowledge and experience, is your net worth. Sounds cheeky? Well, it’s not. So make sure yours is strong and thriving. The significance of building a professional network on LinkedIn goes beyond workplace relationships and cannot be overstated in today’s competitive landscape. As showcased by the extensive statistics, LinkedIn is an invaluable platform for connecting and networking with professionals from diverse industries worldwide. Leveraging the strategies and approaches outlined in this post can empower individuals to maximize the potential of their LinkedIn connections, thereby opening doors to collaborations, insights, and career prospects and opportunities. By nurturing and maintaining these solid relationships authentically, professionals can forge pathways towards sustained growth and success in their respective fields. Plainly, embracing LinkedIn as a conduit for meaningful professional connections is not just a choice but a strategic imperative for navigating the complexities of the modern professional world. At least, if you want to stay ahead.
If you are looking for a leadership development partner and consultant to help you create a LinkedIn Networking strategy and implement some of the ideas from this post, you can hire me as your executive and development coach. Have a Free Strategy Call with me. We will go over your specific situation, and devise together a methodical but fun way to tackle the matter. We will implement practices and ideas together during our coaching journey so you can feel more confident and poised to achieve your goals.
If you are interested in developing specific global leadership skills, personally or team-wise, check out our online Global Executive Leadership program. We go over all The Global Leadership Pillars™ during 9 online modules, specially meant for global leadership development. It’s a unique leadership training methodology that will change the way you think, relate, and strategize as a global leader. If you want a more laid back leadership learning, you can also subscribe for free to our global leadership podcast, The Leadership Nest.
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