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How to Network on LinkedIn [Best Strategies]

How to Network on LinkedIn [Best Strategies]
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Last updated: February 1, 2024
Reading time: 12 minutes
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“Your network is your net worth” is a quote most of us are familiar with – and we couldn’t agree more that it is highly relevant to networking on LinkedIn. Having a diverse LinkedIn network means more and better career opportunities, connecting with leads and industry leaders, and never feeling out of touch in your professional life.

While networking is essential to your career and business, knowing how to network effectively can be challenging. Moreover, using LinkedIn for networking isn’t straightforward. But when you understand how to network well on LinkedIn, you’ll never run out of people to connect with again. 

This guide will walk you through everything you want to know about networking on LinkedIn. From optimizing your profile to building your network and writing personalized messages, we’ll cover everything.

How to Network With Strangers on LinkedIn?

First things first: why is networking so important? 

Well, for starters, networking allows you to meet new people and expand your circle. It also allows you to build relationships with people who might be able to help you further your career. Plus, networking allows you to learn new things and gain valuable insights into your industry. 

Now that we’ve answered the question “why,” let’s move on to the “how.” 

Outreach Automation on LinkedIn with Dripify

Here are three simple steps for networking with strangers on LinkedIn: 

Find People Who Share Your Interests

LinkedIn has a built-in search feature that allows you to find users based on their location, industry, and interests. So take advantage of this feature and find people who share your interests. Once you’ve found someone you think might be a good connection, send them a connection request and include a personal message explaining why you’d like to connect with them.

Join Groups And Participate In Discussions

Groups connect you with like-minded individuals and allow you to learn about new topics related to your industry. And because groups are organized around specific topics, finding ones that align with your interests is easy. Simply join a few relevant groups and start participating in discussions — you’ll have made some valuable connections before long.

Attend Virtual Events

Just because we’re living in a digital world doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of opportunities to network with like-minded individuals. There are tons of virtual events being held every day, so there’s bound to be one (or more) that piques your interest. Attend a few of these events and introduce yourself — you never know who you might meet! 

Making connections with strangers doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming — all it takes is a little effort and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. 

How to Use LinkedIn for Networking?

How to Use LinkedIn for Networking

Networking doesn’t need to be scary or intimidating; it’s an opportunity to build relationships with people in similar industries who can offer insight into new opportunities and ideas that could help your career grow.

LinkedIn is full of potential business contacts, from CEOs and high-level executives to freelancers and small-business owners. And since LinkedIn is built around relationships and connections, it’s the perfect place to expand your professional network.

Here are a few tips on how to use LinkedIn for networking:

  • Start by filling out your profile completely, and don’t forget to add a professional headshot. This will help you make a good first impression and show potential contacts that you’re serious about networking.
  • Use keywords in your profile so that people searching for someone with your skills and experience can easily find you.
  • Connect with as many people as possible, including friends, family, co-workers, and casual acquaintances. The more connections you have, the easier it will be to find relevant contacts when needed. We recommend that you avoid LinkedIn Open Networker or LION status when you are connecting with people you don’t know.
  • Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to build relationships with potential contacts.
  • Send personal messages to the people you want to connect with instead of generic connection requests. Personalizing your outreach shows that you’re interested in building a real relationship and not just collecting names and numbers.  

But remember, this is just the beginning, and networking on LinkedIn is a constant struggle. Stick around a little longer while we explain more details about LinkedIn networking

9 Tips on How to Network on LinkedIn

While creating an impressive profile is essential to getting the most out of your LinkedIn account, there’s more to building a successful network on the social media platform. Read on for our tips and tricks. 

1. Optimize Your Profile to Make it More Accessible 

If your LinkedIn profile is not optimized, you may miss out on opportunities to grow your network. One simple way to make your LinkedIn profile accessible is to ensure that your profile photo is professional and up-to-date. 

A good profile photo will help you come across as credible and trustworthy, which are essential when building business relationships. Also, ensure your LinkedIn profile headline clearly states what you do and what you are looking for. And don’t forget to optimize different sections of your profile with keywords.

Related article: LinkedIn SEO: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

2. Build LinkedIn Connections 

LinkedIn networking: Build LinkedIn Connections

When you reach out and connect with someone, be sure to personalize your message and let them know why you’re interested in connecting. For example, if you’re reaching out to someone in your industry, you might mention that you’ve been following their work and that you have mutual interests.

If you send a connection request to a person who works for a company you’re interested in, mention that you’re impressed by their work and would like to learn more about what they do. 

Personalizing your messages means you’re a real person trying to learn/achieve something and not a spammer.

3. Join Relevant Groups 

By joining groups with similar interests, you can connect with like-minded professionals and learn from their experiences. It is also a good idea to use groups to find mentors, collaborate on projects, and build relationships with potential employers. 

To get the most out of LinkedIn groups, you must be an active participant – contribute thoughtful comments, engage in discussions, and keep sharing helpful bits of information. 

4. Follow Companies and Thought Leaders in Your Industry

LinkedIn networking: Follow Companies and Thought Leaders in Your Industry

By following relevant organizations, you’ll have access to their latest updates, which can help keep you informed about the latest industry news and trends. For example, if you want to connect with other marketing professionals in your industry, consider following a few marketing-focused companies or thought leaders. This will quickly expand your network.

To get started, go to the “Follow Companies” section of LinkedIn and search for organizations that are relevant to your industry. Then, click “Follow” to start receiving their updates in your news feed.

5. Regularly Share Articles and Insights on Your LinkedIn Profile 

Being active and engaging with others on the platform by regularly sharing content and insights can help build your authority in your niche. 

Let’s say you’re a marketing professional specializing in social media marketing. If you share articles, blog posts, or infographics about social media marketing on LinkedIn, other professionals who are interested in that topic will be more likely to connect with you. 

6. Engage With Other Members in Discussions

Interacting with others on LinkedIn can increase the quality of your network and eventually draw more leads and connection requests.

  • Comments: When you comment on someone else’s post, you get your name in front of their network and start a conversation. 
  • Endorsements: When you endorse someone for a skill, you are validating their expertise and letting their network know that you recognize their expertise.
  • Messages: Sending messages is a great way to start a conversation with someone you want to connect with. It’s also a good way to follow up on comments or endorsements.

7. Get Endorsements 

When you receive an endorsement from someone outside your network, it signals to LinkedIn’s algorithm that you have something to offer other users. As a result, you may find that your profile begins to appear more frequently in search results and suggested connections. 

8. Optimize Your Work Experience

Did you know that optimizing your work experience can also help you grow your network on LinkedIn? When you include relevant keywords in your work experience section, it makes it easier for others to find you when they’re searching for those keywords. 

Say you’re a marketing manager who specializes in social media marketing. By including relevant keywords like “social media marketing,” “content strategy,” and “brand awareness,” you’re more likely to show up in search results for those terms. And when people find you in search results, they’re more likely to add you to their network. 

9. Use Advanced Search Filters

Specifying your desired location, industry, and other criteria can connect you with people relevant to your profession. LinkedIn also provides many opportunities to connect with potential contacts, such as through groups and events.

By taking advantage of these features, you can expand your professional network in a targeted and efficient way.

Related articles:

How to Access More Than 1000 Results in a LinkedIn Search

LinkedIn Xray Search

Networking on LinkedIn [Best Strategies]

Now that we’ve covered tips for using LinkedIn for networking, let’s enlist the best strategies that make this task even easier. 

1. Connection Personalization

LinkedIn networking: Connection Personalization

One of the best networking strategies on LinkedIn is to personalize your connections. This means sending a personalized message when you connect with someone rather than the generic “I’d like to add you to my professional network.” This shows that you’re interested in building a relationship with the person and not just adding them to your contacts list.

2. LinkedIn Automation

Another smart networking strategy is to use the best LinkedIn automation tools, such as Dripify. These tools can help you automate repetitive tasks, such as sending connection requests and messages, so that you can focus on more important things.

3. Carefully Vet Your Connections 

You don’t want to waste your time connecting with people who aren’t going to be helpful or valuable contacts. So, take the time to research the people you’re interested in, and make sure they’re somebody who would be a good addition to your network.

4. Profile Optimization

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is always helpful, whether you want to build your network or find work. So, ensure your profile is up-to-date and includes all relevant information about your professional background and skills. 

5. Sharing a Common Ground/Reference With Those You’re Connecting With

LinkedIn networking: Sharing a Common Ground

Sharing a common ground or reference with the people you’re connecting with helps build your credibility and makes you more approachable. This could be something as simple as mutual friends or shared interests.

Finding something you have in common with the person you’re trying to connect with will make it easier for them to remember you and feel more comfortable connecting with you.

6. Leveraging LinkedIn Communities 

There are thousands of discussion groups on LinkedIn, covering everything from marketing to accounting to sustainable business practices. Once you’ve found a few promising groups, spend some time reading through recent discussions to get a feel for the group’s tone and culture.

If you see a discussion that interests you, don’t hesitate to chime in with your thoughts and observations. And when you start an interesting discussion with someone in a group, reach out and see if they’d like to continue the conversation offline over coffee or lunch.

The Ultimate LinkedIn Sales Guide

How NOT to Network on LinkedIn

Not all LinkedIn connection tricks you come across are worth trying because some are rather counterproductive. If you want a dependable network on LinkedIn, here are some don’ts to remember:

Don’t Be Pushy or Spammy

This will turn people off, making them less likely to connect with you. Don’t send out generic messages or invitations to connect without a touch of personalization. People will be less likely to respond positively if you come across as spammy or pushy.

Avoid Copied-Pasted Connection Messages

One of the worst things you can do when networking on LinkedIn is to send copied and pasted messages. This shows that you haven’t taken the time to read the person’s profile and learn anything about them. Take the time to write a personalized message that will resonate with the person you want to connect with.

Don’t Send Connection Requests to Everyone You Come Across

Many people make this mistake. But it is not a good idea to send connection requests to everyone you find on LinkedIn. This is not an effective use of your time or theirs. When you reach out to someone, make sure it’s because you have a genuine reason for wanting to connect with them. 

Outreach Automation on LinkedIn with Dripify

The Benefits of LinkedIn Networking

Here are five good reasons to join LinkedIn and start building your network.

Better Career Prospects

One of the main benefits of building a LinkedIn network is that it can lead to better career prospects. Your connections on LinkedIn can help you find a new job or get promoted at your current company. 

Your LinkedIn network can help you research companies and find job postings. You can also use LinkedIn to connect with recruiters, hiring managers, and other professionals who can help advance your career. 

Establishing Your Authority

Another benefit of building a network on LinkedIn is that it can help you establish yourself as an authority in your industry. By sharing informative articles, insightful comments, and original thoughts on LinkedIn, you can position yourself as an expert in your field. 

When your name comes up as a trusted source of information, people are likelier to listen to what you say and take your advice. This can help you attract new clients, secure speaking engagements, and win new business opportunities. 

Building a Diverse Professional Network

LinkedIn networking lets you connect with people from all walks of life, including those who may not be in your direct professional network. Effective networking can also lead you to new opportunities for collaboration and innovation. 

By connecting with people from different industries and backgrounds, you can gain insights into different fields and improve your knowledge. A diverse professional network can also help you find business opportunities and make valuable connections. 

Get Timely Industry Updates

Lastly, LinkedIn networking lets you stay updated on industry news and trends. Following the right people and companies means you always get timely updates on what’s happening in your field without actively searching for them.

This way, you can stay ahead of the curve and be one of the first to know about new developments in your industry. Plus, you may want to follow the companies and publications that matter most to you and easily access the latest articles and blog posts from your feed.

Use Dripify LinkedIn Automation Software

Use Dripify LinkedIn Automation Software

In an increasingly digitized world, it is no surprise that even our networking has gone digital. While in-person and face-to-face interactions are still valuable, a large portion of networking now happens online. 

This is especially true in the business world, where entrepreneurs and business professionals use LinkedIn to connect with like-minded individuals and further their career opportunities. 

But online networking can be time-consuming and cumbersome. This is where Dripify comes in. Dripify is a cloud-based tool that automates your LinkedIn networking for you. With Dripify, you can connect with more people in less time without sacrificing the quality of your connections. 

How Does Dripify Work? 

Dripify allows you to automate the tedious tasks of LinkedIn networking. For example, let’s say you want to connect with 100 new people this month. With Dripify, you can set up a “campaign” with this goal in mind. Then, Dripify will begin sending messages and invitations to connect on your behalf. 

You can customize these messages to reflect your voice and style. And, because they come from you directly, recipients are much more likely to respond positively than if they were generic messages sent en masse by a tool. 

Dripify also includes features that allow you to keep track of your progress, measure your results, and optimize your campaigns for maximum impact. 

Why Use Dripify? 

There are plenty of reasons to use Dripify for your LinkedIn networking needs. First of all, as we’ve mentioned, it saves you time. With Dripify managing your campaign, you can focus on other parts of your business without worrying about neglecting your networking responsibilities. 

And since Dripify allows you to customize your networking message on LinkedIn, you’ll be able to create real connections with the people you reach out to — connections that could lead to opportunities down the road. And finally, it’s easy to use; even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll be able to set up and manage your campaigns with ease. 

LinkedIn Networking Message Template

So, how to send a networking message on LinkedIn, you ask? Well, it can be daunting to reach out to strangers, especially if you don’t know what to say. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful LinkedIn networking message template. 

Just follow our simple template, and you’ll be on your way to making valuable connections in no time!

Hi [insert name],

I hope you’re doing well! I came across your profile, and it looks like we have much in common. I’m really impressed by your work in [insert field]. I’m currently working on a project that I think matches many of your areas of expertise. I’d love to connect, share more about it and see if you’re interested. 

Would you be available for a quick call sometime next week? I’ll send over more information when we connect. 

Thanks, 

[Your name]

Outreach Automation on LinkedIn with Dripify

Conclusion

And there you have it! Our top tips for networking on LinkedIn. We hope you’ll find these helpful and that they’ll motivate you to get out there and start making connections.

Remember, the more people you connect with on LinkedIn, the better your chances of making a connection, landing an interview, or building a lasting business relationship. When you have a diverse network, you have access to more resources and a larger chance of success.

LinkedIn networking is all about maintaining a consistent level of engagement to generate the best results. This means you only have one chance to make a good first impression when you’re networking online, so make sure that your LinkedIn profile is optimized and that you connect with potential contacts without spamming them.

Dripify – LinkedIn automation tool

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