As the Internet buzzes with social media activity, knowing where to network can be a challenge.
While LinkedIn is still viewed by many as an online resume (huge mistake btw!) – it lives at the top of my list for professional networking.
Not spending any time on LinkedIn? Let me tell you why you should.
- LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with more than 347 million members in over 200 countries and territories.
- Professionals are signing up to join LinkedIn at a rate of more than two new members per second.
- Average time a user spends on LinkedIn is 17 minutes.
- There are 42 million unique mobile visitors each month.
- There are over 39 million students and recent college graduates on LinkedIn. They are LinkedIn’s fastest-growing demographic.
- LinkedIn provides extended visibility for the business professional looking to establish themselves as a subject matter expert.
- While Facebook, Twitter and other social sites build familiarity and awareness for your personal brand, LinkedIn is unique in its business focus. LinkedIn is a society designed to connect business professionals, marketers and vendors interested in building a community.
And did you know that of those 347 million members, 111 million are in the United States alone?
It’s easy to see that whether you’re looking for B2B or B2C connections, LinkedIn is the place to be.
So, what are you waiting for?
Let’s get you networking! (and don’t forget to grab the Infographic below)
Use LinkedIn to Become a Networking Superstar
1. Create a Captivating Bio
Did you know that adding a photo to your profile makes it 7 times more likely to be found in searches?
Or that filling out your most recent positions – the last two to be exact – makes your profile 12 times more likely to be found?
Simple updates like these make a BIG difference.
And they’re critical updates to make before you begin to make connections.
Take the time to make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete. There’s nothing worse than trying to connect with business professionals when you have an incomplete bio.
If your profile is incomplete, take a quick moment to log into your account and walk through each step until you’re 100% complete. Do not proceed until this is done.
A few profile optimization suggestions:
- Add a profile photo
- List all the jobs or positions you’ve held, along with descriptions of your roles
- Have 5 or more skills on your profile
- Write a summary about yourself
- Fill out your industry and postal code
- Add where you went to school
And here’s a great Linkedin Profile checklist from Melonie Dodaro of Top Dog Social Media to get you started!
2. Get Into LinkedIn Groups
Join groups on LinkedIn and start a conversation or comment on topics relevant to your niche.
You will find groups by by clicking on “Interests > Groups” from your profile or searching keywords to identify groups with similar interests.
One of the groups that I manage is “Social Media Marketing Strategies for Business Professionals.” With over 34,000 members, this group is a daily opportunity to meet and greet other like-minded professionals.
Get Started with Groups
You have two options – join a group or create a group.
- Join a group
- Click on Groups and then “Groups Directory” to research featured groups that offer content you find interesting.
- Create a group
- Before you begin, do your homework. Think about who you’re trying to attract. Are there other groups already out there and what they are doing right or wrong in your opinion?
- How can you improve upon it and add value to the community?
- If you’re ready to start a group, take these steps:
- Move your cursor over Interests at the top of your homepage and select Groups
- Click the Create a group button on the right.
- Fill in the requested information. A red asterisk means it’s required.
- Click the Create.. button to create your group as an open group or a members-only group.
One final piece of advice from Mike Allton with The Social Media Hat is an important one — how to get involved in the conversation once you join a group.
After you join a LinkedIn Group, introduce yourself to the other members with a post describing how you found the group and what you hope to achieve through membership. It’s ok to talk about your position and your industry authority as long as it does not come across a self-promotional or spammy.
3. Make Your Connections Count
LinkedIn is an excellent way to connect with like-minded business professionals. There are, however, right ways and wrong ways to connect.
The right way? Strategically reaching out to people within your industry, niche or community. Creating relationships that are mutually beneficial.
The wrong way? Randomly sending out requests to simply “add to your numbers.”
And while we’re talking about LinkedIn requests, a big DON’T is sending one without customizing the standard LinkedIn email verbiage.
Whenever you send a friend request, LinkedIn will by default send your request along with this message: “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” Sounds great, right? Wrong!
That cookie-cutter message doesn’t say anything about who you are or why you want to connect. Spend a few moments scripting out a short, personalized message.
Here are a couple of examples:
Hi Donna,
I have been a long-time fan of your blog and appreciate your valuable insight around the ______ industry.
As someone that also works within that space, I am always looking to connect with like-minded individuals. I’d love to connect and hope you’ll accept my request.
or…
Hi Donna,
I see that we’re both connected through (name of person or group) and that we have a lot in common.
As someone that also works within (industry/niche), I am always looking to connect with like-minded individuals. I’d love to connect and hope you’ll accept my request.
Run a search on your current social media friends. You might be surprised who you’re not already connected to on LinkedIn. My friend Donna Mortiz with Socially Sorted was one of mine.
I’ve rectified that as of today!
4. Be a Connector
There’s no better way to make meaningful connections than to create them.
Know two people that have a lot in common? Introduce them!
Social networking is at its core about connection. So, why not be that connector? Share why you feel two people should connect and what it is that makes them a business match.
It’s easy and fun!
Here’s how to do it:
- Write a personal message
- Include details about each person’s background, strengths and skills
- Add in benefits (why they should connect)
- Finish with a Call to Action (CTA) that asks them to take action
Steps to Introduce Two LinkedIn Connections
- Search for one of the connection’s profiles using the search box at the top of your homepage.
- From results, click their name to view their profile.
- Click the Down arrow in the top section of the profile and select Share Profile.
- Enter each recipient’s name in the top box of the compose message page.
- Modify the message to explain how they could benefit from knowing each other. (see below)
- Click Send Message.
Sample Message
Hi Tom and Anne,
I wanted to take a moment and introduce the two of you. You’re both in the real estate industry and two incredible go-getters.
Tom is a 20 year real estate veteran and has run his own brokerage for the last 10. He’s always looking for great people and that’s why Anne came to mind immediately.
Anne is a top producing real estate agent that has been in the industry for 5 years. Over that time, she’s earned the reputation of being a compassionate, energetic and detail-oriented agent. She’s currently looking for a new brokerage and that’s why I thought of you Tom.
Anne, would you be so kind as to schedule a time to grab a cup of coffee with Tom? I know the two of you will hit it off!
5. Stay in Touch
Use LinkedIn’s handy “Keep in Touch” feature to keep you in front of your connections on a daily basis.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Once you start making LinkedIn connections, make sure to stay in touch. Here’s how! via @rebekahradice” quote=”Once you start making LinkedIn connections, make sure to stay in touch. Here’s how! “]
Click on Connections > Keep in Touch to get started.
From there you’ll see a list of people celebrating a special event – new job, birthday – and an easy way to say congrats or make a comment.
Another great way to stay in touch is through content sharing. Stay top of mind by consistently sharing relevant content to your LinkedIn profile.Peg Fitzpatrick, co-author of “The Art of Social Media” shares these thoughts,
LinkedIn is the place to show your smarts. I don’t recommend posting quotes as status updates here. I love them on Pinterest and Twitter but I don’t feel they carry enough weight for a LinkedIn update. Post at least one update per day and up to four per day spread out through the day to remain active in the LinkedIn stream.
Get Networking
If you’re ready to expand your reach and build your online network, then it’s time to capitalize on the vibrant LinkedIn community.
I guarantee that if you’re willing to put in the time, LinkedIn will help you reap valuable rewards.
Not only can it establish credibility, but also open doors of opportunity and expand your personal brand.
Ready to get started? Let’s connect!
Grab the Infographic
There are so many different ways to utilize LinkedIn as a business owner and entrepreneur. You definitely broke it down into sizable action steps and chunks!
Great article, Rebekah!
I need to be active in my LinkedIn Groups more often.
I knew it, but reading reminds you and make you being more concient, then more pro active for!
I’m really happy to have shared our post to @socialfave timeline!
Cheers.
Philippe
LinkedIn is that social media platform that always slips through the cracks with me. I guess its about time I start paying more attention. Thanks Rebekah.
Hello There. I found your blog the use of msn.
This is a really smartly written article. I will be
sure to bookmark it and return to learn exgra of your helpful info.
Thank youu ffor the post. I will certainly comeback.
Well explained, as most of the people have least success with linkedIn compared to other networks.
Rebecca, your insight and talents are exceptional. It is a true art to be able to connect with people on a basis that is clear and concise and you have an innate ability to come across as kind and genuine and you are clearly able to explain concepts in a way that everyone can understand. Thanks for the great website and all the help that you give to others. I have been in the technology business for almost 30 years now and it is absolutely amazing how many different areas and facets there are to technology and nobody can possibly know them all. How technology has progressed in even just the last 10 years is mind blowing.It has been a great learning curve to understand and learn Social Media and its’ related areas and I personally so appreciate the insight that comes from experts like you. Keep up the great work.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/common-sense-dead-bill-j-lucas?midToken=AQFNRXZRi8WsKA&trk=eml-pad-b-art-0&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=3Hq69FjMj7qSI1
It really is amazing Bill. The speed at which things are changing seems to accelerate on a daily basis. 30 years is a lot of water under the bridge! 🙂
This is fantastic! What great advice! I only just found your blog today, but i’m captivated by it! have been trying to discover how I can be more active on LinkedIn, but reading this blog post has made me realise how simple it can be!!
Thanks for posting as well how to make meaningful connections!
Glad to hear it was helpful. Hope to see you again soon!
Hey Rebekah,
For the longest I stayed away from LinkedIn although I’ve been a member for 5 years. At first I was going at it the wrong way, but now since I have a good inner circle, they started using LinkedIn which gave me a reason to join the group they’re in.
But now since I started using LinkedIn more for about a week now, it’s time to apply the tips you mentioned here. I can definitely see the benefits since I’ve been connected with a lot more genuine people!
Thanks for the share! Have a great week!
Hi Rebekah,
This post is very timely for me as I just started off using LinkedIn last week. I’m trying to make it a bigger part of my marketing and hopefully connect with some pretty interesting people on there.
I’ll admit, I made the mistake you stated in point #3 and I’ll be using your custom write-up there to help build more connections in the future.
Thanks for this.
– Andrew
I like reading this post about LinedIn. I will become more active there now after I have read good advices on how to become an active LinedIn user. Thank you, Rebeca.
Excellent article, thank you!
Excellent article! Thank you!
Hi Deb! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Rebekah,
Hope you are doing well.
Your post was quite helpful owing to the effective tips that it has along with the examples, especially “Sample Message”. In fact, I love Linkedin as it is one of the biggest platforms for digital marketing. I am a regular reader of your blog and I have learnt many things.
Keep it up!
Thanks
David
Hi David – thank you for being a regular reader. I really appreciate that! I put the sample together after speaking with many business professionals that said it’s difficult to find the right words. I’m happy to hear it’s helpful!
Rebekah,
I’ve always tried to personalize the connection requests I send out, but have fallen prey to the cookie-cutter message, too. Usually it happens when LinkedIn makes the connection suggestion and I click the “check box” but no opportunity to personalize the message is offered. It just sends the canned message, automatically. I no longer click those. 😉
I will definitely use these connection examples.
Thank you!
-Sean
I’ve done that too Sean. It’s a nice feature on mobile, but is unfortunate that the invite is sent before you realize there’s not a chance to customize.
Love your points here, Rebekah, especially on staying in touch with your network. You just never know when someone has a question or need you can answer!
You are a prime example of how to stay in touch Susan. You make it look effortless!
Love the little infographic at the end Rebekah!
What stood out for me was the ‘stay in touch’ part. We tend to forget to stay in touch and have conversations with our current contacts – thanks for the reminder!
Hi Adel! It’s great to see you here. It’s so easy to forget to stay in touch, isn’t it? We’re all moving at 100 mph and while it might feel like we’re “touching” everyone, we typically aren’t.
Hi Rebekah,
LinkedIn is my favorite platform and I’ve earned a massive amount of business networking there.
Any professional would be wise to follow your advice. I’m involved in a number of groups. I admit of late I haven’t been as active as I have been in the past.
However, when I am the results are phenomenal.
Thanks for the reminder and I did request to join your group!
Have a great week.
~ Don Purdum
Thanks for joining us Don! I find an enormous amount of value in groups and look forward to seeing what you bring to it.
Thanks for putting this together Rebekah. I will be getting more active in groups and customizing the LinkedIn verbiage. 🙂
Thanks,
Sean Smith
Awesome Sean! Let me know how it goes.
Nice Post.Thank You your tips on networking.
Glad you found it helpful Veronica!
Great article, Rebekah!
I need to be active in my LinkedIn Groups more often. I’m really happy with all the new updates to the timeline!
I’m really enjoying the interaction in our group Peg. It’s not easy to get Groups up and running and engaged, but it’s well worth the time and effort.
LinkedIn continues to be one of my most active social channels. I visit the “advanced” search more often these days. Social SEO is one of my most used queries so I can ID the thought leaders in social media and social seo and your profile is often ranked at the top!
That’s a great way to make relevant connections Neil and really speaks to my point about creating relationships and not chasing numbers. Thanks for joining our community!
Hi Rebekah maam,
Loved your tips on networking. Awesome tips. I started blogging on Pulse but did not wait long to see it working in my favor. I hope it gets well with others and it still is a good medium to connect with people and get leads.
With my single post I got a client who needed my freelance writing service and contacted me from the link I had dropped in the bottom of the article. He is my highest paying client till date!
Ah, groups on linkedin are super awesome. I am a member in one or two groups and those folks are super helpful.
Thanks for your helpful tips, specially the checklist. I need to change a lOT in my LinkedIn to STAND out.
Thanks a LOT 🙂
Wow – that is super cool Swadhin! Posting on LinkedIn is a great way to position yourself as a thought leader. It sounds like it’s served you very well. Congrats!
Ooooh yeah, this one is going straight into the LinkedIn folder for when I finally get my arse around to getting ‘linked in’. There are so many idiosyncrasies to that platform, so I need to set aside at least a weekend and really dive in.
Thanks, Rebekah!
You need to bite the bullet and get over there Andrea. There are so many potential clients looking for your exact services. They need you!
Hi Rebekah,
Man, this is an awesome post! To be honest, I was checking out some tutorials on this when I saw your email! What a timing, right?
I love the LinkedIn checklist! Must have and hey, great tips.
I just bookmarked this and coming back for MORE. Yes, you know you “wow” all the time. This time … no difference 🙂
Keep it up!
I love when those perfect moments happen Reginald. And isn’t that a fantastic checklist for Melonie? Makes things so easy!
I have started blogging on Pulse recently and I definitely have to apply your tips Rebekah, especially the one for groups. I have neglected that for some time and like you said with Pinterest, start and be consistent. Ill have to do the same here and hopefully, it goes well for me 🙂
Thanks for the tips Rebekah!