Top 10 Strategies to grow your network on Linkedin

LinkedIn is more than just a professional networking platform; it's a vibrant community where like-minded professionals can connect, share, and grow together. Whether you're looking to enhance your career, broaden your industry knowledge, or increase your visibility, expanding your network on LinkedIn can open numerous doors.

In short, you will get networking value from Linkedin if:

You have optimized your profile for discoverability
You post content regularly and stick to one topic
You comment on other’s posts (as important as posting)
You nurture and engage with old and new connections
You are consistent (have a plan and schedule time)

Here are our top 10 strategies to grow your LinkedIn network effectively.

1. Optimize Your Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake. Use relevant keywords in your profile to improve your visibility in searches. A well-optimized profile makes it easier for others to find and connect with you, ensuring you're not missing out on potential networking opportunities.

2. Look up your School Alumni on Linkedin

Use the school filter in advanced search or visit your alumni on your school's LinkedIn page and filter by country or industry to find relevant people.

Having graduated from the same schools is a great ice breaker and usually a green light for connecting on Linkedin.

3. Use Advanced Searches and Boolean Operators

B) People Searches within your 2nd-degree Connections

You do not know who your connections know in real life unless they tell you or you use LinkedIn.

Use boolean operators when using advanced filters to find people with specific job titles within your country and your industry AND in your 2nd-degree network.

All relevant people in the results will have a minimum of one mutual connection with you.

This means you can either send connection requests mentioning the mutual connection or ask for an introduction from your connection.

4. Analyze Your Connections's Network

Take a look at your connections' networks to identify potential contacts. If you find someone interesting, ask for an introduction. A warm introduction from a mutual connection can be much more effective than a cold contact.

5. Engage with LinkedIn Groups

Dive into LinkedIn Groups related to your industry or interests. These are goldmines for finding individuals who share your passions or professional aspirations. Engaging in group discussions and connecting with members can significantly expand your network with relevant contacts.

6. Join LinkedIn Events

LinkedIn hosts a plethora of events, called Linkedin Live or Audio events, catering to various industries and interests. Attending these events not only broadens your knowledge but also allows you to see who else is attending, giving you the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals.

7. Nurture your existing network and Share Value

A) Review your connections and send them insights you know they will find usefull.

Find relevant connections you haven't engaged with recently. Find and share something of value that you believe will be of interest to them. This approach shows that you're thinking of them and strengthens your relationships without expecting anything in return.

B) Stay updated with your industry's latest developments and share.

Subscribe to blogs or use news aggregators to find a trendy or popular article and share it with a few connections in your network. Those spontaneous personal shares will be appreciated and position you as a subject matter expert.

This content can also be repurposed as LinkedIn posts, saving you time when looking for ideas for your own LinkedIn content.

8. Consistently Post Content

Regularly posting on LinkedIn increases your visibility and demonstrates your expertise. This attracts followers and potential connections who find value in your content, thereby organically growing your network.

9. Comment on Other’s Posts

Use Advanced Searches on Content to find relevant posts or authors

LinkedIn's advanced search feature lets you find content and people within your industry. Content posted by brands or people in a specific industry in the last 24h can be quickly scanned to identify popular posts or interesting people worth engaging with (with an insightful comment)

Scan the comments on posts made by industry leaders and stand out by sharing an insightful comment.

Increase your visibility by commenting on posts made by brands, influencers, and peers in your industry.

Thoughtful comments can attract attention from others and may lead to more connection requests from individuals interested in your insights.

You can also send a connection request to relevant people.

10. Adopt an “Always Be Connecting” Mindset

The Always Be Closing ABC has transformed into Always Be Connecting with the rise of social media and LinkedIn.

Review your recent interactions and meetings regularly. If you've met someone interesting, don't hesitate to send them a connection request on LinkedIn. Setting aside time each week for networking can significantly grow your network.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, you're not just expanding your LinkedIn network; you're building a community around your professional brand. Remember, networking on LinkedIn is about quality interactions, sharing value, and cultivating relationships that are mutually beneficial. Start today, and watch your network—and opportunities—grow.