In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become a powerful tool for business leaders to build a LinkedIn network to connect and network with other professionals across the globe.
With over 900 million users worldwide, LinkedIn provides a vast platform for individuals to showcase their skills and expertise, grow their personal brand, and expand their professional network.
However, building a robust LinkedIn network is not an easy task. It requires time, effort, and a strategic approach.
This article will explore fresh perspectives on how business leaders can grow their LinkedIn network and maximize its potential.
Focus on building genuine connections
Building genuine connections with other professionals is one of the most critical aspects of growing a LinkedIn network.
Business leaders should focus on creating meaningful relationships with individuals with similar interests, values, and goals. This can be achieved by:
- engaging with others’ content,
- commenting on their posts,
- sending personalized connection requests.
A personalized message highlighting common interests or experiences is essential when sending connection requests. This can help break the ice and initiate a conversation, leading to a deeper connection.
Moreover, avoiding generic messages or automated bots simultaneously sending requests to multiple individuals is crucial.
Over time your messaging traffic will grow. And, while LinkedIn inbox solutions are good enough for occasional messaging, you might want to think outside the box in search of a better and more user-friendly messaging organizer than InMail.
Luckily, plenty of fine software will cover all the messaging bases.
Engage with recent graduates
A key component of LinkedIn is connecting with other businesses, corporations, and employees. It’s crucial for creating a genuine online presence and is crucial for businesses as well.
One group of LinkedIn users often overlooked when it comes to networking on LinkedIn are recent graduates. And connecting with them can be a great way for business leaders to establish themselves as mentors and build long-term relationships.
By sharing insights, advice, and industry knowledge, business leaders can help recent graduates navigate their careers and establish themselves as valuable contacts for the future.
Connect with non-industry professionals
While it may seem counterintuitive to connect with non-industry professionals, it can be a great way for business leaders to expand their influence and network and gain a new perspective.
By connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, business leaders can gain insights into other industries and learn from their experiences.
Moreover, these connections can lead to potential collaborations or partnerships.
Collaborate with other LinkedIn users
Collaborating with other LinkedIn users can be a great way to expand one’s network and gain exposure to a new audience.
Business leaders can collaborate with other professionals in their industry or niche by co-creating content, hosting webinars or events, or sharing each other’s posts.
They can leverage each other’s networks and gain new followers and connections by working together.
One thing to keep track of here is the response rate. Nurturing leads is almost as important as finding those prospects. And, while LinkedIn is irreplaceable with the latter, building relationships should be done in a different environment than LinkedIn.
The best way to:
- track engagement and response rates,
- automate follow-ups,
- keep track of your communications,
is by exporting LinkedIn connections and integrating them into your preferred communication platform. Only then you’ll be able to make full use of the relationship-building features LinkedIn offers.
Leverage LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn Groups are great for business leaders to connect with individuals with similar interests, industries, or job functions.
Joining and actively participating in relevant LinkedIn Groups can help expand a professional network and establish oneself as an industry thought leader.
You might choose groups that accurately represent communities within your target audiences to display your expertise and gain greater insight into potential clients and customers.
Business leaders should focus on engaging with other group members by posting relevant content, participating in discussions, and sharing their expertise. This can help build credibility and visibility, leading to more connection requests and potential business opportunities.
Those groups usually have leaders who contribute and add the most value. You want to interact with these people daily. Keep up with their updates and think about commenting on them.
They will recognize your name when you consistently comment on their status updates.
If they already know who you are, you can send them invites to connect, improving your chances of getting accepted.
Utilize LinkedIn’s search function
LinkedIn’s search function can be a powerful tool for business leaders to find and connect with professionals in their industry or niche.
The search function allows users to filter search results by industry, location, job title, and other relevant criteria.
Business leaders should use the search function to identify individuals with common interests, industry experience, or job functions. Once identified, they can contact these individuals with personalized messages and connection requests.
Share valuable content
Sharing valuable content on LinkedIn can help business leaders establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry and attract potential connections.
Those LinkedIn users who publish frequently are the most successful. Share information that you find fascinating and leave comments on it to express your opinions if you don’t have any original text or images to present.
By leaving a comment, you establish yourself as a thought leader and invite others to participate, expanding your audience. Join and participate in groups for your industry to raise your profile.
Business leaders should focus on creating and sharing content that provides value to their audience, such as:
- industry insights,
- thought-provoking questions,
- informative articles.
Moreover, it is crucial to share content consistently and engage with other individuals’ content by commenting and sharing. This can help build credibility and establish oneself as a go-to source for industry insights and expertise.
Share experiences from outside of work
LinkedIn is not just a platform for sharing professional achievements and industry insights. Business leaders should also share their experiences outside of work, such as volunteer work, hobbies, or personal passions.
This can help humanize their brand and make them more relatable to potential connections. Moreover, these shared experiences can lead to common ground and build a deeper connection with other professionals.
Attend LinkedIn events
LinkedIn events are virtual or in-person gatherings that bring together professionals from various industries and job functions.
Attending LinkedIn events can help business leaders expand their professional network, learn from industry experts, and establish themselves as thought leaders.
Business leaders should focus on attending relevant LinkedIn events and actively participating in discussions and networking opportunities.
Moreover, they can use the event to connect with other attendees and follow up with personalized messages afterward.
Host LinkedIn Live sessions
LinkedIn Live is a feature that allows users to broadcast live video content to their followers and connections.
Business leaders can use LinkedIn Live to host webinars and Q&A sessions or even give behind-the-scenes glimpses of their work.
This can help them build credibility and establish themselves as industry thought leaders, leading to more connections and business opportunities.
Join and create LinkedIn Pods
LinkedIn Pods are private groups of LinkedIn users that share content and engage with each other’s posts. By joining or creating a LinkedIn Pod, business leaders can gain exposure to a new audience and engage with other professionals in their industry or niche.
Moreover, Pods can help boost engagement on their posts, leading to increased visibility and potential connections.
Promote your LinkedIn profile
Encourage your contacts to find and connect with you on LinkedIn by using bio spaces on other social media platforms such as Twitter or Instagram. Use it as a connection-generating tool for LinkedIn, especially if you have a sizable following on the other platforms.
Take advantage of your presence on other social media platforms by promoting your LinkedIn profile by including the link in a status update, tweet, pin, video, or other media.
Just make sure to claim your public profile so it’s memorable and contains crucial identity information or keywords.
Even though email isn’t a social channel, don’t overlook the ease and obvious value of including a link to your LinkedIn profile in your email signature.
Connect with individuals who engage with one’s content
Finally, business leaders should focus on connecting with individuals who engage with their content. This includes individuals who like, comment, or share their posts.
Business leaders can build a deeper connection and potentially expand their network by reaching out to these individuals and thanking them for their engagement. These individuals may be valuable contacts for future business opportunities or collaborations.
Conclusion
Growing a robust LinkedIn network requires a strategic approach, focused effort, and a willingness to engage with others meaningfully.
Business leaders should build genuine connections, leverage LinkedIn Groups, utilize the search function, share valuable content, and attend LinkedIn events.
By following these fresh, new perspectives, business leaders can maximize the potential of LinkedIn and expand their professional network in meaningful ways. In time, you should find it easier, more doable, longer-lasting, and ultimately much more enjoyable to expand your LinkedIn network.