Having a robust LinkedIn network is essential for business professionals looking to grow their careers and make valuable connections. However, building up your contact list from scratch can be a slow and tedious process. The good news is that there are tactics you can use to get LinkedIn contacts quickly and expand your professional network efficiently.
Optimize Your Profile
The first step is making sure your own LinkedIn profile is optimized to attract new connections. A complete profile with a professional photo, headline, summary section, and detailed work history has a much higher chance of garnering attention from potential contacts. Take the time to flesh out your profile so it accurately represents your professional experiences, skills, and interests. This gives people more context on who you are and why they should connect with you.
Connect With Existing Contacts
Import contacts from your email and connect with people you already know professionally on LinkedIn. This should include coworkers, clients, classmates, professional acquaintances, etc. Not only will this allow you to quickly build up an initial base, but studies show LinkedIn connections are more likely to accept invites from people they already know. Reaching out to existing contacts first leverages your real-life network.
Search Companies and Industries
Use LinkedIn’s advanced search to look up companies and industries relevant to your field. For example, if you work in accounting, search for major accounting firms. Browse their employees’ profiles and connect with those who would make strategic additions to your network. Focus on higher-level individuals and experts with backgrounds similar to yours. Connecting based on shared professional interests and experiences boosts your chances of them accepting.
Join Industry Groups
LinkedIn Groups based around particular industries like marketing, engineering, healthcare, etc. are full of engaged professionals looking to meet others in their field. Join relevant Groups and connect with active members posting interesting discussions and content. Comment on their posts to get your name out there and establish common ground.
Follow Companies
Following companies you want to work for, do business with, or are interested in puts their employees’ profile updates and job postings right in your feed. Monitor companies’ feeds for news of people getting promoted or taking on exciting new projects. When you see someone moving up who would make a valuable connection, reach out with a congratulatory note and connect request.
Attend Events
In-person events like conferences, trade shows, seminars, and networking meetups are prime opportunities to make new quality contacts. With the LinkedIn mobile app, you can look up other attendees before an event and send connection requests to those you want to meet. Bring plenty of business cards and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to fellow attendees during the event.
Message Recent Connections
When connecting with new contacts on LinkedIn, always customize the invitation with a friendly note so it’s not just a generic ask. After they accept, follow up with a message thanking them for connecting and suggesting meeting up or having a phone call to get further acquainted. People will be more engaged when you initiate real communication.
Request Introductions
If you see someone in your network connected to someone you’d like to know, ask for a warm introduction. Say, “I noticed you’re connected with Jane Smith at XYZ Company. I’d love to connect with her because of [shared interest/experience]. Would you be willing to introduce us over LinkedIn?” People are often happy to facilitate new connections in their network.
Endorse Skills
Endorsing people’s skills and expertise on their profiles is an easy way to get on their radar and prompt them to look at your profile. They will likely reciprocate with an endorsement or connection request. When endorsing, customize the endorsement with a specific comment about why you’re endorsing that skill.
Follow Company Pages
Keep up with news and updates from companies by following their LinkedIn Company Pages. Commenting on their posts expands your visibility. You may even get noticed by company representatives and connect that way. Plus, Company Pages often post job openings you can quickly apply for.
Recommend Connections
LinkedIn suggests possible connections based on your network and profile details. Browse these recommendations regularly and connect with any you have common ground with. You can also proactively recommend connections to other people in your network that you think they should know.
Search Alumni
Connecting with fellow alumni is an easy networking win since you already have your school in common. Search your university’s alumni on LinkedIn based on location, industry, job function, skills, etc. Reach out mentioning your shared alma mater and suggesting meeting up.
Follow Influencers
Following LinkedIn influencers like prominent professionals, thought leaders, and executives in your field puts their posts in your feed. This lets you keep a pulse on industry trends and topics. Commenting on influencers’ posts can get their attention and lead to a connection.
Share Content
Posting and sharing interesting articles, links, ideas, and media puts fresh content in your connections’ feeds and keeps you top of mind. Share content related to your professional interests and expertise. The more value you add to your network, the more people will take notice.
Use Advanced Filters
Take advantage of LinkedIn’s advanced search filters to target very specific types of people based on location, company, job title, skills, education, and more. For example, search for “software engineers at Amazon in Seattle”. Reach out to discuss shared experiences in the industry.
Follow Company Employees
Identify a company you admire or want to work for. Follow and connect with some of their top employees to gain inside perspectives and potentially referrals. Focus on reaching out to those in roles similar to yours versus senior executives.
Give Recommendations
Offering recommendations reinforces why you respect someone professionally. Take the time to thoughtfully recognize people’s work anniversaries, career milestones, special projects, etc. with a recommendation. This strengthens your connection and they will likely reciprocate.
Join Premium for Advanced Search
LinkedIn Premium unlocks powerful advanced search filters to drill down on exactly who you want to connect with. Filters include years of experience, company size, seniority level, and more. Premium helps you efficiently target relevant contacts.
Follow Hashtags
Follow popular hashtags like #accounting, #marketing, #leadership, etc. to see relevant posts from professionals in your industry. Like and comment on posts to establish common ground. Many hashtag users are looking to grow their professional networks.
Connect with Recruiters
Recruiters and talent acquisition specialists on LinkedIn can introduce you to opportunities and connections at companies they work with. Research recruiters at organizations you want to work for. Connect with them mentioning your interest in opportunities with their company.
Browse “People Also Viewed”
When viewing someone’s profile, browse the “People Also Viewed” section to discover similar profiles LinkedIn recommends. This surfaces professionals with parallel backgrounds to connect with.
Message “People You May Know”
LinkedIn suggests “People You May Know” to connect with based on shared networks and associations. Don’t let these recommendations sit idle. Proactively reach out to request connections and start relationships.
Connect with Coworkers
Search for any coworkers not already in your LinkedIn network. Since you already have an established working relationship, they are very likely to accept a connection invitation. This strengthens internal company ties.
Like and Comment
Engage with your existing connections by liking and commenting on their posts. This raises your visibility and keeps you fresh in their minds for networking opportunities. They will be more inclined to connect you with contacts if you maintain active communication.
Share Job Postings
Help people in your network find new professional opportunities by sharing relevant job postings with them. They may think of you for future openings at the companies they end up connecting with.
Request a Review
Ask satisfied customers, former bosses, or colleagues you worked well with for a recommendation on your LinkedIn profile. Their positive reviews will catch the eye of potential connections.
Follow Trending News
The LinkedIn trending newsfeed highlights timely articles on major industry developments. Following these stories lets you converse knowledgably on current events with professional contacts.
Research Connections’ Connections
Look at who your existing connections are linked to. Request introductions to any of their contacts who would also make strategic additions to your professional network.
Connect with Former Classmates
Search your high school or college graduating class year to reconnect with old classmates. Reminisce about your school days and help each other expand professional networks.
Attend Virtual Events
Virtual conferences, webinars, and online events allow you to network and meet prospective contacts remotely. Partake in live chats and exchanges with other attendees.
Find Partners and Suppliers
Search for potential partners, vendors, service providers, suppliers, or distributors relevant to your business needs. Connect to discuss working together and getting greater exposure.
Message Recruiters
Proactively reach out and introduce yourself to recruiters working in your industry. Mention your interest in any suitable job opportunities they may have. Stay on their radar.
Connect with Authors
Search for authors writing influential books/articles in your field. Connect to let them know you appreciate their thought leadership and insights.
Utilize LinkedIn Learning
Take LinkedIn Learning courses related to your profession to expand your knowledge and skills. Connect with instructors and fellow students who share your learning interests.
Browse Featured Groups and Pages
Check LinkedIn’s curated recommendations for top Groups and Company Pages to follow in your industry. These are a “greatest hits” of active communities full of potential contacts.
Connect with Your Community
Think locally. Search people in your geographic community working at companies or organizations you want to build relationships with. Emphasize your local ties.
Add Contacts Manually
If you meet people in real life you want to connect with on LinkedIn, simply add their name, company, and email address manually to send them an invite. Or send them your info to have them add you.
Share Your Expertise in Answers
Answer professional questions in the LinkedIn Answers section to establish yourself as an industry expert. Thoughtful responses get you noticed by members seeking advice.
Congratulate New Jobs
When someone in your network lands a new job or promotion, reach out to congratulate them. This strengthens the relationship so they will keep you in mind for future opportunities.
Join Neighborhood Groups
Local neighborhood LinkedIn Groups create community right in your area. Introduce yourself and connect with other local professionals and businesses.
Follow Company Influencers
Many major companies have internal “influencers” who post content about their expertise. Follow company influencers at organizations you admire to get noticed.
Use LinkedIn Jobs Search
Search through all the jobs posted directly on LinkedIn to uncover opportunities and connect with the posting companies. You can message recruiters right on the platform.
Conclusion
While building up a robust professional network on LinkedIn takes commitment over time, employing these tactics can help accelerate the process so you can more efficiently connect with your target audience. Focus on quality over quantity by selectively reaching out to strategically valuable contacts that advance your career goals. With the right strategy, you can organically grow your LinkedIn connections faster.