LinkedIn can be an incredibly valuable platform for expanding your professional network and making meaningful connections. However, reaching out to someone you don’t know on LinkedIn can feel a bit intimidating. The key is to approach potential connections in a genuine, professional way that provides value for both parties.
First, identify who you’d like to connect with and why. Rather than blindly sending connection requests to random people, focus on those you share common interests, goals, or experiences with. Look at their profile and background to find logical reasons to connect that go beyond “I’d like to network with you.” Maybe you went to the same university, share a mutual connection, or have complementary career experiences. Lead with this common ground in your outreach.
Craft a personalized connection request
When ready to reach out, avoid generic connection requests. Instead, personalize your ask by briefly explaining who you are, why you’d like to connect, and how you think you could help each other. For example:
“Hi Jane, I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you’re a content marketing manager at XYZ Company. I’m an aspiring content marketer currently working for a small agency. I would love to connect and learn more about your career path and industry experience. I’m happy to offer my insights as a junior content creator in return.”
This level of personalization and value-add sets you apart from the many generic invites flooding inboxes. It also gives the recipient context on who you are and why connecting makes sense.
Reference any common connections (when relevant)
If you share a mutual connection with the person, briefly mention that to add legitimacy. For example: “My colleague John Smith from XYZ Company suggested I connect with you.” This social proof creates a logical reason for reaching out.
Be clear on your intent and objective
State upfront why you want to connect, whether it’s asking for career advice, discussing industry trends, exploring job opportunities, etc. Don’t beat around the bush. Being direct and honest about your intent is refreshing and helps the other person understand the conversation focus.
Offer value
The best way to network is to give before receiving. Offer to share knowledge, introduce connections, provide feedback, or exchange ideas. Position the potential relationship as mutually beneficial, not one-sided. They will be more inclined to connect knowing it’s a two-way street.
Follow up thoughtfully
If they accept your invite, follow up within a week or so. Send a note thanking them for connecting, reiterating your interest in them, and suggesting a next step like scheduling a quick intro call. If they don’t respond after 2-3 weeks, it’s ok to follow up again expressing continued interest in connecting. But don’t harass them if they remain unresponsive.
Connect through content
If someone hasn’t responded to your invites, try engaging with their content. Comment thoughtful insights on their posts, share articles they wrote, or endorse their skills. This shows your interest in their work and personality. Once comfortable engaging, you can try re-initiating a connection request.
Join Groups
Participate in LinkedIn Groups centered on topics or industries you’re interested in. Share insights and add value for other members. This allows you to organically connect with professionals based on common interests vs. cold outreach. Nurture these relationships by regularly engaging in discussions.
Comment on their posts
Scroll through their LinkedIn feed and leave thoughtful comments on any posts where you have something constructive to say. This sparks natural conversation vs. one-sided pitching. Just avoid overly salesy comments that add no value.
Start slow and build trust
Don’t ask for too much too fast. Have patience nurturing connections through small but meaningful interactions over time. Comment on posts, endorse skills, forward articles, accept meeting invites, etc. Let trust and rapport develop before asking for favors.
Offer to help
Look for opportunities to provide value without expecting anything in return, especially to new connections. Offer advice, make introductions, share resources, etc. People remember those who offer assistance and are much more willing to reciprocate down the road.
Say thanks
Express gratitude and appreciation for someone’s time or insights. Following up with a simple “thank you” note goes a long way in strengthening new connections. And when they help you down the road, pay it forward to keep the goodwill going.
Don’t be pushy
Accept that networking is a gradual process based on mutually beneficial relationships, not quick wins. Avoid treating people like transactions or stepping stones to get ahead. If you genuinely want to connect, exercise patience and focus on rapport.
Bring energy and enthusiasm
Approach discussions with positivity, openness, and authentic interest in the other person. This enthusiasm is contagious and makes people enjoy networking with you while lowering their guard. Just be careful not to dominate conversations.
Listen more than you speak
Resist the urge to pitch yourself. Instead, devote most of the conversation to asking thoughtful questions and intently listening. Not only does this demonstrate sincere interest, but it reveals valuable insights you can use to bond.
Find common ground
Networking is all about discovering shared interests, experiences, goals, challenges, and motivations. Use this common ground as a platform to form meaningful connections centered around things you have in common versus vague small talk.
Share, don’t brag
Avoid shameless self-promotion. Focus conversations on the other person and sprinkle in organic mentions of your own experiences that relate to the topic. This sharing shows you’re human versus a robotic salesperson.
Follow up and stay in touch
Don’t let promising connections fade away due to lack of follow up. Schedule reminders to regularly interact via LinkedIn posts, shared articles, event invites, and quick check-in messages. Nurturing relationships is vital.
Expand your network
Leverage new connections to meet their connections. Say: “I enjoyed our conversation. Wondering if you could introduce me to a few of your contacts who might have similar interests in X.” This expands your network exponentially.
Recommend connections
Once there’s strong rapport, recommend relevant connections by saying “I think you’d really hit it off with my contact Jane who also specializes in social media marketing. I’d be happy to introduce you!” This adds value.
Give endorsements and recommendations
After building stronger ties, endorse their skills and write recommendations to bolster their profile. This conveys you respect their work and want to help them succeed too.
Move conversations offline
Once you’ve developed promising connections, suggest moving from LinkedIn messaging to email, phone, or meeting up. This helps convert online relationships into deeper real-world bonds.
Don’t take lack of responses personally
Remind yourself that people are busy and inundated with messages. Lack of response isn’t necessarily rejection. Follow up periodically, adding value where you can, without being pushy. Patience and persistence pay off.
Network at events
Attend industry events, conferences, trade shows, seminars and use them to connect face-to-face. Starting conversations is easier in-person versus cold outreach online. Just avoid cornering people.
Join professional associations
Industry associations like marketing or tech “clubs” host great networking events, webinars, and online forums to engage with passionate professionals with shared interests.
Leverage your alumni network
Fellow alumni are often more receptive to lending a hand. Search alumni from your university working at companies of interest. Bonus points if they were in your same major.
Volunteer strategically
Volunteering allows you to demonstrate passion while mingling with others supportive of those causes. Identify organizations aligned with your interests and goals.
Collaborate on group projects
Projects and teams at work provide exposure to colleagues. Use them to showcase skills and talents while cultivating organic workplace connections.
Connect in the community
Partake in community organizations, networking events, symposiums, and activities. The people met at local gatherings often lead to helpful personal connections.
Be authentic and humble
Success comes from sincerity. Be real, show interest in others, and approach networking with a learning mindset versus arrogant attitude. Let your guard down and connections will blossom.
Follow up consistently
Sporadic, inconsistent communication suggests lack of genuine interest. To cultivate fruitful networking, regularly follow up and add value without constantly pitching yourself.
Give before you ask to receive
Look for opportunities to help first without expecting anything in return. This builds positive sentiment so when you eventually ask for help it’s viewed more as a favor versus imposition.
Don’t be self-serving
The best networkers focus conversations on others, offer assistance, and build mutually beneficial relationships. Avoid overly self-promoting behavior that smells of selfish motivation.
Personalize and vary outreach
One-size-fits all mass outreach fails to resonate. Tailor messaging and tone based on the unique individual you’re connecting to and change up routines to avoid sounding robotic.
Share resources and articles
If you stumble upon content relevant to someone’s interests, share it with them. This shows you continue thinking about helpful info for them even when not interacting.
Make Note of Personal Details
Note personal tidbits they mention like kids, hobbies, birthdays, etc. Referencing these personalized details in future interactions demonstrates genuine interest in them.
Connect in the comments
Commenting on their social posts, news articles, blog posts etc. in a thoughtful way sparks natural back-and-forth dialogue and engagement, which nurtures networking.
Progress from online to offline
Online interactions serve as a starting point. To nurture fruitful networking, gradually progress those relationships into face-to-face meetings, calls, conferences, events etc.