How to quickly optimize your LinkedIn connections to reach your professional goals
LinkedIn is a social network built with the intention of helping professionals achieve their goals. Whether you are looking for a new job or trying to hire for an open position, utilizing your network of LinkedIn connections is a solid first step.
New to LinkedIn? Or do you need more handholding to truly understand the platform and its system built on solid, professional networks? Keep reading for a step-by-step to make the most of your LinkedIn network.
Defining various types of connections
LinkedIn is a powerful professional networking tool used by millions of people worldwide. It's a platform where professionals can connect, build relationships, and discover new opportunities. However, not all connections on LinkedIn are the same. LinkedIn has three different types of connections, each with its own benefits.
1st-degree connections are people you connect with directly. They are your primary network and are the people you know well, have worked with, or are acquainted with in some way. You've accepted their invitation to connect, or they've accepted yours. First-degree connections can see your full profile, and you can see theirs. You can also message them directly without the need for an introduction. This type of connection is valuable because it helps you stay in touch with people in your industry and build relationships that can lead to new opportunities.
How can you tell who a 1st-degree connection is? It's easy! Look for a 1st-degree icon next to their name in search results and on their profile. LinkedIn allows users to have a max of 30,000 1st-degree connections to optimize site experience.
2nd-degree connections are connected to your 1st-degree contacts but are not directly connected to you. You can see their name and profile picture but cannot access their full profile without requesting a connection. You can also send them a message, but it will require an introduction from one of your first-degree connections. Second-degree connections are valuable because they expand your network and can provide new opportunities for collaboration or employment.
They'll have a 2nd-degree icon next to their name in search results and on their profile. Would you like to be a 1st-degree connection with some of them? Send them an invitation to connect!
3rd-degree connections are people connected to your 2nd-degree contacts. To message them, you need an introduction from one of your second-degree connections. Third-degree connections are valuable because they further expand your network and can provide access to new industries or geographic regions.
Like your 1st- and 2nd-degree connections, they'll have a 3rd-degree icon next to their name in search results and on their profile.
The other types of people in your LinkedIn network are followers and fellow members of LinkedIn Groups. Followers may not know you personally, but choose to stay up to date on your posts by getting your public updates on their LinkedIn feed. Fellow members of your LinkedIn Groups are considered part of your network because you are members of the same group and might share your interests.
Establishing professional goals on LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn network can go a long way in helping you achieve your professional goals, but you need to first establish what those goals are. It is beneficial to broadcast your intentions to aid in that process. Publicly stating your aspirations shows potential employers or potential employees what you want. Your LinkedIn bio is a great place to express your purpose, as it's one of the first things people see when visiting your page.
If you are looking for a job, it's beneficial to analyze the profiles of those with your dream job. While everyone's path differs, you can learn a lot by studying other people's experiences. Take note of their past positions, the training they've completed, and the credentials they hold. Whether you're just starting your career, looking to pivot, or are a seasoned professional, LinkedIn members are 4x more likely to get hired when leveraging their networks.
For those seeking to hire, typically, a candidate's first stop is the company's profile. However, when seeking specific information, many migrate over to the personal profiles of the head of the company and the business's employees or recruiters. Therefore, if you have a hand in recruitment strategies, it's a good practice to have an updated profile that reiterates your hiring, encourages a candidate's interest in the company, and informs them on how to apply.
No matter what your goal is, everything starts with a conversation. LinkedIn is a social network built to bring people together. Start a meaningful conversation with the intent to learn and connect. Initiate relationships with influential people in your target industry by sending a DM, regularly engaging with their content, sharing their posts, attending their events, or joining events they participate in.
Five ways to make a connection on LinkedIn.
Each type of connection has its own benefits and drawbacks, but all are valuable for expanding your network, building relationships, and discovering new opportunities. To get the most out of LinkedIn, it's essential to connect with people in your industry and regularly engage with. Below are five different ways to make the most out of your connections.
Now that you know the different types of connections and have established your goals, you can start sending out connection requests. Sending a connection request is the most direct way to build your network on LinkedIn.
To connect with people who fit your ideal customer persona and start networking with them, start with a LinkedIn Search. Filter the search results to find people who work in a specific company or industry or provide a particular service. Try advanced LinkedIn search filters to narrow down results even more.
The 'People you may know'-section is most useful once you've started gathering connections. It highlights people from your college or university, people with similar job roles, and people from mutual LinkedIn groups. It also includes LinkedIn-generated recommendations based on your profile. It's a handy networking hack for finding quality connections.
If you're new to LinkedIn, LinkedIn events are one of the best ways to network. LinkedIn events offer almost every event idea, including online workshops, webinars, product launches, meetups, conferences, and more. You can network with the event organizers and attendees and share your thoughts during the live event to inspire people to network with you.
A popular networking tactic is joining a LinkedIn group. LinkedIn groups allow you to reach a targeted audience of industry professionals and establish relationships with people you have things in common with.
Do's and don'ts of connecting on LinkedIn
You understand now that a well-rounded LinkedIn network can power your career in many ways. However, there are some critical dos and don'ts to keep in mind when connecting with others on the platform.
The do's:
Personalize your invitations: When sending connection requests, take the time to personalize your message. Explain why you want to connect with the person and how you can potentially help each other.
Optimize your profile: Your profile is the most important place to optimize because everyone interested in networking with you will visit your profile to learn more. Make sure that it reflects who you are and what your offer!
Spend time on your LinkedIn summary: This section gives potential customers insight into whether or not you are worth connecting with. It needs to communicate who your target audience is, inspire them to trust you, and view you as an authority in the field. Some pointers are to make the first sentence pop, keep the summary under 2,000 characters, and use SEO keywords to make your profile search-engine friendly.
Write content: Use posts or articles demonstrating your expertise in your niche. Posting daily is recommended, but we know that is not always realistic. Find a cadence that works for your brand and that you can stay consistent with.
The don'ts:
Ignore your new connections: Nothing is better than a personalized connection that explains what you do and why you want to connect. Show your contacts you care by initiating a thoughtful conversation.
Leave comments with a response: Show your audience your human side by responding to their comments and asking follow-up questions. It might be time-consuming, but it is one of the most effective strategies for generating leads.
Refrain from sharing posts: Sharing other people's content is an easy way to generate more content without creating it. Plus, it's a smart way to build relationships with people related to your industry. If you tag people in your LinkedIn posts, you direct your audience to their profiles, and hopefully, they'll reciprocate the kind gesture and share your content on their profiles.
Networking your way to your next great thing
LinkedIn is an incredible platform if you are looking to build your professional network. Whether you are a job seeker, a hiring manager, or someone trying to build your brand as you navigate your career, the growing popularity of authenticity and truth on LinkedIn makes it the place to be. Use these tips for optimizing your profile and connecting and interacting with others to help you network your way to your next great thing.
Do you have a remarkable story about how LinkedIn helped you professionally? Please share it in the comment section or message us on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear it.
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