9 ways to build a smarter network on linkedin

@stephsammons

Ways to Build a SmarterNetwork on

Have you ever wondered which LinkedIn invitationsto accept or decline?

Your LinkedIn network is one of the most

valuable professional assets you can build

today.

It can lead to relationshipsand opportunities you

may have never thought possible.

But if your network consists of random connections, you will probably make things a

lot tougher on yourself.

A smarter network on LinkedIn will attract

more meaningful and relevant professional

relationships and business opportunities.

Build asmarter networkNOW using these

9 effective strategies.

Build a “Right-Sized” LinkedIn Network

1

More connections on LinkedIn will not equal greater success.

The quantity of LinkedIn connections you have is only as valuable as the

relevancy and depth of each of those connections.

When you grow your network with relevant connections and

go deeper with the important few,

you attract more of the same.

Understand and Leverage LinkedIn’s Social Graph

2

LinkedIn has redefined the six degrees of

separation through its professional social graph.

LinkedIn is able to map out who we are connected to

and how we are connected.

This “people intelligence” is incredibly valuable.

LinkedIn is leaving you a trail of breadcrumbs to

help you discover relevant people to

connect with. Pay attention to

these clues!

Practice Appropriate LinkedIn “New Connection” Etiquette

3

Sending personalized invitations is getting

tougher to do but it gives you a few major

advantages.

Your personalized invitations will stand out,

build rapport, and achieve higher acceptance rates.

Be careful! You will send a generic invitation when you click that “connect” button.

Send Personalized Thank-You’s to New Connections

4

Sending a personalized

thank-you message is a

great way for a new connection to

learn more about you.

To save time, you can create a thank-you script to copy and paste into your messages and customize it with each new connection.

Create an e-mail signature for your thank-you message that includes

a link to your website.

Import Your Existing Contacts into LinkedIn

5

The more data you provide to LinkedIn, the more relevant

and meaningful your experience is

going to be.

Import your existing contacts into LinkedIn by connecting it with

your e-mail account.

Go through your contacts one-by-one and send personalized invitationsto anyone you are not already connected to.

Leverage Your Unique Market Opportunities

6

Evaluate making a connection

based on your unique market opportunities.

Connect with influencers, journalists, and editors in your community and/or industry, even if you don’t know them personally.

Most of these professionals are well connected and active on LinkedIn. Look for ways to serve as a

resource and give value.

Pay Attention to Shared Connections

7

LinkedIn will show you the connections you have in

common with your 2nd- and3rd-degree connections, as

well as mutual group members.

You have this unique ability to peek into your

extended network. You can determine

who might be a good fit for your

smart network.

There is a direct correlation between the number of shared connections you have with someone on LinkedIn and the likelihood they will accept your invitation to connect.

View Profiles of the People You Wish to Connect With

8

A little-known tactic for attracting new,

strategic connections on LinkedIn is to go

out and view the profiles of the people you are interested in

connecting with.

Make sure your profile settings are configured toshow your identity when viewing the profiles of other members.

When you view someone’s profile, they can see your profile image and headline summaryas well as the connections you

have in common.

Use LinkedIn Groups to Make Relevant Connections

9

You can search through the membership of a group that

you belong to from the main group page.

Simply click on the “Members” tab to

access the search box.

Mine your LinkedIn group memberships and utilize groups for relevant professionals you can connect with who fit into your smart

network-building strategy.

Joining relevant LinkedIn groups allows you tosend private, personalized messagesto mutual group members.

(Limited to 15 messages per month.)

Want to learnhow to getMOREBUSINESSOPPORTUNITIESon

?

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