So, you’re wondering how to increase your LinkedIn connections? Whether you’re looking for potential clients, new employees or a new employer, building your LinkedIn connections can be valuable. When done correctly, with the right amount of effort, you can quickly go from hundreds to thousands of connections in just a couple of months.
A word of caution, though, is to proceed carefully; otherwise, you could be marked as spam and have your account blocked by LinkedIn.
It’s more important to focus on slow progression when it comes to increasing your connections on LinkedIn.
- Master the Search Feature
- Customize Your Connection Request
- Never Sell in Your Connection Request
- Use Your LinkedIn Profile URL Everywhere to Increase Connections
- Form LinkedIn Connections With Customers or Clients
- Upload Existing Databases of Contacts
- Take Advantage of the ‘Find Nearby’ Option on the LinkedIn App
Master the Search Feature
The search bar tool at the top left-hand corner of your LinkedIn account is your new best friend. Use it to find relevant people you want to have in your network.
Start your search broad, using common keywords, then apply filters systematically to narrow the results. Doing it this way may take some time, so if you use the search function often, you could opt for a paid premium plan, like Sales Navigator or Recruiter Lite, to make the search more accessible and productive.
Also Read:
- Creating the Perfect LinkedIn Profile to Generate Leads
- How to Sell Using Social Media – Ultimate Guide to Social Selling in 2019
Customize Your Connection Request
When sending a connection request to a potential contact on LinkedIn, personalize the connection message by letting them know who you are and why you want to connect. Showing a real-world association of having friends, schools or interests in common is a great way to get their attention and increase your chances of them wanting to connect with you.
Never Sell in Your Connection Request
Trying to sell someone your products or services in the connection request is the fastest way to get your account blocked and ensure no one ever connects with you. Instead, treat online networking like in person, build relationships first, add value, and see if they need your product or service.
Use Your LinkedIn Profile URL Everywhere to Increase Connections
Think of your LinkedIn account, like your email address or company website’s URL, and you will know where to promote it. To increase LinkedIn connections, make it a point to share the link in your email signature, include it in your bylines for online and offline articles, and incorporate it into marketing materials. Remember, you can modify your LinkedIn profile URL to make it more memorable or even generate a QR code to link directly to your profile!
Form LinkedIn Connections With Customers or Clients
One of the most natural and powerful ways to quickly increase your LinkedIn connection count is to reach out to the people with whom you already have a business relationship. Of course, this group includes your current customers or clients, but don’t forget about everyone you did business with in the past.
Reaching out to your old customers on LinkedIn is a great way to reengage, as long as you approach it correctly. Before making contact, it is best to wait until you can offer something of value. Doing this will help you to avoid looking like you are spamming them. Of course, ‘real value’ is subjective and may be anything from a special offer to a genuinely helpful report.
Upload Existing Databases of Contacts
If you have an existing client or prospect database, including their email addresses, you can import contacts to your LinkedIn account through the ‘My Network’ tab, ‘More options.’
Once uploaded, LinkedIn will send connection requests to everyone on the list. This is definitely not the most effective way to connect with existing contacts, but if time is of the essence, this is a viable option too.
Take Advantage of the ‘Find Nearby’ Option on the LinkedIn App
Get a bit of an edge at your next convention or industry event by using the ‘Find Nearby’ option on the LinkedIn App for iOS or Android. You can turn it on in the app by clicking on ‘My Network,’ then ‘Connect,’ and finally, using the ‘Find nearby” option. Once your Bluetooth is on, you will see notices from your LinkedIn connections, who also have the ‘Find nearby’ option selected.
Do you want to learn more about increasing LinkedIn connections at events? Check out this video.
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