There is no better platform for professional networking than Linkedin. It can connect you to scores of professionals who share your interests. The trick lies in finding those professionals and also broadcasting your presence as you go about building your Linkedin connections.
The question is how do you increase your Linkedin connections without spamming Linkedin members. Here are five tips to increase your Linkedin connections:
#1. Build your Linkedin profile intelligently
The first question that you need to ask yourself is: Why should people connect to you? Do you have professional skills or any achievements to show in your field? If you have, you must showcase them. There is nothing more annoying than to get a connect request from an individual whose profile is empty. Most such requests are trashed.
# 2. Don’t build a misleading profile
It is easy to fool the Linkedin search engine through keyword stuffing. You can insert phrases like social media specialist, social media consultant and social media expert in your profile. Your profile will show every time a Linkedin member searches for a social media specialist.
But a careful scrutiny of your profile may make the Linkedin member reject you. So, be honest in building your profile. Don’t mislead. You must use keywords, but these must be relevant and support your background and experience.
# 3. Make sure you use a professional-looking photograph
The first thing that catches the attention of a member is your photograph. It should be a professional looking picture – ideally of you in a tie and suit. Linkedin is not like Facebook, where you tease your friends with a new profile photograph every day. It is a serious site, and if you want your Linkedin connections to grow then you must present a professional looking profile.
#4. Personalize our Linkedin connections request
Linkedin uses a default message when communicating a Connect request. The message that the Linkedin member gets is: “Hi Sunil, I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” This message is too bald. It does not explain why you want to connect with another member. You need to be more original, and more expressive.
For instance, if you want to connect with a well-known social media expert you can send the following message: “Dear Sunil, I advise clients as to how they should leverage social media. From your profile, I find that you have a deep understanding of the subject. I am sure I will benefit greatly from your knowledge. My Linkedin profile provides details about my professional background. I will be very keen to have you as an important Linkedin connection.” Such a request is likely to be received more favourably.
#5. Who’s Viewed Your Updates
Linkedin gives you information about all updates you have shared in the last 14 days. It also tells you who has viewed your updates, who has liked them and who has shared them. Most important, it tells you which of these members are your 1st degree connections, and which are second and 3rd degree connections. This is invaluable information, because it helps you identify new professionals who share your interests. You can send a connect request to them, and increase your Linkedin connections.
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