Networking on LinkedIn is one of the main features of the platform. With over 760+ million users on the platform, you can start networking with people all over the world today. And with a meaningful connection request, you can connect with most people whether you know them personally or not.
5 Most Popular Ways to Network on LinkedIn:
Sending a connection request is the most obvious and direct way to connect with someone on Linkedin. To send one, all you have to do is head on over to someone’s profile and click on the Connect button. Though, make sure you always include a personalized note (ideally, a hyper-personalized one)!
You can filter your LinkedIn search results to connect with even more specific people. You can use the advanced search function on LinkedIn, fill in Employer name, select “current”. You may also want to specify “University of Michigan” in ‘School’ to leverage your mutual alumni status with potential contacts.
Once you start gathering some connections, you can use this networking hack to find more people instantly. Simply go to My Network and scroll down until you see the “people you may know” section. This is a great ‘quality over quantity’ approach as you’re more likely to find relevant people worth networking from your niche here.
LinkedIn events are one of the best ways to network on LinkedIn because nothing is holding you back from connecting with most people who attended the same event as you. This is especially the case if you’re new to LinkedIn and not sure where to find like-minded people. Simply go to My Network and scroll down until you find the “Online events for you” section. If your LinkedIn profile is filled in and you already have a couple of connections, LinkedIn should suggest some events for you based on your industry.
LinkedIn groups are another popular networking tactic. LinkedIn groups allow you to reach a targeted audience of industry professionals and establish relationships with people by having something in common (the group, same niche, etc.). All you have to do is type in keywords related to your industry and you’ll find loads of LinkedIn groups to choose from.