What is your strategy for adding people to your LinkedIn network?
This was the question I was addressing when I wrote the 12th chapter of the soon-to-be-released 4th edition of my best-selling book The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success. This new version includes updated screen shots, revised content, and a brand new chapter about LinkedIn mobile. Preorder your copy now, and it will be delivered by April 2, 2019.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 12 that includes a list of the types of people you may wish to add to your network. Please bear in mind, however, that these are general suggestions. Only you know why you're using LinkedIn and what your personal strategy is for building your network.
Click the image to preview the contents of the new book (36 pages) and read Chapter 12 in its entirety.
As you can tell from previous chapters, the winner of the searching aspect of the LinkedIn game is generally the person who has a lot of connections. However, please continue to keep in mind that when you first start using LinkedIn, I recommend you only add to your network people whom you know and trust, because when you add a new contact, you put your extremely valuable network in his or her hands. Remember, it is your network. It is a possession you have worked your entire career to build, and when you add a connection on LinkedIn, it is like handing your Outlook database to that individual and trusting him to treat it as professionally as you would treat his.
Once you start getting more comfortable with the way LinkedIn works, I typically recommend that you start selectively adding people you may not know but would like to get to know. Everyone’s situation is unique, but here are some general suggestions that will help you understand what types of people you may want to connect with to strengthen your network and help you enhance your brand, find a job, assist your favorite nonprofit, or grow your business.
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Who can help you enhance your personal brand?
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- People who have had similar career paths to yours
- Leaders in your industry associations
- Individuals who have large networks (LinkedIn or otherwise) concentrated in your region or industry
- People who work for some of the well-respected companies in your region and industry
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Who can help you find a new job or advance your career?
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- People who work in your industry and region
- People who work for companies you are interested in
- Recruiters who specialize in your industry
- Consultants and experts in your industry
- Human resources professionals who work at your target companies
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Who can help your favorite nonprofit thrive?
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- People who volunteer for or sit on boards of similar nonprofits
- Individuals who work at large corporations, foundations, etc. and tend to support nonprofits like yours
- People who are involved in groups that have large volunteer pools (e.g., religious organizations, schools, clubs, etc.)
- People who work for media outlets
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Who can help you generate sales leads, market your company's products and services, and grow your business?
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- Individuals who are the direct decision-makers for the purchase of your products and services
- People who are indirectly involved in the decision to purchase your products and services (strategic influencers or people from the company who weigh in on the decision)
- High-ranking officers at the companies that purchase your products and services, even if they're not the direct decision-makers
- Individuals who hang around with the people listed in the first two bullets (probably deliver similar services to the same purchasers)
- People who are recognized industry experts
- Leaders of your industry associations and/or people who manage industry events
- Individuals who are well networked in your region or industry
- Experts who provide educational content for the industry
If you improve the quality of your LinkedIn network by connecting with the above-referenced people, you'll be strategically positioned to enhance your brand, find a job, assist your favorite nonprofit, or grow your business.
Don't wait—click here now to preorder your copy of my completely updated and expanded book on Amazon.
Note: Amazon has a price guarantee. If they drop the price between now and the April 2 publication date, they'll refund you the difference.
