LinkedIn can be a challenge – especially because finding contacts in a closed community involves a lot more than simply ‘friend-ing’ them. So, today I’m going to discuss how you can steadily increase your LinkedIn networks over the next few months. Would you like to have 500+ contacts? Then this post is for you!
Courtesy of brandnexus.com
#1: Do a Vigorous Company Search
Instead of searching for individuals, search by company on LinkedIn. You’ll be able to refine your company search repeatedly until you’re left with several people who are connected with you in some way. If you have a shared connection, that’s an automatic in – then all you have to do is introduce yourself and make your way through the ranks.
#2: Pick a Group and Make 5 Friends
The fastest way to meet people in your niche, is to participate in groups. Answer questions, offer insight or discuss the latest trends – as long as you interact. Group users will remember your conversation and professionalism, and will be glad to accept your friend request. Do this each week, and grow steadily by 20 users each month.
#3: Use Badges For Visual Impact
If you have a website or blog, then use a LinkedIn badge to attract traffic back to your LinkedIn page. Readers will love your words or posts, and will connect with you on LinkedIn – based purely on your website content. This can be a valuable connection stream, especially when your blog is growing in popularity.
#4: Email Marketing For Social
LinkedIn page links or badges can also be included in email marketing campaigns or newsletters. If your business has a strong email marketing campaign, then adding in your LinkedIn details here will greatly benefit your page. Try including a small section about your group, or about a group that you participate in, to draw people’s interest.
#5: Keyword Optimize Your LinkedIn Page
Do you need to get your organic visits up? Then you need to improve your LinkedIn page SEO. It’s a fact that people see this page before your website, Facebook or other social pages. LinkedIn ranks very well, so you’ll want to take advantage of niche orientated keywords to help you find valuable business connections.
#6: Applications Create Tighter Networks
When you add apps to your LinkedIn page, it creates a more complete profile for you. It also highlights who you are, what you do and what you’ve achieved. One of the best ways to attract new connections – is to use these apps to show people who you are. They’ll see that you’re worth knowing, and will add you to their network.
#7: Attend Some LinkedIn Events
LinkedIn isn’t only about networking on the site, it’s also about connecting with people to network with in the real world. Attend a LinkedIn conference, workshop or event – and have your business cards ready with your LinkedIn address on it. Soon, you’ll have dozens of new connections on the platform, that you’ve met in real life.
How else can you expand your LinkedIn network? Any tips for the SMM community?
