LinkedIn is a platform designed for professionals, and it allows users to manage their professional identity and to connect with other people from the same niche. This platform can have a tremendous impact on your future career, as it can help you find a job or get a promotion. Despite the fact that LinkedIn has millions of members worldwide, one of the most common mistakes people tend to do on this platform is that they neglect their LinkedIn network instead of growing it. Here are several useful hints on how to do that, quickly and almost effortlessly:
Tell People Something About You
The first thing you need to do if you want to improve your LinkedIn profile is to allow your readers to know the person behind the computer screen. Share some personal information, write a personal message and you will be amazed to see how much this may improve your chances.
Also, it is highly recommended to add a note (even if it contains no more than three or four phrases) whenever you request a connection with somebody on LinkedIn – noteless requests do not appeal to anybody, unless the person in question recognizes you by name or by profile picture! By personalizing your network and your note, you will automatically be one step ahead many other members. Besides, try to be as unique as you can, since nobody is fond of cliches!
Stand Out From The Crowd
The chances are that there are thousands of professionals in your niche, who are fighting over the same position as you are. In other words, competition is serious, so how will you differentiate yourself from the rest? How will you manage to make yourself memorable? The secret is to establish quality connections and to focus on high-quality, engaging, interesting and intelligent conversations with your connections.
This way, they will remember your name and you will be more than just a face. Besides, many people refuse requests from people they do not know, but by connecting with the contact you will determine him or her to push the “accept” button even though the contact may not know you in person or has never come in direct contact with you. Personalized notes come in handy as well – make sure to mention that you appreciate his work, but do not do it in an over-flattering manner.
Focus On Brief, Yet Personal And Appealing Notes
Sending a note is important, but this is easier said than done. How do you create the perfect note? Emotions run high when you try to contact a professional you have never met in real life before, and it is normal to be nervous about failing – in the end, it is a possibility and the contact might deny your request.
So how do you persuade him into accepting your request? The secret is to send him a brief yet personal message, you do not need to write anything fancy because it may have the opposite effect. Sometimes, you just have to stick to simple yet efficient messages, such as “Hello, we work in the same field and it would be my pleasure to add you to my professional network”.
On the other hand, if you do know the contact face to face then you can go a mile further and be even more personal. Make sure you mention under which circumstances you have met, and mention any third parties involved (for example, if you have met the other professional at a common friend’s birthday party).
If you have been constantly following and analyzing the professional’s work, then make sure to mention that in your note as well. It would be even better to show the contact that you know his work by mentioning a certain aspect he is very familiar with. The note, no matter how small it is, can make the difference between accepting or rejecting a connection request, so make sure to give the best you got!
Do Not Rush
There is plenty of time to grow your LinkedIn network, therefore take your time and let it flow. It is normal to want to climb the success ladder as quickly as possible, but sometimes it is better to just wait and see than to push things.
Last, but not least, take the time to replace that standard LinkedIn message with a personal message – in the end, it is certainly worth the effort since it will grow your network faster and it will also dramatically boost your acceptance rate.
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