Networking on Linkedin
You have completed your profile—for now. You feel good about the Linkedin brand you have created. Now, it’s time to construct a strategy about connecting with others on Linkedin. As with other parts of Linkedin, your purposes and goals should guide how you do the networking. Your networking strategy and actions steps should support your goals and purposes.
Linkedin Networking Strategy—Quality Verses Quantity
There are a number of choices you will make before you actually start creating your network. Your first choice involves quality verses quantity networking.
At first blush, you want as many connections as possible on your Linkedin site. If a hundred connections is good; a thousand is better. Going for as many connections as possible is one strategy.
Choosing a large quantity of network connections is fashionable today. The money is in the list! Statistics show that at any one point in time, only 3% of any group is ready to buy, with another 7% considering a purchase.
With the quantity strategy you build as many contacts as possible. Many sales strategies are built on “the numbers game.” Go for as many numbers as possible and there will always be a certain number of people that are ready to buy what you are selling.
Another strategy is the qualitative approach to networking building. In this approach you seek a more limited number of connections. Using your own criteria, you carefully select who to connect with on Linkedin.
If you have a hundred connections on your network and 30% of them are strong connections, then that number equals 3% of 1000 weaker connections.
Different people use different strategies. Qualitative verses quantitative. You choose the strategy you believe and feel comfortable using in your business. You can start with a quantitative strategy and switch later to a qualitative strategy.
Linkedin Networking Strategy—Active Verses Passive
This is another strategic decision. You can take a very active approach to getting connections. I will share will you the tools that Linkedin provides for this purpose.
Or you can use a passive approach. You passively invite others to connect with you by adding a Linkedin Icon to your email signature or your website or your blog. Anywhere people can click and connect with you.
Some people will click and will invite you to connect with them. They take the action; you respond. That is why I call this passive network building.
Linkedin Networking Strategy Other Considerations
Many people make the mistake of waiting to build a network only when they need it. It takes time to build a Linkedin network. Start building now for the future rather than waiting until you need it.
Manage your network. You will need to sort your network, remove dead wood, repair emails, find missing people, etc. A strong network needs to be managed. This takes time.
Allow enough time and energy to create your network. It is work. It can be fun. Depending on your purposes and goals, you must allow the appropriate time each week to work on your network building.
To be continued, your comments are welcomed…
Al Hanzal
Tags: Branding and Linkedin