Linkedin Networking Strategy—Quality Verses Quantity
Your Choice Quality or Quantity Network
There are a number of choices you will make before you actually start creating and expanding your network. Your first choice involves quality verses quantity networking.
At first blush, you want as many connections as possible on your Linkedin site to be a part of your job searching process. If a hundred connections are good; a thousand is better. Going for as many connections as possible is one strategy.
Choosing to build a large quantity of network connections is popular. In sales, the expression goes, “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. A network based largely on numbers probably has the same percentages of people helpful to your job search.
With the quantity strategy you build as many contacts as possible. Some job searching strategies are built on “the numbers game.” Go for as many numbers as possible and there will always be a certain number of jobs that will fit your situation.
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 expanding your network as part of your job searching efforts. You will see 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 expanding now for your job search but also see this as a future network that can help you once you are in a new job.
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. As part of your job search, plan to expand your network daily.
To be continued, your comments are welcomed…
Al Hanzal
