Networking is the key to a successful future. It will provide you with opportunities, connections, and resources that would not otherwise be available in your career path or even while looking for jobs on traditional job boards! A strong network is like an insurance policy against career disasters.
If you don’t have one, now is the time to start building one. Invest in your future by investing in your network! The connections you make today could lead to a job offer down the road, or even a life-long friendship. So get out there and start meeting people! You never know where your next connection will take you.
Your future success depends on it!
Career Benefits of a Strong Network
Building professional relationships is essential if you want to get ahead in your career. 85% of critical jobs are filled via networking of some sort, so it’s clear that it pays to have a good network.
Not only that, but a bigger professional network will also help you at work, especially if you are working in sales. According to Sales Benchmark Index, a staggering 98% of sales reps with 5,000 or more connections on LinkedIn meet or surpass their target quota.
You might read several “How to network on LinkedIn” articles where they recommend adding a profile photo along with your experience and volunteer work to your LinkedIn profile, joining LinkedIn groups, adding keywords to your LinkedIn summary, and other things so you are going to appear in search results. All that is because LinkedIn prioritizes complete profiles over empty ones. Filling out a LinkedIn profile will not only attract your target audience, but if it’s done the right way, it will create more new opportunities and boost your networking efforts.
The more connections you have the more likely you are to find potential customers, partners, or employees. However, simply sending out a mass of LinkedIn requests is not enough. If your requests are ignored, you will not only waste your time, but you will also miss out on the opportunity to build valuable relationships.
The key is to send LinkedIn requests that include a compelling message. The more compelling your message is the higher the chance that your invitation will be accepted. So if you’re looking to expand your LinkedIn network, take the time to craft a great message—it could make all the difference.
Send Compelling Connection LinkedIn Requests
I’ve been on LinkedIn for years and one of the things I’m always experimenting with is different ways to connect with new people and how to create more personal connections. Twelve months ago, I decided to test out a bunch of different connection request templates to see which ones got the best response rates.
During this test, I learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t). For example, one of the things I found is that it’s important to be personal in your requests. Generic messages saying, “It would be great to connect!” tend to get ignored. That template message is one of the common mistakes people make while networking. That is why you should make sure you always include a personalized note (ideally, a hyper-personalized one).
If you take the time to mention something specific that you have in common with the person you’re trying to connect with, you’re much more likely to get a response. You can mention that you met at a networking event or online event, attended the same school, or read their latest posts; it doesn’t matter as long as you are reaching potential clients or candidates that you want to add as a part of your network.
Another thing I learned is that if you really want to gain meaningful connections when networking, you need to ensure you’re engaging each person you connect with. Follow-up messages usually do the trick and they are a great way to build a stronger relationship with your new contact.
There are many ways to expand your network faster and improve the chances that your LinkedIn connection requests will be approved. There is not only one right way; you constantly need to test out new ways to see what is working and what is not, if you also want to add strangers to your network.
With the help of several LinkedIn profiles, I spent over a year sending thousands of LinkedIn connection requests (62,000+ in total) to figure out which messages worked best and which would work the best for new connections.
I tested hundreds of LinkedIn connection template requests, and you can download these seven best examples that you can use when you are looking for a job and you want to contact a recruiter, with no cost at all.
Or you can download 96 LinkedIn connection request message templates and find your conversation starters today. Connect with more people in less time!
I’ve also prepared a FREE seven-day email newsletter that will share the best seven networking tips and tools to move your networking game to an entirely new level. Discover seven secrets for growing your LinkedIn network faster than others and make better personal connections with influencers in your industry.
Last Thoughts
If you’re trying to grow your network and improve your personal brand, the first thing you need to understand is that it takes time. Yes, that is the one thing that’s very often missing in those “How to network on LinkedIn” articles. There is no shortcut and you’re not going to see results overnight.
It’s important to be patient and consistent with your efforts. The best way to grow your network together with your personal brand is to provide value. Share informative blog posts, tips, and insightful articles.
Offer your expertise and insights into industry trends. The key is to build a following of people who see you as a thought leader in your field. Once you’ve established yourself as an expert, you’ll start seeing more opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. But it all starts with providing value.
A strong network will give you an edge over the competition and help you weather the ups and downs of your career. So don’t wait until you need a job to start building your network. Invest in your future today!
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