Imagine if all of your LinkedIn connections were with the right people.
CEOs, decision-makers, influencers, and movers & shakers…
Can these people help you grow your business? Sure they can! But you won’t generate any results by just being connected to them.
Having the right LinkedIn connections is important for growing your business. But before you start going rogue and adding a bunch of people to your network, you need to determine your goal!
What is it that you want to accomplish on LinkedIn? And who will help you achieve it?
Once you’ve determined your goal, determine who can help you reach that goal.
For example, if you’re a bookkeeper looking for more clients you would most likely focus your efforts on connecting with small businesses that fit your niche.
Once you know who your ideal referral partners and ideal clients are, ask yourself this question:
Am I already connected to these people?
If not, it’s time to start!
Here are 5 ways you can make strategic LinkedIn Connections
- Import your contacts from Gmail or Outlook
- Create an email list of your target audience
- Use LinkedIn Search
- Add connections that viewed your profile
- Ask your existing network
1. Import your contacts from Gmail or Outlook.
Most people are unaware that they can import their Gmail and Outlook contacts!
And some are scared to try because they are afraid that LinkedIn will randomly send ALL of their contacts a connection request.
Quick tip: When you import your list, you will get an option to choose who you want to send a connection request to.
When reviewing your list, make sure you UNCHECK everyone you do not want to send a connection request to.
This is a process, but it’s worth the time it takes because you can send up to 2,500 connection requests with the click of a button. It’s pretty powerful if it’s done right.
2. Create an email list of your target audience
If you want to connect with real estate agents, get a list of real estate agents’ email addresses, then import them to LinkedIn.
LinkedIn will automatically send all of them a connection request from you.
It’s really easy and effective to import lists of emails to LinkedIn.
It’s important to note: the downside of using importing is that you cannot customize a note for each person that you send a connection request to.
This isn’t the end of the world! Especially if you are mass-connecting. (Strategically, of course!)
3. Use LinkedIn Search
Using LinkedIn Search is a great way to find the exact people whom you want to connect with.
Why? Because you can drill down to the BEST 2nd-degree LinkedIn connections—the people with whom you share a mutual connection.
Make sure you mention this in your connection request note!
You can simply say:
“Hi [Name], I noticed we are both connected to Joe Apfelbaum! He is a great connection to have! I’d love to add you to my network, as well.”
In your note, always include your name and website. Oftentimes, people will want to click to see who you are without viewing your profile.
4. Add connections who viewed your LinkedIn profile
People are pretty savvy. They know that when they go to your profile, you can see that they viewed your profile (if you have LinkedIn Premium).
So, they will usually avoid doing that if they are not sure they want to connect with you.
Let them find you elsewhere.
But, when someone does look at your profile, it’s a great opportunity to send them a connection request. Most people don’t even check to see who looked at their profile!
People who are actively looking at your LinkedIn profile have an interest in you, making them possible referral partners, or even clients!
Be sure to check who viewed your profile every day so you can start building those strategic LinkedIn connections!
5. Ask your existing network
Just because you are trying to build a strategic list of new LinkedIn connections doesn’t mean that your existing ones aren’t useful!
Utilize your existing network by simply creating a post on LinkedIn telling people that your goal is to add 100 connections this week!
Explain exactly who you’re trying to connect with and see if they have any recommendations!
Making connections based on referrals is the best way to go! These connections will already have some sort of trust in you because of the mutual LinkedIn connections you share.
Especially if they are close!
LinkedIn is a great place to build your professional network. But when it comes to adding LinkedIn connections, it isn’t just about adding as many people as you can.
It’s about building a network of strategic connections that can help you reach your overall goals.
We hope these tips help you generate high-quality, strategic LinkedIn Connections.
If you’d like to learn more about Networking on LinkedIn, feel free to download our 30 Tips Booklet and check out the Evyrgreen Networking System.