3 Clear Strategies for Becoming a LinkedIn Networking Expert

Your LinkedIn networking can be the key to creating breakthrough opportunities for your business, from finding joint venture partners to connecting with your ideal clients.

But finding the right contacts for LinkedIn networking can be difficult…

How do you engage them?

How do you network on LinkedIn effectively?

Where do you start your LinkedIn networking?

This is something I talk about with all my new clients, and I share with them my tactics for effective LinkedIn networking so they have their ideal clients chasing them.

Here are my top three tips:

1. Provide value.

Demonstrating your worth to potential contacts is the key to building a mutually beneficial relationship. Start by helping them achieve their goals and by sharing your knowledge and expertise. This sets the stage for you to then deepen the relationship.

2. Engage first, then connect.

Creating a dialogue and developing a relationship are important prerequisites to sending an invitation to connect.

BONUS TIP: To avoid getting your account restricted, break the ice with message that thanks or compliments your potential new contact.

3. Ask for the next step.

Have a system and a plan to promote yourself strategically and consistently lead your contacts to your offerings so they become clients.

But for these strategies to work, you need to first position yourself as credible by optimizing your profile.

How do you do that?

Here are 4 simple steps to quickly and easily make your profile an All-Star…

1. Put a (professional) face to your name.

Members with profile pictures are more than 7x more likely to be found in searches.

2. Create a compelling, keyword-rich headline.

Speak directly to your audience with a call-to-action and use your keywords so you’ll be found for them in LinkedIn Search.

3. Share the results you provide.

Promote your expertise and the outcomes your clients enjoy in the Summary and Experience sections of your profile. And again, use your keywords to help increase your appearances in LinkedIn Search.

BONUS TIP: Include strategic calls-to-action to generate leads from your LinkedIn networking. 

4. Let your network sing your praises.

Make your profile more effective and dynamic with Endorsements and Recommendations from your clients and partners.

Advanced Tip: Move the Endorsements section directly under your Summary to graphically demonstrate your expertise with social proof.

When you complete these 4 steps, you’ll have an All-Star profile and will be more likely to be found in LinkedIn search results.

But being found takes time and you need contacts now.

This is when you put your existing network to use to easily get more contacts on LinkedIn.

And for those of you who are new or not so active on LinkedIn, I’ll start with the easiest way to grow your network…

1. Upload your email contacts to LinkedIn.

You’ll instantly have a network of people you already know with a new way to engage with them.

2. Define who you want to connect with.

Determine exactly who your ideal client is on LinkedIn. For example, managing directors in China.

3. Search on LinkedIn.

Search using keywords that describe the connection you want and narrow down your results, if you need to, with advanced search filters.

4. Tap into LinkedIn Groups.

Join groups where your ideal clients are and consistently share your expertise. Done effectively, this keeps you top of mind and positions you as an expert in your field and a thought leader.

BONUS TIP: Reach out to other group members (those who allow it) via messaging.

5. Integrate your other networking.

Follow up after engaging with other professionals on- and off-line by reaching out to connect on LinkedIn.

By implementing these strategies and steps, you’ve demonstrated value, engaged and grown your contacts…now you’re LinkedIn networking like an expert!

If you want more details on how to quickly and easily get better results from your LinkedIn networking, click here to qualify for your complimentary LinkedIn Results strategy session with me to explore that…and to find out what you can do to have a results breakthrough. I have a limited number of appointments available and request that only people who are serious about dramatically increasing their results on LinkedIn and ready to take the next step apply for a time to talk.

QUESTION: What are your best LinkedIn networking strategies? Please share them in the comment section below.

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© 2013 ChristineHueber.com

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