5 Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Your LinkedIn Network (And How to Fix Them)

LinkedIn Is the place to build professional relationships, find jobs, and grow your Brand.

With more than 900 million users (and growing), it’s where people go to build their networks. But the problem is many of us are making simple mistakes that hurt our chances of growing an effective LinkedIn network.

So, let’s break down the 5 most common mistakes people make and how you can avoid them, and I’ll share a little creative template at the end to boost your connection game! ??

Mistake: Sending Generic Connection Requests ??

You’ve probably sent this message before:

"I'd like to add you to my professional network."

It’s forgettable. And guess what? Most people won’t even respond.

A study by HubSpot revealed that personalized connection requests are 56% more likely to get accepted than generic ones.

? Why It Hurts You: A generic invite gives the impression that you’re either spamming or don’t care about the connection. If you don’t take a minute to personalize your message, why would they take the time to connect with you?

? How to Fix It: A personalized request only takes a few seconds and makes all the difference. Try something like:

"Hi [Name], I came across your profile after reading your post on [topic]. Your work in [industry] resonates with me, and I’d love to connect and learn from your journey."

This shows that you’re genuinely interested in connecting, and trust me, it makes people more likely to say “yes.”

Mistake: Ghosting After Connecting ?

You’ve just connected with someone… and then… nothing.

You go silent. Big mistake!

This is like showing up to a party, introducing yourself, and then leaving without a word.

LinkedIn connections aren’t just for numbers, they’re for building relationships.

? Why It Hurts You: If you don’t follow up after connecting, you miss out on building a meaningful relationship. That connection you just made might even forget who you are after a while, especially if they have hundreds of other people in their network.

? How to Fix It: Send a follow-up message after someone accepts your request. Here’s an easy template:

"Thanks for accepting my request, [Name]! I’d love to hear more about your recent project/post about [topic]. Would be great to connect and exchange ideas."

This keeps the conversation flowing and builds a stronger professional relationship.

Mistake: Not Engaging with Your Network’s Content ??

Let’s say you’ve built a decent-sized network.

But here’s where most people go wrong: they don’t engage.

Just passively sitting in the background isn’t going to get you noticed.

? Why It Hurts You: If you don’t interact with your connections’ posts, you’re missing out on opportunities to show up in their feed and build rapport.

Worse, it signals that you’re not interested in the relationship.

? How to Fix It: Take 10-15 minutes each day to like, comment, and share relevant content from your network.

Leave thoughtful comments, something more than just “Great post!” Ask questions, share your insights, and offer congratulations on your achievements. For example:

"I loved your take on [topic], [Name]! It made me think about how this could apply in [related industry]. Have you noticed any trends in that area?"

That’s how you build strong engagement.

Mistake: Treating LinkedIn Like a Job Board Only ??

Yes, LinkedIn is great for job hunting, but that’s not all it’s good for.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that LinkedIn is just a job board.

It’s much more than that!

? Why It Hurts You: If you only use LinkedIn to send your résumé and apply for jobs, you’re missing out on the power of networking.

You’ll be less likely to find those hidden opportunities that come from people within your network.

? How to Fix It: Instead of only connecting when you need a job, use LinkedIn to nurture relationships regularly.

Connect with people in your industry, share insights, join conversations, and build your brand.

This way, when opportunities do arise, you’re already top of mind.

Mistake: Not Building Your Personal Brand ??

If you’re only posting random updates once in a while, you’re not building a brand.

LinkedIn is a platform where you can showcase who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring.

But are you doing that?

? Why It Hurts You: Without a strong personal brand, you’ll blend into the sea of other users. You won’t stand out to recruiters, collaborators, or potential clients.

? How to Fix It: Start sharing your knowledge! Even if you’re early in your career, you can still provide insights and share your learning journey.

Write about industry trends, personal experiences, or even things you’ve read that inspired you. It’s all about adding value.

Here’s a simple template for writing a post that builds your brand:

"The fintech world is evolving fast, and I’m excited to be part of it! Recently, I’ve been diving into [specific topic], and here’s what I’ve learned so far: [brief insight]. Let’s connect if you’re also passionate about this!"

Some Shocking Stats to Keep You Motivated ??

Did you know that 80% of LinkedIn members consider networking essential for career success, yet 49% never actually engage with their connections? Shocking, right?

According to LinkedIn’s own data, a strong personal brand can help you get up to 10x more views on your profile.

So, if you’re not building your brand, you’re missing out on massive visibility.

A Template for Your LinkedIn Networking Success ??

Here’s a quick template to boost your connection game.

Follow this for each new connection:

1. Personalize the connection request: "Hi [Name], I saw your recent post on [topic] and it resonated with me. I’d love to connect and learn more from your journey."
2. Follow up after connecting: "Thanks for connecting! I’d love to hear more about your recent work on [topic]. Would be great to exchange ideas."
3. Engage regularly: Like, comment, and share their posts. Leave thoughtful comments to keep the relationship strong.
4. Stay active: Share your insights and content to build your brand. Don’t wait until you need a job to engage!

Building a meaningful LinkedIn network takes time, effort, and consistency.

Don’t fall into the trap of sending out mass connection requests or neglecting your existing connections.

Instead, focus on building genuine relationships, offering value, and engaging consistently.

At the end of the day, LinkedIn is more than just a numbers game, it’s about quality over quantity. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of it.

What’s your biggest networking mistake? Drop it in the comments, and let’s discuss how we can all do better! ??