Cultivating a Network That Can Further Your Career

Growing your network is one thing, but building it with people who can support your career growth is where the magic really happens!

Whether you’re looking for your next role, new clients, or opportunities to collaborate with others, leveraging LinkedIn is a powerful way to connect with people you might not otherwise come into contact with. So this month, we’re focusing on strategies to effectively build a meaningful network that can help fuel your professional pursuits.?

In the sections below, you’ll find guidance on how to find and develop connections on LinkedIn, a new content challenge designed to spark conversations around networking, and of course featured posts to draw inspiration from.?

As always, don’t be afraid to ask questions or share feedback–we’re here to help. Let us know how we can support you in future editions by commenting below! ??

How to Find Connections?

Here are some easy ways to find people beyond your immediate network.?

Need some guidance on where to find new connections? Sometimes the hardest part is just knowing where to look! Check out these recommended tips:

• Explore your network by checking out the ‘people you may know’ tab. This will help you discover people beyond your previous and current coworkers.
• Spend time going through your feed to spot posts from friends of friends that resonate with you.
• Use the ‘search’ tab to look for people in your field or in related fields with key words.?
• Look for people who post consistently and share valuable insights, fostering connections based on shared interests and professional passions.

Now that you know where to find people, check out the next section for guidance on how to start conversations and nurture your relationships over time.?

Building Connections 101

Check out this step by step path to help start and nurture new connections.

Introducing yourself to new connections can feel a little uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. And while there are many ways to make connections on LinkedIn, here’s a path that we recommend:

• Take a look at what your potential connections are posting and assess whether you feel like engaging with their content would add value to your LinkedIn experience.
• Follow new people and regularly engage with their posts, adding your insights and perspective. By adding a thoughtful comment, you’ll communicate your genuine interest and create an opportunity to show what you know.
• After you’ve built up a rapport with them, it’s time to send a connection request. Don’t forget to include a personal message. This is a great way to reinforce what you appreciate about their content and similar interests.
• Continue to engage with their content in a meaningful way. Remember, just like any relationship in your life, it takes effort and doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t be discouraged if things don’t happen right away. Instead, focus on showing continued interest and actively develop the relationship.

Looking for more tips on how to build connections on LinkedIn? Check out this video from Julio Alvarez on how to cultivate meaningful connections with people on LinkedIn.

Ready, Set…Content Challenge!

Share one tip you’d give someone looking to get noticed on LinkedIn.

Sparking conversations through your posts is a great way to build existing relationships and start new ones. Need inspiration on what to post about? This month we're taking things up a notch with the #OneThingToKnow challenge. We'll be choosing the top 3 posts that stand out the most and highlighting them in a LinkedIn sponsored ad (with your sign off, of course).

The goal with this challenge is to keep your post as concise and to the point as possible, so keep it under 50 words.

Challenge rules: Craft a post answering this question, include the #OneThingToKnow hashtag, then drop the link to your post in the comments below so the entire community can cheer you on and learn from your strategies.

Featured Posts

Here are some standout posts to draw inspiration from.

What makes Liam’s post stand out:

??Liam gets to the point quickly in his opening statement. It’s clear what his video will be about from the start.

?? He isn’t afraid to share his opinion even though he knows others may not agree. By sharing his take, he opens the door to healthy debate in the comments.

??He shows support and empathy for people who are navigating the often challenging search for work. This helps foster a sense of trust within his community.

What makes Jessica’s post stand out:

??Jessica starts out the post on a personal note by sharing one of her biggest challenges. This instantly grabs the attention of readers who may find the topic of being a working mother relatable.

?? She makes a relevant recommendation by sharing a book that impacted her life, along with the key takeaways she found most helpful. This is valuable info to readers who may also be interested in reading the book.

?? She ends on a positive, empowering note. By including an uplifting message she leaves her audience feeling inspired and motivated.

Know someone who’d be interested in this newsletter? We’d love it if you shared it with them.?

Tell us which tips you found most useful. Are there any specific topics you’d like to see us touch on in upcoming issues? Let us know by replying in the comments ??