Growing your LinkedIn network with intention

I gotta be honest: I only have so many spoons.

Part of that is because of fibromyalgia. The other part of that is the fact that I have, in general, always been an extroverted introvert: around people, I run out of energy very, very quickly.

I am 100% positive this is why I love being active digitally.

It allows me to network and be social –?without losing all my spoons.

However, that doesn't mean I want to fill my digital cup up with folks who (a) I can't learn from, or (b) can't learn from me.

This is why LinkedIn is my favorite platform for growing my network: it's full of my people...if I'm intentional enough to look for them.

Why I love this strategy:

??I get to curate my feed.

??I get to engage with folks who may one day need me.

? The new LinkedIn algorithm will reward you for bringing more relevant, solution-oriented content to your followers and those you engage with.

So, I'm going to let you in on a secret (that's not really a secret): the exact method I use to grow my network intentionally.

What I'm about to share with you isn't rocket science, but, there's a pretty good chance you've never been walked through how to use LinkedIn in this way before. (And if you have, hallelujah, here's your refresher.)

Ready to grow your network with intention? Keep reading below.

Psst...Don't have time to read? Here's a <10 minute Loom where you get to hear me + see me walk you through it step by step. If you watch it on a faster speed, you've saved even more time.

HOW TO GROW YOUR LINKEDIN NETWORK WITH INTENTION

Step 1: Search for a keyword.

Using the LinkedIn search bar, enter a keyword you want to search for. For me, keywords are things like "titles" –?i.e. career coach, psychologist, campaign manager, etc. Whether the title is in the person's headline or CV portion, it will likely return them as a result.

Step 2: Narrow it down.

You want your search to narrow down –?especially if you only solve problems for certain kinds of people. You can narrow it down to show you:

• Location-based results
• Connection-based (1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree –?or all) results
• Language-based results
• "Followers of" or "connections of" results
• "Talk about" results
• Service-provided results

Click apply so it will refresh your results.

Step 3: Review the list.

This is a big step folks can miss –?I'm not trying to follow everyone. I'm trying to be intentional about whom I'm filling my feed with –?whom I'm learning from and who will have the opportunity to learn from me.

Some good 'indicators' that this person is a good fit to follow:

• Higher # of mutual connections
• Geographical fit
• Community fit (ex. industry, identity, etc.)
• Active on LinkedIn platform
• Healthy network

Step 4: Follow first.

Some folks already request you FOLLOW, not connect. You can clearly see this in returned results (as a follow button will appear vs. a connect button). If I don't know the person personally in some capacity, I always FOLLOW. It's just LinkedIn etiquette, people.

'Follow' means you're interested in learning about them, from them, and engaging in content land. My recommendation is to only connect with people you personally know and can vouch for –?because you're now sharing a network.

If their button says connect, please take the time to take one extra step. Click on their profile. Go to the three dots. And choose 'follow' from the list.

That's it folks. That's the inside scoop. What are you going to search for first?

P.S. I promise the video is helpful because you get to see a search in real time! Here's the link again.

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Hi there! I'm Nikki James Zellner –?a content strategist for entrepreneurs, founders, and kick-ass people making a difference in the world. Learn from her for free on LinkedIn, or take a deeper dive with a free 30-minute strategy session by scheduling a time on my calendar.