How to Network on Social Media Networks, Like LinkedIn

Social media can be a powerful tool for networking. We unveil in this post how to network on social media networks, like LinkedIn, plus dos and don'ts when reaching out to potential contacts.?

By Brandi Fowler ?

Social media is a large part of successful networking. Why? Because the person you want to connect with is probably on LinkedIn, Meta (formerly Facebook), Instagram, Twitter, and/or TikTok.?

About 223 million Americans used social media as of 2020, according to Statista , and in 2021, 82 percent of the U.S. population had a social media networking profile.?

And that was just in the U.S. The number of worldwide social media users hit 4.2 billion in January 2021.?

According to the New York Times , networking on social media can help you “discover new ideas and trends, connect with existing and new audiences in deeper ways, bring attention and traffic to your work, and build, craft, and enhance your brand.”?

Social media networking can help you strengthen current relationships, build new career contacts, and find mentors.?

It pays to invest time in networking on social media platforms, but it is often not easy to do it effectively.

I chatted with LinkedIn networking trainer, consultant, and speaker Beth Granger and career and diversity strategist Yai Vargas to learn more about how to network on social media platforms like LinkedIn.?

First Steps to Take When Networking on Social Media?

Develop a strategy before diving into networking. Strengthen your social media profile and identify who you want to network with first.?

“The first thing you should do to make a great first impression on social media is to have a professional headshot,” Vargas said. “With technology being so advanced, you don't need to spend lots of money for a professional photographer. You can take a portrait mode headshot in natural lighting right from your phone.”?

Next, create a social media profile title that describes the purpose of your current role or the role you want. Include keywords to make your profile more searchable for recruiters and future employers.?

“Instead of using a simple title like ‘Community Program Assistant,’ [be more descriptive] and say, ‘Developing programming strategies for Company X that inspire community engagement,’” Vargas said. “Having a compelling title that describes the work you do helps people learn more about you instantly and increases curiosity.”?

The top is the most important section on your profile, Granger said. “You want to make sure you present yourself the best way possible, especially if you are reaching out to somebody that doesn't know you yet.”?

Add your professional headshot and descriptive title, but don’t forget to spice up your profile background.?

“Your background graphic is unused space,” Granger said. “Why not use your headline to tell your story and what you are about?”?

Decide which contacts you want to target once you have improved your profile.?

“The best way to build your network is to understand who you would like to learn from,” Vargas said. “Thought leaders are considered to be exceptional communicators and have built a brand by sharing industry insights that help the rest of us learn alongside them.

“For example, if you aspire to be a chief marketing officer one day, I would suggest you start adding CMOs that have a history of sharing content, resources and opportunities. Building a network of people you would like to emulate is the ideal way to start surrounding yourself with success.”

Also, don’t forget to reach out to people you know to help build your network. If you want to connect with someone on LinkedIn and see a connection with someone you know, ask for an introduction. Posting about the types of connections you are trying to form can help. So can joining conversations on platforms like LinkedIn.?

Which Network Should You Focus on When Networking on Social Media

Decide which social media platforms allow you to best connect with professionals in your field and build your presence there.??

“Be where the people you want to be with are,” Granger said. “Depending on your industry or other factors it may be different platforms. So, if they are on TikTok, be on TikTok. Do I think LinkedIn, for instance, is an amazing place? Obviously I do. And if you aren't there, you kind of don't exist in business.? But for certain industries, you are going to reach people in other places.”

Vargas also suggested thinking of social media in terms of audiences.?

“LinkedIn is for professional connections,” Vargas said. “You don't know these individuals personally, (like you would on Facebook) but you are interested in connecting with them to potentially ask for a job or ask for advice.

“It is completely normal and common for professionals on LinkedIn that have never met each other to connect and share resources, ideas, jobs and advice. If you are a photographer looking for clients, you can use a platform that highlights your work, portfolio, and talent – like Instagram. Networking through that platform for those specific reasons is another avenue of opportunity.”?

How to Reach Out to Contacts When Networking on Social Media

Reaching out to a new contact can be nerve-wracking, but shake it off and send the message anyway.?

Keep it simple when you do, Vargas said.?

“Make sure you review their profile for anything you can mention as a common interest,” Vargas said. “It should state the reason for your connection and what you do currently. Here's a great example: ‘Hi Maria, I noticed the content you are sharing about the new technology in marketing and I would love to connect and learn more. I'm just starting my marketing journey but will share any resources that may be helpful to you. Thank you.’”

Avoid reaching out to large numbers of people who have nothing to do with your interests or industry.?

“A big no-no when it comes to networking on social media is connecting with people that have no common interests with you just for the sake of gaining more connections,” Vargas said. “It is important to keep the rule of quality connections over quantity. When you start growing your audience, you will want to make sure that the content that comes across your feed is actually interesting and resonating with you personally. If you continue to add connections that post about irrelevant topics, your feed will suffer in return.”?

Use the power of your network too.

“The first thing that I do is see if I can get an introduction because I'm shy,” Granger said. “I'm not going to introduce myself first. I'm always looking at those second connections because potentially then I can get an introduction and that's easier for me.

“Then I’ll review their profile. If they share content, I'll review what they share so that I can make it very clear why I'm reaching out to them. ‘I love that article about X, Y, Z. and I would love to ask you a few questions about your career.?

“I find if it is networking for career purposes, people are very open. People have their walls up when they feel like they’re going to be sold to. So you want to be clear what your purpose is.”

Granger also recommended keeping these tips in mind as you network: “Listen more than you speak, ask really good questions and don't make assumptions. Sometimes people will make an assumption like, ‘That person can't help me. I don't want to talk to them.’ You don't know them yet or what they did before [their current role].

“Be open to getting to know people and helping them as much as possible. And then you'll be helped in return.”?

Networking on social media can be tricky, but developing a strategy can help you be a more successful networker and calm your nerves. Identify your audience and the contacts you want to target, determine which social media platform they are on, and reach out to potential connections with an effective and simple note.?

Top Takeaways

How to Network on Social Media Networks, Like LinkedIn

• Identify your audience and who you want to target.?
• Determine which social media network to focus on for networking purposes.?
• Research potential contacts to find the best ways to connect with them.?
• Send an effective and simple message.?