LinkedIn Growth Hacks

Having tripled my LinkedIn network in six months (don’t get too excited – it’s not a massive number), I decided to analyse what has worked and what has not. Having done so, I thought I would inflict what I learned on you. This article is about how to grow your LinkedIn network – not what to do with it – that part is up to you…

I should say right away that much of this is learned from others. I have read and listened to the real experts…so the good bits are mostly courtesy of Chris Reed, Linda Le and Sharon DeSouza. The rest is mine…

So – why ‘for Amateurs’? It’s because this is NOT my primary work, and I have not paid someone to do this for me. It is a result of less than half an hour’s work a day, Monday to Friday, and mostly during what would otherwise be unproductive time.

As this is to be a collection of lists, here is the first one – how I learned what to do:

I read almost everything I see about working LinkedIn, mostly:

• On LinkedIn - obviously
• In blogs
• In newsletters

And here is the second list – when and where I do the work:

• In lifts and on escalators
• In cafes while waiting for meetings
• At my desk while eating lunch
• Monday to Friday (except for the fortnight when I had flu)
• Occasionally at the weekend, but I do have a family…

And this is what I do:

• Write an occasional article (like this, but usually shorter)
• Share and comment on articles and updates
• I aim for about 50/50 targeted / general interest - well, do you like monomaniacs?

From my notebook: I send customised templated connection requests to:

• People with very specific profiles
• Most people I meet
• Especially those with some connection to me
• But not axe murderers, pushy pitchers

From my mobile: I 'fill in the gaps' by connecting to people with lots of mutual connections.

This is how I format the invitation to connect:

For those I have met:

This is why I am asking to connect - typically ONE of:

• We met and talked about xyz, and I want to follow up - I will be very specific
• We met and I would like to stay in touch - with NO specific agenda

For those I found through search:

• I searched for you / your profile, as I am doing xyz, and:
• I think I can help you in…
• I would like your expert opinion on…
• I believe you would like to be involved because…

NOT ‘buy my product / service’

Once connected, I send an initial message:

• Restate why I have connected - brief but specific, especially if following a meeting
• Ask what their interest is, and what help I can give - if already discussed, I state rather than ask
• A short background about myself or The CrowdHub Group - this is NOT a pitch – I keep it informational / light
• A link to a relevant website - a Group site or a third-party site
• Ask if they would like to receive information - e.g.: receive a newsletter, be updated about something specific
• Sign off – you’d be surprised how many people do not…

I do NOT:

• Send an attachment
• Pitch
• Demand a meeting

No magic, minions, machine learning or AI – I just read, listen, learn, adapt – and repeat…I built this process up from advice, trial and error over several months, having made mistakes that reduced the response rate before I found the process and wording that increased it.

Just one final list – why I do this:

• To build my network in specific industries / interests
• in anticipation of a meeting - it makes a first meeting much warmer
• To build The CrowdHub Group’s name recognition and brand values
• To position myself according to a planned profile
• Because it’s interesting to read, share and discuss news and views with other people - especially with people who understand a subject better than I do

Overall, I have a reasonable acceptance rate. I receive about half the number of requests to connect as I send out. I have no idea how meaningful this is…I’d be interested in your theory.

I am building a highly-targeted and valuable network, of interesting and knowledgeable people, who I can reach out to – and vice versa.

I have found a team member, reconnected with former colleagues, and now understand several topics far better than I would otherwise have been able to. I have not found a job through LinkedIn, although I am aware that some think the platform is good for nothing else.

If you have found this useful – do let me know.

If I have got something wrong (more likely) – also let me know.

Either way, I encourage you to use LinkedIn to connect to those with knowledge and insight…as I have done. It’s more interesting than you might expect.