Quality or Quantity: Approaching My LinkedIn Network

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The age-old question of quality vs. quantity plays out in many aspects of our lives, but it’s especially relevant when building a LinkedIn network. I vividly remember the early days of Web 2.0 when LinkedIn was just starting out. As an early adopter, I created an account to explore the platform—but to my regret, I didn’t stick with it. Twenty years later, I can’t help but wonder how different things might have been if I’d connected with even a small fraction of the people I met along the way.

As the saying goes: “The best time to start something was yesterday. The second-best time is now.” So, here I am—two decades later—ready to dive back into LinkedIn. But is LinkedIn ready for me?

The Technical Hurdles

In short, not completely. My re-entry has been rocky, to say the least. After repeated pleas for tech support, I’ve been able to regain access to my account, but my challenge—being a U.S. citizen living abroad—continues to confuse LinkedIn’s security systems. The verification process is tripped up by the fact that I’m an American with an EU-based account. U.S. phone numbers don’t work for verification in Europe, and vice versa, which causes endless frustration, lost time, and locked features like Sales Navigator.

But that’s life, and I’m making the best of it. Since LinkedIn is now crucial for my work, I’ll keep pushing forward, despite these limitations. I trust that in time, this issue will be resolved—either through LinkedIn’s support or when I return to the States. In the meantime, my focus is on building my network, which leads me to the question: Should I prioritize quality or quantity?

Quality vs. Quantity: My Approach

Right now, my connections are heavily driven by quantity. I’m reaching out to people in my network, offering to connect through an introductory video chat—taking inspiration from the Business Network International (BNI) philosophy I’ve been exposed to over the years. My thinking is that establishing real, personal connections early on will help shift my network from quantity-based to quality-focused.

But here’s the reality check: How many people do you think have accepted my invitation for an exploratory discussion so far? Not many.

This brings me to the dilemma many of us face on LinkedIn: building a vast network of surface-level connections or investing time in fewer, deeper relationships. Both approaches have merit. Quantity can open more doors, but quality ensures that the doors that open lead to meaningful opportunities.

My Plan for Balance

As my first month back on LinkedIn wraps up, I’m keeping my account at a basic level while I wait for the remaining tech issues to be sorted out. Once those hurdles are cleared, I’ll shift focus toward building quality connections. Here’s how I plan to do that:

1. Start with Quantity: In the short term, I’ll continue to reach out broadly to expand my network. In today’s digital world, you never know where opportunities may come from, and a larger network increases the chances of visibility and collaboration.
2. Focus on Engagement: After the initial outreach, I’ll concentrate on engaging more deeply with those who respond positively—whether it’s through follow-up messages, video calls, or collaborative projects. These are the connections I aim to nurture and grow into professional relationships.
3. Balance with a Web 3.0 Mindset: Having worked for Deeper Network, a Web 3.0 advocate, I’m well aware of the shortcomings of Web 2.0, including its transactional nature. My goal is to create a network where every connection is built on mutual trust and professional understanding. By incorporating this mindset, I can move toward a network of quality, without completely disregarding the benefits of quantity.

Looking Ahead

So here’s my open invitation: If you’ve read this far and would like to connect—whether to say hello or explore potential business collaborations—please feel free to schedule a 30-minute chat with me. You can use this link to set it up: https://calendly.com/zsofka2024/30min. Let’s see how we can help each other, directly or indirectly.

The choice is yours: You can be part of my Web 2.0 network, where identities may feel distant and transactional, or you can join me in the Web 3.0 mindset, where every connection is meaningful, and we’ve spent the time to truly understand each other professionally. I look forward to building something real.