Seven simple ways to expand your LinkedIn network

Does having an international LinkedIn connection strategy appeal to you and your organization?

That’s why I want to share Jasmin Alic’s work.

?Alic, a LinkedIn connection, posted these seven simple rules about how to improve one’s engagement on their profile.?

After reading through this list, I would tell you that some of these suggested changes will take some time and effort. However, I can attest that I have done most of these already, and it has opened my world to new connections.

Here is Alic’s list, along with my thoughts.

1.See a post you like?

? Don’t just “like”. Comment?too.

One of my favorite ways to do this, especially for new LinkedIn users, is to write a comment about someone on their birthday, get a new job or achieve a promotion.

For example, LinkedIn informs me of Jasmin’s birthday. Instead of the simple like or the autoformatted “Happy Birthday,” I could write him a comment or a private message with something like this: “Happy birthday…Jasmin, thank you for sharing your wonderful content with me. It has helped me a lot.”

2. See a post with zero likes?

? Be the 1st person that shows?love

This will take time and effort to do so, but I believe that being the first to comment will help me make some new connections. My only suggested thought on this is to avoid highly political topics.

3. Someone tags you in a comment?

? Do your best to respond + thank?them

It sometimes takes me a day or two to respond to these, especially when I am part of a list of 20 or more tags.

4. Commenting on a post you (really) like?

Leave 4 comments in total (1 main + 3?replies)

This is an interesting concept here. Again, I need to practice this to improve this element.

5. Have zero clue what to comment on a post?

? Tag the author + leave a message of?support

A simple suggestion, especially for those who have issues with creating original content. However, let me suggest that newcomers can practice creativity here. One way to practice this is when someone on LinkedIn posts an event that you share and what attending it would mean to you.

6. See a “small” profile publish “great” content?

? Show support regardless of “your” follower?size

For those of us with a lot of content followers, this is an easy way to help someone with a great message. I agree with Alic that it’s a great thing to nurture people who are starting out with their first or second post.

7. Support every person regardless — everywhere

? Let every person online be your “walking referral”

I try to do this, except for those people who bomb me with offers to help me with PMP training, SEO, or other services. For those who salute me with a phrase such as having “a remarkable career,” I tend to delete them right away.

Jasmin concludes with this caveat of wisdom “Remember: It costs $0 to support others?online.”

I disagree sort of on this comment. There is a cost to respond. The accountant/bean counter/retired Air Force news editor knows that there is a labor cost. However….the return is worth the investment.

(I'm set to speak with the AFCEA chapter Aug. 1 at 8 a.m. Please contact Bryan J. Guinn about a reservation and the costs for the event.)