How do you build a strong network on LinkedIn?

Online, offline – the fear of putting yourself out there can be draining, especially if you’re not someone who has a high social battery to begin with. It’s something we like to call The Solopreneur’s Paradox. 

This paradox happens when you’re confident posting about your offer or talking about your expertise at an event but calm up when you’re one-on-one with a prospect. It’s one of the many reasons big businesses have sales teams but – unless you’re fortunate enough to be bringing a sales background to your business – you don’t have this luxury to hide behind.

This same fear can transfer over to building your network on LinkedIn. Even just the thought of your face appearing directly in someone’s ‘My Network’ tab, along with a connection message that will be their first (and potentially only) impression of you, is not a pleasant thought.

So, distract yourself from that thought by connecting with a clear purpose.

Who are you connecting with?

Rejection isn’t going to help your fears of sending out connection requests, so reduce the chances of it. Consider who you are attempting to add to your network, are they someone who is likely to benefit from what you have to offer? Sometimes, people will accept connection requests for the sake of building up their networks but this is not helpful to either you or them.

More than likely, if your profile or content doesn’t seem relevant to them, they will ignore your request.

Why are you connecting with them?

Why you’re sending someone a connection request will link back to your purpose for being on LinkedIn in the first place. Some people you might want to connect with to add their skills or expertise to your feed. However, most likely, you want to connect with potential prospects in the hopes of converting them to a sale. 

Keep connecting with a purpose in mind. Knowing that you will be benefitting from this connection (from either gaining or giving) will push you to keep sending out those requests.

Prove you’re a connection worth adding to their network

Building a strong network isn’t only about how many connection requests you send a day. The acceptance rate (and strength of your network) will depend on what else you’re doing on the platform. Your profile, the content you're posting, the other content you’re interacting with – all of this will have an impact on if people decide to join your network.

Worried your LinkedIn profile might not be saying the right things to potential connections? The PINAKL team can help you build a profile that draws prospects in before you’ve even sent a request.