How to Network on LinkedIn (Step-by-Step Guide to Build Meaningful Connections)

Summary

In this video, career coach Luki from Focus breaks down LinkedIn networking into a practical, step-by-step guide. Starting with the foundations of building meaningful connections, he emphasizes caring about others and approaching networking as relationship-building rather than self-promotion. Luki walks viewers through researching people of interest, crafting personalized connection requests, sustaining conversations, adding value, and nurturing relationships over time. He shares actionable tips like leveraging commonalities, engaging with content, and offering resources to help others. By following these steps, viewers can create authentic connections that foster long-term career growth and opportunities in a sustainable, thoughtful way.

Takeaways

• 😀 Networking is about building meaningful connections, not just collecting contacts.
• 😀 Show genuine care and interest in the people you connect with.
• 😀 Networking can happen in various contexts: in-person events, virtual chats, LinkedIn interactions, and informational interviews.
• 😀 Research and identify people of interest based on roles, companies, groups, and shared commonalities like location, alumni networks, hobbies, or certifications.
• 😀 Prioritize your connection list and explore LinkedIn features like 'People also viewed' and hashtags to find additional contacts.
• 😀 Personalize connection requests by mentioning commonalities or expressing curiosity about their career path or content they've created.
• 😀 Do not have expectations for responses; be pleasantly surprised if people engage.
• 😀 Continue the conversation by asking questions, sharing experiences, seeking advice, and being genuinely curious.
• 😀 Add value to your connections by offering skills, resources, introductions, or helpful insights.
• 😀 Build relationships over time, nurturing them consistently like 'farming' rather than 'hunting,' to create sustainable career success.
• 😀 Calendarize interactions initially to maintain regular contact and maximize relationship growth.
• 😀 Practice networking conversations with classmates, acquaintances, or neighbors to improve engagement and curiosity skills.

Q & A

What is the fundamental mindset shift recommended for effective networking?

Networking should be viewed as building meaningful connections rather than simply collecting contacts. The key is to genuinely care about the other person and focus on helping them achieve their goals.

What are the different contexts in which networking can occur?

Networking can occur at in-person events, conferences, online via LinkedIn messaging, virtual coffee chats, curiosity conversations (informational interviews), and through online engagement like liking, commenting, and sharing posts.

How should one start researching people to connect with on LinkedIn?

Start by defining your target role, department, or company. Look beyond recruiters to identify people in roles you aspire to, alumni, mutual connections, or active contributors in relevant groups and hashtags. Prioritize based on shared commonalities such as location, education, interests, or certifications.

What should a personalized LinkedIn connection request include?

A personalized note should reference commonalities or shared interests, mention why you want to connect, and could include a question about their career path, a certification they took, or advice on a topic. Always send with zero expectation of response.

What are some effective ways to continue a conversation after a connection is accepted?

Respond by explaining why you wanted to connect, asking questions, sharing experiences, seeking advice, or providing relevant information. If they are unresponsive after a few weeks, send a polite follow-up with new insights or updates.

What does adding value in networking mean?

Adding value means helping the other person in some way, such as asking thoughtful questions, offering your skills or expertise, making useful introductions, sharing relevant resources, or providing researched insights that could benefit them.

When is it appropriate to ask for referrals in networking?

Referrals should only be requested after demonstrating value to the connection. Asking too early without offering meaningful engagement may rely solely on their goodwill rather than a sustainable relationship.

What does Luki mean by approaching relationships like 'farming' instead of 'hunting'?

Farming represents nurturing relationships over time, giving consistent attention and value, which eventually yields long-term benefits. Hunting focuses on short-term gains, which is less sustainable for career success.

How can someone manage and remember their networking interactions effectively?

You can calendarize interactions and reminders initially until following up becomes a habit. This helps maintain consistent engagement and ensures relationships are nurtured over time.

What is the overall 5-step process for networking on LinkedIn according to Luki?

1) Understand networking as building meaningful connections. 2) Research and build a list of people to connect with. 3) Connect based on commonalities and interest. 4) Continue the conversation and add value. 5) Build relationships over time by nurturing them for sustainable career success.

How can someone practice networking skills before reaching out to key contacts?

They can practice conversations with classmates, acquaintances, or neighbors, focusing on being curious, interested, and adding value, which helps build confidence and conversational skills before approaching important connections.