So many professionals fail to take full advantage of LinkedIn’s networking capabilities, whether that’s because they don’t post consistently or see LinkedIn as a dating site (for jobs or actual dating).

(Yes, it happens.)

Since LinkedIn decidedly isn’t a dating site, let’s take a look at the key do’s and don’ts of LinkedIn networking so that you can win better connections and more business for your book. 

Don’ts for Networking on LinkedIn

There are so many things to avoid when networking on LinkedIn, but we’ve narrowed it down to three essential don’ts:

Don’t Forget to Share Posts

If you want to network and, by implication, build relationships on LinkedIn, you should share other people’s posts and content. This is not only a terrific way to get noticed by other LinkedIn users, but it also gives you greater reach on the platform when they share your content back.

Remember: everyone on LinkedIn wants the same thing. But in the rush to self-promote, don’t forget to lift up others’ voices, too. 

Don’t Spam

If you want to build meaningful relationships with other LinkedIn users, don’t spam them. Specifically, this means:

• Don’t send generic “Hi, how are you?” messages
• Don’t lead with your offer
• Show interest in what your potential connection is sharing

In contrast, when you do, your reputation on the platform will suffer. 

If you keep sending irrelevant messages, other users will be less likely to be interested in reading them when you actually have something valuable to contribute.

Don’t Ignore Invitations

You should always reply to any business proposals, job invitations, and invitations to collaborate, even if it means politely declining them. 

Remember, while you might not have time for collaboration or to take advantage of any opportunities now, you never know what the future holds. 

By replying to these invitations, you’ll keep the door open for future opportunities. 

Do’s for Networking on LinkedIn

Now that the don’ts are out of the way, let’s take a look at what you should do when networking on LinkedIn. 

Do Create Content

One of the most important things you can do when networking on LinkedIn is to create content. You can do this either by creating posts or writing articles that demonstrate your skills and expertise. Either way, your content will help you increase your reach on the platform and connect with more people while enabling you to promote yourself and your business.

Remember that your content isn’t about you. It’s about your audience. What are they struggling with? What advice can you offer?

(And no, you don’t have to write broetry. A catchy first line + useful content where you speak from experience will take you far.)

Do Personalize Connection Requests

Don’t invite random people to connect. If you come out of the blue with an impersonal message, your chances of getting that connection are slim.

Focus on connecting with your colleagues, peers, and thought leaders instead. Then, connect with their connections. All the while, keep the conversation going so that your requests and messages feel natural.

When you send a connection request, make sure you’ve done your research. Generic messages no longer cut it. Qualify your lead list, and reference their interests in your connection request.

You’ll increase your chances of success. 

Do Optimize Your Profile

Your profile forms the foundation of all your networking efforts on LinkedIn. Optimize it. Get your profile picture, headline, about, skills, and experience sections right. LinkedIn also works as a search engine, so it tracks the keywords you use in your profile.

Secondly, a good “About me” section makes people want to connect with you. 

People can’t gauge your personality from your resume. It’ll only show what you can do. Your summary shows them how you do it.

This is where Inlytics comes in. 

In addition to giving you insights into your content’s performance, Inlytics provides enhanced profile stats and shows you how well your profile is optimized. With LinkedIn analytics for personal profiles, you can take your LinkedIn networking to the next level. Try it for free today!