LinkedIn is the premier social media site for networking with current and potential business associates. Yet, many people think of is as just an electronic “rolodex” that they turn to only when they are looking for a job or a specific resource.

Image of male touching icon of social network

One of the most important things to remember when using LinkedIn as a networking tool is that all those “contacts” are real people, and people like to hear from you just because you thought of them and wanted to say hello or to acknowledge them in some way, not just when you want something from them.

 

5 Ways to Network on LinkedIn

  1. Honor your LinkedIn connections for their accomplishments. With the revamped format of your LinkedIn page, it is easier than ever to congratulate connections on work anniversaries, promotions, new positions, even new profile photos. You can click on “like,” but I recommend clicking on “congrats” and writing a short personalized note – and I mean short. You can say “congratulations” which shows that you took the time to alter the pre-populated text. Click on your Connections tab to access all your connections to see who you might want to can honor for an accomplishment.
  2. Like or comment on a connection’s update in your LinkedIn newsfeed. Better yet, share that update and “tag” the connection when you tell your LinkedIn connections why it’s worth reading.
  3. Comment and/or share the posts written by your connections as long form blog posts. It’s easy to see their latest posts by scrolling through your notifications (visible when you click on the flag icon).
  4. Co-author a blog post with a LinkedIn connection. This gives you an opportunity to work together – strengthening your connection – and to share the post with each other’s LinkedIn network, thus easily co-marketing yourselves.
  5. Set up reminders via the Relationship tab (found under a person’s photo in their profile). Click on the word “reminder” and then select the option of reaching out to that person in one day, one week, one month, or on a recurring basis. You will then receive reminders to actually do that when you click on the Connections tab at the top of your screen.

 

How About You?

How have you been using LinkedIn as a networking tool? What has happened when you have taken the time to comment on things like a new job or a promotion?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel, Founder of Boomers' Social Media Tutor

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more comfortable using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.

She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.