Categorized | Featured Articles, LinkedIn

6 Reasons To Connect With Everyone On LinkedIn

Posted on 23 February 2010
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There are two main approaches people have when connecting with others on LinkedIn.

1.  Is to connect with only those you know well

2.  Is to connect with everyone

Sure there are cases in between, but for the most part those are the two main strategies people use.

There was some recent discussion about a ProBlogger guest article I did on using LinkedIn to drive traffic back to you website, and the main reason why some only apply #1 is because they don’t want to jeopardize their top connections by having to forward along introductions from those they may not know that well.

However, you don’t have to forward all of your introductions, and you are missing a HUGE opportunity if you don’t connect with those you may not know very well.  Watch as I explain in the video below:

There are 6 main reasons you want to connect with everyone on LinkedIn:

1. To be found and contacted by more professionals: Increasing your 1st degree network grows your your 2nd and 3rd degree by millions more people.

2. To drive more traffic to your site: Any time you update your status or profile, it shows up on the homepage of everyone you are connected to.  More connections = more eyeballs.

3. To generate a TON more leads: Simple.  More connections = more potential leads

4.  To build your database: Your database is one of your most valuable assets in business.  LinkedIn allows you to export your contacts (the other “top social networking sites” don’t).

5. To create more opportunities: So many more opportunities come in that normally wouldn’t  because you are on the “top of mind” for people who might not know you that well (as opposed to the close network of people you already know).

6. To build thought leadership: The more people you connect with, inspire, help, and influence, the bigger impact you will have on the world.  This creates the potential for more recommendations, more referrals, and a bigger platform as a thought leader in your niche.

Do you connect with everyone who sends you an invite, or do you only add those you know very well?  What are some other reason for connecting with everyone, or not connecting with everyone?

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  • Thanks for sharing your perspective. Many people are concerned about adding everyone as a connection because they don't what them to feel they've got permission to flood their inbox with spam. By keeping their network small, they know everyone personally and they're less likely to get an unsolicited advertisement.

    Just a thought.
  • I think its is a great way to look at linkedIn.


    Chris Walker
    www.cwalkerphotography.com
  • I agree with your basic approach. LinkedIn has more stringent guidelines for linking. The trick is learning how to build your network without getting into trouble with their rules. Also, regardless of how many connections, building relationships online is a different skill than face-to-face networking.
  • I must admit that i have been loathed to contact people purely for the reason that Russell stated, Linkedin discourage unsolicited connections, even though there are many avenues of possible leads out there, however, i started making positive strides yesterday when i read your Twitter link Lewis, "Top 5 Ways to Market Your Business with Linkedin".

    http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/top-5-ways-t...

    As you had suggested, I have already set up a group for those in the Sporting World who are involved in buying and selling core products and wish to Network, please come along and be apart of it "Sport Related Networking".

    One of my next tasks will be connecting to strategic 2nd & 3rd degree connections.

    I feel quite excited about the prospect of developing by business through Linkedin, thanks for the tips Lewis.
  • http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=27917...

    Cheers Lewis, please find link above which will take you to our newly formed group.

    Kind Regards
    Chris
  • lewishowes
    Chris, Thank you sir. LinkedIn is a great way to build your business so please keep me posted on the results you start to see once you take massive action on there.
  • I can't help but feel that this advice is a little unbalanced. I think LinkedIn is used differently to other social networks by lots of people because it limits the ability for the kind of open connections delivered by twitter for example. Rightly or wrongly I regard my LinkedIn connections as more valuable than my other connections. For me it's about quality not quantity and finding opportunities to network and learn by leveraging 1st and 2nd level connections and attempting to add value back to the community. You acknowledge that too in point 6 so it's no big revalation. I'm just saying that different platforms may need a different approach. LinkedIn to me is less broadcast, more collaborative.
  • lewishowes
    Matt,

    Why not have both... quality and quantity? Obviously there are great advantages for being connected to more people in your network. And it does matter about the quality each member is..

    However, each person brings some type of value. Even if they are an intern, or a job seeker, or someone who doesn't seem to be a "VIP"... they still are connected to those that are "quality" and by being connected to you, knowing your skills, and what you have to offer... they may recommend you to their "quality" connection at some point.

    There are different approaches to different social networking sites... but if you want to build your business then refer back to #3 and #5 in my points in this post, and you will see my point.

    I do want you to focus on connecting with quality people... and that will happen naturally when you add value to peoples lives on LinkedIn (then you will have both quality and quantity :)
  • Good point. I guess time is my ongoing challenge. Regardless, I think LinkedIn have done an excellent job at differentiating their value proposition. Makes me wonder why I don't use it more!! Thanks for the thought inspiring article.
  • Scott
    Rather than quality you recommend quantity which is different than what I was always told. Thanks for the tip.
  • Susan Murray
    You always make sense, and when "Lewis speaks people listen"!!
  • Love the "Thought Leadership" point. So glad to have met you!
    Cheers!
  • lewishowes
    Glad you enjoyed it, and glad to meet you as well.
  • Russell Williams
    Linking to those you do not know is discouraged by Linkedin and some that( for reasons unknown) do not want to meet new people. Linkedin should permitt ANYONE to network with anyone else EVEN if they do not know each other. The parties can always Arcive the request or respond,"Not Interested".
  • lewishowes
    I agree Russell... and I think LinkedIn will need to do this in order to keep up with the Twitter's of the world... don't you think?
  • Russell Williams
    YES ! I know some Linkedin contact's that are fearful of an "IDK" and are actually making contacts on Facebook for that reason. It should not have to be that way. Russell
  • This definitely inspired me to kick up my LinkedIn networking.
  • lewishowes
    Awesome Janelle, now start taking action :)
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