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LinkedIn is the oldest and most popular online professional network, with over a billion users worldwide. It offers many benefits to freelancers, business owners, consultants and other professionals to grow in their careers, and is used for different goals:

• Build an influential network.
• Recruit talent for your firm. 
• Look for the right business partner. 
• Find new professional opportunities.
• Establish yourself as an expert in your industry.
• Learn from other professionals to develop your skill set. 

All these goals can be achieved by expanding your network and thoughtfully increasing your LinkedIn connections. 

But, the task of networking is more challenging than it seems! It is a process that requires the utmost effort and thought, especially if you’re just getting started. This blog provides you with 6 proven tips to increase your LinkedIn connections. 

Before we learn how to do that, let’s gain some insights into LinkedIn connections and their importance.

Follower vs Connection - What’s The Difference?

LinkedIn gives you two options - following and connecting. Both options will allow you to view the other person’s posts, but only one will let you initiate a conversation. 

Follower - If you follow someone on LinkedIn, you can view their posts, insights and any articles they publish but your posts will not appear on their profile unless they choose to follow back. Additionally, you cannot initiate a conversation with them if you only follow them. 

‍Connection - Sending and accepting connection requests increases your network and profile visibility. Being connected on LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to have a two-way conversation where you can share posts, updates, and messages, and it means that your posts will appear on your connection’s profile and vice versa. 

When it comes to connections, LinkedIn does more than specify who you’re connected to. It assigns degrees of connection to people who are connected to your connections, allowing you to discover other profiles and decide who you wish to connect with. 

‍1st-degree connection - These are profiles you are directly linked to after you accept each other’s connection requests. 

‍2nd-degree connection - These are profiles that are linked to your 1st-degree connections, but not to you. If you wish to start a conversation with them or add them to your network, you will have to send them a connection request. 

‍3rd-degree connection - As you may have guessed, these are profiles that are connected to your 2nd-degree connections. You can view their profiles and choose to connect with them if you share any similar interests.

Now that we’ve established the distinction between followers and connections, let’s see why networking is helpful for you.

Networking - Why Does It Matter?

Having a large and diverse LinkedIn network can be beneficial for you in many ways. It can help you look for better job opportunities, build relationships with other professionals, connect with potential customers, and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. 

LinkedIn has this special feature that does not allow you to see the exact number of connections a person has if they’ve hit 500 connections. But why is that “500+ connections” impressive?

• It boosts credibility! Having 500+ connections signifies that you must be doing something right. 
• It increases your reach and profile visibility, helping your profile appear higher in search results through mutual connections. 
• Recruiters feel more confident hiring people who are actively engaged on the platform with 500+ connections. 
• If you have a website linked to your profile, odds are you’ll be able to get more traffic on it with the increased LinkedIn connections.

If you’ve already hit 500+ connections, is there any need for continuing to connect with others? The short answer is: yes! 

Reaching 500+ LinkedIn connections signals a strong network, but continuing to connect can help you expand in niche industries, engage actively, and strengthen second-degree ties. Beyond 500, strictly prioritize quality over quantity.

Hitting a benchmark of 5,000+ connections give you additional benefits such as more click-throughs, endorsements, and access to features like LinkedIn Stories - which allows you to create and post a 20-second video that disappears after 24 hours. 

While having 500+ connections is a sign of a good optimised profile, many people consider having 1,000-5,000 connections as a good benchmark of an active LinkedIn user. 

Who Should Be in Your Network?

LinkedIn connections are not achieved overnight, it is a long process that should be approached strategically. 

If you’re just starting out, it is best to start connecting with people you already know. Tap into the “Alumni” feature - use your profile to select your university/school and reach out to your fellow alumni. You can also connect with your current or former colleagues. A common experience encourages people to accept connection requests.

If you find people with similar interests or goals, invite them to connect with you and build relationships with them. Engage in conversations by sharing relevant posts and updates. 

Utilise the “Top Industry Leader” lists from your respective industry that showcase influencers and top professionals. Recognise which leaders you wish to connect with and send an invitation. 

How to Increase LinkedIn Connections in 2025?

LinkedIn is a valuable platform that can help you expand your professional network. Here are 8 tips on how to increase LinkedIn connections:

1. Optimise Your Profile

The first step to increasing your LinkedIn connections is to make sure your profile showcases who you are. Optimise your profile by adding an appropriate banner, your location, writing a clear headline that reflects your designation and services, and showcasing your projects, skills, and endorsements. 

Write a summary that tells a potential connection who you are and why they should connect with you. Offer a call-to-action (CTA) that can be used to contact you or employ your services. 

2. Personalise Connection Requests

If you’re clicking on that “Connect” button, add a personal note to your invitation to tell them how you know them or why you’re reaching out to them. Whether it’s an alum from your university or an author you met at a conference, a personalised connection request would be more likely to get accepted because it offers a purpose to connect.

3. Use Advanced Search Filters

LinkedIn allows you to search for people and filter profiles based on criteria like location, industry, seniority, degree of connection, institute, and past and present company. Search filters like these help identify potential connections and send connection requests based on common experiences, industry, or interests.

4. Break Down Your Goals

Going from 100 to 500 connections is not a task to be achieved overnight, and thus, it is best to break down such growth goals into realistic time-bound tasks. 

For example, focus on getting 20 new connections in the first week, then review your growth and determine what adjustments need to be made. If you are getting positive and steady feedback, then increase the difficulty level and try for 30 connections next week. 

5. Publish Posts to Invite Engagement

Write and publish articles that inspire people to engage with your posts. Decide what you wish to write about and consistently keep up with the content - create visuals and infographics to attract more attention. 

Posts with high engagement are often recommended to 2nd and 3rd-degree connections, increasing your reach and profile visibility.

6. Leverage Keywords in Your Profile

Use your headline to your advantage. LinkedIn showcases a part of your headline under your name, and if you use the right keywords there, more people are likely to click on your profile. 

If your role requires you to perform multiple tasks, give some thought to what you specialise in and showcase keywords based on services. For example, if you’re a content creator, you likely also perform creative writing, editing, or even graphic designing. Determine which of these tasks would attract the most attention based on your expertise and goals and use the keywords strategically.

How NOT to Network?

When building your professional network, certain things should be avoided at all costs to prevent damaging your personal brand. Let’s look into such mistakes and learn how to avoid them. 

1. Avoid automated messages 

Sending out generic and automated messages to your connections can damage a potential relationship. It signifies that you have not put any thought into why you wish to connect with someone and can be harmful to your reputation. 

Give people a meaningful reason to connect with you - write personalised messages with a clear purpose for connecting.

2. Don’t use networking tools to spam requests

Many people find the task of increasing LinkedIn connections very tiresome and end up using automated tools that promise to expand their network. The downside is that these tools usually run a LinkedIn search and mass blast connection requests, thus harming your personal brand and labelling you as a spammer.

Instead of using such tools, find people you have something in common with and connect with them organically.

3. Adjust your expectations 

Increasing LinkedIn connections demands a lot of time and effort, and setting high expectations for quick results can be frustrating. Always remember that if you reach out to someone and they do not respond, it is not the end of the world. 

Every individual does not prefer to connect on LinkedIn or wish to keep a public profile, and that’s okay. Don’t consider such setbacks as personal attacks, and keep an open mind for networking.  

Conclusion

Increasing LinkedIn connections is an ongoing process. The only way to successfully build your professional network is through consistent engagement on LinkedIn. Set aside some time each week to catch up with connections, share posts, and explore new connections. 

The best way to start is by completely optimising your profile and connecting with people you already know. Reach out to fellow colleagues and alums and start engaging on the platform to increase your profile visibility. 

We work with industry leaders and executives to help them create a powerful presence on LinkedIn. If you’d like to discuss how you can build your network on LinkedIn, schedule a call with us.

‘XYZ viewed your profile.’

Have you seen this kind of notification? It immediately makes you curious about who visited your profile.

One of LinkedIn's most intriguing features is its "Who Viewed Your Profile" functionality. Beyond sparking curiosity, it offers valuable insights. Understanding who views your profile can help you gauge interest in your skills and experience, uncover potential networking opportunities, and strategize your career moves.

Knowing who’s viewing your profile can reveal several possibilities: perhaps a recruiter is considering you for a position, a former colleague wants to reconnect, a user found value in your content, or a potential client is exploring your services. This information empowers you to take calculated steps in your career development and networking efforts.

This article delves into the "Who's Viewed Your Profile" feature, explaining how to access and interpret this information, its implications for your career, and best practices for using it to enhance your networking strategy.

Overview of LinkedIn Profile Views

LinkedIn profile views refer to the instances when users visit your profile to learn more about your professional background, skills, and experiences. This feature is integral to how networking works on the platform, as it provides insights into who is interested in you and your professional skills and experiences.

What It Means to View a Profile

When someone views your LinkedIn profile, they might be assessing your qualifications for a job, considering you as a business partner, or simply looking to connect. Understanding this context is essential because it can guide your actions, such as whether to reach out to the viewer or adjust your profile to better attract the right audience.

Types of Profile Views

1. Public Viewers: These are individuals who can see your profile without being logged into LinkedIn or who have their settings configured to show their identity. This includes potential employers or clients who might not have a LinkedIn account but are interested in your background.

2. Private Viewers: Users can choose to view profiles anonymously. While this offers privacy, it limits the interaction you can have since you won’t know who is interested in you. This feature is often used by recruiters and hiring managers who want to browse profiles without revealing their identity.

General Statistics

LinkedIn provides general analytics about profile views, such as trends over time, how many times your profile has been viewed, and the industries or locations of viewers. These statistics can help you gauge the effectiveness of your LinkedIn presence. For example, if you notice a spike in views after updating your profile or sharing a post, it could indicate that your content is resonating with others.

Significance of Profile Views

The number of profile views can be a valuable metric in understanding your visibility and appeal on the platform. High view counts often correlate with engaging content and a strong network, suggesting that your profile is drawing attention in your field. Conversely, a low number of views may indicate a need to enhance your profile or expand your network.

By understanding the different types of profile views and their implications, you can leverage this information to enhance your professional presence on LinkedIn. Are there specific aspects of profile views you find particularly confusing or are you looking for more detailed information on a certain area?

How to Check Who Viewed Your Profile

Here’s a step-by-step guide to viewing who checked your LinkedIn profile:

• Open LinkedIn and log in to your account.
• Click on the “Me” icon at the top right of the homepage.
• From the dropdown menu, select “View Profile.”‍
• Once on your profile page, locate the “Who Viewed Your Profile” section on the left sidebar. Click on it to open the viewer insights.
• LinkedIn will show a list of recent viewers if you have a free account. For more detailed insights, you can consider LinkedIn Premium, which provides additional data on viewer profiles.
• LinkedIn provides viewer statistics such as the location, job titles, and industries of people who visited your profile, allowing you to tailor your profile accordingly

Understanding the Analytics

When you check who has viewed your LinkedIn profile, you can also see various analytics that can offer insights into your professional presence and engagement. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the information provided and how to interpret it effectively.

Breakdown of Information

1. Viewer’s Job Title:

Knowing the job titles of people who viewed your profile can help you understand their professional context. For example, if multiple recruiters from a specific industry view your profile, it might suggest that your skills are in demand within that sector.

2. Location of Viewers:

This data indicates where your profile visitors are based. If you notice a concentration of views from a particular city or region, it may highlight potential local networking opportunities or job markets that are worth exploring.

3. How They Found You:

LinkedIn provides information on how viewers discovered your profile—whether through search results, their connections, content you posted, or group memberships. This information helps you understand what you’re doing right and can help you optimise your visibility. For example, if a significant number of viewers found you through a specific keyword, consider incorporating that keyword more prominently in your profile.

Interpretation of the Data

• Analysing Viewer Trends:

Over time, you may notice trends in who views your profile. If your viewership increases following certain activities, such as sharing articles or engaging in group discussions, it suggests that these actions positively impact your visibility. Use this data to build your future engagement strategies.

• Identifying Networking Opportunities:

If you see that someone from a company you’re interested in has viewed your profile, it might be worth reaching out or connecting. This can open doors for conversations about potential job openings, collaborations, or mentorship.

• Tailoring Your Profile:

Use the insights gained from profile views to tailor your LinkedIn profile. If you notice a lot of viewers from specific industries, consider highlighting relevant experiences or skills that align with those sectors, or post valuable content relevant to the industry.

Examples of Leveraging This Information

• Targeted Outreach:

If a hiring manager or recruiter views your profile, you can send a personalised connection request or message, expressing your interest in their company and how your skills align with their needs.

• Content Strategy:

If your analytics show that certain posts lead to increased profile views, focus on creating similar content. This could mean sharing industry insights, personal experiences, or professional achievements that resonate with your audience.

• Profile Optimisation:

Adjust your headline, summary, and skills based on your viewers' job titles and industries. For instance, if you frequently attract viewers from tech companies, emphasising technical skills or certifications can enhance your appeal.

By analysing the information provided by LinkedIn, you can gain insights into your professional visibility and take strategic steps to enhance your networking and career opportunities.

Implications of Profile Views

Profile views on LinkedIn can significantly impact a user’s experience and opportunities on the platform. Here's a detailed explanation of their various effects:

Visibility and Networking Opportunities

• Increased Exposure: When someone views your profile, it can lead to increased visibility. This may encourage others to check out your profile, expanding your network.
• Connection Requests: Users whose profiles are frequently viewed may receive more connection requests, as interested parties may want to engage directly.
• Networking Potential: Higher profile views can indicate a strong interest in your background, skills, or industry, leading to networking opportunities with professionals who share similar interests.

Job Opportunities

• Recruiter Interest: Many recruiters use LinkedIn to search for potential candidates. A profile with a high number of views may catch the attention of recruiters actively seeking talent, increasing the likelihood of job offers.
• Referrals: Colleagues or industry connections who view your profile might refer you for job openings, especially if they recognise your skills and experiences.

Branding

• Perception of Credibility: A profile that garners numerous views can enhance your credibility within your industry. It suggests that you are an active and engaged professional.
• Showcase Expertise: If your profile is viewed often, it indicates that others are interested in your skills or experience, which can lead to opportunities to showcase your knowledge through articles, posts, or speaking engagements.

Content Engagement

• Increased Engagement with Posts: Users who view your profile may also engage with your posts and content. A higher profile view count can correlate with more likes, shares, and comments on your content.
• Content Strategy Adjustment: Monitoring profile views can help you understand what types of content resonate with your audience, allowing you to tailor your strategy for better engagement.

Feedback 

• Self-Assessment: A rise in profile views can serve as feedback on your professional activities or content. If you notice an increase after a specific post or engagement in discussions, it may encourage you to continue similar activities.
• Profile Optimisation: Tracking who views your profile can help you identify your target audience, prompting you to optimise your profile with relevant keywords and skills that attract your desired connections.

Psychological Impact

• Motivation and Engagement: A higher number of views can motivate users to stay active on the platform, enhancing their professional engagement and prompting them to participate more in discussions and networking.
• Comparison and Competition: Conversely, it can also lead to feelings of comparison or competition among peers, as users might gauge their success based on profile views relative to others.

Privacy Considerations

Privacy considerations for LinkedIn profile views are crucial for users who want to manage their online presence while engaging with the professional community. Here’s a detailed look at these considerations:

Profile Visibility Settings

• Public vs. Private Profiles: LinkedIn allows users to control who can see their profiles. A public profile is visible to anyone, including non-members, while a private profile restricts visibility to connections or specific individuals.
• Profile Viewing Options: Users can choose to view profiles either with their name and headline visible or as an anonymous user. The choice between these options affects how others perceive your engagement on the platform.

Anonymous Profile Viewing

• Understanding Anonymity: When you view profiles anonymously, the other user won’t know who visited their profile. This can be beneficial for users who want to explore potential connections without revealing their identity.
• Limitations of Anonymity: While viewing profiles anonymously protects your identity, it also means you won’t receive information about who viewed your profile in return, which can limit networking opportunities.

Reciprocity of Profile Views

• Expectation of Engagement: Many users expect that if they view someone’s profile, it may lead to a reciprocal view. Choosing to remain anonymous can sometimes hinder this expectation and limit potential connections.
• Networking Dynamics: Transparency in profile views can foster networking and collaboration. Users often check who has viewed their profile to gauge interest and engage with those individuals.

Managing Your Online Footprint

• Reputation Management: Users should be mindful that profile views contribute to their online footprint. A high number of views can indicate popularity or engagement, which might attract attention, both positive and negative.
• Content Sharing and Engagement: Being active in discussions or sharing content increases profile views but also expands your visibility. Users must balance engagement with their desire for privacy.

Data Security and Privacy Risks

• Information Exposure: Public profiles can inadvertently expose personal information. Users should regularly review their profile settings to ensure they are comfortable with the information available to others.
• Third-Party Access: LinkedIn, like other social platforms, may share data with third-party applications. Users should be cautious about the permissions they grant and the data they share.

Potential for Misuse

• Stalking and Harassment Concerns: Increased visibility can lead to unwanted attention or harassment. Users should be aware of who can view their profiles and consider limiting their visibility if they feel uncomfortable.
• Professional Boundaries: Maintaining clear professional boundaries is important. Users should evaluate their connection requests and interactions to ensure they align with their comfort levels.

User Education and Awareness

• Understanding LinkedIn Policies: Familiarising oneself with LinkedIn’s privacy policies and settings is essential. Users should regularly review changes to policies that might affect their privacy.
• Adjusting Settings as Needed: As users’ professional situations change, they may want to adjust their privacy settings accordingly. For example, job seekers might want to increase visibility, while those in sensitive roles might prefer more privacy.

Impact of Profile Views on Reputation

• Perception of Professionalism: Frequent profile views might create a perception of being sought after or respected in one’s field. Conversely, a lack of views might lead to concerns about being overlooked.
• Influencing Engagement: Users should consider how their privacy settings affect engagement. High visibility may lead to more professional interactions, while privacy might protect against unwanted scrutiny.

Strategies to Increase Views

Increasing LinkedIn profile views can significantly enhance your professional visibility and networking opportunities. Here are several detailed strategies to help you boost your profile views effectively:

Optimise Your Profile

• Professional Headline: Craft a compelling headline that clearly defines your role and includes relevant keywords related to your industry. This helps in appearing in search results.
• Profile Summary: Write a concise and engaging summary that highlights your skills, experiences, and career goals. Use keywords that potential connections or recruiters might search for.
• Skills and Endorsements: List relevant skills and seek endorsements from colleagues. A well-rounded skills section increases your chances of appearing in searches.

Engage with Content

• Regular Posting: Share insightful articles, updates, or thoughts related to your industry. Consistent posting keeps your profile active and visible to connections.
• Comment and Share: Engage with others' posts by commenting and sharing. This interaction can lead to more people visiting your profile to learn more about you.
• Write Articles: Consider writing long-form articles on LinkedIn. This showcases your expertise and can attract readers who might view your profile afterward.

Network Strategically

• Expand Your Connections: Actively connect with colleagues, industry leaders, and professionals you meet at events. A larger network increases the likelihood of your profile being viewed.
• Join Relevant Groups: Participate in LinkedIn groups related to your field. Engaging in discussions within these groups can lead to profile visits from other members.

Use Visuals and Media

• Profile Photo: Use a high-quality, professional profile photo. A strong visual presence can make a positive first impression and encourage visits.
• Banner Image: Add a custom banner image that reflects your personal brand or industry. This adds visual appeal and can make your profile stand out.
• Multimedia Content: Include presentations, videos, or infographics in your profile. Rich media can capture attention and provide a deeper understanding of your work.

Leverage Recommendations

• Request Recommendations: Ask colleagues or supervisors for recommendations that highlight your strengths and contributions. Positive testimonials can enhance your credibility and encourage profile visits.
• Give Recommendations: Writing recommendations for others can encourage them to return the favor, thereby increasing your visibility.

Utilise LinkedIn Features

• Open to Work: If you're job hunting, use the “Open to Work” feature. This can attract recruiters and connections who may be interested in your profile.
• Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags when posting updates to increase discoverability. This can attract users who are searching for specific topics.

Optimise Your Profile for Search

• Keywords: Research industry-specific keywords and incorporate them into your profile summary, experiences, and skills. This improves your chances of appearing in search results.
• Custom URL: Create a custom LinkedIn URL that includes your name or relevant keywords. This not only looks professional but also aids in searchability.

Stay Active and Engaged

• Consistent Activity: Log in regularly to engage with content, update your profile, and connect with new professionals. Consistent activity signals to LinkedIn’s algorithm that your profile is relevant.
• Follow Industry Leaders: Engage with posts from industry leaders and influencers. This can increase your visibility among their followers.

Share Your Profile

• Cross-Promotion: Share your LinkedIn profile on other social media platforms, email signatures, and personal websites. This drives traffic from various sources to your LinkedIn profile.
• Networking Events: When attending conferences or networking events, mention your LinkedIn profile. This can prompt attendees to look you up afterward.

Analyse and Adjust

• Profile Analytics: Utilise LinkedIn’s analytics to track who is viewing your profile and how they found you. Use this data to refine your strategy.
• Feedback and Iteration: Regularly seek feedback on your profile from trusted colleagues or mentors. Make adjustments based on their insights to enhance its appeal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LinkedIn’s “Who Viewed Your Profile” is a valuable feature that offers insight into how others perceive and engage with your brand. By regularly checking this section, you can gain a better understanding of your profile’s visibility and discover who’s taking an interest in your skills, experience, and expertise. For job seekers, this feature can serve as a gauge of recruiter interest and help you tailor your profile to better attract the attention of potential employers.

For professionals looking to network or expand their influence, the feature sheds light on the types of individuals and industries looking into your profile, helping you connect with those in similar or target fields. Upgrading to LinkedIn Premium can deepen these insights, revealing more detailed data on profile views, and may be worth the investment for those actively pursuing career opportunities or client leads.

Ultimately, your LinkedIn profile is a representation of your professional journey and your future aspirations. By paying attention to who views your profile, you can make informed adjustments that enhance your profile’s appeal, drive engagement, and create new opportunities. Regularly refining your profile based on viewer feedback keeps it relevant and ensures it continues to resonate with the audience you want to reach

Uncomfortable interactions with strangers on the internet are common, but you wouldn’t expect them on a professional platform.

Well, guess what? Even LinkedIn has its bad moments.

While LinkedIn has strict policies to prevent abusive behavior, hate speech, and misinformation, and while its algorithm isn’t friendly to scammers, uncomfortable situations can still arise. That’s why LinkedIn provides the option to block (and unblock) profiles.

This article will help you identify which profiles should be blocked, guide you on how to block and unblock a profile, explain the consequences of doing so, and help you manage your LinkedIn connections effectively.

7 Reasons to Block Someone on LinkedIn

If someone is bothering you on LinkedIn or making you uncomfortable, you can report their actions and block their profile to prevent unwanted interactions. Blocking someone on LinkedIn may seem like a significant step, but it can help you maintain a professional and secure social network.

Here are 7 reasons to block someone on LinkedIn:

1. Inappropriate behavior
   If someone is rude or uses abusive language toward you, blocking their profile can prevent further interactions.
   
   
2. Unwanted contact
   If someone repeatedly sends unsolicited messages despite your clear disinterest, blocking them can help you avoid further unwanted communication.
   
   
3. Privacy concerns
   If you want to limit who can contact you on social media, blocking a profile can help protect your privacy and maintain your boundaries.
   
   
4. Hateful or violent content
   If a connection promotes hateful or violent content, you can report their actions and block them to stop seeing their posts.
   
   
5. Over-engaging behavior
   If a connection’s excessive likes or comments flood your profile with notifications, you can either remove them as a connection or block them if necessary.
   
   
6. Harassment
   If someone is using LinkedIn as a dating site or engaging in harassing behavior, blocking their profile is the best course of action.
   
   
7. Fake profiles or scammers
   If you suspect a LinkedIn user is running a scam or using a fake profile—for example, pretending to represent a company without proof—you should report their actions and block them to avoid further contact.

Steps to Block a Profile on LinkedIn

LinkedIn allows you to block people without stating a reason for it. If someone has shown inappropriate behaviour, it is best to report their actions before you block them. LinkedIn will not notify a person when you block them, protecting your privacy and allowing you to maintain a professional network effectively. 

Whether you’re using a desktop or a mobile device, you can follow these steps to block a profile on LinkedIn:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account.

2. Search for the profile you wish to block. 

3. Click on the option “More” under their profile picture. 

4. A drop-down menu will appear, select “Report/Block”.

5. A pop-up window will appear where you can choose between reporting and blocking the person. Click on “Block (user name)” to proceed. 

6. Confirm your action by clicking “Block” on the new pop-up window. 

‍Note: If you can’t find the profile of the person you wish to block when you search for them, chances are they have hibernated their profile, been removed by LinkedIn, closed their account, or blocked you. 

What Happens When You Block a Profile? 

Blocking a profile is not similar to removing a connection or unfollowing a profile. While it does both these things automatically, it also helps you protect your privacy and maintain a professional environment on LinkedIn. 

Let’s look at everything that happens when you choose to click on that “Block” option:

• The person you block will be removed as a connection automatically. 
• A blocked account cannot view your profile; which includes the headline, profile photo, summary, and all other details. 
• If you block someone, they cannot send you messages on LinkedIn. 
• You can no longer view each other’s posts or any other updates on LinkedIn.
• Any endorsements or recommendations from the blocked account will be removed from your profile. 
• If you try to view the blocked person’s profile, you will not show up in their “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” list and vice versa. 
• In case the person you block was subscribed to your newsletter, they will stop receiving it.
• You can not join an audio event if you have blocked the host or a speaker in that event. 
• You and the blocked account will also not appear in each other’s featured lists such as “People You May Know” or “People also Viewed”.

LinkedIn protects your privacy when you block a profile, but blocked accounts can still access some information. For instance, if a mutual connection shares your content, the blocked person will be able to view it. 

If you’ve set any information as “public”, such as your profile, shared content, or comments, it can be viewed by your blocked accounts on search engines.

To restrict such information from public access, go to your privacy settings, click on “Visibility”, and adjust all the sections of your profile that can be displayed publicly. You can simply turn off the sections you wish to keep private and turn on the information you want to display on search engines. 

Understanding Blocking in LinkedIn Groups

If you are a member or an administrator in a LinkedIn Group and a fellow member is sharing inappropriate content or harassing someone, there are ways to prevent that from happening. Let’s learn about the process of blocking someone in a LinkedIn Group. 

As a group member:

• You can only block admins if their admin permissions have been removed.
• You can not block the manager of a group without first leaving it.
• You can reach out to the manager or admin and request to block a group member. 

As a group administrator:

• If you want to block a member of your group, you will have to remove them from the group first. 
• If you block a fellow admin, you will only see the profile name on the Page admin view. Their profile photo and LinkedIn account will not be visible.  

Can You Unblock a Profile on LinkedIn?

Yes, blocking is a reversible action on LinkedIn. Whether you blocked the wrong person by accident, reconciled with a colleague, or had a change of heart, LinkedIn provides the option of unblocking a profile. However, it is essential to understand that unblocking is not an exact reversal of blocking. 

If you choose to unblock a person, your connection will not be restored. Just as someone is not notified when you block them, they are not notified when you unblock them. So, if you want to re-establish the connection, you will have to do it by sending a connection request. 

Steps to Unblock a Profile on LinkedIn

Unblocking a profile on LinkedIn can be achieved through both your desktop and mobile device. So, if you decide to unblock a person, follow these simple steps:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account. 

2. Click on the “Me” section on your profile. 

3. Select “Settings & Privacy” from the drop-down menu.

4. On the left side, find and choose the option “Visibility”.

5. Click on “Blocking”. 

6. A list of all blocked accounts will appear. Find the profile you want to remove and select “Unblock”.

Note: After you unblock someone, LinkedIn will not notify them but they can view the content that was previously hidden from them.

The Effects of Unblocking a Profile

When you unblock a profile on LinkedIn, it lifts some restrictions between you and the previously blocked account. While the person is not notified that they have been unblocked, they may start to notice your presence on the platform. 

Some immediate effects of unblocking a profile include:

• The unblocked person can view your profile as long as your privacy settings allow it.
• They can engage with your public content again, such as liking posts, leaving comments, or sharing it. 
• If you re-establish a connection by sending a connection request, you can interact directly with the person.  

If you accidentally unblocked the wrong person, or want to re-block someone due to unchanged inappropriate behaviour, you will have to wait 48 hours before you can do so. 

Conclusion

While LinkedIn is a professional platform, some users may not maintain appropriate behavior on it. Thus, it is important to be aware of the actions you can take to protect your privacy, such as reporting and blocking profiles on LinkedIn.

If you understand how blocking and unblocking work on LinkedIn and their immediate effects, you can maintain your connections more effectively and strengthen your professional network.

At GrowedIn, we help industry leaders build a professional network and establish an influential presence on LinkedIn. Schedule a call with us to discuss how you can manage and grow your LinkedIn connections more effectively.

In 2024, LinkedIn remains the largest and fastest-growing professional networking platform with over a billion active users that include individuals from CEOs to interns. This significant growth reflects LinkedIn's evolution from a mere job discovery platform to a vital tool for network expansion and professional connectivity.

Networking on LinkedIn goes beyond simple connections; it is about strategically building relationships that foster both business and personal growth. However, the challenge lies in standing out in an already crowded marketplace.

How do you ensure that your message is not only seen but also gets a positive response?

The key is in crafting cold messages that are not only personalized but also clearly aligned with the interests and needs of the recipients.

This involves a deep understanding of your target audience, the effective use of LinkedIn’s lead generation tools, and a strategic approach to outreach.

Throughout this blog, we will delve into the various steps that will help you perfect your cold messaging technique. By mastering the art of the LinkedIn cold message, you can transform the way you network, opening up a world of opportunities that could redefine your professional landscape.

What Is Cold Messaging On LinkedIn?

"Cold messaging" refers to the practice of sending a professional message to someone on a digital platform without any prior intimation, connection, familiarity, or context. Typically, these messages are used to sell a product or service, inquire about opportunities, or initiate a professional conversation between two parties who have not previously interacted. 

On LinkedIn, cold messaging is a common tactic employed by users from various professional backgrounds to achieve diverse objectives, such as:

1. Cold Messaging for Business Marketing: Businesses utilize LinkedIn cold messaging to directly engage their Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) contacts, aiming to market new products or services efficiently. This direct marketing approach allows companies to personalize messages, ensuring they reach a highly targeted audience.

An effective cold message for business marketing should highlight the unique benefits or features of the product or service, addressing directly how it solves specific problems or improves the recipient’s business/life. The message should be concise, attention-grabbing, and tailored to reflect an understanding of the recipient’s industry or personal business needs.‍

2. Startup Recruitment Through Cold Messaging: Startups often rely on cold messaging to scout and recruit top talent who may be looking for new career opportunities. This approach allows startups to communicate directly with potential candidates, presenting the unique opportunities and benefits of joining their growing team. It’s an essential tool for startups aiming to attract skilled individuals in a competitive job market.

A successful cold message from a startup to a potential candidate should not only focus on the job description but also the culture and vision of the startup. It should make a compelling case for why the candidate should consider a career shift, emphasizing how their specific skills and aspirations align. Personalization is crucial, as it demonstrates genuine interest in the candidate’s career and not just their fit for the role.

3. CEOs and Targeted Networking: For CEOs and other senior executives, cold messaging is a strategic means of expanding their professional network with other thought leaders and potential business partners. This form of networking is targeted, with a focus on establishing meaningful connections that can lead to mutually beneficial collaborations.

An effective cold message for CEOs should start with a brief introduction of themselves and their company, followed by a clear explanation of why they are reaching out to the specific individual. The message should propose a clear potential benefit or point of interest, such as a shared business goal or a recent industry development that might be of mutual concern. ‍

4. Job Seekers and Cold Messaging: For job seekers, especially those in highly competitive markets, cold messaging can serve as a direct conduit to decision-makers, bypassing traditional application channels. This proactive approach puts their qualifications and enthusiasm directly in the spotlight, increasing their visibility among potential employers.

An effective cold message from a job seeker should clearly depict why they are an ideal fit for the position or the company. The message should detail relevant skills and experiences and express a strong interest in the company’s values and mission. Distinguishing themselves from the competition, job seekers should also convey a personal connection or insight into the company, showing that their interest is well-researched and genuine.

How Is Cold Messaging Better Than Email Outreach?

Statistics reveal a compelling narrative: LinkedIn InMails enjoy up to a 25% response rate, while emails generally see only a 10% response rate. 

This contrast is because of several distinct advantages that LinkedIn's InMail system offers over traditional email outreach. Understanding these differences can help you refine your approach to professional communications, ensuring that your outreach efforts are more personalized, visible, and effective.

1. Enhanced Personalization: LinkedIn InMails are designed to help with a higher degree of personalization. When recipients receive an InMail, it's clear that the sender has chosen them specifically, rather than sending out a generic message to a crowd. This sense of individual attention makes the recipient feel special and more inclined to engage. 

In contrast, cold emails often feel like just another number in a bulk marketing campaign. People generally prefer feeling singled out for a unique opportunity rather than being one of many, which is why personalized InMails tend to generate more interest and a higher likelihood of a response.

2. Perceived Value and Commitment: InMails come with a cost, which signals a sender's commitment and seriousness about the engagement. This investment suggests that the sender values the potential connection highly enough to spend resources on it, enhancing the perceived value of the message. This is not usually the case with emails, which can be sent in large quantities without incurring any cost, potentially diminishing their perceived importance. 

The financial aspect of sending InMails acts as a filter, ensuring that only those messages that are truly considered worthwhile by the sender are transmitted, which increases effectiveness.

3. Increased Visibility: Unlike emails that can easily be lost in spam folders or missed among hundreds of daily emails, InMails are guaranteed to reach the recipient’s LinkedIn inbox. This direct delivery to a professional's LinkedIn account significantly increases the chances that the message will be read. 

LinkedIn's messaging system also notifies users when they receive InMails, adding an additional layer of visibility that emails lack, further enhancing the likelihood of engagement.

‍4. Transparency and Professional Relevance: The transparency of LinkedIn as a platform adds a layer of trust to InMails that emails often cannot match. Recipients can immediately view the sender's profile, verify their professional standing, and assess the relevance of the message. This ability to quickly validate the sender’s professional identity and build immediate trust. 

Cold emails, lacking this level of transparency, can often appear suspicious or irrelevant, making them less effective in establishing a trustworthy communication channel.

Step-By-Step Cold Messaging On LinkedIn

To be able to maximize the cold messaging facility offered by LinkedIn, you need LinkedIn Premium which will grant access to Sales Navigator.

Step 1: Create A Leads List

On your Sales Navigator dashboard, you will see a handful of filters. If you set them to point toward the exact kind of people that you wish to reach out to, Sales Navigator will generate a list of prospects and show you details like their names, designations, companies, headlines, About sections, recent posts, degree of connection with you, and recent job updates. Add them to a custom list.

Step 2: Prepare A Subject Line

Choose the first relevant profile to message. A LinkedIn InMail requires a subject line and has a body that ends with a signature. Your subject line has to be the most creative part of your InMail – it determines whether your message will even be opened. Personalize it and include the recipient’s name. Add context but don’t sell.

For example, if you’re reaching out to pitch your financial advisory services, your subject line can be: “James, your revenue can be 300% higher.”

If you want to talk to someone you’re looking to hire, your line can be: “Emma, you could be our senior software engineer.”

If you wish to sell someone your course, it can be: “Looking for life-changing fitness advice?”

Step 3: Write The Message

Crafting the perfect LinkedIn cold message requires precision and a clear structure. Start by introducing yourself and explaining how you came to know of them, perhaps through a mutual contact. It's also important to acknowledge their work—this not only shows genuine interest but also establishes a connection. 

Briefly mention your services and clearly showcase the benefits they stand to gain by working with you. Always include a direct call to action (CTA); provide a simple way for them to reach out, like a booking link, which respects their time.

Ensure your message is concise and relevant—C-level executives highly value their time. Avoid overstepping by criticizing their current operations just to highlight how your services could help; this can come off as disrespectful. Instead, focus on how your offerings are beneficial. 

Step 4: Follow Up

You can feel free to hit them up twice in all: Once a few days after your InMail and the second time after a fortnight. Remind them politely, don’t demand an answer. CEOs are very busy people so it is possible that your InMail simply slipped their mind.

Serve them everything on a platter. If you’re following up, resend the booking link or brochure website. They value convenience.

Don’t follow up more. If it crosses the edge of annoyance, you’ll end up losing not just a connection but also your reputation in their circle.

3 Cold Messaging Templates

When you send messages on LinkedIn to their Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs), the approach must be strategic and personalized. The message should start by acknowledging the recipient's position, subtly flattering their professional status while establishing a common ground.

This not only personalizes the message but also shows a genuine interest in the recipient’s work. It's crucial that the message then transitions into a value proposition that is relevant to the recipient's interests. 

This approach is direct and respects the recipient's time, while clearly stating the purpose of the outreach. The tone should remain professional yet approachable, reflecting your position but also your willingness to engage on a level that respects the recipient’s expertise and time.

Two examples of outbound messages that a CEO sent to ICPs.

1. Key Points to note from the example below:

• Engagement: The message directly addresses the recipient by name and references specific work. This demonstrates genuine interest.

• Acknowledgement: It appreciates the recipient’s profile visit and content, setting a positive tone for further interactions.

• Constructive Feedback: The sender suggests enhancements to LinkedIn profile sections to get them interested.

• Link to Relevant Work: An overview included in the message showcases the sender’s work, adding credibility.

2. Key Points to note from the example below:

• Personalization: Start with a specific observation about their current LinkedIn activities or lack thereof.

• Value Proposition: Clearly state how your service can benefit them, backed by relevant statistics or success stories.

• Call to Action: Encourage a follow-up action, such as a meeting or a phone call, to discuss potential collaboration.

An example of an outbound message that a CEO accepts from another party.

1. Key points to note from the example below:

• Personal Connection: The sender mentions a mutual connection who has facilitated the introduction, providing a trusted link.

• Shared Interest: The sender identifies a shared interest or sector, specifically mentioning their involvement in A&I (presumably a field or industry), which helps establish common ground.

• Acknowledgement of Reputation: The sender notes that Justin Welsh speaks highly of the recipient, Keyur, which not only flatters but also adds a layer of credibility and intrigue to the outreach.

• Future Interactions: The sender expresses enthusiasm about seeing what Keyur creates, indicating an interest in Keyur’s work. This opens the door for future interactions and potential collaboration.

Conclusion

Writing the perfect LinkedIn cold message is all about being clear, concise, and respectful. Introduce yourself professionally, commend their work, explain how you can help, and always include a direct call to action. This straightforward approach saves time and builds trust, making it easier for C-level executives to see the value in connecting with you.

If you're looking to utilize the full potential of LinkedIn and improve your professional presence, we're here to help. We specialize in partnering with executives to use LinkedIn as a powerful tool for reputation-driven business growth. To discuss LinkedIn branding for your profile, feel free to schedule a call with us!

In 2024, LinkedIn is the largest and fastest-growing professional networking social media platform. Compared to Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook, LinkedIn is gaining more popularity by the day as the best channel to find high-performance individuals, initiate conversations that fulfill, and expand circles to greater levels.

It is no wonder LinkedIn has also begun shaping its algorithm to bring to every user tons of networking and growth opportunities. What started as a typical job-discovery platform is today buzzing with CEOs and interns, corporate and entrepreneurial minds, scientists and artists, students and retired officers. Networking on LinkedIn has become a boon thanks to its highly connection-based and community-driven nature.

This blog talks about how you can navigate through LinkedIn and its seemingly complex yet highly advanced features to expand your network. In 2024, make the most of this hangout spot for professionals seeking like-minded peers to connect with and learn from.

Why Should You Network On LinkedIn?

When you talk about “networking”, what exactly is it that you refer to?

Is networking simply adding units to your follower count?

Is networking the act of collecting names of people in high corporate positions so that you can reach out to them when you need a favor?

Is networking merely a one-sided deed of receiving information, commendation, or service?

In the most mature terms, networking is a bidirectional interaction between two parties who are willing to help each other grow. Both offer great conversational prompts, show interest in each other’s work, provide solutions when the other is stuck, and vouch for one another when times are tough.

There definitely are benefits of networking on LinkedIn, like getting endorsed for your skill set, winning life-changing recommendations from leaders, and having a smooth lead generation cycle. However, networking in its truest sense is a genuine connection that two people establish over time for reasons greater than self-fulfillment. For this purpose, you must turn to LinkedIn. Why you should double down your networking efforts on LinkedIn is explained below.

➤ For one, unlike other social media platforms, on LinkedIn, your identity is your designation, company, and professional achievements. You are known for your true self. Your identity is greater than external beauty and materialistic possessions. On LinkedIn, you get to brand yourself based on merit, knowledge, and true personality. This makes LinkedIn a zone to proudly be yourself, display your achievements, and support fellow users. While other social media platforms tend to be about competition, LinkedIn is commonly known for its collaboration.

➤ Second, the network you seek here will consist of professionally driven, entrepreneurial individuals who are passionate about personal growth, just like you, and believe in community growth through relationship management and deep conversations. Most LinkedIn users take healthy advantage of thriving in a community amidst pragmatic minds that are focused on spearheading their way into the future. You can rest assured that less sincere people find no place on LinkedIn.

➤ Third, advanced AI-enabled and technologically developed features that LinkedIn offers for targeted networking, filtered outreach, and ingenuous connection make this platform the best choice for meeting new people. Your networking here can be mindful and deliberate. Of course, people can chance upon your profile, but you can reach out to people you want to talk to specifically through filters and search results. You can choose to reach out to exactly 3 CEOs from New York City who have been working with FinTech for the past 7 years, and LinkedIn will bring you a list of candidates that fit into the description!

Invest heavily in your network, both qualitative and quantitative. After all, your network is your net worth.

How To Network On LinkedIn – Top 6 Ways

Personalized Connection Requests

When you first create an account on LinkedIn, you will come across the option of a “Connection Request”. This button is the gateway to getting to know another person. All profiles on LinkedIn are open to the public, that is, you can view another person’s profile picture, headline, banner, About section, work experience, and education, among the other handful of sections. Access to this information means that you can thoroughly analyze who to reach out to if you wish to expand your network in a deliberate manner.

The easiest way to catch someone’s attention on LinkedIn is to send them a connection request.

A “Connection Request” is a polite proposal to be part of someone’s network and in turn, to have them over as part of yours. A connection is a two-way follow; now, you both can not only view each other’s posts on the main feed, but also can talk to each other via the DMs, leave each other recommendations, endorse each other, and further explore their 1st-degree connections. A connection request is like the first handshake toward nurturing a future relationship.

Now, when you’re extending a hand of friendship, you need to be offering something valuable that the recipient can gain from. Else, there must be a specific purpose behind your connection request. Only then will any high-value profile agree to connect with you. This does not necessarily mean a future deal or a financial benefit. It can mean an eager ear to listen to their experiences, a humble request for guidance, or even gratitude for their business model.

That is why, in your connection request, you must always leave a note, as LinkedIn’s suggestive pop-up shows. Add in context; sending across a blank one might seem like a rude demand.

Here’s how you can personalize your connection request note:

• Start with how you heard about them. When you make them the center of focus, their interest in your message is peeked and you secure their attention for the next half a minute.
• Inform them about the medium through which you discovered them and their work. You could have heard about them through a mutual contact or connection. You might have been drawn towards their business thanks to a webinar you attended. You might have read their newly launched book. You can even congratulate them on their startup’s funding round.
• Mention the intent with which you reach out. It can be admiration, conversation, or simply relatability. You can even authentically inform them about future business possibilities that you look forward to with them.
• Always end with a call to action. Let them know if they can send you an email or a reply with a LinkedIn message. Otherwise, you can end with a simple indication that you would love to hear back from them.

Let’s take a look at a successful connection request note:

Michael did everything right while sending Keyur a connection request. His note began with the recipient’s name, not missing the chance to grab his attention. Then, he introduces the context that drew him towards Keyur’s profile – most probably from a recent post that Keyur put out. He also ended it with a CTA, requesting Keyur to connect back. Thus begins a conversation between leaders. As is evident, Keyur extends an invitation to meet off the platform. What more can you ask for?

However, there are certain social constructs that you must adhere to while sending a connection request to avoid repelling the recipient.

The worst notes force complicated thought-spirals. Complex questions, interrogative suggestions, and news-related opinions are a no-no. Your note must be welcoming and positive, not intimidating and repelling.

Once accepted, your connection request note turns into a DM message – voilà, you found your way into their network.

Consistent Mindful Engagement

On LinkedIn, remember that the best way to find connections is to remain active throughout the year. 

Engagement is a way to get in touch with fellow leaders and potential connections on LinkedIn. Once in a while, leave valuable comments and congratulations on posts of people and companies that you want an in to. By engaging with their content, you are showing your support and encouragement for their work. This way, you can begin adding not just the posting profile to your network but also fellow C-level executives from the comment section!

For example, look at the above connection request sent by someone who found Abha through another LinkedIn user’s comment section. The intent is declared, the source of information is conveyed, and a mutual contact is referred to. All these factors add up to enough incentive providing the recipient of the connection request a fair enough desire to reciprocate.

Over time, such organic engagement can bring you leads if you are looking for hiring or marketing growth, too.

Curious Visitor Tracking

With LinkedIn Premium, you open up the gateway to abundant data metrics that help you network smartly.

One of the most celebrated data points is that you can track who visited your profile. Every few days, you can take a peek into who is interested in discovering your profile and work. The source of intimation will not be known but once you get to know who viewed your profile, you can filter the names that you want to add to your network and reach out to them via a connection request.

The advantage gained here is that you know that your lead is warm – they already have familiarized themselves with you. You have to take it to the next level now.

This is best done when you are at the top of their mind. If they have viewed your profile now and you manage to reach out to them within the next 2 hours, it gives the best networking result since they still might recall your name and work. Any longer than that will reduce the probability of them remembering you.

Outreach Through Filtering

If you wish to add a very specific category of leaders to your network, you can take the help of the filtering option that LinkedIn gifts to every profile.

It’s simple:

• Type in a domain of your interest in the Search bar. You can type in the most commonly used keywords related to the domain or look up companies and names too.
• Choose which aspect of the search results you want to explore further. You can choose between people, posts, companies, locations, degrees of connection, events, and many more.
• Click on “People” to know accounts, “Posts” to find relevant active members, and “Groups” to be part of a community.
• Set a few filters and you will see a list of highly qualified leads for your network. You can begin your connection with them and enhance your circle.

Groups & Events

LinkedIn Groups & Events are mass networking opportunities. Through LinkedIn Groups & Events, you can gain access to communities of people who are connected with one another through a common goal, interest, affiliation, or company. You can become part of a strong entrepreneur leadership network.

Joining Groups can open up doors to partnerships, conversations, deals, and outsourcing possibilities. You usually have to request to join a group and are expected to meet the set criteria to be accepted. Once in, you can post relevant content here, answer questions, hold discussions, and participate in group activities.

LinkedIn Events are live hostings for the public that are free to create and be part of. These include workshops, casual meetups, and webinars. A lot of business leaders launch scheduled LinkedIn Events and send out invitations for special attendees. By partaking in one of such Events, you can gain instant access to 100+ potential collaborators and thought leaders at once (you can view the number of attendees per event).

Events can help you promote your business, find new connections, collaborate with domain experts, and interact with a whole new crowd of people who can take your work forward through word of mouth. You can search for upcoming events from your Home page too, or click on https://www.linkedin.com/events/.

Proactive Organic Posting

The best way to increase your network and add noteworthy personalities to it is by maintaining a reputable digital brand on LinkedIn. How?

The answer is through proactive and consistent organic posting on your profile.

Build a content strategy around your domain of expertise and begin creating content around it. The more you put yourself out there, the better people will know you. You can update your profile regularly, post about your thoughts and opinions, or teach people about the subject matter you hold expertise in. Through this churning out of content, people will begin paying attention to you and your network will expand naturally.

This conversation is a great proof of the benefits of proactive posting. George came across a post that Keyur put out. He reached out and communicated his admiration for Keyur’s content, thereby carrying the conversation forward and leading it to a collaboration opportunity.

As an entrepreneur, regularly writing and posting content can become a time-consuming practice. You can consider a low-volume, high-value routine and delegate the entire cycle to a team of experts – LinkedIn ghostwriters or account managers. These talents understand your personality, format your experiences into stories, and maintain regular activity on your profile. An agency like GrowedIn can partner with executives like you to help you leverage LinkedIn’s potential so that you can build it into a channel for lead generation and network expansion.

Over time, you will begin seeing an influx of messages and connection requests from fellow executives, potential clients, business partners, investors, etc., and thus, you can steadily work on becoming part of an entrepreneur leadership network.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator – How To Leverage It For Networking?

LinkedIn offers the ultimate networking tool that ranks at the top compared to every other social media platform – the LinkedIn Sales Navigator.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a powerful B2C and B2B lead generation tool that can transform the way leaders interact with one another. It comes with a LinkedIn Premium package. Over LinkedIn Sales Navigator, you can set even more filters and gain higher visibility than you could with the basic, default account. Here’s how to go about it:

Step 1: Define Who You Are Looking For

A leads list is a tally of profiles that fit into your ICP. A leads list helps you perform social selling better by filtering and categorizing profiles.

To create a leads list, go to Sales Navigator and click on “Leads Filters”. This is what you will see:

Begin inputting the data that relates to your ICP closest. Let’s say that you wish to network with individuals from Google Fiber and Google DeepMind specifically for a certain project. Set the corresponding filter accordingly:

Similarly, you can set other filters and narrow down to a handful of personas that you would want to network with:

‍Step 2: Generate A Leads List

Once your filters are set, add these profiles to a leads list. You will be thus saving these accounts for future reference. You can even create multiple parallel leads lists so that your network-related outreach can be maximized.

Type in your description to help you navigate through multiple lists later and save the list. Now, not only will you be able to go back to these very accounts, but you’ll also be served system-recommended leads along the same lines by Sales Navigator! You can keep track of these profiles’ activities and edit the list as and when your requirements change.

Step 3: Create A Personalized Message

Once you have your leads in place, start reaching out to them with the pure intent of networking and getting to know them better. You must remember that unless you include a purpose, value, and CTA in the InMail or connection request, there are low chances that you get a reply. Personalize the subject line and messaging according to their work, profile, and life. Here’s an example:

By such personalized and deliberate outreach, you can strike up conversations and make your time on LinkedIn worthwhile, by spending it only on people you wish to invest in in the long term.

3 LinkedIn Sales Navigator Networking Secrets

The potential of LinkedIn Sales Navigator is tremendous. LinkedIn Sales Navigator not only brings you a superior channel to connect with great minds, but it also serves you on the platter several data points that you can use to your benefit. It shows you the number of days that a certain profile has been active, the exact people who viewed your profile, the number of searches performed, the rate of acceptance of InMails (direct messages with profiles that aren’t connected yet), and more.

Studies reveal that inculcating LinkedIn Sales Navigator into your network expansion and lead generation efforts produces a 312% return on investment within 3 years. Because of impressive statistics like these, this tool becomes indispensable when you talk about strong networking strategies on social media.

Let’s reveal 3 less-known LinkedIn Sales Navigator secrets that can ensure the best results.

Personalization

LinkedIn Sales Navigator reveals a lot of activities that go on in a certain user’s profile. You can gain access to a recent business update or news item that a profile has been part of and tagged in. What a golden chance to start a conversation with this!

Take this opportunity to stay updated with what’s going on around the world with potential connections on LinkedIn. When you begin a discussion based on updates in their lives, it leaves a good impression and can make the conversation less synthetic. Relatability can be a compelling reason for someone to accept your connection request or InMail. By leveraging this emotion, you can refine your networking capabilities.

Automation

Did you know that LinkedIn Sales Navigator lets you know which leads on your list go on to accept your connection requests and InMails?

This information can unpack loads of conversational opportunities. Look out for this update when searching for potential connections in your leads list. Be it a business competitor or an ally, you can enrich your conversations with this opener.

Utilization

You only get a limited number of InMails per week with LinkedIn Sales Navigator. So it becomes imperative that you use each very deliberately by thoroughly analyzing your leads list and narrowing your outreach list.

Here comes the third trade secret – “Open” profiles do not consume InMails!

Open profiles are LinkedIn accounts that allow you to send them direct messages without having to connect with them first, and without any cost of InMail count.

You will see the tag “Open” next to their headlines as shown below:

Fully utilize these free InMails and increase the number of users you reach out to. The more outreach messages you send, the more networking benefits you profit from!

Conclusion

There is no doubt that LinkedIn networking can lead to benefits like working together and collaborating with fellow entrepreneurs. With LinkedIn, you can put in committed effort in networking mindfully to find your place among an entrepreneur leadership network. If you wish to double down on networking strategies but need a helping hand, GrowedIn can be your best bet. We help leaders like you convert LinkedIn into a networking channel such that you can enjoy maximum business ROI with digital growth. If you wish to make 2024 the most profitable year for your business on LinkedIn, reach out to us today.