LinkedIn is a powerful tool for sales, HR, and other marketers, but it can be difficult to know where to start when growing your network.
Why add contacts on LinkedIn? How can you grow your network effectively and naturally?
In this post, we’ll give you some tips on best practices for adding contacts on LinkedIn, which is essential for the proper development of your network.
How does adding contacts on LinkedIn work?
When you add a new contact on LinkedIn, that person receives a notification about the request. They can then choose to accept or ignore the request.
If they accept, their profile will be added to your network, and you’ll be able to see their contact information (including their email address, if they’ve chosen to make it visible).
If they ignore the request, nothing will happen.
Unlike buying contacts on LinkedIn, adding contacts is an excellent way to grow your network of potential clients, employers, or business partners. It’s also a good way to keep track of people you know in different industries.
Why add contacts to your network?
From a professional standpoint, adding contacts on LinkedIn can be useful in many ways:
- You can see updates from people in your network, which can give you insight into their industry;
- You can be introduced to new potential clients or employers;
- You can stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in your industry;
- You can discover job openings or other opportunities;
- You can connect with people who have similar interests to yours;
- etc…
From a purely business perspective, LinkedIn is an excellent hunting ground for finding new sales opportunities. This is referred to as LinkedIn Lead Generation. This practice offers several advantages:
- It’s a highly targeted approach: when you add someone to your network, you clearly show you’re interested in what they do;
- You can reach people who are not yet familiar with your product or service;
- LinkedIn’s audience is professionally targeted and very large (nearly a billion users worldwide);
- You can build relationships with potential clients before even making a sales pitch;
- It’s an excellent way to research potential clients and learn more about their needs: LinkedIn has developed many features for sales, growth, and marketing professionals to generate B2B leads.
How to add contacts on LinkedIn?
There are several ways to add contacts and conduct LinkedIn prospecting. We will detail each one, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Method 1: “People You May Know”
The first method, and the most common, is to use the “People You May Know” feature. LinkedIn will suggest contacts based on your current network, location, industry, and other factors.
To do this, go to the “People” tab at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and click on “People You May Know.” LinkedIn will then present you with a list of suggested contacts. You can scroll through the list and click “Connect” next to the people you want to add to your network.
Advantages:
- This method is easy and fast;
- It’s a great way to find new potential clients, as LinkedIn suggests people based on factors like location and industry.
Disadvantages:
- The suggestions are not always relevant;
- Some people may find this method too “intrusive.”
Method 2: Search by Name or Company
Another way to add contacts on LinkedIn is to search for them by name or company (in the latter case, you can specifically conduct an ABM strategy on LinkedIn). To do this, go to the “People” tab at the top of the page and enter the name or company of the person you are looking for in the “Search” bar.
LinkedIn will then show you a list of results, which you can filter by location, industry, and other factors. Once you’ve found the right person, click on their profile, then click “Connect.”
Advantages:
- This method allows you to find very specific contacts;
- You can search based on information like a company name rather than a lead’s name, offering a different search angle.
Disadvantages:
- You need to know the name or company of the person you are looking for;
- The search function is not always precise.
Method 3: Import Your Contacts from Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, or Outlook.com
Another way to find companies with LinkedIn is to import your contacts from Gmail, Yahoo!, Mail, or Outlook.com. To do this, go to the “People” tab at the top of your homepage and click “More,” then “Find & Connect.”
On the next page, click “Invite people you know,” then “Import Contacts.” You will then be prompted to enter your email address and password so that LinkedIn can access your contact list. Once you’ve done this, LinkedIn will show you a list of your contacts and ask who you want to invite. Simply select the ones you want to add and click “Send Invitations.”
Advantages:
- This method is quick and easy;
- You can connect with many people at once.
Disadvantages:
- LinkedIn will have access to your email account;
- Not all of your contacts may be relevant.
Method 4: Use LinkedIn Groups
Another way to find and connect with potential contacts on LinkedIn is to join and participate in LinkedIn groups. To do this, go to the “Interests” tab at the top of your homepage and click on “Groups.” LinkedIn will then show you a list of groups that may be of interest to you. Simply join those that are relevant to your industry or field. Once you are a member of a group, you can start participating in discussions and connecting with other members.
Advantages:
- It’s a great way to meet potential prospects who are interested in the same topics as you;
- You can build relationships with people in your industry or field (discover our guide to boost your LinkedIn relationships).
Disadvantages:
- You may need to join several groups before finding one that suits you;
Method 5: Use LinkedIn Advanced Search
LinkedIn’s advanced search function allows you to search for potential contacts using various criteria, such as location, industry, and keywords. To use this feature, go to the “People” tab at the top of your homepage and click “Advanced.”
LinkedIn will then present you with a list of options you can use to refine your search. Once you’ve found a few potential contacts, you can reach out to them by sending a message or connecting with them.
Advantages:
- This method allows you to find contacts even more specifically.
Disadvantages:
- The search function is so precise that your audience may be very small, or even non-existent.
Conclusion
LinkedIn offers its users many ways to connect with each other. By leveraging these methods, you can quickly grow your network and find new potential clients and business partners.
If you want to go further, you can also add LinkedIn contacts through tools like Sales Navigator or LinkedIn Premium.