While I have been a LinkedIn member for the past few years, it was only recently that I decided to seriously dive deeper into this business networking tool and see what it could do for my business. Let me start by saying this article and tutorial video show the actual step by step process I have taken to increase my LinkedIn business connections by up to 100 in a single day. (scroll down for the video tutorial)
Before you get serious about connecting with other people on LinkedIn, spend some time polishing your profile to ensure the first impression of your connections will be a good one. The last thing you want to do is begin connecting with hundreds or thousands of LinkedIn members only to have them look at your profile and assume you are less qualified or professional than you really are.
Having your profile completed to the best of your ability will not only improve the first impression of any new connections you reach out to, but your profile also determines how prominent you appear to others within LinkedIn search results (for real).
Ok, so now that your profile is good to go, you are ready to start searching for people you may wish to connect with. This is as simple as using the search bar at the top of LinkedIn. In my case, I specialize in producing high impact sales videos so I immediately started searching for marketing consultants, freelance web designers, and various other types of professionals that may be interested in using my services.
LinkedIn allows all basic members to send a maximum of 100 connection requests per day. That’s pretty sweet, and also means that you should be able to effectively send 100 connections within 15 – 30 minutes. You may already have a busy schedule and feel that there is no way you can squeeze 30 minutes out of your day for this, but can you really afford NOT to make new connections for your business? If you want to grow your contact list, you’ll make time for this, or hire someone else to do this for you.
Once you find someone you would like to connect with, simply click the “Connect” button that appears next to their profile. When you click that button, a connection request notification is immediately sent. From there they will likely check out your profile and decide whether or not they wish to connect with you. If and when they do accept your connection request, you will receive an email notification. This is the point where you can attempt your first direct communication with your new connection, and if you are going to be doing this up to 100 times per day, you will definitely want to use a pre-written message template. Simply add the new connections first name to your message, then copy and paste it into the message box, paste in a subject line, and send.
Typically, I spend about 15 minutes in the morning locating potential connections and sending connection requests. By evening, many of those connections will have accepted the request, and after another 15 minutes or so I will have sent all new connections my introduction message. Of course your own results will vary depending upon your profile and introduction message.
I am confident that using the simple steps outlined above, you too can quickly expand your business connections on LinkedIn. Many may also become customers, prospective customers, or warm leads that you can communicate with in the future.
I hope you have found this article ( and/or video tutorial below) informative. If you are ever in the market for a professional sales video to give your marketing a boost, contact me anytime, or connect with me on LinkedIn for a free consultation. I’d be happy to connect with you.
David Tomen says
Dave,
Love the video. I’ve noticed that when you just hit the “connect” button, LinkedIn sends out the standard “I’d like to connect with you on LinkedIn” message. Very impersonal.
Do you ever find that to be an issue? I know that I’ve done that unintentionally a few times and at least a couple of people have hit the “spam” button.
I asked LinkedIn about this a couple of days ago and they confirmed this happened. But “not enough people have hit the spam button” or something to that effect to “block me from sending any more invites”. Basically LinkedIn Jail. And from what I’ve heard there is no Get Out of Jail Free card. You have to beg your way out.
Has this ever been an issue for you? Or do you think because you’re careful about the type of person you select they’re more inclined to connect?
Also, have you found a way to send that Connect request but personalize it first without having to hunt for their email address?
Cheers,
David
Dave Doggett says
Hi David, sorry for the late reply.
I haven’t had any issues with being accused of spamming people on LInkedIn, because I always send them a customized introduction message instead of the standard one. I think this is essential in quickly establishing a real connection with a new contact on LinkedIn.
Hope your LinkedIn marketing has been going well.
Take care,
Dave