How to Create a Strategic Networking Plan for LinkedIn

I spent 6 months studying how to network on LinkedIn Here’s what I learned in < 60s (without the "love to be in your network" templates) I went from: Clicking 'connect' → sending hyper-personalized requests Being scared of networking calls → now hopping on 3-4 monthly (still scared :P) Being clueless on seeking opportunities → now a weekly 'shoot your shot' hour To build an effective network, I focused on 4 things: 1. Profile stalking 2. Connection Requests 3. Networking calls 4. ‘Shoot your shot’ hours. 1. Profile stalking ↳ Study the profile like an exam sheet ↳ Identify commonalities such as ethnicity, hobbies, and career shifts ↳ If they actively post, find the 'secret sauce'—personal details, jokes ↳ Enagage with their posts. Use the 'secret sauce' to add value P.S - I reached out to someone with over 50K followers via email. When I sent my LinkedIn profile, he remembered me because I was consistently engaging on his posts. Not bad, huh? 2. Connection Requests ↳ Use templates for cold piches, doubts, meetings, etc. Do not abuse it ↳ Start with how you came across their profile ↳ Go onto to tell them what you liked about their profile. Be brutually honest ↳ Get to the point. What action do you want them to take? 3. Networking calls ↳ Get used to asking for a call in the DMs + Take adv of the free calls provided ↳ The more you explain your ‘what’, ‘why’, and ’how’, the more you understand it as well ↳ If those you seek something from charge for calls, consider taking it up. Knowledge is money ↳ Always research your questions thoroughly + follow-up with a thank you note 4. ‘Shoot Your Shot' Hour ↳ For one hour, ask for opportunities you might/might not have a chance at ↳ Do steps 1, 2, 3, and then aim high. Can you work with them, get a referral, get help? ↳ Be unhinged. Be shameless. Don't care about rejection. ↳ I've sent so many requests (so many!) and got 4 'yes's. Not much, but better than 0. P.S - Generic templates. Big no, yes? #linkedin #networking #learning #career

Networking changed my life. I made friends I wouldn't have met otherwise, built business partnerships that bring us millions, and landed book deals I never imagined. Here’s my 5-step system to network better: Step 1: Make Two Strategic Lists List 1: People you already know who you want to deepen relationships with: • Friends of friends you'd like to know better • The VIP in your office you see at holiday parties • That colleague you want to move from professional to friendship List 2: People you want to meet (can be specific names or types) • "The sales director at X company" • "Someone in renewable energy" • "A startup founder in my city" Being specific makes it infinitely easier to take action.  ____ 2. Schedule a “Connection Hour.” Every week, I block one hour just for relationships. For me, it’s Tuesday happy hour. I fill that time slot with: • A new contact • A coffee catch-up • A LinkedIn message to someone on my list Without time on the calendar, connection never happens. ____ Step 3: Ask Goal-Oriented Questions Stop asking "How's work?". Start asking questions that spark deeper conversations: • "What gets you up in the morning?" • "What goals are you working on this year?" • "What's the biggest project you're excited about?" These questions make people think deeper, give you something memorable to follow up on, and transform small talk into real connection. ____ Step 4: Adopt the "Offer Mentality" Flip the script from "What can I get?" to "What can I offer?". Simple ways to help: • Write a LinkedIn recommendation • Share a relevant article or opportunity • Introduce them to someone in their target industry • Send vacation recommendations if they're planning a trip The more I give, the more trust I build - and the more people want to stay connected. ____ Step 5: Follow Up Like Your Grandmother Remember when grandmothers used to mail newspaper clippings they thought you'd find interesting? Do the digital version. Powerful follow-up strategies: • Send relevant articles • Forward interesting links • Send birthday messages • Write LinkedIn recommendations • Share opportunities you think they'd love I’ve shared these 5 steps with hundreds of people, and they’ve seen real results. Now it’s your turn.

Networking changed my life. It helped me secure my first big consulting deal that let me quit my full-time job. Here's how to build relationships on LinkedIn (the right way): Networking can either make or break your career. Do it wrong: You’ll ruin your reputation. Do it right: You’ll have people speaking well of you when you’re not around. Here’s how to network like a pro: 1) Be genuine People can sense fakeness from a mile away. Instead, speak with them to get to know them. Not just because you want something. Besides… There’s no point in building relationships with people you don’t like. 2) Be a friend We want to feel cared for. Reach out once every 3 months to see how they’re doing. • Offer help • Schedule a coffee chat • Ask about their recent trip Don’t build connections. Build friendships. 3) Change your intent Turn your “I want this” mindset into a “I want to help” mindset. Start conversations without trying to sell something. But because you want to help them. Stop asking. Start giving. 4) Think long term It doesn't matter if they can’t help you now. In the long run… …you’ll be able to reach out when you need it. Be there for them now. They’ll be there for you later. That’s a real relationship. 5) Don’t ask for immediate favors This is where most screw up. They’ve barely met someone and immediately: • Ask for a job • Request a resume review • Or want some other big favor You wouldn’t do this to a stranger on the street. Why do it on LinkedIn? 6) Be mutually beneficial Start by building foundations. When/if it makes sense, think of how you can collaborate. Just like in business… This isn’t a one-way street. I help you. You help me. That’s how the world works. 7) Create on LinkedIn You never know who’s watching. Share your thoughts on the feed daily. And give people a glimpse into what you’re doing. You may not realize it… But others are going through the same as you. One of them might just come back with a life-changing opportunity. P.s. - What's one more tip you'd recommend for people networking on LinkedIn? Thanks for reading. Enjoyed this post? Follow Jordan Nelson And share it with your audience.