Strategies for Networking with Clients on LinkedIn

A client recently told me, “We’ve been doing the same thing for years, but something feels off now.” And they were right. When your profile doesn’t evolve with the market, everything slows down. Engagement. Leads. Conversions. We made a few key changes to their LinkedIn presence. Rewrote the headline to speak directly to their audience, turned the About section into a story, and added one powerful testimonial. The result? Engagement up 35 percent, leads doubled, and they closed their biggest deal yet. It’s a strategy I’ve developed to turn genuine relationships into real results. I call this the Connection-to-Conversion Method. Here’s what we did, and what you can try too: 🔸 Use Your Headline Like a Hook, Not a Job Title • People scroll fast. Your headline should tell them exactly how you help, not what your position is. • A strong headline speaks directly to your ideal client’s pain or aspiration. Why This Helps: Your profile becomes searchable, clickable, and instantly relevant. 🔸 Ditch the Bio. Write a Story Instead. • A punchy “About” section that walks people through your journey builds instant trust. • Use it to share how you solve problems, not just your background. Why This Helps: You become memorable—not just another LinkedIn consultant. 🔸 Pin a Client Testimonial or Case Study • Social proof builds instant credibility. People trust results more than promises. • Bonus tip: Don’t just name-drop clients, showcase the transformation they experienced to make it memorable. Why This Helps: Future clients can imagine themselves getting the same results. 🔸 Optimize for SEO Without Sounding Robotic • Sprinkle in keywords your ideal clients are actually searching for, but make it sound natural, not forced. • Think phrases like “lead generation for coaches” or “sales funnel strategist for B2B” that speak directly to what they need. Why This Helps: You show up in the right searches without killing your voice. 🔸 Use Your Banner Space Like a Billboard • Visuals sell fast. Use them to reinforce your offer, method, or results. • Add a short tagline, strong CTA, or a simple 3-step process so people know exactly what to do next. Why This Helps: First impressions stick—make yours work for you. 🔸 Make Your CTA Clear and Clickable • Add something actionable like your Calendly link, a freebie, or “DM me for a free audit” to drive engagement. • Skip passive closes like “Let’s connect. Make it clear what the next step is. Why This Helps: People need direction. Make it easy for them to take the next step. B2B should feel personal. With the right profile, you’re not just getting seen, you’re starting conversations that lead to clients. That’s the power of the Connection-to-Conversion Method. ⸻ ♻️ REPOST if this resonated with you! ➡️ FOLLOW Rheanne Razo for more B2B growth strategies, client success, and real-world business insights.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸. That it was only for extroverts, salespeople, or those who knew the “right” people. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The truth? LinkedIn changed my career more than any job board ever could. From landing internships to publishing research and breaking into power & energy, the biggest opportunities in my career didn’t come from job boards—they came from building the right connections. Yet, so many professionals hesitate to network strategically because they: * Feel awkward reaching out to strangers * Don’t know what to say in a cold DM * Fear getting ignored or rejected I get it—I used to be the same way. But once I started using LinkedIn the right way, I landed mentors, internships, and research opportunities that shaped my entire career. Here’s How You Can Do It Today: ✅ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 * Look for professionals in your target field (engineers, hiring managers, senior leaders). * Use LinkedIn’s “People Also Viewed” section to find similar profiles. * Join industry groups to see who’s actively sharing insights. ✅ 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 Forget “Hi, can I pick your brain?” That doesn’t work. Instead, try this: 💡 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile while learning about [topic]. I admire your work on [specific project]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [question]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗠 * Like and comment on their posts genuinely * Share their work and add your insights * Make your name familiar before sending a message ✅ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 People respond better when you bring something to the table: * Share an article or resource relevant to their work * Offer a fresh perspective on one of their posts * Ask a specific, thoughtful question instead of just “Can you help me?” The Outcome: I’ve used this exact strategy to build meaningful relationships that led to: ✔ Internship opportunities before I even applied ✔ Research collaborations that boosted my career ✔ Insights from industry leaders that I couldn’t find anywhere else If you’re not leveraging LinkedIn for strategic networking, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. 💡 Try this today: Pick ONE person you admire, craft a thoughtful DM, and hit send

You know you should network. But you probably don’t know what to say or how to get on people’s radar. Here’s an easy 7-step LinkedIn networking strategy (that anyone can use): 1. The 3 Principles Of Good Networking If you want to network effectively, you need to:  - Have a way to reach people  - Have a way to add value to them  - Have a way to keep the engagement going This strategy does all three! 2. Make A List Of Job-Related Keywords Think of keywords, skills, phrases, and jargon that align with your target role. Ex: If you’re in sales, that might be “sales,” “leads,” “pipeline,” “sales cycle,” etc. Make a quick list of these. 3. Run A “Post” Search On LinkedIn Start with one keyword (or the job title itself). Run a search for it on LinkedIn. From the “Filters” option, select “Posts.” Then change “Date Posted” to “Past Week.” 4. Filter By “Author Company” Click on “All Filters” to find the “Author Company” filter. Add all of your target companies to this filter. This will give you a list of all the posts related to your target role, written by people at your target companies, posted in the past week! 5. Analyze Posts & Authors Scroll through the posts. When you find one that resonates? Click the person’s profile and check to see if they post consistently (at least once / week). If they do? Bookmark their profile in your browser. 6. Leave A Value Driven Comment For each author you find that posts regularly in your target space? Leave a comment on their post recent post that is:  - Supportive  - Postive in tone  - Offers your own take / value  - Is more than one sentence Repeat for each author. 7. Rinse & Repeat Daily Every day, click through the author profiles you have bookmarked. See a new post? Leave a new comment. Repeat this process every weekday if you can. But aim to leave at least one comment / week at minimum. 8. Why This Works Content creators love engagement. By cosistently offering that in a positive way, you’re going to get on their radar. And when you’ve done this for a week or two, the likelihood of getting a “yes” to a coffee chat, or even a referral, goes WAY up. Give it a shot today!

My client, a senior data scientist in health tech, just received a $165K offer because of this: We've been working 1:1 to get clear on their next step after feeling stuck for months—riddled with overwhelm and imposter syndrome. Before then, they had no clarity on what role they wanted next. Their resume and LinkedIn profile told two different stories. Every rejection felt personal, feeding their imposter syndrome and making it hard to keep going. Networking felt overwhelming and random (which is fine, but not effective). So what changed? 3 things: 1) Clearer, more specific career direction 2) A cohesive resume and LinkedIn profile But 3 has been the wildest unlock: 3) A targeted networking strategy. Once their approach changed, they not only landed conversations with key decision-makers… But they built momentum and started attracting the right roles without overthinking every step. Before, their networking efforts looked like this: — Applying to roles without tailoring their outreach — Sending connection requests with no clear purpose — Hesitating to reach out for fear of being ignored or judged Now, their strategy looks like this: — "I noticed you're hiring for [role]. I'd love to connect and learn more." — "After reading [company's recent news], I'm excited about how [role] can help drive that growth." — "I'm currently transitioning into [industry/role] and would love your advice on how to break in." See the difference? ❌ Less guesswork ✅ More intentionality But that's not all. We got crazy specific with how they targeted their outreach: — The exact role they wanted — The companies they cared about — The decision-makers they needed to know — The message they wanted to deliver — The clear value they offered This works because your outreach strategy determines who responds and how quickly you move forward. It's like a magnet. Attract the right people and have the right conversations, and it's only a matter of time before you get that offer. Get it wrong though? You're spinning your wheels. P.S. If you're feeling stuck and: ➝ struggle with focus challenges or overthinking ➝ have zero clarity on what you want to do next ➝ have a confusing resume and LinkedIn profile ➝ want a strategy that plays to your strengths I'm opening up spots to work 1:1 with 3 US-based professionals to help them do just that. DM me "Clarity" and I'll send you details. (coaching is not free)

I’ve helped 100+ CEOs and entrepreneurs turn LinkedIn into a lead-gen machine. Most struggle with low engagement & zero conversions. To avoid this trap, here's my 5-step roadmap on how to network effectively and turn LinkedIn into a revenue machine: 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: Stop Scattering Your Energy Most people think: “I need to connect with everyone to grow.” That’s a mistake. To achieve real networking success: • Define your ideal connection – Who do you need to know? Who needs your expertise? • Prioritize decision-makers – Don’t just connect with peers; go after buyers. • Engage with top voices in your industry – This gets you seen by their audience. 🔹 Start here and avoid wasting time on random connections. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: Don’t Stop at 50 Requests—It’s a Numbers Game Now you have two options: • Send a few requests and wait for magic to happen • Go big, track responses, and refine your outreach There’s no wrong answer, but if you’re serious about growing, you need volume + strategy. ✔ 100+ connection requests per week ✔ 30%+ acceptance rate = you’re on the right track ✔ Keep tweaking your message for better results Networking is a game of persistence. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: Connect, But Go Beyond 'Thanks for Connecting' Focus on two core pillars: 1. Your First Message Matters • Skip generic intros—lead with value • Ask an engaging question to spark a real convo • Find common ground fast (industry, mutual interests) Once you master this, focus on: 2. The Follow-Up Formula • 80% of deals come AFTER the 3rd+ follow-up • Keep it casual but intentional (not salesy) • Offer useful insights, not just “Hey, checking in” Most people stop at one message. You shouldn’t. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: Build Social Proof While You Network Mistake: Talking about yourself too much. Easy fix: Use content to back up your credibility while you network. Here’s how: • Post insights from your conversations (without naming names) • Share behind-the-scenes of working with clients • Showcase what you’re learning + how it helps others Your profile should do the selling for you. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟱: Make LinkedIn Work for You 24/7 This final step is how you: • Turn cold outreach into warm inbound leads • Position yourself as an authority • Build relationships that lead to high-value opportunities 🔹 Want more deep-dive insights on LinkedIn networking & lead-gen? I’m sharing exclusive strategies in my newsletter today. Get it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCuasuC9 🚀

Referrals are the gold standard of business growth, but asking for them directly can sometimes feel awkward. The good news? If you nurture your LinkedIn network the right way, referrals will come naturally – without you having to ask. Here’s how to make it happen: 1️⃣ Be top of mind through consistent content People refer professionals they remember. If you only show up on LinkedIn when you need something, you’re missing opportunities. Post valuable insights, client success stories, and behind-the-scenes looks at your work to stay visible and credible. 💡 Example: Share a post about how you helped a client overcome a challenge. This subtly signals what you do – so when someone in your network knows someone who needs your help, they think of you. 2️⃣ Engage with your network authentically Your best referrals won’t just come from clients – they’ll come from peers, former colleagues, and industry connections. But for that to happen, you need to engage, comment, and support their content too. 📌 Try this: Spend 10 minutes daily interacting with posts from people in your industry. Meaningful engagement strengthens relationships, making people more likely to think of you when a referral opportunity comes up. 3️⃣ Showcase your expertise in your profile Your LinkedIn profile should do the heavy lifting for you. A clear, optimized headline and “About” section should communicate who you help and how. ✅ Example: Instead of: “Founder at XYZ Consulting”, try: "I help small business owners streamline operations and increase revenue with customized growth strategies.” A well-crafted profile makes it easy for people to refer you because they instantly understand what you do. 4️⃣ Make giving referrals a habit Want to receive more referrals? Start giving them. When you introduce people in your network, they’ll naturally think of you when the time comes. 💡 Pro tip: If you see two people in your network who could benefit from knowing each other, introduce them in a quick message. Your generosity will often come back to you in unexpected ways. 5️⃣ Subtly signal that you’re open to referrals You don’t have to ask for referrals outright, but you can plant the idea. Mention client success stories in posts, thank people for referrals publicly, or share a case study that shows the kind of work you do. 📌 Example Post: "I’m incredibly grateful for a recent referral from my network that led to a fantastic collaboration. It’s amazing how connections on LinkedIn turn into real opportunities!" This reminds your audience that referrals happen – and that you welcome them. Your next big opportunity might already be in your network. By staying visible, engaging genuinely, and positioning yourself as the go-to expert, referrals will start coming your way – without you having to ask. #SocialSelling #LinkedInNetworking #Referrals #PersonalBranding

Before you hit send on LinkedIn, ensure you’re not making these 7 unwritten DM mistakes that ruin networking opportunities. 🔹 So, how do you send a message that gets a response? 1️⃣ Engage Before You DM ➤ Don’t send a cold message out of nowhere. ➤ Like, comment, and engage with their content before sliding into their inbox. ➤ Familiarity increases the chances of a response. ❌ Bad: “Hi. Let’s connect.” 2️⃣ Get Straight to the Point; No “Hi” Without Context ➤ Stop sending “Hi” or “How are you?” and waiting for a reply. ➤ Most people won’t respond without knowing what you want. ➤ Send a complete message with a clear purpose in your first DM. ❌ Bad: “Hi.” … (waits for reply) … “Can I ask you something?” 3️⃣ Personalize Every Message ➤ Generic messages get ignored. ➤ Mention their work, a recent post, or something you genuinely appreciate. ➤ Show them you took time to understand who they are. ❌ Bad: “Hey. Can you mentor me?” 4️⃣ Unrealistic Requests Will Get You Ghosted ➤ Nobody owes you a job, money, or a plane ticket. ➤ Asking a stranger to pay your tuition or fund your relocation is NOT networking. ➤ If you wouldn’t ask this in person, don’t ask it in a DM. ❌ “Hi, I need help paying my school fees. Can you assist?” 5️⃣ Be Clear on Your Intent ➤ Are you looking for advice, a referral, or just networking? Be upfront. ➤ Nobody likes a bait-and-switch message—state your purpose without being transactional. ❌ “Hi. Can you help me get a job?” 6️⃣ Keep It Short & Respect Their Time ➤ Your message should fit on one screen without scrolling. ➤ People don’t have time for essays—get to the point. ✅ 3-4 sentences max. ✅ Bullet points work great. 7️⃣ Follow Up, But Don’t Be Annoying ➤ If they don’t reply, wait a week before following up. ➤ Be polite—people get busy, but a gentle nudge can work. ❌ “Why are you not replying to me???” ****************** 📌 Have you received (or sent) a terrible LinkedIn DM? Share your experience below! ♻️ Repost to help others network better on LinkedIn. #Networking #LinkedInTips #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerAdvice #Connections

How to network without being “salesly” (And build genuine relationships) — Networking is hands down one of the most underrated aspects of business. A network built on reciprocity is also one of the BIGGEST assets any founder can call upon 10 tips to grow yours the RIGHT way: 1. Offer help first When reaching out to someone, think about how you can help them before asking for anything in return. This can be through introductions, sharing resources, or providing insights to a post of theirs. The goal is to leave no doubt that you’re not just a “taker” but a “giver”. — 2. Acknowledge milestones It might not mean much to you, but any personal milestone is HUGE inside for someone in your network. - Job changes - Work anniversaries - Professional accomplishments. Show that you CARE about their journey. — 3. Personalized connection requests (I know you’re sick of these fake connect requests as much as I am…) So show some personalization! Mention how you found them, why you want to connect, and a specific common interest or goal. It’s the little extra efforts like this that separate you from others. (p.s. “Let’s find synergies” is making you look like you’re spamming) — 4. Regularly update your LinkedIn profile Keep it current with your: - Skills - Projects - Latest achievements A well-maintained profile makes it easier for people to understand your professional background… Which makes it easier for them to relate to you when you speak. — 5. Open your network to others I’m ALWAYS looking for opportunities to introduce my connections to each other. This not only helps them, but it also strengthens your position as a valuable connector. If you be the person who helps build relationships… They’ll remember you for it. — 6. Follow up Stay in touch with your contacts regularly to maintain your relationships. You don’t have to do this daily or even weekly… But a little check-in here and there goes a long way in showing you care. — 7. Organize networking events Host your own networking events or small meet-ups. (In person or through Zoom) This is another great way to be a connector. Strong networking skills involve being able to bring people together in a meaningful way. — [BONUS] - Become the go-to guy in groups Underrated hack: join LinkedIn groups related to your industry or interests. While in the group… - Share your expertise - Be active in discussions - Connect with group members There’s nothing like chatting with like-minded people. (And most people don’t do it). — By implementing these strategies consistently, you will build authentic and meaningful relationships. The goal is to cultivate and build a network that supports and grows with you. What’s your biggest struggle in terms of networking? — Found value in this? Repost ♻️ to share to your network and follow Ignacio Carcavallo for more!