How To Use LinkedIn- Understanding LinkedIn Connections

So, you've set up an account at LinkedIn and you've configured a strong profile. Now what? You need to learn how to use LinkedIn and start making connections with all of the great people who use this site. You also should learn how to use LinkedIn to become a part of the various ongoing conversations and all of the great networking opportunities people are always discussing.

Don't worry. It's not as bad as you might think. In fact, LinkedIn makes it incredibly easy for you to get the connection ball rolling.

Assuming you didn't materialize overnight, you have an email account. Maybe you have two or three. You've emailed a number of friends, colleagues and acquaintances from those accounts. These are people you already know and some of them are undoubtedly a part of LinkedIn. They're a great place to start building your network.

LinkedIn makes that dead simple. They'll pore through your email accounts (with your permission) and they'll find every address that's linked to an existing LinkedIn account. You'll then have the option to invite them to connect with you. You can run the check on more than one email account, too, allowing you to reach out to anyone with whom you've emailed on a professional level.

LinkedIn will create a small "form letter" asking for a connection, but we don't recommend you use it. Instead, take a few seconds to create personalized requests. That's going to increase the number of people who respond by a significant margin. It's also going to start the kind of networking conversations that make LinkedIn so valuable. Once you have that first batch of connections in place, you can start expanding your reach.

One of the easiest ways to do that is by searching within LinkedIn for other members with whom you'd like to connect. If you have a particular person or company in mind, you can search for the name. If you're looking on a subject matter level, you can search based on keyword. This is a great way to start meeting new people in your field right off the bat.

There are a number of ways to increase the number of LinkedIn connections you have after you get things moving. The first step is making those first few connections. Your email account and the search function make that easy. We'll discuss some of those advanced strategies at another point. You may also want to invest in a smart blueprint that provides a systematic approach to increasing your LinkedIn connections. That's a great shortcut to get the most from the service.

You may be alone for a few moments, but it won't last. Follow these simple steps to learn how to use LinkedIn and before you know it you will be connected!


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