Effectively Building Business Relationships through LinkedIn

We are all aware of the potential power that lies in both our personal and professional networks. It never ceases to amaze us how often synergies or opportunities are created by connections sometimes two or even three times removed from our immediate networks. When the power of networking was applied to the power of the internet through LinkedIn, those networking opportunities created impressive efficiencies and scale. Leveraging all Linkedin has to offer allows us to build effective networks, create valuable connections and sell ourselves. So that being said, here are three cornerstones to using LinkedIn to its full potential:

Selling Ourselves

Ultimately, you are the product. It doesn’t matter if you work in customer service, sales or a C-level executive. If we are selling ourselves, we must refine the product. On LinkedIn, that means building our brand first. It goes without saying that you should refresh your profile, ensuring you are presented well both in text and through your profile picture. However, too often people simply end their personal brand building there. Instead, consider actively engaging your network and the broader Linkedin community by sharing information, opinions, and ideas. Spark a conversation. Become the resident expert within your field.

Stay Up to Date

LinkedIn does an excellent job of keeping you apprised of news and career changes within your industry and network. Think of this as the network newsletter; a must read. Staying abreast of changes within your industry will afford you the insight you need to not only make critical connections but also to be able to exploit opportunities as quickly as they arise. However, staying up to date doesn’t just mean passively watching the changes. Instead, if you see that someone has received a promotion or secured a new job, you should congratulate them. Perhaps reach out to those people you haven’t worked with in some time. If you can convert these online communications to a business catch-up over coffee, there’s no telling what either of you may gain from the reconnection.

Connect with Others

Connecting with others through LinkedIn requires a measured approach. Keep in mind that connections are not something you should treat as a collection which gains value with quantity. Instead, pursue quality connections. Treat LinkedIn as an extension of the offline world, because it is. Many people do not care to connect with someone who they have never met before. If you do attempt to connect with someone farther out of your immediate network, you should remind them of their connection to you, if any, point out your common grounds for connecting, and explain to them very clearly why you would like to connect.

 When used appropriately and with thought, LinkedIn can be a professional power tool for building effective business relationships. Bear in mind that you cannot just establish a profile and stop there. Instead, you should harness LinkedIn's power for building your brand, building industry knowledge, interacting with your network and staying in touch.