Over time, the way we network has changed dramatically. Unlike in the past, we are now increasingly open to the unknown—and that’s a great thing.
Outdated Networking Dynamics
When LinkedIn first started, it was built on the idea that you should only connect with people you know. But over the years, it’s become clearer why stepping outside these boundaries can be to your advantage. It’s high time we let go of this outdated principle and embraced a new approach to networking for mutual growth. A good example of the old networking dynamic is as follows:
➤ You: “Hello, Manager at BIG COMPANY, I am incredibly motivated to work for your company, could you refer me to someone you know?”
➤ The Manager on LinkedIn, who doesn’t know you: “Sorry, I don’t know you, so I can’t help you.”
It almost seems out of place today, but it still happens too often that we miss opportunities simply because we don’t open ourselves up to new connections. Growth and innovation often come from unexpected collaborations and encounters, yet we close the door ourselves. Behind that door could be a valuable relationship. And what do you think happens to that manager with a closed door when they go on the job hunt themselves?
Acceptance Rate of Connection Requests
When it comes to the acceptance rate of connection requests, some striking statistics emerge. For instance, people in higher positions have a 10-15% higher chance of being accepted when they invite new people. We also see that people with unknown names have a 10-15% lower chance of being accepted when sending connection requests. If we draw a conclusion from this, we could say the principle should be: “I only connect with people I know or with people who have an interesting job title or a well-known last name.”
How Do You Present Yourself?
This may sound like a silly question, but in practice, many people and companies struggle with this. Online, people tend to be more aggressive in their responses and messages compared to real life. When there’s a noticeable distance between people, their entire demeanor seems to shift to an aggressive or defensive tone. It’s almost like driving—people forget that on LinkedIn, you’re not just representing yourself. You’re representing the company you work for. Try to zoom out more often from your screen, put yourself back in a real-life context, and think about how you should engage in a conversation. After all, you wouldn’t speak this way in person, would you?
➤ You: “Hey man, do you know the way to the supermarket?”
➤ The Other Person: “Sorry, I don’t know you.”
➤ You: “Hey man, enjoy your vacation in India, especially the food!”
➤ The Other Person: “Sorry, I don’t know Indian food, so I won’t be eating it.”
➤ You: “Hey man, so cool that you’re going to Australia, especially the backpacking scene!”
➤ The Other Person: “Sorry, I don’t know these people, so I’m not going to talk to them.”
Focus on Building Long-Term Relationships
If you’re open to the opportunities that the new networking dynamic offers, it’s important to approach LinkedIn relationships with a long-term perspective. Successful networking involves building sustainable relationships, and by regularly engaging and sharing valuable content, you can not only build trust but also strengthen your professional network. This ensures that the relationships you nurture will feel comfortable reaching out to you in the future, leading to long-term connections that contribute to your professional growth.
Expand Your Network with LinkedIn Groups
A great way to expand your network and increase your visibility in specific industries is by participating in LinkedIn groups. These groups allow you to connect with other professionals, which can lead to new opportunities. Within LinkedIn groups, discussions take place where members share knowledge, ask questions, and showcase their expertise. By actively participating in these conversations, you’ll stand out and build valuable relationships, instead of just focusing on sending connection requests all day.
What is a LinkedIn LION?
LION stands for LinkedIn Open Networker. These are people who actively expand their network by accepting almost all connection requests – even from strangers. The advantage? They won’t mark you as spam and will grow your network exponentially.
When you add a LION, their connections automatically become your 2nd and 3rd degree connections. This gives you access to thousands of additional profiles without having to invite them yourself. In addition, LIONs can help your posts go viral, because their wide network sees and responds to your content.
Benefits of using Linkedin LIONs
- Rapid network expansion: A LION accepts almost all connection requests, giving you easy access to thousands of new professionals. Once you add a LION, their connections automatically become your 2nd and 3rd degree connections, which greatly increases your reach.
- More visibility and reach: The bigger your network, the more likely your content is to be seen. LIONs often respond to posts, which means their network will see your posts too. This can lead to more likes, comments, and even viral content.
- Better lead generation: For sales and marketing professionals, a large network is crucial. Having LIONs in your connections increases your visibility in search results, making it easier for potential customers and partners to find you.
- More effective searching on LinkedIn: LinkedIn only lets you search within your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree connections. By adding LIONs, you increase your search options, which is ideal for recruiters and entrepreneurs who want to network in a targeted manner.
- More engagement without ads: With a large network, you automatically get more interaction on your content, without paying for LinkedIn Ads. This helps you strengthen your personal brand and build organic reach.
Disadvantages of using LinkedIn LION
- Chance of spam and unwanted messages: A large network means more messages. Unfortunately, this also includes spam: unsolicited sales pitches, vague offers and sometimes even phishing attempts. LIONs accept everyone, so their network can be full of less relevant connections.
- Privacy risks: The more people in your network, the more people have access to your data. Think of your email address, phone number and work history. This can lead to unwanted contacts or even misuse of your information.
- Fewer quality connections: A large network is not automatically a strong network. Many LIONs accept random connections without real interaction. This means that your network grows in quantity, but not necessarily in quality. And without valuable connections, your engagement remains low.
- Limited relevance to your industry: Not every industry benefits from a large, broad network. Do you work in a niche market or with confidential customers? Then it might be better to keep your network selective, so that you only add really relevant professionals.
- Your profile may seem less trustworthy: If you have thousands of connections but little real interaction, this can damage your credibility. Recruiters and potential clients may wonder if your network is purely focused on quantity instead of valuable relationships.
Are you ready for the new networking?
Just to be clear, I’m not saying you’re obligated to accept every person online or become friends with everyone. Nor should you build relationships with just anyone randomly. What I am asking is that you reconsider your principles, because a new connection might simply be seeking your help. Instead of sticking to old ways, I encourage you to be open, just like you would be if you were on the street. Who knows, a great opportunity might be hiding among the unfamiliar flowers in the field.
When you give, you will receive. It all starts with your mindset. Giving often leads to receiving. It all begins with your attitude: