Here are just a few of the questions I’ve heard regarding the ‘right’ size of a LinkedIn Network:
- Is there a target number of LinkedIn connections?
- Can you have too many LinkedIn connections?
- Is there an optimum number of connections?
- When should you stop connecting on LinkedIn?
- I have 500+ connections now, is that enough?
- My boss thinks my LinkedIn Network is too big, what should I do?
There are many opinions about the right size of a LinkedIn Network.
I answer these questions with my philosophy regarding networking on LinkedIn.
My decisions around connecting on LinkedIn are very purposeful and focused on my business & professional goals. Additionally I strive to connect on LinkedIn for mutual benefit.
As I wrote in my first book – Networking for Mutual Benefit, “Networking is finding, developing and nurturing relationships that mutually move people forward through life.” I apply this to networking on LinkedIn as well.
My primary purpose regarding networking on LinkedIn is to search for and connect with people who can help me move my business forward.
However, I also intentionally accept invites to connect from people who are relevant to me in many other ways. I offer to these LinkedIn Members my help, when and where I can. Who knows, one day these people who want my help now, may be able to help me in the future. You never know.
As I wrote in my first book, “you should connect with someone new every day of your life.” I like to apply this philosophy to my LinkedIn Networking as well. The practice of consistent networking in a purposeful way can create a very meaningful, relevant and beneficial LinkedIn Network.
Therefore, my rule for connecting on LinkedIn is clear (to me): Accept all invites from people who are relevant to me in some way or another, regardless of whether I have met or talked with them yet.
My general rule for sending LinkedIn invites is; I send LinkedIn invites, focused on my business goals, to my target audience and their influencers. My intent is to connect with these people in order to ‘develop and nurture some level of mutually beneficial relationship over time.’ When possible I pull these people into an open conversation in order to discover if what I do is relevant to them.
All of this supports the foundation of my answer to the questions presented at the beginning of this article:
There is no optimum or target size of LinkedIn Network. The 500+ LinkedIn Network size only shows you have done some networking per LinkedIn. You should never stop connecting with purpose and intention on LinkedIn, regardless of what anyone says to you.
You should continue to, purposefully and with business intent, ‘meet someone new every single day of your life.’ Because, the next connection you make on LinkedIn may be the greatest connection ever. Use LinkedIn properly and you never know the potential of that next connection. The magic lies in these words, ‘you never know.’ Alternatively, stop connecting and you could miss out on something fabulous.
I wish you successful, relevant and mutually beneficial LinkedIn Networking.
If you want help for your team regarding Networking for Mutual Benefit using LinkedIn, let’s talk – info@BurrissConsulting.com or 336-283-6121