The power of online networking
In a world where in-person meetings aren't always a given, online networking is more important than ever. While we used to rely primarily on business cards and networking events, there's now a single platform that connects millions of professionals worldwide: LinkedIn .
LinkedIn is much more than a digital resume. It's a place to present yourself, build relationships, and create opportunities. Whether you're an entrepreneur, recruiter, student, or professional: those who use LinkedIn optimally can grow their network exponentially.
In this article, you'll discover how to use your LinkedIn profile and activities to become more visible, attract new connections, and make your online network truly work.
1. Ensure a strong and complete profile
Your LinkedIn profile is your first digital impression . It's often where someone first sees you. That's why it's essential to design your profile professionally and comprehensively.
Profile picture and banner
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Choose a clear, representative profile photo (businesslike but accessible).
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Use the banner behind your photo to visually reinforce your brand or expertise.
Headline and summary
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Write a headline that says more than just your job title. For example: "Marketing Strategist | Helping Businesses Grow with Digital Strategies."
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In your summary, briefly explain who you are, what you do, and what you're looking for. Write in the first person and add personality.
Experience and skills
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List your work experience with concrete results.
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Add relevant skills that your colleagues or clients can endorse.
A complete profile is made more visible in search results by LinkedIn.
2. Actively build your network
A good profile is just the beginning. The real work begins with expanding and maintaining your network .
Making smart connections
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Always include a personal message when you add someone.
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Don't just focus on people you know, but also on people in your industry or people who inspire you.
Follow companies and thought leaders
By following companies, organizations, and experts, you stay informed about trends and increase the chance that your profile will be seen by the right people.
Maintain network
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Reply to messages from connections.
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Congratulate people on new features or milestones.
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Share an update or article every now and then.
Networking is not just about meeting new people, but also about maintaining existing relationships.
3. Be visible with valuable content
LinkedIn rewards users who actively contribute content. This is the best way to position yourself as an expert in your field.
Types of content that work well
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Share knowledge : write short posts with tips or insights.
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Personal Stories : Share an experience that can inspire others.
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Articles : longer blogs in which you delve deeper into a topic.
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Videos and images : visual content often scores better in terms of reach.
Consistency is key
Don't post every day if that's not realistic, but maintain a consistent frequency . Sharing something valuable once a week can make a big difference.
4. Optimize your findability
LinkedIn works partly like a search engine. If you want to be found by recruiters, clients, or partners, it's wise to optimize your profile and content for keywords .
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Think about what terms people would use to find you or your services.
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Work those words naturally into your headline, summary, and experience.
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Also use relevant hashtags (#) in your posts.
This increases the chance that you will appear in search results and that your content will reach a greater audience.
5. Use LinkedIn as a digital business card
A key part of networking is making it easy for people to find you. While we used to primarily hand out paper business cards , this is now increasingly done digitally.
LinkedIn can serve as a kind of digital business card , but the downside is that not everyone has an account or saves your profile right away. That's why more and more professionals are opting for a personal digital business card , such as at mybusinesscard.nl. .
With a digital business card:
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Share your contact details, social media and LinkedIn profile with one click.
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Make it easy for others to add you directly.
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Seamlessly combine your online and offline networks.
This way you prevent valuable contacts from being lost and you increase your visibility – both online and offline.
6. Interaction: the key to success
LinkedIn isn't a one-way street. Those who only fill out their profile and post occasionally aren't getting the most out of it.
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Actively respond to other people's posts. Make sure your responses are relevant to the content, so you're visible as someone with expertise.
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Ask questions to initiate interaction.
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Give recommendations to people you've worked with – you'll often receive one back.
These interactions ensure that your name appears more often in the timelines of others, which helps your network grow faster.
7. LinkedIn and the future of online networking
LinkedIn continues to evolve with new features like LinkedIn Audio Events, polls, and newsletters. This offers ever more opportunities to increase visibility and build relationships.
Online networking will only become more important. The combination of a strong profile, regular content, and smart tools like a digital business card will always keep you one step ahead of others.
With the right approach, online networking becomes not just a way to make contacts, but an engine for growth and success.
