Followers, Following, and Connection on LeaddMe: 5 tips for successful online networking

The necessity of networking isn’t new. But for many, online networking is a new can of intimidating worms. For others, it’s the fun part of doing business. At the end of the day, it is a powerful tool for anyone wanting to grow their network. And, lets face it, given the scaling power of connections and the opportunities they create, who isn’t?

"Your network is your net worth." Porter Gale

Before we dive into our top 5 tips for growing your network, let’s take a moment to talk about mindset. Networking is not about getting what you need. It’s about providing value to others in order to make connections. Likewise, LeaddMe is not a sales platform. Anyone who sets out to “network” by simply marketing their product anywhere and everywhere won’t find much love on our platform. Instead, if you approach networking with the mindset of building up the community and providing value to others, you will quickly make friends and connections who will surely be able to support you and your career in turn.

"The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity." Keith Ferrazzi

So, with that in mind, just how do you grow your network online? Here we bring you our top 5 tips for business networking on LeaddMe.

5 Tips for online business networking on LeaddMe

Key terms

Followers: These are members who have opted to follow you, so will see your posts in their news feeds.

Following: Members that you follow.

Connections: Members who you follow that are also following you. You can contact connections directly. (Premium members can also contact non-connections. Learn about the extra network-expanding benefits Premium membership can provide you here.)

1. Create an excellent profile

The first thing you need to do is work on your LeaddMe profile. Treat it like your storefront window. When people see your posts or comments, or see your profile in search results pages, the first thing they will do to find out more about you is check out your profile. Make sure your profile is properly completed and looks professional before venturing out to connect with people. Here are some quick pointers to optimize your profile:

• Use industry-specific keywords throughout so that you show up in search results (e.g. use the key word “web designer” as opposed to something like “I make websites”. That way, you will more likely show up in searches when people are looking for web designers).
• Include a professional profile picture (head and shoulders, with a friendly smile).
• Include a snappy headline that describes your career focus in one line.
• Include a description that simply and clearly explains your background, why you are great at what you do (with an example—don’t just say you are great), and what you can offer to solve someone’s problems or improve their business.

2. Build your network

Now that your profile is up-to-date, you are ready to start connecting with people. Start by connecting with current and former colleagues, family, friends, alumni, and other acquaintances. To follow someone, simply go to their LeaddMe profile page and click the blue “+follow” button. You can also invite them to follow you by inviting them to join LeaddMe via email.

Next, search, follow, and reach out to connect with professionals in your industry or at companies that interest you. All of the content they post will then appear in your newsfeed which allows you to reach out by liking and commenting on their posts. The great thing about LeaddMe is that it is full of professionals just like you who are interested in advancing their career or business.

How do I connect with influential people?

As with networking in person, it’s also a great idea to seek out the gatekeepers. Don’t just expect to connect with the CEOs of the companies you want to work at. Connecting with associates and assistants can be valuable as well. And when people invite you to connect with them, be generous! You never know what opportunities might come back around as a result.

3. Join Groups

LeaddMe Groups are an invaluable resource. They are groups created by individuals with a focus on a particular industry or career choice. Group members share resources, ask and answer questions, and discuss the latest industry trends. Joining a group means you automatically get seen as all group members can see the member list. You can also search the group member list to see who you might reach out to and connect with.

Beyond that, you can gain industry insights and access a wealth of practical knowledge by paying attention to the conversations within the group. And the more you give to the group, the more you will get out of it. Participate in discussions by commenting on and liking posts. You can also ask your own questions and start your own conversations. The more active you are, the more likely people will be to notice you and your expertise, and the more opportunities you will get.

4. Add valuable content + stay active

Following industry leaders on LeaddMe will automatically flood your news feed with valuable content. Don’t just be a consumer of that content, but create and share valuable content yourself! You can do this by posting or sharing links to blogs, websites, or videos you found helpful.

Or, better yet, create original content. Creating content or starting conversations that are interesting and helpful for others will set you apart as an expert and thought leader in the industry. It also enables you to engage with people in the comments, and more people will be able to find you as it could come up in searches, especially if you use keywords.

5. Beyond LeaddMe

Don’t confine your LeaddMe networking to within the LeaddMe website. Share your LeaddMe profile everywhere you go! Add a link to your LeaddMe profile to your email signature, website, and social media profiles (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.). You can also follow up in-person contacts with an invitation to connect on LeaddMe to turn one-off encounters at conferences and other events into meaningful, long-term connections.

Likewise, you can take the online connections you make on LeaddMe offline. Seek out your LeaddMe connections at events so that you can meet face-to-face and forge a stronger relationship. You can search for events created by LeaddMe members (and those created by your contacts) by clicking on the events tab from your user homepage.

Share your ideas by starting a conversation on your LeaddMe page right now!