Building a huge network of diverse connections is the most valuable part of the biggest online platform for professionals: LinkedIn.
But according to LinkedIn, we’re supposed to only connect with people we know.
This ”quality over quantity” approach works well most of the time, but falls short if you’re using LinkedIn in your job search strategy.
So how are we supposed to use LinkedIn to make these valuable new connections? It’s a bit of a catch-22, isn’t it? We can’t make new connections unless we reach out to new people, but we shouldn’t reach out to new people unless we’ve somehow met with them already.
If your goal is to build a large network to jumpstart your job search, you should consider ignoring LinkedIn’s official recommendation and learn a thing or two about the new king of the social jungle.
Why not take a look at how LinkedIn LIONs operate and use some of their strategies to grow and improve your own network?
What’s a LinkedIn LION?
A LION on LinkedIn refers to someone who is a LinkedIn Open Networker. These are professionals who are open to connecting with anyone and everyone.
LIONs don’t have guidelines or prerequisites for determining which invitations are accepted and which are marked “I Don’t Know.” For a LION, it doesn’t matter if they know, have heard of, or even like the people sending them invitations to connect. They operate with the goal of building a massive network of contacts — the more connections, the better.
LIONs can be beneficial to other LinkedIn users. Because they’re open to connecting and networking with anyone, they have the power to bridge previously closed groups of people. This can allow for the kind of networking LinkedIn exists to foster: high-quality, trustworthy individuals building contacts between themselves and other, equally trustworthy people. For this reason, LIONs can also be valuable resources for recruiters and those searching to fill positions within their company.
But not everyone loves a LION, and becoming a LinkedIn Open Networker isn’t right for everyone.
The Downsides to Being a LinkedIn LION
LinkedIn urges us to only make connections with those we know and trust. By definition, a LION disregards this suggestion because they’re happy to connect with anyone and everyone.
Because LIONs operate with the goal of building the largest possible network, some LinkedIn users feel like Open Networkers are no better than spammers. Other users have concerns over privacy and prefer not to open their full profiles, information and updates to people they’ve never met.
Others simply prefer to moderate the amount and type of content they’re exposed to each day. The Internet is a noisy place, so some professionals limit their LinkedIn networks to ensure they’re only seeing updates and shared content in their feeds from people they know.
What might be most important to consider when it comes to LIONs is that fellow LinkedIn members may find Open Networkers spammy — and so does LinkedIn itself.
LinkedIn doesn’t like to see tons of invitations being sent out of one account. If you receive too many “I Don’t Know” responses in reply to invitations, they might restrict your profile.
Finally, remember that when you make LinkedIn a numbers game, you’re making it easy to miss out on developing real relationship with the individuals with whom you’ve connected. (Tweet this thought.) A complete stranger is unlikely to provide you with a recommendation; how can they do so accurately and sincerely if they have no idea who you are or what you do?
Should You Become a LinkedIn LION to Grow Your Network?
There are obvious drawbacks and negatives associated with becoming a LinkedIn Open Networker. A huge number of connections in your network will often be only that — a large number. Not real, useful connections.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t utilize some of the strategies of LIONs to your benefit on LinkedIn. After all, having a larger network means your LinkedIn profile shows up more often in searches and you have a better chance of being discovered by a recruiter.
While becoming a full-fledged LION might not be the best option for every LinkedIn user, you can get… well, the lion’s share of the benefits of being an Open Networker without being known as a spammy or low-quality connection.
How to Borrow the Networking Power of LIONs (Without Becoming One Yourself)
One simple idea for roaring like a LION without actually designating yourself as an official Open Networker is to join a handful of LION groups on LinkedIn.
Joining these groups will grant you access to the huge networks LIONs strive to build — without requiring that you connect with hundreds of people you don’t actually know. Often, recruiters are members of these groups as well, and being connected through common groups means you’re more likely to show up in someone else’s search.
Request membership in well-known and well-established groups like LION™ Worn with Pride! or Leading International Open Networkers (LION). Choose groups with care to avoid spammy members and those who might add your information to a mailing list.
Once you’re a member of a LION group, sit back and observe. Who posts interesting or valuable content? Are there other members in the group who are working within your industry or field? Are there any LIONs you genuinely admire or respect?
These are the LIONs to make note of — and connect with later. By choosing potential connections with care, you’re making the best use of what LinkedIn Open Networkers have to offer while avoiding the downsides of becoming one yourself.
Whether or not you choose the LION strategy, job hunters should try to maximize the size of their LinkedIn networks.
Which LinkedIn route will you choose? Are you ready to become a LION? Share in the comments!
Image: Flickr
