How to Make 1st-Degree Connections on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a powerful platform for building your professional network, finding new opportunities, and showcasing your skills and expertise.
But how do you make 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn, and why are they important?
What are 1st-degree Connections on LinkedIn?
1st -degree connections are people who you are directly connected to on LinkedIn.
They are either people you know personally or people you have accepted or sent an invitation to connect with.
You can see their full profile, send them messages, and view their updates and posts.
How to Make 1st-Degree Connections on LinkedIn: Best Practices
Making 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn is not difficult, but it requires some strategy and etiquette.
Here are some best practices to follow:
Optimize your profile: Make sure your profile is complete, professional, and relevant to your target audience.
Use a clear and friendly photo, write a compelling headline and summary, highlight your skills and accomplishments, and include keywords that describe your industry and niche.
Be selective: Don’t send connection requests to everyone you see on LinkedIn.
Instead, focus on people who share your interests, goals, values, or industry.
You can use the search function, the “People You May Know” feature, or the “Suggested for You” section to find potential connections.
Personalize your invitation: When you send a connection request, always include a personalized message that explains who you are, why you want to connect, and how you can add value to their network.
Avoid generic or spammy messages that sound like sales pitches or requests for favours.
Engage with your connections: Once you have made a 1st-degree connection, don’t let it go cold.
Instead, engage with them regularly by liking, commenting, or sharing their posts, sending them messages, or endorsing or recommending them.
This will help you build rapport, trust, and loyalty with your connections.
Provide value: The best way to make 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn is to provide value to them.
This means offering your help, advice, feedback, or referrals, sharing useful content or resources, or introducing them to other relevant people in your network.
By providing value, you will show your connections that you care about them and their success, and that you are a valuable connection to have.
Conclusion
Making 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn is a great way to grow your professional network, increase your visibility, and advance your career.
By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can make 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn that are meaningful, mutually beneficial, and long-lasting.
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