If you’ve ever felt like your LinkedIn efforts weren’t doing much more than inflating your connection count, you’re not alone. A lot of people are collecting digital business cards—but not real opportunities.

So how do you go from casual comments and connection requests to actual business results? It starts with a more intentional, strategic approach. Let’s break it down.

Why LinkedIn Is Still the Best Place to Network

Unlike the fast-paced, trend-chasing vibes of other social platforms, LinkedIn is built for meaningful professional engagement. Think of it as a 24/7 global networking event—you can shake hands with a CEO in the morning and brainstorm with a future collaborator by lunch.

To really win on LinkedIn, though, it’s not about just showing up. It’s about how you show up.

1. Start With the Right Mindset

Before you start typing out messages or commenting on posts, take a minute to shift your energy. Confidence is key.

One proven strategy? Power priming. Mentally put yourself in a position of strength—recall a time when you felt on top of your game, or ask AI to list your top strengths and wins. You’ll be amazed how much easier it feels to reach out when you remember what you bring to the table.

2. Engage Before You Connect

Want to reach out to someone on LinkedIn? Don’t just send a cold connection request. Follow them first. Read their posts. Comment in meaningful ways. Add to the conversation with your own take or experience.

Think of it like showing up to someone’s panel at a conference before trying to chat them up at the coffee bar.

3. Make Your Connection Request Count

There’s a world of difference between:

• “Hi, let’s connect.”
  and

• “I really appreciated what you said about [topic] in your post on [date]—it really got me thinking. I’d love to connect and learn more about your work.”

Always personalize, and the more specific you can be, the better. People can smell a copy-paste message a mile away. And be patient—engage a few times before you hit send on that connection request unless they’ve invited the interaction.

4. Don’t Kill the Vibe with a Sales Pitch

Once someone accepts your connection request, resist the urge to pitch anything—right away or at all in that first message. Instead, open with something that invites real conversation. Reference a post, ask a thoughtful question, or just say something human.

Even light-hearted questions like “What’s your go-to coffee order?” can spark a connection and give you insights into how they communicate.

5. Follow Up Like a Pro

Building relationships takes touchpoints over time. Set a reminder to check in a few weeks after connecting. Send a quick note, voice message, or even a short video. Keep it casual and personal—“Hey, saw your recent post about [topic]. Thought it was spot-on. How’s everything going on your end?”

You’re not pushing for anything. You’re just showing up—like a real person, not a sales bot.

6. Book a Low-Pressure Virtual Coffee Chat

Once rapport is there, offer a short 15-minute call. No pitch. No agenda. Just a chance to get to know each other better. Framing it this way makes it approachable and valuable for both sides.

Tools like Otter.ai can help you remember key details they share during the convo—like what projects they’re working on or what event they’re attending next.

7. Stay on Their Radar (the Right Way)

Keep the connection warm without being annoying:

• Use LinkedIn’s save feature and revisit older posts to comment later.

• Introduce them to someone in your network.

• Share a helpful resource based on what they’ve posted.

• Give a shout-out or leave a recommendation.

• Tag them in your content if it makes sense.
  

This kind of thoughtful, authentic follow-up builds trust over time.

Turning Relationships into Opportunities

Eventually, when the relationship feels solid, you can use what’s called the MICK framework to explore collaborations without being pushy:

• Make it Mutual: “Would love to swap insights.”

• Invite, Don’t Impose: “No pressure, just thought it might be a great conversation.”

• Clarify the Vibe: “Just a 15-minute intro to learn more about each other’s work.”

• Keep the Door Open: If it’s not the right time, that’s okay. Stay gracious.

Bottom line? LinkedIn networking isn’t about blasting DMs—it’s about building real relationships that naturally lead to opportunities.