Networking and Outreach

This fifth module will provide ideas for expanding your network.

We mentioned online presence earlier in Module 3. Here, we will explore the topic of expanding your networks and what to do with them.

To increase your social outreach on platforms like LinkedIn, you must employ a strategic approach combining profile optimisation, consistent engagement, and effective outreach techniques. Here are some of the best practices to boost your LinkedIn presence and expand your network:

Optimise Your Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital first impression, so it’s crucial to make it stand out:

• Use a professional, high-quality headshot for your profile picture
• Craft a compelling headline that goes beyond your job title and highlights your value proposition
• Write an engaging “About” summary that tells your professional story
• Complete all sections of your profile with relevant information

Create and Share Valuable Content

Consistently posting high-quality content is key to increasing your visibility and engagement:

• Aim to post at least 3-4 times per week
• Share a mix of content types, including text posts, images, and videos
• Create short, engaging videos to boost engagement (video content gets 5x more engagement)
• Write articles or share insights related to your industry
• Use visuals like infographics or images to make your posts more appealing

Engage Actively with Your Network

Building meaningful connections requires active participation:

• Like, comment, and share posts from your network
• Respond promptly to comments on your posts
• Join relevant LinkedIn groups and contribute valuable insights
• Engage in discussions and ask thought-provoking questions

Leverage LinkedIn Features

Take advantage of LinkedIn’s built-in tools to boost engagement:

• Use LinkedIn Polls to encourage participation and gather insights
• Utilise LinkedIn’s native video feature for higher engagement
• Experiment with LinkedIn Live for real-time engagement

Implement Strategic Outreach

When reaching out to potential connections:

• Personalise your connection requests and messages
• Reference shared interests, mutual connections, or recent posts
• Keep your initial messages brief and focused on the recipient

Collaborate and Network

Expand your reach by collaborating with others:

• Partner with influencers in your industry for joint content or interviews
• Participate in or host LinkedIn events
• Offer to contribute guest posts or articles to other professionals’ pages

Analyse and Optimise

• Use data to refine your LinkedIn strategy:
• Monitor LinkedIn Analytics to understand which content performs best
• Track engagement metrics like views, likes, comments, and shares
• Adjust your content strategy based on these insights

By consistently implementing these strategies, you can significantly increase your social outreach on LinkedIn. Building a strong presence takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent.

What are you trying to achieve?

Some experts in the field will tell you that it is essential to be seen and to play the algorithm to get to the top of search lists. They will also tell you that by posting a lot, you will be seen and eventually contacted by recruiters.

It may have been so in the past, but with the vast number of potential candidates in the market, it is becoming more unlikely that you will be contacted this way. The onus now is for you to reach out to your network with good conversation so that your contacts will reach out when a role becomes available in an organisation. This may happen quicker if your contacts know you are looking for a new role.

Employee referrals are highly effective in the hiring process:

• Referred candidates are hired at about 30%, compared to an average rate of 7% for job applicants sourced through other methods.
• Referred candidates are five times more likely to be hired than those from other sources.

If you sit back and wait, nothing will happen. You must have a mix of applications as you see them and speak to your network when you see a role available where your contact already works.

Creating a personal brand offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your professional and personal life. There are many ways to build a personal brand, if you arwe continuous in your efforts and focus on a few areas you will quickly gain a name in those areas.

Here are the key advantages of developing a strong personal brand:

Increased Visibility and Recognition

• Become more visible and recognisable to potential employers, clients, and stakeholders
• Stand out in a competitive job market and attract attention from industry leaders
• Enhance your online presence, ensuring a positive image when people search for you

Credibility and Trust

• Establish yourself as an expert in your field, building credibility and authority
• Gain trust from your audience by showcasing your expertise and authenticity
• Demonstrate your value proposition more effectively to potential employers or clients

Career Advancement

• Attract new opportunities aligned with your skills, passions, and values
• Increase your earning potential through higher demand for your expertise
• Gain leverage for salary negotiations by demonstrating your worth

Networking and Connections

• Attract like-minded professionals and potential collaborators
• Create meaningful connections based on your authentic self and shared interests

Personal Growth and Confidence

• Gain clarity on your goals, values, and unique strengths
• Boost your confidence and self-esteem through self-awareness and recognition
• Minimise imposter syndrome by embracing your authentic self

Professional Differentiation

• Set yourself apart from competitors in saturated markets
• Showcase your unique combination of skills, experiences, and personality
• Create a compelling narrative that draws people in and demonstrates your uniqueness

Focused Energy and Opportunities

• Filter opportunities more effectively, focusing on what aligns with your brand
• Attract tailored opportunities that match your expertise and interests
• Spend less time on pursuits that don’t align with your goals and values

Legacy and Impact

• Build a lasting impact on your industry or community
• Share your story and influence others positively
• Create a professional legacy that extends beyond your immediate achievements 

In this module we have looked at bulding a network a brand and generally being seen. The more noise you make in your network the more chance you will be remmebred what a referral is out there for a new role. Don't be shy ask your network for help, be clear at the end of everything you do to tell your network what you are looking for.