If you’re just getting into LinkedIn you’ve probably seen the built in prompt to increase connection count. You may have notice that the connections number caps at 500 and wondered how many LinkedIn connections you should actually have? Does it make a difference? Is it bad to have too many LinkedIn Connections?
What’s the golden number?
While having 500 Connections does make your profile look professional, you shouldn’t be aiming for only 500. There are a bunch of benefits to having connections on LinkedIn, for example, networking, learning, selling, advertising. Rather than aiming for a total connection number you should aim for a total new connections per month.
How to get more connections
It’s entirely possible to consistently add 200–400 new connections per month and as a result you’ll consistently grow a network of potential collaborators, buyers and readers.
I’ve been averaging 700 new connections per month over the last year with a 50.02% connection request accept rate. I alluded to my strategy inthis post. Essentially you need to create a connection request that is personalized and eye catching. Something that will stand out.
When your up against spammy robots and insincere outreach it’s not difficult to be better that the competition. Check out some of the responses that I’ve received
How many LinkedIn connections can I send per day?
That really depends on how personalized you make them. There’s a chance that if you copy and paste invitations you’ll get timed out. Which means you’ll have to wait a day or two before sending more connection requests.
There’s no hard number here but an Extremely safe number is 100 somewhat personalized connection requests per day. Meaning you change atleast one thing about your connection message — Usually that would be the persons name you’re connecting with. For example:
“Hey (Name) — would be great to connect”
Why should I care about how many connections I have?
One of the main benefits is getting seen by recruiters. It’s no secret that recruiters rely heavily on a candidates public online information. Your connections are one of those pieces of information. Your connections tell a recruiter how active you are, how driven you are and how connected you are with a given community.
It doesn’t take much to differentiate yourself either. 54% of people on LinkedIn have less than 500 connections 27% have between 500–999 12% have between 1,000–1,999 3% have between 2,000–2,999. Meaning if you knock out 400 new connections per month you’ll be within the top 3 percent in a little over 7 months.
70% — 80% of positions are filled through networking rather than jobsite advertising. That means if you don’t have a large network you’re much less likely to have these opportunities present themselves to you.
How to see how many LinkedIn connections you have
In order to know how many new connections you’re making per month you need to see how many you have in the first place. This is the method I use as of 2021.
Conclusion
There’s a plethora of benefits to building out your LinkedIn network and it really doesn’t take that much effort. Make a plan, start connecting with 40 new people per day. In a month you’ll have 400 new connections and in 7 months you’ll be at the top of your market in terms of network power. Find prospects, Connect with them and start conversations so you can reap the rewards in the future.
Originally published athttps://www.hackgrowsell.comon February 17, 2021.
