For many people it’s a batch thing, or it becomes a subconscious habit.

Perhaps it’s 10 a day, 20 a day, or even as much as 50 a day.

I’m talking about moving the mouse over to the search box and typing in the keywords and then click, click, click. Connect, connect, connect!

What’s the first thing I think of when I think of this tactic for growing on LinkedIn?

You’re essentially NOT looking at LinkedIn profiles. Instead, you are just blindly connecting with people JUST because your magic keyword pops up in that person’s profile during your search.

Maybe you’re thinking “Deanna, if I want to grow my following here on LinkedIn, if I want to grow my personal brand, and I know who I want to connect with, isn’t that what I should be doing? Search my keywords and connect, connect, connect, connect, connect???!!

NOPE!

Here’s the alternative, and the better way to do it. It all starts with a strategy.

It’s called Strategic Engagement. When I work with my clients, I teach them strategic engagement. That means going to the conversations that are already happening, because you know that those are the people that you need to be talking to.

Where are those conversations happening? Discussions are taking place in underutilized avenues of LinkedIn. You know they are happening in certain circles, now you’re part of those circles.

When you comment strategically, people see YOU. Those people send YOU the connection requests.

Have conversations in the comments. Talk to the people you WANT to be seen by.

STOP sending all those Connection requests!

I LOVE when people say they found me in the comments, because that’s what this is all about. Comment, have conversations, and build relationships.

After all, isn’t that why we’re on LinkedIn?

#linkedin #engagement #leverageup #purplesquirrelmagnet