How to expand your network without wasting time
Practical Strategies for Meaningful Connections that work right now
Building a Professional Brand on LinkedIn: The Thought Leader Approach
While the thought leader is likely dead by now. IE: 2023 and onward, it still proved a few things. Growth + mindset + objectives…
Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash
Branding oneself beyond daily life narratives.
Embracing the mindset of a thought leader.
Focusing on goal-oriented experiences and discussions.
Seeking inspiration from established, motivating professionals.
In early 2018
I embraced LinkedIn as a professional networking alternative to Facebook. Unlike Facebook's personal life updates, LinkedIn offers a platform for thought leadership and professional branding. My approach was to follow and learn from individuals who showcased their expertise and leadership, transforming their experiences into professional narratives.
This experience inspired me to create 'BoostU', a brand focused on elevating others professionally. My objective was to interview established professionals and thought leaders, providing inspiration and guidance to those seeking career advancement or changes.
The brand
The 'BoostU' brand, centered on elevating others professionally, operates on several impactful principles:
Access to Expert Insights: By interviewing established professionals and thought leaders, 'Boost You' offers direct access to industry expertise and success stories. This can provide real-world knowledge and strategies that are not commonly found in textbooks or courses.
Inspiration Through Real Stories: Hearing about the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of successful individuals can be incredibly motivating. It helps others to see the possibilities in their own careers and can ignite a passion for pursuing similar paths.
Guidance for Career Development: These interviews can offer practical advice for career advancement or change. Tips on networking, skill development, and navigating the job market are particularly valuable for those at the start of their careers or looking to shift directions.
Broadening Perspectives: Engaging with a variety of professionals exposes viewers to different viewpoints and approaches to work. This broadened perspective can encourage innovative thinking and open up new career avenues.
Community Building: 'Boost You' creates a community of like-minded individuals who are focused on professional growth. This network can be a source of support, collaboration, and new opportunities.
Encouraging Continuous Learning: The brand emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and staying adaptable in a fast-evolving job market. This mindset is crucial for long-term career success and resilience.
It worked because most of my connections came from my personal brand - ie: BoostU. This allowed me to gain a ton of connections.
People loved the content, and it resonated with a certain crowd of people.
Interview
My first interview, with a Forbes 30 under 30 individual, was a nerve-wracking yet transformative experience. It taught me not only about interviewing but also about overcoming my fears of reaching out and communicating with industry leaders. This initial step was crucial in building my confidence and improving my interaction skills.
I consistently reached out to about 10-20 people daily on LinkedIn, aiming to secure interviews. This process was a mix of hits and misses, teaching me the importance of persistence and resilience in networking. I learned to craft tailored messages, optimizing my outreach despite the limitations of LinkedIn's free account messaging.
LinkedIn, for me, became a powerful tool for connection, akin to attending networking events but with the efficiency and reach of the digital age. It's about understanding your purpose and interacting with others as if face-to-face.
Personal Advantage
I took a bold step in 2018, diving into website creation with HTML and CSS, and turned to LinkedIn for real feedback. Facing a wall of silence after reaching out to 100+ people didn't deter me.
Five weeks in, my game changed with a single response from a then-product designer, now a director at a top tech firm. This wasn't just a reply; it was a breakthrough, offering the sharp insights I needed to elevate my website and portfolio.
This one interaction proved how a single, solid connection can pivot your entire professional path.
This is why I treat LinkedIn the way it is continuously treated as a professional Facebook
This experience solidified my view of LinkedIn as more than just a digital platform; it's a dynamic environment for professional growth and networking, accelerating the traditional process of making connections. Every outreach attempt, every interaction, is a step towards building meaningful professional relationships.
Why does this matter?
Having a personal brand matters a sh*t tone. It's akin to Batman's beacon – when it shines, people recognize who you are, clear and simple.
You have a personal brand that is outside of work, it speaks volumes. It shows up on your Linkedin profile where people can see this.
It doesn’t scream I’m marketing the company I work for. Seriously, keep your LinkedIn persona separate from your workplace brand. Mixing the two can create unnecessary complications. You might as well at this point create two Linkedin profiles.
Having your own brand allows others to build an understanding of you without trying to get in a call and ask who you are…
To expand your network effectively and efficiently on LinkedIn, try some of these core items…
To further what we can do to expand our network. Here are a few things to take note of.
Targeted Outreach:
Focus on connecting with individuals who align with your professional interests or goals. Tailor your connection requests to reflect a genuine interest in their work.
Engaging Content Creation:
Share and create content that resonates with your desired audience. This can range from articles and posts to insightful comments on relevant discussions, showcasing your expertise and attracting like-minded professionals.
Strategic Following:
Follow thought leaders and influencers in your field. Engaging with their content can increase your visibility and lead to meaningful interactions.
Leveraging Mutual Connections:
Utilize your existing network to introduce you to new connections. A mutual connection can provide a warmer introduction than reaching out cold.
Consistent Networking:
Regularly engage with your network through comments, messages, and sharing useful information. Consistency keeps you top-of-mind among your connections.
Hosting or Joining Virtual Events:
Organize or participate in webinars, workshops, or online networking events. These can be effective platforms for expanding your network and showcasing your expertise.
Valuing Quality Over Quantity:
Focus on building deeper relationships with fewer connections rather than amassing a large number of superficial contacts.
Offering Value:
Approach networking with a mindset of what you can offer others, rather than what you can gain. This approach builds trust and fosters more meaningful connections.
Reflecting and Refining:
Regularly assess the effectiveness of your networking strategies and refine them based on the responses and outcomes you observe.
Last minute thoughts
In the realm of professional networking, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, remember that authentic engagement trumps sheer numbers.
It's not just about expanding your network; it's about enriching it with quality connections. Each interaction, each message, and every piece of content should be a reflection of your professional identity and goals.
Most importantly be you!
Networking is an art that balances giving and taking. Approach it with the mindset of offering value and learning from others. The connections you nurture today could become the cornerstones of your professional journey tomorrow.
Building a meaningful network doesn't happen overnight. It's a continuous process of learning, engaging, and evolving. Embrace it as a vital part of your professional growth.
✌️Grateful for your time. Looking forward to our next update.
Regards,
Sharif"