How to build strong relationships on LinkedIn

Why is being social on LinkedIn more than just collecting likes and followers? Because every interaction could turn into a real opportunity. The people you engage with might become partners, clients, or even mentors. How can you start building these meaningful relationships?

Let's explore key actions you can take and why they matter.

Why you should participate in LinkedIn groups

What role do groups play on LinkedIn? Groups are special spaces where professionals from your industry gather to share ideas, ask questions, and support each other. Joining the right groups lets you meet people interested in the same topics as you. For example, a marketing professional might join groups focusing on digital marketing trends or content creation.

How can you make the most of these groups? Simple. Participate actively! Don’t just lurk. Comment on posts, share useful articles, ask questions, and offer advice based on your experience. This kind of involvement makes you memorable. When others see you as helpful and knowledgeable, they are more likely to connect with you.

Are all groups useful? Not necessarily. How do you find the right ones? Think about your goals. If you want to expand your network, join groups with peers in your sector. If you want to attract potential clients, look for groups where they gather. For instance, if you’re a freelance graphic designer, joining a startup founders’ group might help you find clients.

How to find the right groups?

Which groups match your needs? Use the LinkedIn search bar to look for keywords related to your field or interests. Check group descriptions, member counts, and recent activity. Avoid groups with little interaction—they won’t help you much. Instead, aim for groups where members actively post and engage.

You can also check where your contacts or industry leaders are members. Joining their groups increases your chance to interact with valuable connections.

Should you actively make more connections on LinkedIn?

Should you accept any connection requests on LinkedIn? Unlike other platforms, LinkedIn encourages a broad network. You don’t have to know everyone personally. Why? Because even distant connections can open doors. For example, a recruiter might find your profile through a mutual connection and offer you a job.

What happens if you increase your connections? Your profile becomes more visible. LinkedIn’s algorithm favours users with large, active networks. More connections mean more chances to show up in searches and feeds.

How can you grow your network proactively? Start by adding colleagues, classmates, or people you’ve met at professional events. Don’t hesitate to send personalised connection requests to people you admire or want to learn from. For example, if you attend a webinar, connect with the speaker afterwards with a message referencing the event.

What about people you know offline? Adding them turns your existing relationships into LinkedIn connections. This builds a stronger support network. For example, someone you met at university might share a job opening relevant to you later.

How can your LinkedIn feed help build relationships?

Your feed is where you see updates and share content. Interacting here can start conversations and build rapport.

What actions should you take? Comment and like posts regularly. It shows you’re active and interested. For instance, if a connection shares a project update, leaving a thoughtful comment can spark dialogue.

What if you don’t know the person posting? It’s still worth engaging if you add value. Avoid short or vague comments like emojis or 'nice post'. Instead, share your insight or ask a question.

How else can you create connections here? Respond to questions. If someone asks for advice or information, offer your knowledge. For instance, if a post asks for marketing tips, share your experience.

What about celebrating others? LinkedIn will prompt you to congratulate people on achievements like promotions or work anniversaries. Don’t skip these! A simple ‘Congrats’ helps keep relationships warm and shows you care.

Can you share your opinions on posts? Absolutely, but be respectful. Debate can lead to engaging conversations if done politely. For example, if you disagree with a viewpoint, explain your perspective without attacking the person.

Should you try to connect with industry influencers? Yes! Influencers have many followers and high visibility. How can you approach them? Interact consistently with their posts—comment, share, and mention them in your articles. This can gradually put you on their radar.

If you know influencers personally, ask for introductions or endorsements. Even brief interactions can boost your profile’s reach.

To sum up, nurturing relationships on LinkedIn means being active and genuine in groups, connections, and the feed. Each step grows your network and opens new doors.