In this BoostMyDomain article, digital growth experts and business leaders talk about LinkedIn in today’s cutthroat networking environment.
We had to have this discussion because we know how your LinkedIn network can be your most potent career weapon.
It’s where you stumble across opportunities, seal deals, and build your professional rep, one connection at a time.
But let’s keep it real: for most of us, “networking” on LinkedIn is just firing off random connection requests or accepting whoever pops up.
That whole “spray and pray” vibe? It’s a total bust. You end up with 500+ connections who are basically strangers, and that does zilch for your career.
So, how do the folks who nail LinkedIn do it? What are the real, down-to-earth strategies that turn a lifeless contact list into a legit support squad that opens doors?
To get the scoop, we went straight to some heavy hitters—top business leaders and digital growth pros from around the globe who’ve cracked the LinkedIn code.
We hit them with one question:
What’s your top strategy for growing a killer professional network on LinkedIn?
Their tips ditch the fluff and give you practical, no-BS ways to stop treating networking like a drag and start using it to supercharge your career or business.
Read on!
Building Relationships Begins with In-Person Networking
I love meeting new people at in-person network events.
Connecting on LinkedIn afterwards allows me to build the relationships further.
Save a few, my in-person connections are typically more engaged.
Ivy Boyter
Founder & CEO, Full Throttle SEO
Thank-You Videos Build Networks Better Than Pitches
Here is my move: every week, I pick three people from my recent job contacts, suppliers, or even competitors and film a 25-second phone video thanking them for something real, like delivering $4,000 in shingles on a rainy day or helping solve a weird attic leak in thirty minutes flat.
I mean, a quick, raw, unedited clip gets shared way more than a boring message. The first month I did this, my network jumped by forty-seven connections, and I got seven requests for coffee or a job shadow. People want real stories, faces, and details, not copy-paste pitches. I send the video straight to their inbox, and then I drop it in a comment or tag them on a post. No fancy editing, just grit and gratitude. As it turns out, every personal thank you lands ten times harder than another “thought leader” quote.
Founder, Bubblegum Roofing
Cross-Industry Connections Reveal Overlooked Opportunities
People tend to be too picky on LinkedIn. While there is some risk in building a network that’s too large or disconnected from your real-life connections, avoiding adjacent links is a mistake. I call it ‘lateral networking’ — intentionally building connections with professionals in related industries that aren’t always obvious.
I’ve found that this cross-industry approach often leads to the most valuable and unexpected conversations. It helps me spot trends earlier, develop more creative solutions, and future-proof my network in ways that staying in my own lane simply wouldn’t.
So my advice is this: don’t play it too safe when accepting connections or reaching out. Networking across the aisle can open doors to insights and partnerships most of your competitors will overlook.
General Manager, Lock Search Group
Authentic Bookkeeping Expertise Transforms LinkedIn Connections
Expanding your professional network on LinkedIn starts with showing up authentically and engaging with purpose. As a bookkeeping business owner in Boston, I know small and medium businesses often feel overwhelmed by financial tasks, like tracking expenses or preparing for tax season. On LinkedIn, I connect with these business owners by sharing practical tips that address their stress like how to streamline receipts or avoid common tax pitfalls without drowning them in jargon. For example, I recently posted about a client, a local cafe owner, who saved hours each month after we set up a simple cloud based bookkeeping system tailored to her needs.
Consistency is key to building trust. I share short, relatable insights about modern bookkeeping trends, like how real time financial tracking helps businesses make smarter decisions. When you post regularly about solutions, say, how to organize records for a stress free tax filing you attract entrepreneurs who need that clarity. A client, a startup founder, told me our LinkedIn posts on deductible expenses helped him rethink his approach, ultimately saving him thousands during tax season.
Engaging directly with your audience matters just as much. I comment on posts from local business groups or ecommerce owners, offering quick advice, like how to categorize online sales for cleaner books. When you respond to someone’s question about managing cash flow, you’re not just helping, you’re showing expertise. One retailer I connected with this way became a client after I answered her question about inventory tracking in a LinkedIn group.
Don’t just add connections; nurture them. I send personalized messages to new contacts, referencing their business or a shared interest, like Boston’s startup scene. This approach led to a partnership with a service based business owner who needed flexible bookkeeping to match her unpredictable revenue cycles. By showing you understand their challenges and offering clear solutions, you turn LinkedIn connections into real world relationships.
President, Ledger Lift
Genuine Follow-Ups Turn Events Into Opportunities
Treat LinkedIn like a conversation, not a resume dump. Whenever I meet someone at a local event, I follow up with them the same week and include a brief message that reminds them who I am and what we discussed. It’s just a follow-up like I would if I ran into them again at H-E-B.
One time, that habit led to a surprising opportunity. A connection I made over coffee at a BOMA Austin event later messaged me about a pest control contract they were opening up. I hadn’t even asked—they just remembered the conversation and saw we were still active. That showed me that consistency and genuine follow-ups go further than cold messages ever will.
President, Absolute Pest Management
Thoughtful Comments Create Speaking Opportunities
My go-to strategy is commenting thoughtfully on posts from people I admire—not just liking or sharing. A while back, I started setting aside 10 minutes a day to leave one meaningful comment on someone else’s content. Not “Great post!” but something that adds perspective, asks a question, or shares a quick story. That’s what opened the door to real conversations and connections.
One time, I commented on a VP’s post about creative hiring tactics and mentioned how we used portfolio reviews in onboarding. She messaged me the next day to discuss further, and that led to a speaking invitation for her team. That one habit has expanded my network more organically than any connection request ever did.
Co-Founder, Green Home Pest Control
Personalized Outreach Transforms Cold Contacts
I focus on sending genuine connection requests with a short note that shows I’ve actually read the person’s work. Not just “Hi, let’s connect,” but something like, “Really appreciated your post on client boundaries—reminded me of a lesson I learned the hard way.” It’s surprising how many people respond when you lead with real interest instead of an agenda. That one habit has turned cold contacts into warm conversations, and warm conversations into collaborations.
One connection like that turned into a podcast invite, which then led to three client referrals. It wasn’t overnight—it took showing up, reading thoughtfully, and being intentional with my outreach. But if you treat LinkedIn like a room full of people, not just a platform, you’ll be amazed how far a little effort goes.
Co-Founder, Magic City Pest Control
Real Conversations Drive Trucking Industry Network
My go-to strategy for expanding a professional network on LinkedIn comes down to two things: real-world connections and consistent, authentic content.
First, I’m constantly on the road meeting with truck drivers, landowners, industry leaders, and more. After every meaningful conversation, I make it a point to connect on LinkedIn. These aren’t just cold requests – they’re extensions of real dialogue. That makes a huge difference in building trust and starting conversations that matter.
Second, I use LinkedIn to talk about what I’m actually seeing in the trucking and logistics world. I post updates from the road, highlight the parking crisis we’re trying to solve, and share behind-the-scenes looks at the progress we’re making. It’s not just about self-promotion, it’s about contributing to a conversation. That type of content draws in new people organically. People in the transportation, infrastructure, or logistics space see it, resonate with it, and often reach out.
If you combine real connection with authentic, consistent posting, your network will grow with the right people – the ones who matter to your mission. That’s how I’ve built a community around what we’re doing at Truck Parking Club.
Co-Founder & CEO, Truck Parking Club
Video Solutions Outperform Connection Requests
I stopped trying to “connect”—I started offering help.
My go-to move is scanning someone’s recent posts, spotting a problem or question they’re grappling with, and sending a quick Loom video or voice note with a solution—no pitch, no fluff, just value.
That 60 seconds does more than 100 connection requests. People remember it. They usually reply with “Wow, no one’s ever done that.” And now I’m not a stranger—they feel like they owe me a reply.
I’ve built partnerships, booked clients, and landed podcast invites from that one move alone.
Marketing Consultant, Gotham Artists
Engage First, Connect With Context
My default strategy for creating a professional network on LinkedIn is to engage with niche-relevant content regularly and then follow up with customized connection invitations. I find useful comments or posts in my domain and make a contribution in the comments area prior to reaching out to the content author or active commentators.
When I start a connection request, I always include a note stating the post or topic on which we interacted in order to find a quick bond and show genuine interest. This tactic leads to higher acceptance rates and meaningful professional conversations.
Co-Founder & CEO, Talmatic
On behalf of the BoostMyDomain community of readers, we thank these leaders and experts for taking the time to share valuable insights that stem from years of experience and in-depth expertise in their respective niches.
BoostMyDomain invites you to share your insights and contribute to our authoritative publication. Reach a wider audience, build your credibility, and establish yourself as a thought leader in an industry that caters to every business with an online presence!
