Networking Goals: What are your goals for LinkedIn?

There are many ways that LinkedIn can be used for Business Networking. Part of your networking strategy should include setting some clear networking goals. This should include some for using LinkedIn. What do you want to achieve when using LinkedIn?

01 Define your Overall Networking Goals. 

Your networking goals (including any specific LinkedIn Goals) should follow the usual rules and be SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, and ACTIONABLE.

Write a list.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

1. Why am I using LinkedIn?
2. What do I want to achieve when using LinkedIn?
3. How much time do I want to spent on LinkedIn?
4. Who am I looking to contact or connect with?
5. What is the bigger picture?

02 Make sure you are clear about why you are using LinkedIn.

Most people will fall into one of the following categories:

• I am using LinkedIn to help me find a job. I am using the job search functions on LinkedIn and using it to research potential employers and companies I might like to work for and finding similar roles and/or companies.

• I run my own business. I am using LinkedIn to market and promote my business as well as connect to customers and clients.

• I am a Professional. I use LinkedIn for business development and to connect with clients, colleagues and multipliers.

• I am a recruiter. I use LinkedIn to help me find potential candidates.

Being clear why you are using LinkedIn and answering the questions at step one will help you identify what you want to use LinkedIn for and therefore help you with step 3.

The use of your LinkedIn profile page should be clear. It should be broadcasting a clear and consistent message.

For example, I only use my LinkedIn professionally. I do not use my LinkedIn Profile to boost my blog. I believe that this leads to conflicting messages. You cannot be everything to everyone and therefore it is important that your profile should match your networking strategy and personal goals.

03 Write Specific Actionable Goals

Once you have completed steps 1 and 2 you should then be able to start writing specific and actionable goals.

Also, it is not just about your personal profile. If you have a company page and/or own or manage a group on LinkedIn you are likely to have a different approach with each of these as well and you should write a different list of goals and objectives for your Company Pages and Groups.

Make them stick by actually writing them down in your Networking Planner.

04 Build your Goals into a LinkedIn Networking Strategy

Finally, once you have established your goals, break these down into manageable steps or specific action points and build them into your existing networking strategy.

Further Reading:

• Networking Goals: Setting Goals using the Networking Planner
• Make your Goals Actionable (and another example)
• Drill Down – What are your Networking Goals?