LinkedIn reports 73 percent of its members use the platform for networking with other professionals . Become part of a conversation and engage with others , but keep these pointers in mind when you do :

1 . PERSONALIZE YOUR CONNECTION REQUEST . One of the biggest mistakes professionals make on LinkedIn is not taking the time to personalize their request . They click “ Connect ” and send out the generic invite that says “ I ’ d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn .”

Let ’ s say you reach out to a spa director you have not met ( or don ’ t know well ). Take an extra moment to personalize your request and let him or her know why you ’ re reaching out . Perhaps you have a colleague , a personal interest or a university in common . This is the beginning of developing a relationship , so take advantage of the opportunity to start a conversation .

2 . AFTER YOUR REQUEST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED , DITCH THE PITCH . In other words , your next message to that person should not be a sales pitch . Use the opportunity to share something about yourself , but also ask how you might be of assistance to your new connection . Remember , LinkedIn is about building and nurturing the “ KLT factor ”— know , like and trust — first .

Provide value to the people you reach out to . Send them a link to an article you think may be of interest , either personally or professionally . When I saw that one of my connections ( who was also a prospect ) liked running and had family in Colorado , I sent him a link to a running event that was taking place in Colorado — no pitch , just something of interest to him that helped me nurture the relationship .

One point VLF Spa Consulting ’ s Verena Lasvigne reiterates is she shares her vision and educational information , not a sales message .“ It ’ s important to be strategic and differentiate yourself .”

3 . DON ’ T IGNORE AN INVITATION FROM SOMEONE YOU DON ’ T KNOW . When you receive an invite from someone you don ’ t recognize , take a moment to visit their profile first . Perhaps this person could be a referral resource , a partner you can collaborate with , a vendor or potential customer .

If they ’ ve made the mistake of sending you a generic connection request , you can reply without accepting their invitation . Reach out and ask them how they found you . They may have been referred by a colleague or maybe they were simply searching LinkedIn . This is an opportunity to begin a conversation .

4 . ENGAGE WITH OTHERS . Engagement on LinkedIn isn ’ t just about messaging your connections . Take time to “ like ,” comment on or share their posts . When you show you ’ re interested in them and what they have to say , they ’ ll find you interesting .

APRIL 2023 ⁿ PULSE 37