How to Network on LinkedIn: The Best Strategies for 2025

Networking on LinkedIn is essential for real estate agents, financial professionals, and service-based businesses who want to expand their reach, strengthen their reputation, and create new business opportunities. This guide outlines seven effective strategies you can use to grow your LinkedIn network in 2025.

Key Principles to Start With

Before applying the seven strategies below, keep these foundational networking practices in mind:

Connect With People You Know First

Start by building your core network: friends, family, colleagues, former classmates, past clients, and people you know in other industries. This establishes a reliable foundation before expanding outward.

Ask for Warm Introductions

A warm introduction increases your chances of connecting with someone new. Ask a mutual contact to introduce you to someone in their network who aligns with your goals.

Do Not Limit Yourself to Close Friends Only

LinkedIn data shows that acquaintances and “weak ties” are often twice as effective as close friends in helping users find job opportunities, partnerships, and referrals.

These three habits strengthen your networking results before you begin outreach.

The Best Strategies to Grow Your LinkedIn Network

1. Complete Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn prioritizes complete profiles in search results. Make sure every section includes accurate and professional information:

Profile photo and banner

Headline

Summary

Current role

Location

Work experience with dates

Education

Volunteer work or additional activities

Minimum five skills

A complete profile increases your visibility and credibility immediately.

2. Optimize Your Profile for Search and Engagement

Optimizing your profile helps you stand out and appear in more searches.

Use a Professional Profile Photo

Choose a high-quality headshot that is clear and approachable.

Write a Clear, Keyword-Focused Headline

Include your role, industry, and targeted keywords that ideal clients or recruiters might search.

Create a Concise Summary

Explain your experience, areas of expertise, and who you help. Keep it direct and relevant.

Add Detailed Work Experience

Do not list job titles only. Include responsibilities, achievements, and measurable results.

3. Get Endorsements for Your Skills

Endorsements validate your expertise and increase trust.

You can request endorsements by:

Endorsing others first (most will return the gesture)

Asking close contacts directly

Requesting endorsements for skills they have actually seen you demonstrate

4. Grow Your Network Through People You Already Know

Begin building your network with familiar contacts:

Import your phone and email contacts

Use LinkedIn’s People You May Know section

Connect with past colleagues, classmates, and industry peers

Start with the strongest relationships before expanding outward.

5. Connect With Professionals in Your Industry

Strategic connections help you grow faster.

To connect effectively:

Identify professionals in your field using LinkedIn’s search filters

Personalize every connection request with a short introduction

Reference a shared interest, professional topic, or mutual connection

Aim to create meaningful, relevant relationships rather than adding large numbers of unrelated contacts.

6. Join Relevant LinkedIn Groups

Groups help you gain visibility among people in your industry.

To maximize results:

Search for groups related to your field or goals

Join active groups with consistent discussions

Participate by commenting, answering questions, and sharing insights

Use groups to find new contacts with similar interests or expertise

Engagement inside groups helps position you as an informed professional.

7. Share Content Regularly

Posting consistently increases your visibility and credibility.

Recommendations:

Share industry insights, client education tips, or market updates

Create original content (short posts, videos, infographics)

Post several times per week if possible

Respond to all comments and engage in discussions

Use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability

Consistent posting helps your network grow organically over time.

What to Avoid When Networking on LinkedIn

Avoid Generic Messages

Always personalize your message. Generic messages lower your response rate and weaken your first impression.

Avoid Spamming

Do not send mass messages, repeated outreach, or irrelevant content. Focus on the value you bring to others.

Advanced Networking Techniques

For professionals looking to expand beyond basic networking:

Engage With Event Speakers

Connect after webinars or conferences and reference specific points from their presentation.

Use LinkedIn’s Advanced Search

Filter by industry, title, geography, or company to find relevant professionals.

Use Warm Introductions Whenever Possible

A mutual connection increases your response rate significantly.

Summary

By completing your profile, optimizing your content, engaging consistently, and building your network strategically, you can grow a strong LinkedIn presence that supports your professional goals.