In the world of professional networks, LinkedIn is currently the most significant and rapidly expanding.

Consequently, it is brimming with potential customers, connections, and various growth opportunities.

It only takes one mistake to blow a deal of a lifetime or create a negative impression that could be costly and damage your company’s reputation.

Because of this, maintaining and developing your brand requires using proper business etiquette.

To help you avoid the don’ts and practice the dos, we decided to share 5 dos and 5 don’ts for LinkedIn networking.

Top Five Do’s

1. Create A Personalized Invitation 

You've finally decided to take the plunge and grow your professional network on LinkedIn. You're excited to start connecting with like-minded individuals, sharing industry insights, and building relationships that can help you further your career. But before you start sending out invitations willy-nilly, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that your invitations are well-received and encourage people to accept. 

First, take the time to personalize your invitations by adding a message that explains why you want to connect with the person. If you can't think of anything specific, at least mention how you met or where you found their profile. 

Secondly, don't be afraid to be strategic about who you invite to connect. LinkedIn is not a numbers game, so it's okay to be selective about who you add to your network. Keep in mind, quality over quantity! 

Finally, keep your invitations consistent with the overall tone and image you want to project on LinkedIn. In other words, don't get too casual or too sales-y in your invitation requests. 

By following these simple tips, you can make sure that your LinkedIn invitations will be well-received and help you build the kind of professional network that will benefit both you and your career.

2. Follow Up After Contacting Someone

You've done it. You've finally reached out and contacted that long-lost colleague, business acquaintance, or family friend on LinkedIn. But your work isn't done yet! It's important to follow up after making initial contact. Here are a few keys to keep in mind:

Do send a personalized message. A generic "Hi, I saw your profile and want to connect" is not going to cut it. Take the time to write a message that includes something specific about what you have in common or why you're reaching out.

Do be polite and professional. This should go without saying, but it bears repeating. Remember, this is still a business networking site even though you may be connected on LinkedIn. Use proper etiquette when messaging someone for the first time.

Do stay in touch. Once you've made initial contact, don't just vanish into the digital ether. Follow up periodically and keep the conversation going. If you're not sure what to say, try sending articles, blog posts, or other content that you think they might find interesting.

By following these simple tips, you can make sure that your LinkedIn networking efforts are both effective and professional.

3. You Must Introduce People to Others

LinkedIn is all about networking, so it's important to be sure that you're introducing your connections to the right people. When you're looking for new connections to make, take a look at your current network and see which members might be a good fit for someone else you know.

4. Join Groups on LinkedIn

Joining groups on LinkedIn is a fantastic way to network and connect with like-minded professionals. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when joining groups on LinkedIn. Make sure that the group is relevant to your industry or interests. There's no point in joining a group that isn't going to be of use to you. 

5. Ask for Recommendations

One of the best ways to get ahead on LinkedIn is by building relationships with influential people. One way to do this is by asking for their recommendations.  If you're unsure how to ask for a recommendation, reach out to your network and ask for help.

Top Five Don’ts

1. LinkedIn IS NOT a dating app

One of the cardinal LinkedIn networking don'ts is using the platform as a dating app. This behavior is not only unseemly, but it's also a quick way to get yourself booted off the site.

LinkedIn is a professional networking site, and as such, it should be used for building business relationships, not romantic ones.

If you're looking to date, there are plenty of other apps out there that are better suited to your needs. But if you're looking to build a strong professional network, LinkedIn is the place to do it.

So please, resist the urge to hit on your connections and stick to building meaningful business relationships. Your love life will thank you for it.

2. Avoid Spamming People

Spamming people is a big no-no when it comes to LinkedIn networking. Not only is it incredibly annoying, but it's also a surefire way to get yourself blocked or even banned from someone's network. 

So what counts as spamming? Anything that's unsolicited and unwanted. This includes things like sending messages without being asked, adding people to groups without their permission, and sending constant requests for endorsements or recommendations. 

If you're not sure whether something will be considered spam, err on the side of caution and don't do it. Remember, LinkedIn is a professional networking site, so treat it accordingly.

3. Do Not Publish Self-Serving Content

Resist the urge to post self-serving content. This includes anything from promoting your business to sharing articles that are mainly focused on promoting yourself. Not only is this behavior off-putting, but it also makes you look like you're more interested in what you can get from your connections rather than building genuine relationships. 

4. Don’t Simply disregard Job Offers and Invitations

One of the most common missteps is to disregard job offers and invitations. Just because you aren't interested in a particular opportunity doesn't mean that you should write it off completely. There may be other aspects of the job that are appealing, or the person may be interested in getting to know the company better. 

The same goes for invitations to networking events or coffee meetings. Just because you aren't interested in a particular event doesn't mean that you should write it off completely. The person may be interested in meeting the organizer or attending future events. By being open to new opportunities, LinkedIn users can expand their network and discover new possibilities.

5. Don’t Say Anything Negative About Your Competitors

How you speak about your competition reflects directly on your character. If you're the kind of person who talks smack about other companies, what does that say about you and your company? It says that you're small-minded, threatened, and insecure. No one wants to do business with someone like that. 

So, when you're networking on LinkedIn (or anywhere, really), remember to keep it positive. Talk up your own company, but don't put down others. You'll come across as a much more desirable business partner - and you might just make some valuable connections in the process.

Conclusion: 

LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool, but it can be easy to make mistakes if you’re not familiar with the dos and don’ts. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the top five do’s and don’ts for LinkedIn networking success. If you want to take your LinkedIn game up a notch, be sure to implement these principles into your strategy.

And if you find yourself struggling with any of them, our team at Demand.Cloud would love to help! We offer LinkedIn optimization services that will help you get more leads through this social media platform. Get A Demo Now!