How to Network on LinkedIn: A Step-by-Step System for 2025

Step 1: Position Yourself for Connection

Before anyone accepts your request to connect on LinkedIn, they’ll check your profile. It’s basically your credibility checkpoint. It’s also the difference between being ignored or welcomed into someone’s network. 

If you want to master networking on LinkedIn, your profile must show clarity, build authority, and value at a glance.

Here are 3 easy edits you can make:

Headline

Write more than just your job title. Write your “niche + value” so people know exactly who you help.

Take a cue from Dave Gerhardt on how to network on LinkedIn. He mentions his designation, followed by what he’s building. It’s an instant indication of who he can help with his content.

Knowing what to keep and eliminate is equally important. Don’t let a headline stump you. 

You can try our compelling free LinkedIn headline generator powered by AI and get the perfect one in seconds.

About section

Structure it like a story. Start with the problem your target audience faces, show how you solve it, and add proof of results. 

Dave keeps it short and simple here by mentioning key details of his community, like “top community for B2B marketing professionals” and “6,500+ members”. 

He closes with highlights of his career trajectory and numbers to back it up.

Featured section

Pin case studies, LinkedIn posts, or press mentions that highlight wins.

Here, Dave promotes his community to get quality members, lessons you can learn via his newsletter, and other online resources he shares.

Step 2: Clarify Networking Goals & Audience

The biggest mistake people make with networking on LinkedIn is treating it like a numbers game. 

Putting it bluntly, random requests and aimless scrolling don’t build relationships. You need intent behind every connection. When you know exactly who you want to connect with, you’ll spend less time guessing and more time building relationships that move your career or business forward.

Here’s how to bring clarity-

• Connect with decision-makers in your target industries so your network naturally leads to opportunities

• Follow and engage with recruiters in your field so you’re visible when roles open up

• Add colleagues or people at a similar stage so you can share knowledge and grow together

• Look for thought leaders whose experience can guide your path

When you segment your connections this way, you avoid wasting effort and ensure every interaction serves your growth (whether it’s followers or getting more opportunities).

Step 3: Engage First, Connect Second

One of the most overlooked LinkedIn networking tips is that people are likely to accept your request if they’ve already seen your name pop up. Quick interactions, such as likes, comments, and reposts, build familiarity before you ever hit connect. Instead of cold outreach, you’re creating recognition and trust.

Follow this simple framework on how to network on LinkedIn-

• Leave a thoughtful or value-adding comment on their post so they notice you

• When you send the request, mention the post you liked so it feels natural

• Send the connection invite once you’ve created a small touchpoint of trust

For example, “Really enjoyed your recent post on B2B funnels. I’d love to connect and keep learning.”

Showing up consistently and authentically is tedious. 

With Supergrow’s LinkedIn engagement feature, you can build custom feeds and even get AI-powered comment suggestions so you don’t feel like you’re shaving off years of your life.

Step 4: Craft Connection Requests That Get Accepted

A good connection request is less about formal conventions and more about clarity. 

The difference between being accepted or ignored often comes down to how personal and intentional your note feels. 

Think of it as a quick story built on three parts: Why me, why now, what’s next.

For example, you might reference a recent post they shared (why now), explain why their perspective matters to you (why me), and close with a simple next step like staying connected for shared insights (what’s next). 

This formula typically works because you’re showing you’ve done more than just hit “connect”.

When your requests are short, specific, and value-driven, your acceptance rate rises and conversations feel warmer right from the start. Plus, there’s only so much you can say in 200 characters.

Step 5: Build Relationships With Value, Not Pitches

The real work of networking on LinkedIn starts after someone accepts your request. 

Too often, people ruin the momentum by sending a sales pitch right away. Cringe and transactional, right? It’s also the quickest way to get ignored. 

Take a look at this, for example-

It’s too on the nose. Instead, think of your first few interactions as planting seeds of trust after you connect on LinkedIn.

A better follow-up might be sharing a useful resource related to their interests, making an intro to someone who could help them, or asking a thoughtful question about their work. These small gestures show that you care about the relationship, not just the outcome.

When you lead with value, you stop being “just another connection” and become someone worth engaging with. These conversations can then naturally evolve into collaborations, partnerships, or opportunities without ever feeling forced.

Step 6: Publish Content That Attracts Connections

Okay, here’s where it actually gets tougher. 

Sending a few thoughtful requests is simple, but creating content that continually attracts the right people takes way more effort. Yet it’s also the most powerful form of networking on LinkedIn because instead of chasing connections, you’re drawing them to you.

Think of your content as inbound networking fuel. 

Storytelling posts show who you are, proof posts highlight wins that build credibility, and educational insights demonstrate expertise your audience values. And mixing these formats helps you create a well-rounded profile that informs and inspires people to hit connect.

Take it from me- publishing regularly can feel overwhelming. Our AI post generator and carousel maker help you repurpose blog posts, transcripts, or even PDFs into fresh LinkedIn content so you can expand on ideas without starting from scratch.

Step 7: Stay Top-of-Mind With Consistent Touchpoints

Networking isn’t a one-off task; it’s an ongoing relationship. 

If you connect and then ghost them, you’re unlikely to be remembered when opportunities arise. Staying top-of-mind is what turns a simple connection into long-term career capital.

The key is to create a light cadence. Every 2–3 weeks, 

• Write a LinkedIn comment that adds value

• Reshare a post you genuinely agree with

• Send a quick DM to check in

These small gestures keep you visible in their ecosystem without ever feeling pushy.

Take Nick Bennett, for example. He’s built a reputation in the B2B marketing world by showing up consistently. He leaves meaningful comments on peers’ posts, amplifying community-driven content and drawing eyeballs to his profile. 

Here’s one small example- 

Source

This way, you won’t be remembered as “the stranger who pitched me,” but as someone who adds value over time.

Being consistent should feel effortless instead of overwhelming. And making this habit stick isn’t easy. 

That’s why Supergrow’s scheduler helps you plan your content publishing and engagement blocks in one place. 

Step 8: Track & Iterate Your Networking System

Guesswork just won’t do while networking on LinkedIn. You must measure what’s working.

Data tells you whether your system is moving the needle or just keeping you busy. When you track results, you stop wasting time on tactics that don’t matter and start doubling down on what actually drives relationships.

Pay attention to the right signals. 

• Are profile views going up after you optimize your headline and About section? 

• Do your connection requests get more replies when you comment first? 

• Are your posts starting conversations with the *right* people? 

Each of these metrics gives you feedback you can use to refine your approach.

You’ll have to treat networking as an experiment so you can drop what doesn’t work and repeat what does. Once you do, you move from trial-and-error to a repeatable system. 

To simplify the growth aspect of connecting on LinkedIn more effectively, we’ve built an Analytics feature on Supergrow, allowing you to pinpoint exactly what went right at a particular time.

Step 9: Re-Engage When Requests Go Unanswered

Not every connection request gets accepted right away — and that’s okay. 

Often, it’s less about rejection and more about timing or familiarity. Instead of giving up, treat it as an opportunity to stay visible and build recognition.

Keep showing up on their radar. Engage with their posts by liking them or leaving thoughtful comments on valuable content pieces they’ve written. These interactions build familiarity that makes your request likely to be accepted the second time around.

If the timing still doesn’t click, try again later with context, like referencing a recent story-led post or niche trends they’ve discussed. You can also look for mutual connections and ask for a warm intro, which lowers the barrier to acceptance.

Doing this will make you look less pushy while also steadily increasing your chances of eventually connecting and turning that request into a relationship.