I want to share a strategy to effectively network and grow your presence on LinkedIn even if you're shy, think it's cringe or don't want to become an influencer.

Buckle up.

I've actually used this same strategy to help others get hired, go from 0 to over 35k followers, land business deals, contracts and start my own business.

Unfortunately, too many of you are focusing solely on your technical skills when you can't even land an interview.

Let's change that.

Before any of the strategies I'm going to share with you can work, you'll need to do some ground work.

Get 500 Connections

Visibility of Connection Count: LinkedIn displays the exact number of connections up to 500. Once you surpass 500, it simply shows '500+' connections. This creates a perception that someone with '500+' connections is well-connected or influential in their network.

Networking and Perception

Perceived Credibility and Networking Power: Having '500+' connections may convey to others that you are a seasoned professional with a wide network, potentially increasing your credibility.
Social Proof: In the realm of social networks, larger numbers can act as social proof, suggesting that you are a valuable connection to have.

Now that I've sold you on getting to this magic number, you have to actually do it.

Pick 3 - 5 influencers in the tech space, preferably ones that are actual software engineers and not just influencers and look at their top posts on LinkedIn.

Connect with as many people in the comments section as makes sense. It's not weird to connect with randos on LinkedIn. This is not a dating site or Instagram.

I know less than 1% of my followers in real life and basically no one I know realizes I have a large follower account on LI. That's the sad part about being LinkedIn famous.

Optimize Your Profile

Get a headshot that doesn't suck and maybe doesn't include you wearing a suit.

This is tech and most people in tech are not suit and tie types.

It sounds weird but my overall philosophy is to decrease the area for bias - meaning I want to generally fit in. The goal is to get hired - not be an influencer. If that is your goal, ignore the previous line.

Next to your profile name, add 3 - 5 of the top technologies you are using that do NOT include HTML, CSS or APIs. For example, I might add TypeScript, React and NodeJS in mine. This section is searchable so don't waste it.

Lastly, your about section. Please avoid tired phrases like "passionate developer" or anything mentioning "aspiring", "junior" or "recent grad".

No one really wants to take a chance on you. Start off strong.

"I'm a full stack software engineer with deep JavaScript experience who loves to make blazing fast websites using a range of technologies including..."

No one is really gonna look there anyways so don't over think it.

Your First Job

This is where it gets tricky.

You don't have experience so no one will hire you. You need experience to get hired.

You've seen the meme.

This is the hardest part.

Make a site for a family member, friend or small business. For free.

Deploy it.

Have them write you a recommendation as payment (so kinda free at least).

Use this experience as the first item in your work history and if possible, find ways to tech-ify your previous experience. For example, did you do anything with databases, a CMS or other web tech in former jobs? Emphasize that and remove the rest.

Now that your profile does not suck...

Time to Network

Everyone and their mother is telling you, as a software developer, to do 2 things on LinkedIn:

Learn in public
Network

They're not wrong. These strategies have been proven to work when it comes to landing new roles. I "networked" my way to my current role. I also got referrals which led to interviews at amazing companies like Air BnB and Google, even AFTER getting rejected at first when they looked at my resume!

Unfortunately, the gurus on LinkedIn will tell you what to do.... but not how. Which leaves most people DM'ing total strangers and asking for favors which leads nowhere.

Networking is basically just making friends online

But you're probably not making friends. Instead you're:

Adding forgettable comments under posts

Creeping into hiring managers DMs

Not offering value
Creating posts that don't capture any attention

Luckily, these are fixable issues and I'm going to give you some tips to help you stand out, write better posts and actually create relationships through LinkedIn.

Here's how, step by step:

Step 1: Comment as a strategy

Maybe you're a little shy and don't feel comfortable posting... yet. That's ok. Targeted comments can expand your network and validate you as a developer.

Pick a few popular accounts within tech on LinkedIn to follow that are active (this is important). Turn on the notification bell for when they post.

When this person posts, be one of the first with a VALUABLE comment.

Bad example: I agree!

Not-so-bad example: Funny, I was just solving this same issue on an app I'm working on currently. I like your approach and I think I'll try that out. Thanks! Here's a link in case anyone wants to check it out [link]

The first comments on high traffic posts stand out and lead to connection requests, actual engagement with the original poster and a bit of a credibility boost for you.

Step 2: Your first DM should never ask for anything

Holy fish cakes. How many DMs do I get per week asking me to look at a resume from a person I've NEVER met.

Why?

Instead, DM the person a relevant article you read they might find interesting. Maybe a free course dealing with a topic they said they are researching. A coupon to the local computer museum. Hell, anything besides an ask for a favor.

If they respond, keep your conversation short and polite. Likely this person has a lot of DMs.

They will inevitably say "Thanks!" and you follow up with "Very welcome. I thought you might like [x] because of your post on [y]. Have a good one!"

Now, the next time you slide in their DMs after hearing about a job at their company, it's much easier to ask if they have time to set up a quick chat to learn more about it.

Step 3: Write posts people actually read

People are interested in code for sure. But they are infinitely more interested in the person behind the code.

When you are learning in public you may think an image of your portfolio and an ask for feedback will get engagement. It certainly can, usually in the form of criticism since everyone has an opinion. Maybe it also sucks, and you don't really want people looking at it.

What works better is the story of your journey as a developer. So instead of waiting for your portfolio to be done, document the journey.

Example:

So redux doesn't actually suck.

Today I incorporated ReduxJS into an app I'm working on.

I know I'm supposed to hate it, but I actually found it kinda fun. Here's what I learned:

Thing 1
Thing 2
Thing 3

Curious, how do you like using Redux and any better alternatives?

The most important thing when you post is that first sentence. Readers have their attention spans completely borked from scrolling all day.

Write a controversial statement or a quote from a famous developer perhaps.

Write simply, use white space between statements and lists when possible.

Short and sweet.

Lastly, ask for advice. People love offering their suggestions for whatever library came out this week. This leads to genuine connections with readers and makes DMs even easier to slide into.

How to Network on LinkedIn as a Software Developer

Everyone and their mother is telling you, as a software developer, to do 2 things on Linke

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