Is LinkedIn stopping your network growth?

Linkedin isn’t as generous as it used to be regarding the number of allowed connection invites. The “You’ve reached the weekly invitation limit” message lets you know you can’t send any more invitations until the end of the week.

But what are LinkedIn’s current connection limits? And how can you safely bypass them?

LinkedIn’s Connection Limit

Currently, LinkedIn allows you to send 100-200 connection requests each week.

LinkedIn does not publicly disclose the exact number of connection requests you can send each week without hitting the limit. However, it may vary based on your account type, network size, and past activity.

The limit used to be much higher, around 1,000 connections.

Why does LinkedIn impose these limits every week?

LinkedIn aims to maintain a professional environment where connections are based on genuine interest and potential for mutual benefit.

What happens if you go over the connection limits?

Going over the number of allowed connections can lead to temporary restrictions, so it’s crucial to understand and strategically work within these boundaries.

So, how can you safely bypass the LinkedIn connection request limit?

1. Leverage LinkedIn’s inbuilt networking features

The platform offers several built-in features to facilitate networking without directly bypassing LinkedIn connection request limits. Utilizing these tools can improve your outreach and create valuable professional relationships.

Use LinkedIn InMail for Targeted Outreach

LinkedIn InMail is a premium feature that allows you to send messages directly to other LinkedIn members, even those outside your immediate network.

While InMail is subject to its limitations, it provides a direct line of communication to potential connections. This can be particularly useful if you’ve reached yourweekly connection request limits.

When crafting an InMail, focus on personalization and relevance to ensure your message stands out. A compelling InMail can often lead to a connection request from the recipient, effectively bypassing the initial limit.

Participate in LinkedIn groups to cultivate connections

Another powerful way to expand your network is through LinkedIn Groups.

You can showcase your expertise and engage with like-minded professionals by actively participating in and contributing to relevant groups. This indirect approach can prompt others to view your profile and send a connection request, thereby growing your network organically.

It’s important to approach group interactions to add value rather than purely for self-promotion. Meaningful contributions can lead to stronger connections and a more robust network.

Increase profile visibility through content engagement

Engaging with content on LinkedIn can significantly increase your profile visibility. Commenting on, liking, and sharing relevant posts demonstrates your engagement with your industry and puts your name in front of a wider audience.

As you interact with content, your activity appears in the feeds of your connections, thereby increasing the likelihood that your profile will catch the attention of potential new connections.

Additionally, consistently producing high-quality content can establish you as a thought leader and attract connection requests.

By leveraging these LinkedIn features, you can strategically navigate around the invitation limit and enhance your networking efforts.

2. Get more connections via email outreach

Email outreach can be a powerful complement to your LinkedIn networking strategy. By carefully balancing your use of LinkedIn with targeted email campaigns, you can bypass the LinkedIn invitation limits and continue to grow your professional network.

Develop effective weekly emails to LinkedIn multi-touch campaigns

Creating a weekly email campaign that targets LinkedIn users can be a strategic approach to networking.

By crafting personalized and engaging emails, you can reach out to potential connections outside the LinkedIn platform. This method allows you to maintain consistent communication and build relationships, even when you’ve reached your LinkedIn weekly invitation limit.

To maximize the effectiveness of your campaign, segment your email list based on industry, job role, or other relevant criteria. Tailor your message to the interests and needs of each segment to increase the likelihood of a positive response and subsequent LinkedIn connection.

Balance LinkedIn and cold email strategies to bypass LinkedIn invitation limits

While LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool, it’s not the only avenue for making professional connections.

Cold email strategies can be a valuable addition to your networking toolkit. You can bypass the platform’s invitation limits by identifying potential connections through LinkedIn and reaching out with a personalized email.

Ensure that your email outreach is respectful and professional. Include a brief introduction, explain the reason for your outreach, and suggest a potential area for collaboration or discussion.

Remember to provide a clear call-to-action, such as suggesting a virtual coffee chat or offering to share insights on a common interest.

By integrating LinkedIn networking with email outreach, you can create a holistic approach to professional relationship-building. Don’t forget you can do all this from the comfort lemlist provides.

3. Stand out through branding and content creation

Personal branding and content creation are pivotal in establishing authority and expanding your LinkedIn connections. By sharing valuable content and engaging in thought leadership, you can attract more professionals to your profile and increase the likelihood of connection requests.

Grow authority content sharing and thought leadership

Sharing insightful content and participating in thought leadership are effective ways to grow your authority within your industry. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in LinkedIn connections.

You establish yourself as a knowledgeable source in your field by consistently posting articles, sharing industry news, and contributing to discussions.

Engage with your network by commenting on posts, answering questions, and offering your expertise. This type of engagement reinforces your brand and increases your visibility, prompting more users to view your profile and potentially send a connection request.

Tactics to send connection requests by boosting content visibility

Increasing your content’s visibility can lead to more organic connection requests.

Use hashtags to reach a wider audience and participate in relevant LinkedIn conversations. Regularly update your profile with fresh content and achievements to keep your network informed and engaged.

Another tactic is to write articles that address common challenges or trends in your industry. Encourage readers to connect with you if they’re interested in learning more.

This approach positions you as a thought leader and creates a natural pathway for connection requests without directly reaching the LinkedIn invitation limit.

A step-by-step guide to implementing LinkedIn bypass techniques

With a clear understanding of LinkedIn’s networking features and personal branding strategies, it’s time to delve into a practical guide for bypassing the platform’s invitation limits.

You can effectively increase your connections by setting up strategic InMail and email outreach campaigns without breaching LinkedIn’s policies.

Setting up InMail and email outreach campaigns to bypass LinkedIn limits

LinkedIn InMail allows you to reach out to individuals beyond your immediate network, even without a connection request.

Craft personalized messages that resonate with the recipient’s interests or professional background to use this feature effectively.

For an email outreach campaign, compile a list of contacts who would benefit from connecting with you on LinkedIn and send a tailored email explaining the mutual benefits of connecting.

Both methods should focus on providing value and establishing a genuine rapport. Remember to keep track of your outreach efforts to avoid spamming users and to refine your approach based on response rates.

Craft compelling follow-up messages for your free LinkedIn connection requests

After sending a connection request, a well-crafted follow-up message can significantly increase your chances of acceptance.

Highlight shared interests or experiences and express genuine curiosity about the recipient’s work. Keep your message concise and friendly, and avoid using generic templates that lack personalization.

Following up shows your commitment to connecting and can often be the deciding factor for busy professionals who receive numerous requests. Ensure your follow-up aligns with LinkedIn’s best practices and does not come across as intrusive or overly aggressive.

Import CSV files abiding by LinkedIn policies

If you have a list of contacts you’d like to invite to connect on LinkedIn, importing a CSV file can be time-efficient.

Before importing, ensure that your list is up-to-date and that the contacts are reasonably likely to accept your invitation.

When importing, LinkedIn allows you to include a personalized note with your invitation, which is crucial for a higher acceptance rate. Always adhere to LinkedIn policies by only inviting individuals who are likely to recognize you or have shown interest in your professional offerings.

Advanced LinkedIn networking techniques

As you become more adept at navigating LinkedIn’s environment, it’s beneficial to explore advanced networking techniques that can help you foster strategic connections.

Leveraging tools like LinkedIn Events and Sales Navigator and engaging with open profiles can significantly enhance your networking efforts.

LinkedIn events for strategic connections

LinkedIn Events presents a prime opportunity for networking by bringing together like-minded professionals.

By attending or hosting events related to your industry, you can interact with participants more likely to be interested in your professional expertise. Use the event’s platform to introduce yourself and follow up with personalized connection requests post-event, referencing your interaction to add a personal touch.

When you engage with event attendees, you naturally bypass the weekly invitation limit, as these interactions are considered within the context of the event and do not count against your limit.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator for better networking

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a powerful tool for those serious about business development and sales that offers advanced search capabilities and personalized algorithmic recommendations. Use Sales Navigator to identify and connect with potential leads and decision-makers in your target industries.

With its InMail credits, Sales Navigator allows you to reach out directly to individuals outside your network. This feature is particularly useful for bypassing the standard connection request limits, as it operates independently of the weekly restrictions.

Incorporate alternative networking platforms and open profiles on LinkedIn

While LinkedIn is a powerful networking platform, it’s also important to consider alternative networking channels.

Platforms such as industry-specific forums, alumni networks, and professional organizations can complement your LinkedIn efforts. By establishing a presence on multiple platforms, you can redirect connections to LinkedIn, thus circumventing the platform’s invitation limits.

Additionally, LinkedIn’s open profiles feature allows Premium members to be contacted by anyone on LinkedIn free of charge, regardless of connection status. If you have a Premium account, ensure your profile is set to ‘open’ to invite more free interactions.

Conversely, reaching out to users with open profiles can save your InMail credits and does not count towards your connection limit.

FAQs

How can I manage large lists of LinkedIn connections and when do the weekly limits reset?

LinkedIn’s weekly invitation limit resets every seven days, but the exact time can vary based on when you first reached the limit. Keep track of your sent invitations and prune pending requests that have not been accepted to stay within the permissible range.

Use LinkedIn’s ‘My Network’ feature to monitor your sent and received invitations and to withdraw any that remain unanswered after a reasonable period.

Remember, an invitation that has been ignored or left pending for a long time can work against you by contributing to your limit without any networking benefit.

When is the best time to send LinkedIn invitations?

To increase the likelihood of acceptance, send invitations early in the workweek when professionals are more active on LinkedIn. Avoid weekends and holidays when users are less likely to check their LinkedIn accounts.

Additionally, consider the time zone of the recipient to ensure your invitation is received during their business hours.

Strategically timing your invitations also means pacing them throughout the week. Instead of sending all your requests at once, distribute them to avoid hitting the limit prematurely and to maintain a steady flow of new connections.

Where can I learn more about LinkedIn limits?

For a deeper understanding of LinkedIn limits and how to manage them, check out this lesson in the lemlist Academy.

Key Takeaways

-> LinkedIn allows you to send 100 to 200 connection invites every week, depending on your account type, network size, or past activity.

-> When sending connection invites, focus on quality, not quantity.

-> You can bypass LinkedIn connection limits using LinkedIn’s built-in features. Focus on LinkedIn InMail groups and engaging content.

-> Optimize your LinkedIn profile, engage actively with your network, and reach out with personalized messages.

-> To contact people outside of LinkedIn and grow your network, try lemlist through its 14-day free trial.