Is LinkedIn just a social networking platform that people can simplify to see other people’s resumes? But that is not true, and you need a better understanding of LinkedIn as a social networking platform and its benefits.
LinkedIn features like 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree connections help you build connections on the platform. In this blog, we will explore:
- Ways in which you can connect with people on LinkedIn
- Difference between LinkedIn following and connecting
- What does 1st, 2nd and 3rd mean?
Read on to expand your professional network.
What is 1st-Degree Connection on LinkedIn:
You’re directly connected to these people because you have accepted their invitation to connect on LinkedIn or vice versa. When you see a 1st-degree icon on the right-hand side of their name, you can contact them by sending a message on linkedIn.
How Can You Connect with the 1st Degree Contact?
With the people with whom you have a 1st degree of connection, you can connect with them directly via message, even with a free profile.
Another aspect is that you can have their contact details like their email id and contact number.
Therefore, it’s better that if you want to get the contact details of your prospect, then try and make them your first contact.
What is 2nd-Degree Connection on LinkedIn:
A 2nd-degree connection is the people connected to your 1st-degree connection. You can connect with those people via In Mail or an introduction.
How Can You Connect with the 2nd Degree Contact?
When you are connected with second-degree contact, you can know the mutual connection you can see in the image below.
However, you cannot access their contact information or personal details because they are not your initial point of contact.
You won’t notice the opportunity to connect with your second-degree contact, another item to remember. You must click on the more option or three dots to connect with the prospect.
Even if you do not send a connection request to your 2nd and 3rd-degree contact, you can directly send LinkedIn Inmail. But it’s important to know that Inmail is LinkedIn paid messages allowing you to direct mail to your 2nd and 3rd-degree connection.
What is 3rd Degree Connection on LinkedIn:
3rd-degree connections are people who are connected with your 2nd-degree connection. You can connect with these people by sending them connection requests.
How Can You Connect with the 3rd Degree Contact?
Like your 2nd-degree connection, you can connect with them, but the connection button is visible in the drop-down message.
If you are not a premium linkedIn user, then to directly message your 2nd and 3rd, you should be in the same group or event with them.
How Do You Connect People on LinkedIn?
Connecting with individuals on LinkedIn can be challenging, like trying to make friends at a new school. Using LinkedIn, you can connect in the following way:
- By following them.
- By sending them the following request.
- You can also search for them on LinkedIn.
- The last option is to look into the “people, you may know” or “recommended for you.”
It would help if you established your network using current or shared relationships, such as the “in” crowd, before you can approach others and ask them to do something.
What Is the Difference Between Linkedin Following Vs Connecting?
You can follow or connect with various people using LinkedIn, but what is the difference between the two options?
A LinkedIn connection is a two-way channel through which you can invite or request a connection with another LinkedIn member, and they can accept your invitation.
Both connected parties on LinkedIn can view each other’s updates, activities, and postings in the feed.
On the other hand, following is a one-way connection in which one user follows another, and the user being followed can view the actions and postings of the other user on LinkedIn in their feed.
How Can You Prospect on Linkedin Taking into Account the Linkedin Degree of Contacts?
Understanding the LinkedIn degree of the contacts system is necessary to build a strong professional network. For instance, You must have observed that the number next to a profile’s name can always be read. They aren’t here to hint at how significant the individual is to her business!
You can use your filters to sort your “friends” on other networking sites. Like in real life, LinkedIn groups people according to proximity: family is the closest to you, followed by friends and then acquaintances. What does LinkedIn First, Second, and Third mean?
You have a first-degree connection with this individual and use LinkedIn for lead generation. You have either sent or accepted an invitation to connect to do this. Your social networks are connected. You can message them on LinkedIn through this connection and view their news in your newsfeed.
These individuals have a second-degree relationship with you but are not immediately in your professional network. “Friends of friends” describes them. They are directly related to you through your first-degree ties. If you have Premium, you can send them an InMail; if not, you can’t send them messages to their inbox. They become first-degree connections because you still want to be connected to them. These people are the connections of a third-degree contact, also known as a third and +. This implies that you have fewer opportunities to interact with them. However, you can still send messages via InMails.
Is it still possible to communicate with those on the third degree despite this social distance? Do you have to? Does attempting to connect, regardless of LinkedIn degree, sound relevant? Explore further.
How Can I Know the Degree in LinkedIn?
Your top priority on LinkedIn should be to look after and enhance your first-degree relationships. After that, you should look deeper to see which of your second-degree connections could open more doors for you. How about connections in the third degree? Are they too far away for us to attempt to contact them?
We Can Distinguish 3 Categories of Third-Degree Links to Emphasize This:
Simply put, they are not part of your network. Neither your second-degree buddies nor your first-degree contacts are aware of them. You will identify them as “LinkedIn members” in this instance. You might have some knowledge of what they do, but only a little. You aren’t allowed to email them if you can’t afford to send InMails.
They might be connected to some of your second-degree contacts.
Here is a helpful hint to help you determine if you may connect with them: if their surname is listed on their LinkedIn profile, go for it and send your invites immediately (if a salesperson appears to have a promising career, for example). Try sending an InMail if you can only make out the initial letter of their last name, but you won’t be able to connect directly.
Generally speaking, learning and growing up involves stepping outside our comfort zones to explore uncharted territory. This reasoning on LinkedIn encourages you to start by requesting a connection from third-degree contacts to expand your professional network. Avoid falling for that trap! Although it seems appealing, we offer a better option for you.
We wouldn’t advise LinkedIn prospects to use this tactic. Of course, invite them if you find a 3rd-degree relationship that seems very interesting. However, before considering expanding your network, we suggest you strengthen your relationships with your first and second-degree connections even if you can balance several moves following your B2B prospecting strategy!
LinkedIn’s primary, secondary, and tertiary purposes are to encourage you to get to know your contacts before searching for new acquaintances. Invite your contacts in your second degree to connect with you and join your direct network if you’re genuinely ready to grow your network. They will advance to first-degree connections, and what do you know? Your second-degree relationships will become their first-degree connections… In the future, getting in touch with them will be simpler!
Conclusion:
LinkedIn is one of the greatest networking sites for individuals in the workforce and businesses trying to generate leads. You may get in touch with thousands of leads and prospects in just a few clicks. Additionally, if you incorporate outreach automation technologies like LinkedFusion, your LinkedIn outreach will be optimized.