Saniya Sood
LinkedIn is a valuable resource for sales professionals, but not all connections are equal. One of the best ways to quickly expand your network and boost outreach effectiveness is by connecting with LinkedIn Open Networkers (LIONs). But how do you use these connections effectively?
In this blog, we’ll learn why LIONs are valuable for your sales efforts, how to spot them, and strategies for engaging with them effectively. You’ll learn to use this unique network to grow your pipeline and improve your outreach approach.
What is a LinkedIn Open Networker (LION)?
A LinkedIn Open Networker (LION) is someone who actively works to grow their network by accepting connection requests from anyone, even if they don’t know the person or share mutual connections. Unlike the typical LinkedIn user, who tends to connect only with people they know personally or professionally, LIONs strive to build a vast, open network. To start, let’s understand some common pros and cons that come with engaging with, or being a LION.
The Pros and Cons of LION
Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of being a LinkedIn Open Networker (LION) is essential for maximising the potential of this unique networking strategy. Let’s start by exploring some common advantages of connecting with a LION.
Pros
Here’s why connecting with a LION can be valuable:
Less Likely to Flag Your Profile as Spam: LIONs are open to connections, meaning they’re unlikely to report your profile as spam or reject your request, minimizing the risk of LinkedIn penalties.
Access to Their Network: When you connect with a LION, you gain access to their extensive network, which often includes thousands of people. These new connections can be 2nd or 3rd-degree links, allowing you to expand your reach considerably.
Potential for Increased Visibility: If a LION engages with your content, their network will see it. This could lead to more engagement, likes, comments, and even additional connection requests. A well-placed comment from a LION could even help make your post go viral.
Networking with Diverse Industries: Unlike traditional networking, which is often industry-specific, LIONs have a broad range of contacts spanning multiple sectors. Connecting with LIONs allows you to diversify your network and potentially discover new industries or markets that align with your business goals.
Easier Access to Decision-Makers: Many LIONs are senior professionals, entrepreneurs, or influencers in their respective fields. Connecting with them can give you direct access to high-level decision-makers who could help open doors for business collaborations, job opportunities, or valuable partnerships.
Note: Many LIONs will display "LION" in their headline or bio, making them easy to identify. Additionally, LIONs tend to have connections ranging from 20,000 to 30,000, which signals their open networking mindset.
But if you want to connect with the right people, it’s not just about adding as many as possible. It’s about understanding the business context, reaching out at the right time, and creating real opportunities for meaningful exchanges. That’s where Valley can help.
Instead of just automating your outreach, Valley helps you notice the right moments to reach out and craft messages that actually resonate. Because when you send a connection request matters just as much as what you say. The best connection requests often follow what are called “trigger events”, specific moments or signals that indicate the right time to reach out. These might include a new job, a recent achievement, or relevant activity that shows someone is more open to connecting. Timing outreach around these events makes the message feel thoughtful and relevant, rather than random.
With Valley, you can change the way you network on LinkedIn. While you focus on building genuine relationships, we ensure that your outreach is thoughtful, timely, and relevant. Next, let’s understand some disadvantages of connecting with a LION.
Cons
While the LION (LinkedIn Open Networker) approach can rapidly grow your network, it has risks.
Increased Risk of Spam and Unsolicited Messages: When you accept a connection request from an unknown source, you risk receiving spam, sales pitches, and marketing emails. This can quickly fill your inbox with irrelevant and unwanted content, potentially leading to engagement fatigue.
Privacy Concerns and Data Exposure: Connecting with strangers means they can access your public profile and, depending on your privacy settings, even information meant for connections. This could include your job history, company name, and even location.
Vulnerability to Data Harvesting: As a LION, you're more likely to attract data harvesters who may collect and sell your details to third-party businesses, often without your consent.
Dilution of Network Quality: While your network may grow rapidly, many connections may not be relevant or valuable. You might end up with a network full of individuals who don't align with your industry, goals, or sales needs, reducing the effectiveness of your outreach.
Time Spent Filtering Low-Quality Requests: With a growing network, you'll spend more time filtering through low-quality connection requests. This can distract you from meaningful engagement with prospects that truly matter to your business.
Risk of Overwhelm and Engagement Fatigue: A rapidly expanding network can quickly fatigue engagement. Managing hundreds or even thousands of connections can be overwhelming. This leads to difficulties in forming real, long-term relationships and slows one's ability to prioritize high-value interactions.
By carefully weighing these pros and cons, you can make more informed decisions about using the LION tag while maintaining control over your privacy and network quality. With a clear understanding of the benefits and challenges, let's move on to how you can identify a LION on LinkedIn.
How to Spot a LinkedIn Open Networker (LION)
Finding LinkedIn Open Networkers (LIONs) can boost your outreach efforts, but how do you identify these open-to-connection individuals? Here are a few effective ways to find LIONs and strategically grow your network:
1. Use the LinkedIn Search Bar
The LinkedIn search bar is your first stop when looking for LIONs. Here's how you can do that:
Simple Search:
Start by typing “LION” in the search bar. You’ll immediately get a wide range of profiles. But remember, not everyone who accepts connection requests freely will have "LION" in their headline, which can bring mixed results.
Advanced Search for Targeted Results:
Use Specific Industry Keywords: To refine your search, combine “LION” with your industry or job title. For example:
marketing lion
IT lion
sales lion
This makes your search results much more relevant, helping you connect with LIONs in your interests.
Location or Alumni Search: You don’t have to limit yourself to job titles. For example, if you want to connect with LIONs from your city or alma mater, try searching for something like “Stanford lion” or “NYC lion”.
These targeted searches help you avoid wasting time on irrelevant profiles and focus on building a network with people with similar interests or backgrounds.
2. Use LinkedIn’s Filters for Precision
LinkedIn’s filtering options can make your search for LIONs much more specific. By applying these filters, you can track down LIONs best suited to your professional goals, saving time and effort.
Connections Filter:
Apply the “connections” filter to target second-degree or third-degree connections, or LIONs who are outside your immediate network but still within reach. This can help you expand your network beyond your first-degree connections.
Group Membership Filter:
LIONs often participate in LinkedIn groups related to networking and professional development. By searching for group memberships, you can identify LIONs engaged in communities that align with your interests.
3. Join LION-Focused Groups
One of the fastest ways to find and connect with LIONs is by joining groups that cater to them. These groups provide a space for LIONs to connect and offer you direct access to a wide range of networkers eager to expand their connections.
Engage Actively:
Once in these groups, engage with posts, comment on discussions, and build relationships. LIONs in these groups are open to making new connections, and by participating in the community, you’ll naturally attract their attention.
Being part of these groups instantly increases your chances of meeting LIONs without having to send cold connection requests. It’s a proactive approach to expanding your LinkedIn network.
4. Send a Personalized Connection Request
Once you’ve identified LIONs you’d like to connect with, sending a personalized connection request is important. Many LinkedIn users, ignore generic connection requests, so taking a few extra minutes to craft a thoughtful message can make a big difference.
Keep It Casual and Professional:
While you want to personalize the message, don’t make it too formal or sales-heavy. LIONs appreciate genuine, relationship-building requests over pushy sales tactics. Keep it light, professional, and to the point.
What to Avoid:
Do not include your contact details or promotional content in your initial connection request. This is just an introduction; the goal is to build a rapport before diving into business talks.
Avoid the default LinkedIn message. Instead, write a custom note explaining why you’re interested in connecting. You can mention something specific from their profile, such as a shared industry, mutual connections, or a post they shared that resonated with you.
[ Also Read: Top 6 Personalization Strategies for Automated Marketing Messages. ]
Today’s LinkedIn users can spot generic outreach instantly. That’s why thoughtful, well-timed messages stand out. Networking isn’t about more personalization; it’s about smarter personalization: knowing the business context, timing your outreach, and creating real opportunities.
Valley helps you do just that. It finds the right signals, perfect timing, and helps craft messages that truly connect. While you build relationships, Valley ensures your outreach is relevant, timely, and effective. Turn cold outreach into warm conversations. Book a demo and make every connection count.
Read: Signal > Noise: Level Up Your Sales Game
5. Automate Your Outreach
Automation tools can save you significant time if you’re serious about reaching many LIONs and don’t want to spend all your time sending connection requests manually.
With Valley’s AI-powered platform, you can automate your LinkedIn outreach while ensuring each interaction remains personalized and meaningful, even at scale.
1. Import Your List of High-Intent Prospects:
Effortlessly upload your prospect list using CSV files or through Valley’s integrated tools that identify high-intent prospects based on real-time engagement signals and data.
2. Create Highly Personalized Campaigns:
Select the Right Campaign Type: Tailor your outreach to fit your goals, whether you’re seeking initial connections or nurturing ongoing relationships.
Craft Personalized Messages: Valley’s AI automatically generates contextually relevant messages to each prospect based on their LinkedIn profile, industry, and activity. This ensures your outreach feels tailored and not generic.
Automate Follow-Ups: Automate timely follow-up messages with Valley and ensure you stay on top of your outreach without losing track. Customize follow-up timing and content to align each interaction with your brand voice and messaging strategy.
Scale your connection efforts, engage high-intent prospects, and save time while maintaining authentic and on-brand messaging.
Also Read: How to Automate LinkedIn Messages: A Step-by-Step Guide.
6. Warm Up Your LinkedIn Profile
Before launching your connection campaign, ensure your LinkedIn profile is optimized and active. A cold, inactive profile may raise red flags for LIONs serious about their network.
Complete Your Profile:
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with a professional photo, clear summary, and relevant experience. This boosts your credibility and helps potential connections feel more confident in accepting your request.
Engage with Content:
Actively post updates, share insights, and comment on others’ posts. A well-engaged profile shows you’re an active participant in the LinkedIn community, making LIONs more likely to connect with you.
A warm profile increases your chances of being noticed and accepted by LIONs, who often evaluate profiles before accepting connection requests.
Also Read: How to Post on LinkedIn: A Simple Guide.
By following these strategies, you can effectively identify and connect with LinkedIn Open Networkers (LIONs). Now that you know how to identify LIONs, it's time to discuss how you can become one and utilize this strategy effectively.
How to Become a LION - Key Strategies and Considerations
Becoming a LinkedIn Open Networker (LION) is about creating a strategy that aligns with your professional goals and helps you build meaningful relationships. Here’s how to get started:
1. Set Clear Networking Goals
Before you start connecting with anyone and everyone, define your objectives. What do you want to achieve on LinkedIn?
Grow your professional network?
Generate leads for your business?
Learn from industry peers?
Establish yourself as a thought leader?
Knowing your purpose helps you focus on connecting with the right people, making every interaction more valuable and meaningful.
2. Create a Solid LinkedIn Profile
Your profile is your personal brand on LinkedIn. To attract LIONs and meaningful connections, it needs to stand out.
Headline and Summary: Craft a headline clearly stating who you are and what you do. Your summary should highlight your skills, experience, and what you're looking for.
Professional Photo: Choose a photo that reflects your professionalism while being approachable.
Keywords Matter: Add relevant keywords to your profile so it’s easy to find in searches. This boosts your visibility and helps you connect with the right people.
Showcase Your Expertise: Share content related to your field and engage in discussions to demonstrate your knowledge.
A well-crafted profile attracts LIONs and sets the foundation for building lasting, meaningful connections that align with your professional goals.
3. Engage Meaningfully with Your Network
Once you expand your connections, the next step is building relationships. Networking is about quality, not just quantity.
Join Conversations: Accept connections and actively participate in discussions.
Share Valuable Content: Post insights, articles, or relevant content that your network will appreciate.
Support Others: Congratulate your connections on their achievements and offer help when you can.
To save you hours of tedious research and message writing, Valley helps you personalize outreach at scale. This way, you spend less time on busywork and more time having genuine conversations that actually move the needle.
By showing genuine interest and providing value, you’ll make yourself memorable and build stronger, more lasting relationships.
4. Be Strategic About Your Connections
LIONs accept connections from anyone, but with your goals in mind, focus on building relationships with individuals who align with your professional aspirations.
Identify Your Target Audience: Understand who can help you achieve your LinkedIn goals and focus on those connections.
Quality Over Quantity: The goal isn’t to have thousands of connections but to build meaningful relationships that support your objectives.
By taking a strategic approach to LinkedIn, you’ll maximize your networking efforts and turn your connections into real opportunities.
Read: Beyond Basic Personalization: The Art of Connecting with C-Suite Executives
5. Build a Consistent Brand Voice
As a LION, you’ll be connecting with a wide variety of people, so it's crucial to maintain a consistent and authentic brand voice.
Stay Authentic: Your profile and interactions should reflect your true self and professional identity. Avoid sounding overly formal or robotic. Let your personality shine so people are more inclined to connect and engage with you.
Consistency Across Platforms: Ensure that your messaging and tone are consistent not only on LinkedIn but across other platforms you’re active on. This helps solidify your professional image and makes you more recognizable.
A consistent and authentic brand voice will help you stand out and build trust, making your LinkedIn presence memorable and impactful.
6. Use LinkedIn Features for Better Networking
LinkedIn has several features that, when used strategically, can help you connect with more LIONs effectively.
Endorsements and Recommendations: Actively endorse your connections’ skills and write recommendations for people you’ve worked with. This builds goodwill and often encourages them to endorse you back or engage with your content.
Utilize LinkedIn’s "Follow" Feature: If you want to stay updated with a LION's activity without immediately sending a connection request, use the "Follow" feature. This allows you to engage with their posts, learn from their insights, and build familiarity before reaching out for a connection.
By strategically using LinkedIn’s features, you can strengthen your network and create more opportunities for meaningful connections with LIONs.
7. Stay Active, But Don’t Spam
Being active on LinkedIn is key to staying top-of-mind, but there's a fine line between engaging and spamming.
Start Conversations: Instead of simply liking posts, initiate meaningful conversations by asking questions or offering thoughtful insights. This encourages engagement without overwhelming others.
Quality Content Over Frequency: Posting frequently is important, but the quality of the content you share matters more than the quantity. Focus on sharing valuable, relevant insights that your network will appreciate.
You can build meaningful relationships by staying active and mindful of your approach without overstepping boundaries.
By employing these strategies, you can effectively enhance your LION networking while maintaining a strong professional identity and fostering meaningful, long-term relationships.
Conclusion
Building a strong LinkedIn network as a LinkedIn Open Networker (LION) means being intentional about your approach. Setting clear goals, crafting a compelling profile, and engaging meaningfully with your connections are key to standing out. LinkedIn features like endorsements and recommendations help build trust and visibility while maintaining an authentic presence, which allows you to foster lasting relationships.
To maximize your LinkedIn outreach, Valley’s AI-powered platform can streamline your process, helping you connect with high-intent prospects efficiently while maintaining a personalized touch. Here’s how Valley supports your LION strategy:
Consistent, High-Quality Outreach: AI-driven personalization ensures your messages are timely, relevant, and resonate with the right LIONs, all while saving you time.
Time-Saving Efficiency: Automating repetitive tasks lets your sales team focus on high-value activities like building relationships and closing deals.
Seamless Connection Management: With customizable approval workflows, you maintain control over messaging while ensuring consistency and alignment with your brand.
Higher Engagement Rates: Optimized outreach increases your chances of engaging more LIONs, leading to more meaningful connections and opportunities.
Ready to transform your LinkedIn strategy and grow your network? Book a call with Valley today and experience the difference.
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