How to network better on LinkedIn

Having the right professional network can be especially helpful as you grow in your career. But, whether you’re looking for a new job, a mentor, or the right people in your field to connect with, professional networking can feel like a daunting and time-intensive task. Nobody wants to waste precious time networking with the wrong people and be ignored.

The good news is there is a way to make networking more effective and enjoyable. Think of nurturing your professional network a bit like playing pickleball. It requires patience, technique, creativity, and the right equipment. And though longtime players may not admit it, a little luck goes a long way too.

Here are a few quick tips, and new tools, to make every shot count in the networking game:

Join in on the banter

Pickleball isn’t just about the game—it’s about the chatter and catching up with players between sets and after the game. The same is true in networking.