Connect with intent to people you genuinely want in your network, engage before you need something, send a note with connection requests, be a giver, maintain real relationships, and prioritize quality over quantity. It is a long game.

Yes, always. A short note explaining why you want to connect makes the request far more likely to be accepted and sets the tone. A blank request feels random and is often ignored, especially by people who do not know you.

Because being a giver builds a network that wants to help you back. Sharing useful content, introducing people, and helping when asked creates reciprocity, instead of a network you only draw from, which drains relationships.