LinkedIn is a really good environment when it comes to connecting with people. Trust me when I tell you, professionals on here are really looking to connect with you on a REAL level. They are not playing games or selling you anything....in most cases. They are all, one form or another, really trying to establish a relationship with you. I just thought I would put that out there.

With that said, it would be in your best interest to connect with people who you feel would be a good fit for a conversation or some type of useful networking situation for you on all levels.

Once you add people into your network, you will see a page like this listing your connections and "people you may know" based on your network. Just simply hover over "my network" and you can click on connections or add contacts.

In addition to this, as you add people to your network, click on their profile and "endorse them." This is another way to help build a connection up as an authority in their field of work. Doing this will result towards you getting endorsements in return!