How to win connections on LinkedIn: The invitation

How often does this happen to you? I experience it several times daily.

You check your email and see something like this:

I’ve blanked the name to protect the guilty.

Do I recognize her name? No. Did she give me a clue? No.

Avoiding the work I should be doing, I click through and see this:

 

So, this Teresa person lives in Canada and has three connections. Why on earth would I connect with her on LinkedIn? Ain’t gonna happen.

If you’re new to LinkedIn, here are some tips for connecting with people:

1. Start by requesting connections with people you actually know in real life: colleagues, employers, clients, friends, classmates, fellow members of associations, and so on.
2. When you do send LinkedIn invitations, always always always personalize them. I suggest something like this:

Hello, Joe. I see that we’re not yet connected on LinkedIn, and I’d like to add you to my network. (This is short and sweet and ideal for someone who will recognize your name instantly.)

OR

Hi Varinder. Since we’re both members of the Society of Technical Widget Makers, I thought it would be great to connect on LinkedIn. Thanks. (You’ve jump-started the person’s memory, which is helpful.)

OR

Hi Diana. We both worked on the SAP project back in 2008 at XYZ Corporation. Hope all is well with you. I’d like to stay in touch on LinkedIn. (In this case, the person may not remember you, but you’ve provided a tangible clue.)

By personalizing each invitation, you're adding a human touch, and also jogging the memory of the recipient.

If you send the standard LinkedIn invitation, you’re likely to be ignored. And if your profile is almost blank, you’re wasting your time in general. Beef up that profile before inviting people to join your network.

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Comments

[Dave Howlett Rhb]

A timely blog. Whenever I receive a generic invite (I get about 5 customized and 10 generic invites a week) I always respond back with "Thanks for the invite! How do we know each other please? Is this through Real Human Being Inc?" About 50%of the folks respond, about 50% do not. I let the ones who do not...expire in my inbox. I don't get angry or upset (RHBs would call that 2nd gear behavior) because many new users honestly don't "know the ropes." But it is important to me that I know my relationship with my connections so I can provide value to anyone who would like an introduction. Otherwise...(unless you are a recruiter) what's the use of collecting electronic business cards?

[Amysept]

This drives me nuts! I'm completely with Dave: I'll usually take the time to respond and ask them to tell me about themselves. If I know nothing about someone in my network, being connected to them is useless.

[Donna Papacosta]

I agree, Dave. I sometimes send them a message asking where we met (especially the ones that indicate they are my FRIEND). They almost never reply.

Amy and Dave, yes, I think it's important to know something about the people in our networks.

[Gloria Hildebrandt]

Interesting idea to ask people how you know them. I've been afraid that I SHOULD know the person but have forgotten, & that could offend! I am not the best at remembering distant acquaintances. I'm pretty good at remembering plenty about people I've dealt with. Asking them to remind me how we know each other could be helpful. Thanks.