Contact me:
Telephone: 01952 289682
Mobile: 07984 400151
My Blog
Latest Videos
Quit being lazy on LinkedIn!
I’m going to share with you my biggest gripe on LinkedIn – people connecting with me and not making an effort when they do – ring any bells? Zero effort = zero return in my book.
I’ll also discuss how you can make the most of connection requests you receive.
Inviting people the right way
Hands up if you’re fed up of apparent “friends” wanting to connect on LinkedIn who use the standard “I’d like to add you to my professional network” garbage but for the life of you you don’t know who they are?
It’s my single biggest gripe on LinkedIn – if you’re going to connect with someone, whoever it is, make a blinking effort eh! So rather than using the pre-populated “I’d like to add you to my professional network”, try “Hi Bob, I was reading your profile with interest and I see we both escaped the big smoke a few years back, would be great to connect on here.” or “Hi Sam, long time no speak, you’ve sure done loads with your career since we worked together! How are you? Would be great to connect on here.”
The difference is if you ask a question or at least make some effort as to why you want to connect, there is more chance they will accept and engage with you - this social media malarky is all about developing relationships isn’t it?
And if you have to choose ‘friend’ as the reason why you know someone but you don’t know them, make light of it when you send them the connection request so they know you’re not trying to assume you’re friends.
And the one trick most people miss when accepting a connection request?
Do you accept a request, if it’s from someone you want to connect/looks interesting and do nothing with it? OOPS – you should (pretty much) always send a message to them, from a simple “thanks, great to connect” to a “thanks so much for the connection request, I see from your profile that…”. Don’t sell, just ENGAGE and if you can, ask a question to get the conversation going! You’ll be amazed where those conversations can take you.
Overal, just remember, zero effort = zero return.
Do you have any stories where you’ve developed a lead from making a good connection request (or any disaster stories)?
TTFN
Jan 
I agree with your gripe. I almost never accept a request to link with someone I’ve never met. Exceptions are because I think I will and they are a good fit. I only request to link to those I’ve met and always add a personal note. It doesn’t take much effort and demonstrates thought.
Thanks Nick for contributing, strangely enough I wholeheartedly agree!
It does make me chuckle (and then hit ‘delete’) when I get requests from people I’ve never met and have no related interests with. Personally just makes them look very desperate. Like your tip about making more of an effort after accepting a request though. Will give it a try next time
Hi Leigh, thanks for your comments.
I agree it does smack of desperation and ‘I’m sending request to every man and his dog in the hope some say yes’.
Let me know if my tip works!
Warm regards
Jan
Over use of the ‘friend’ button is most definitely my ‘top’ gripe – do you ever use the option to get introduced through a connection – I’m too shy to ask?
Hi Kay – per my comment to Judy, I’ve only used it a handful of times when restrictions on LinkedIn have made it necessary, but then i highlight when i send them the request and make light of it and it’s worked so far!
Only this week I got an invitation from someone explaining she had been at The BIG Jelly and why it might be good for us to connect. It was so nice to read and obviously I accepted with alacrity! What a pleasant change from the standard one liner from ‘friends’.
Kay – I’d never use the friend button if I didn’t know the person, but I’d certainly ask someone else to connect us, giving an explanation of why it would benefit all three of us. I’m happy to introduce you to anybody in my network
Hi Judy – doesn’t it make such a difference when someone makes an effort, it opens up a conversation in a really positive way.
Re: the ‘friends’ choice – if I’ve ever had to use it (say I’ve met them, didn’t get a business card so don’t have their email) I just make light of it when I ask them to connect, saying it’s silly I have to say you’re a friend, silly LinkedIn rules, hope they are ok with that … hasn’t failed me yet! has to be what you are comfy with at the end of the day.
Really useful tips thankyou Jan.
Absolute pleasure Moya, glad you found it useful