Making LinkedIn Connections

I LOVE to answer your LinkedIn questions! Have one? Send your burning 🔥 LinkedIn questions to info@LinkedInBossLady.com, subject: Dear Debbie.

Dear Debbie:

I’ve been told that I shouldn’t use LinkedIn’s messaging when I’m connecting with people I don’t know, but I don’t know what to say instead.

Also, should I connect with everyone who asks me to?

~Kelly G.

Hi Kelly!

Thank you for your questions.

CONNECTION REQUEST LANGUAGING

I agree: you should never use LinkedIn’s default messaging … EVER … because it makes you look too lazy to customize your note, or even worse, that it’s automated.

This is what the default message says:

“I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” Yawn.

Always customize your notes, whether to an acquaintance (with whom you can be a little more informal) or someone you haven’t met but would like to network with.

PRO TIP: Click the Connect with someone only from the Home page of that person’s profile. Click the Connect button from any other page, like a search result page, and LinkedIn won’t give you the option to customize.

Customizing isn’t hard at all with a little forethought.

Begin by telling them how you know about them and saying something about that. I’ll use myself as the example recipient.

Example:

Hi Debbie! I read your article in YES I CAN magazine and it really helped me decide to spend the money on a professional photographer.

So now I know how we’ve crossed paths and that I helped her, which makes me feel good …that never hurts!

Then finish it with your request (your space is limited here, so brevity counts):

I would love to have you as a member of my LinkedIn network.

Or words to that effect.

Though I haven’t met this woman in person, she’s been warm, friendly and complimentary. Why wouldn’t I love to have her in my network?

This is how to frame a request that will get you a Yes nearly every time.

WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT ALL INVITATIONS

There are two circles of thought on the question of whether or not to accept all invitations to connect.

One is that except for people who don’t have photos or their photos are suspicious, you never know whether they or someone they’re connected to might need your services in the future. For many businesses who can provide their products or services nationwide, it is a plus to have a network with a wide range of people in diverse locations.

But there is also the train of thought – and actually LinkedIn recommends this -- that says you want to be able to personally recommend the work of each person in your network, so keep it limited to only the people you’ve worked with.

But LinkedIn puts a positive emphasis on having at least 500 people in your network (once you’re connected to more than 500 people, the counter at the top of your profile shows only “500+ connections”).

I don’t think most small business entrepreneurs would know over 500 business people whose work they could personally recommend. I’ve met over 500 people in my business dealings, but I haven’t worked with them all.

So I think the first approach is the smarter one. And remember, you can always disconnect if you decide you don’t want someone in your network.