The Best LinkedIn Invitations
by Jessica Holbrook Hernandez Monday, December 07, 2009
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Are you having trouble coming up with a great LinkedIn invitation to request a connection with someone? Keep reading to find out what a great LinkedIn invitation should have and evaluate your recent invitations to see if you match up.
In previous articles we have discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly about receiving LinkedIn invitations. Everything from common etiquette to not being truthful in requesting a connection with someone you may not know. I would like to delve a little deeper to discuss what constitutes a great LinkedIn invitation.
The best LinkedIn invitations are personable. NOT just the standard “I’d like to add you to my LinkedIn network” that LinkedIn provides. It is generic and does not convey the who, the why, and the what of the connection. If you read my blog often you know generic is a bad thing. The most successful invitations are personable in nature and explain why you want to connect with that person. People want to know that you picked them to connect with for a reason. That you are not just arbitrarily going through LinkedIn and randomly choosing people to connect with. Give the person the courtesy of explaining why you want to connect with them specifically.
Wondering why you want to connect with the person or how to say why you want to connect with them? It sounds obvious, but start with your common link. Are you both in the same group, work for the same employer, previously worked with the same employer, you consult with their organization, you are in similar or complementary industries? There are numerous reasons you may want to connect with someone. Tell them that.
Furthermore, you should explain the benefit of the relationship or connection. I also would not make it all about you. Clearly state what you could bring to the connection or relationship.
Before you start screaming and hitting the comment button – yes I do realize there are only 200 characters you can use when requesting a connection. This is where creativity and professionalism intersect. Delete the blanket text in the box and start fresh. Include why you want to connect and what you can bring to the connection – if you run out of space go back and delete wordy phrases or filler words until you have a concise and direct request. You can just delete the mushy stuff and get straight to the point – we know you want to connect, what we really want to know is WHY.
In previous articles we have discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly about receiving LinkedIn invitations. Everything from common etiquette to not being truthful in requesting a connection with someone you may not know. I would like to delve a little deeper to discuss what constitutes a great LinkedIn invitation.
The best LinkedIn invitations are personable. NOT just the standard “I’d like to add you to my LinkedIn network” that LinkedIn provides. It is generic and does not convey the who, the why, and the what of the connection. If you read my blog often you know generic is a bad thing. The most successful invitations are personable in nature and explain why you want to connect with that person. People want to know that you picked them to connect with for a reason. That you are not just arbitrarily going through LinkedIn and randomly choosing people to connect with. Give the person the courtesy of explaining why you want to connect with them specifically.
Wondering why you want to connect with the person or how to say why you want to connect with them? It sounds obvious, but start with your common link. Are you both in the same group, work for the same employer, previously worked with the same employer, you consult with their organization, you are in similar or complementary industries? There are numerous reasons you may want to connect with someone. Tell them that.
Furthermore, you should explain the benefit of the relationship or connection. I also would not make it all about you. Clearly state what you could bring to the connection or relationship.
Before you start screaming and hitting the comment button – yes I do realize there are only 200 characters you can use when requesting a connection. This is where creativity and professionalism intersect. Delete the blanket text in the box and start fresh. Include why you want to connect and what you can bring to the connection – if you run out of space go back and delete wordy phrases or filler words until you have a concise and direct request. You can just delete the mushy stuff and get straight to the point – we know you want to connect, what we really want to know is WHY.
