Customize Your LinkedIn Requests. Pretty Please?
These days, it seems like everyone is a super-connector on LinkedIn but it seems to stop at the initial connection. With the ease of making connections on this fantastic professional networking site from whatever device you're using, it’s more important than ever to actually connect with purpose, rather than just fill your network with a bunch of random professionals who have seemingly nothing in common with you. The good news is that there is an easy way to do this. Instead of just clicking that “Connect” button, let’s take a second and be mindful. Here are 3 factors you should consider before going full social butterfly.
For starters, make sure your own LinkedIn profile is up to date and includes a picture. People respond more favorably if they can see your face. When they glance at your profile before connecting, it can help foster the connection if you have a completed profile, especially if there are commonalities in their background or mutual connections.
Next, ask yourself why you want to connect with this person and come up with a good reason. I also highly suggest viewing their profile. It always strikes me as odd when I receive a request from someone I don't know hasn’t viewed my profile, nor customized their connection request. Think of it like this: you stop someone on the sidewalk in a major city, shake their hand and greet them by saying “Hey, let’s connect.” The person responds: “Sure!” and then you go about your business acting like it never happened. It’s weird in real life and it’s just as weird on LinkedIn.
You've now looked at this person’s profile and one of 2 things should happen at this point. Either you've realized this person may add value to your network or they won’t. If they won't, it’s ok to not connect. If you believe they will, go ahead and click connect from their profile. But LinkedIn is just a little curious. How do you know this person? The easiest thing to do is select “colleague” and choose your current position. Instead of immediately clicking the “Send Invitation” button take 2 minutes to personalize the request. Whatever the reason is, let that person know why you want to connect. The worst thing that can happen is they do not accept your request. Very simple.
A little professional courtesy goes a long way. Not only have you stood out from the sea of non-descript standard connection requests everyone is getting, but you also took a first step in a meaningful connection to add mutual value in each other’s networks . By doing this 1 thing, you’ve already differentiated yourself in a positive way.
