Give a reason for your LinkedIn connection request

Do you give a reason for your LinkedIn Connection Request? One of the tips I give you when we work on LinkedIn is to create a real invite. Avoid hitting the connect button outside of a person’s profile. LinkedIn connection requests often come in with the default: “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”

Auto-sending LinkedIn connection request

Many times you accidentally send a LinkedIn connection request. This can happen when you aren’t given a choice when you hit connect from the home page or the people you should know area. LinkedIn auto-sends the invite with the default message.

Selling when you connect

While helping one another is a good reason for a LinkedIn connection request, many people are turned off by people who are obviously trying to sell something. If you connect to pitch your product, most people don’t appreciate pitches. If you make it genuine, you will be better received.

Try to create a message if you send one after the invite that introduces you without being salesy.

Explain why you want to connect

If you only connect with people who immediately recognize your name and/or photo, you might be able to get away with just clicking connect.

However, with a broader LinkedIn strategy, give a reminder of how you know each other to explain why you want to connect. For example, you could say, “I’d love to connect, I enjoyed meeting you:

• At a Chamber event
• When we took the Abnormal Psychology class together
• It’s amazing that we work in the same building
• So glad we met at Jack and Katie’s BBQ party last week
• Incredible that we ride the same subway together every day
• At our Master Gardeners class
• So glad we live on the same street

Your LinkedIn connection request just needs to be genuine to someone you feel connected to from another place, platform, or organization.