Explain why you're connecting. The Minimalist. Don’t bother sending a note that is a rewording of LinkedIn’s default “I’d like to join your LinkedIn network.” For example, “Hi Jon, I thought it would be a good idea if we connect!” isn’t an effective connection request. When viewing another LinkedIn user’s profile there will typically be a blue “Connect” button at the top with their name and other details. In general, the more active people are on LinkedIn, the more they will understand the value of business networking and thus the more willing they will be to connect if you send a personalized invite. Check out Jobscan’s LinkedIn Optimization tool to get even more out of LinkedIn and take your career to the next level. Tapping “Connect” on the LinkedIn mobile app will always result in an instant connection request without a note, even on individual profile pages. And the good news is that it’s pretty simple to do. You created your account, wrote a killer LinkedIn profile, and optimized it for recruiters, but that’s only the start. If you’re going to write a personal note, write something useful. This comes as a surprise to users accustomed to the way LinkedIn behaves on desktop, where users have an opportunity to append a note after clicking “Connect.” The mobile app makes it a little trickier to send a personalized message. Here are some different ways to connect: Do: Personalize Every Single Connection Request. No matter how much you like someone’s headshot, or feel that their professional experience indicates that you two are soulmates, LinkedIn is not the place to forge a love connection. Answered 2 years ago. A connection on LinkedIn is different than a "friend" on MySpace or Facebook. Connecting with tons of random people is the worst thing you can do. Don’t Treat LinkedIn as a Dating Site: Hopefully, this goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: LinkedIn is not Tinder or Match. Your name and LinkedIn headline will often provide a full answer for your co-workers, high-touch business contacts, or industry peers. Personalizing doesn't mean simply rewriting "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn" as "Hi it's Jamie -- I'd love to chat about your fascinating work!" Pithy has its place. It’s a professional networking tool. If it doesn’t, write a more descriptive LinkedIn headline and/or clarify those questions with a personal note. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. This sounds as if there is a browser problem rather than an application issue restricting your invite to connect. Adrian J. Hopkins, now a senior talent development manager at the New York Times, wrote in 2015 for the Daily Muse about accepting connections with strangers. Connecting with someone on LinkedIn is a two-way process. Weinstein: It means a lot more to me when I get an invitation that includes a note about why the person wants to connect. Under the “My Network” tab, you can review any incoming invitations you might have. If you’d like to send a personalized message when you reach out, click into their profile and follow the instructions below. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. How to endorse someone on LinkedIn. 1st means they are a direct connection. If LinkedIn changes its interface from time to time, the basic principles (i.e. I get dozens of invitations to connect and when I click to read more … If you link up your email account, LinkedIn will suggest people to connect with. 3rd means you know someone who knows someone who knows them. This post addresses some of the best practices for connecting with people on Linkedin. 2nd means you have a mutual connection on LinkedIn and you can usually reach out to connect with them. Here are some different ways to connect: Your first opportunity to connect to people on LinkedIn is when you first set up your account. It might be their job or it might just be their way, some people … Personalizing does mean writing a specific reason you want to connect and what you aim to gain from the connection. This is one reason why people make connections that may not be immediately beneficial, because the person they are … Take advantage of the 300 characters available in your invitation note. That doesn’t mean you should go on an endorsement rampage, giving everyone you’ve ever met credit for skills they may or may not have. More on that below. You’ve just met with and divulged a large amount of information about yourself and your company to a prospective client, hiring manager or … Combining as many of these as possible in 300 characters will ensure that your LinkedIn invitation to connect is personalized and pertinent. Connections imply that you know the person well or that they're a trusted business contact. But, sure enough, almost immediately after that piece went live, my inbox became stuffed with messages from people across the globe. LinkedIn is a social network specifically designed for career and business professionals to connect. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Once you’re connected, you gain access to their complete profile, network, and ability to message them directly. 1. Repeatedly clicking the connect button on an algorithmically generated list of people LinkedIn thinks you may know is a recipe for mediocrity. You must send an invitation to connect then wait for your contact to accept or ignore your invitation. State the reason you want to connect. Now the question is with whom should you connect. As LinkedIn itself says, connections are “members who connected on LinkedIn because they know and trust each other.” This way, you’re both able to see each other’s posts, job updates and anniversaries, photos, public and private shares on your LinkedIn homepage. I see LinkedIn as a means to connect with others with like careers, business interests, etc. When using the mobile app, tapping “Connect” will always automatically send a default invitation. To follow someone on LinkedIn simply means you'll see in your timeline what they post.   Unlike other social networks in which you might become "friends" with anyone and everyone, LinkedIn is about building strategic relationships. I managed Jerri at ABC Corp…”, “I’m glad we were able to meet and chat at XYZ Conference’s happy hour last Thursday…”, “I was searching for digital marketers in the Seattle area because…”, “We are both members of the LinkedIn Group ‘Digital Marketing Seattle’…”, “Your comment on Jerri Smith’s post about integrity in marketing got me thinking…”, “I just moved to Seattle from Los Angeles last month and am arranging a meetup of like-minded marketers…”, “Our companies seem to share a mission of building, “I’m hoping we can learn from each other as digital marketers working in Seattle tech…”, “I saw that you graduated from WSU in 2013. mindset) should not change. Think about using an “A”‘ “B”‘, “C” tagging system to set recurring reminders to engage (tap or … Answer the questions above as best as you can and try to connect some dots by bringing up things like: How your professional goals align or intersect, Similar education or past work experience, What you admire about their work or LinkedIn “brand”. If just FIVE people say that, you get put on LinkedIn’s blacklist. This is especially the case if they are a LinkedIn LION or Open Networker. I like it when people are skilled at using the fewest possible … The same logic applies when you search for people on LinkedIn. People with a lot of connections. Why you shouldn't accept every LinkedIn connection invite Your LinkedIn network is only as strong as your connections, and it's the people you actually know who will help to advance your career. Following someone on LinkedIn means that you can see what they do in a public way – think of it as a one way street – you’re seeing their ‘stuff’ but they don’t get your ‘stuff’. Another benefit of connecting and engaging with your current colleagues on LinkedIn? When using a desktop web browser, clicking “Connect” on someone’s profile will give you the option to add a personal note with your invitation. As of 2020, over 722 million professionals use LinkedIn to cultivate their careers and businesses. Get started now by figuring out who to connect with on LinkedIn and reaching out to 10 connections per week, more if you wish. Anyone can spot a generic, non-customized message from three Wi-Fi zones away, and if you care about standing out, you’ll be careful not to be labeled as generic, right? Connect With People You WANT to Know. On LinkedIn, the people who are part of your network are called your "connections." You're free to contact those people directly by clicking the "send e-mail " button on their profile pages. Only about half of LinkedIn users have logged on in the past month and countless accounts are empty, outdated, and abandoned. When you invite someone, they have the opportunity to say "I don't know" you. Whereas to connect with someone means you're in their network and can communicate with them directly. And sure, if networking was strictly a numbers game, then my now 1,457 LinkedIn connections (and growing!) Some LinkedIn users have customizable profiles and have moved this button to a menu. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. The experts have weighed in, and it’s clear that one of the most effective ways of getting a LinkedIn endorsement is to give a LinkedIn endorsement. The following, therefore, are the basic guidelines for why, who and how to connect with people on Linkedin. Connecting with someone on LinkedIn is a two-way process. More on how to customize your mobile LinkedIn invitations below. Clicking “Connect” in this section will not allow you to send a personal note with your invitation. When someone considers your LinkedIn invitation, they need to know the following: In many cases, a personalized note isn’t necessary to answer these questions. Overconnecting on LinkedIn isn’t just overhyped — it can actually send the wrong message. Clicking “Connect” will instantly send an invitation with the default note. Get the latest articles sent to your inbox the morning after they're published. To get the most out of LinkedIn, you must reach out to and connect with your colleagues and industry peers. More about how to utilize personal notes below. Yes, but it’s not always necessary. To send a personal note with your invitation to connect on LinkedIn, don’t click “Connect.” Instead, tap into the person’s profile, tap the “More…” menu, then tap “Personalize invite.”, You can retract a LinkedIn invitation to connect by navigating to the “My Network” tab in your top navigation bar, clicking “Manage all” on the top right in the “Invitations” section, then clicking “Sent.”, If you’re logged in, you can jump straight to your unaccepted invitations by going here: https://www.linkedin.com/mynetwork/invitation-manager/sent/. You must send an invitation to connect then wait for your contact to accept or ignore your invitation. 2. The people who have accepted an invitation to join your network are called your "direct connections." If you are using LinkedIn as your central internet hub, you may want to connect with people you already are connected with in other social media (such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and others). By including a customized, targeted line, I can tell George has looked into my backgr… With messaging on LinkedIn, it doesn’t matter if contact information changes from job to job, you can always stay connected. You’re not exactly best friends and you don’t want to hurt your reputation in the process. Adding quality LinkedIn connections improves your job prospects whether you’re actively searching or simply keeping an open mind to career opportunities. For example, expanding your network will increase the number of first-, second, and third-degree connections between you, recruiters, and hiring managers, which helps you rank higher in LinkedIn Recruiter Search results. I recommend ‘browser purge’ or switch to another browser. You can also easily send messages to your connections. Anna may really want to connect to Bob, but you’re not quite sure how to go about it. This is a common situation (and kinda the whole point of LinkedIn…). The LinkedIn initiative basically asks people like Robin (who is above the $250 or so) to help people like Chris, by using their networks to open doors. People you worked with. Click “More…” to reveal a way to connect. They're described as being one degree away from you on the greater LinkedIn network. I am currently a senior there…”, “I noticed that we’re on a similar path, having gone from Oregon’s J school into content marketing…”, “Your advice on LinkedIn is always actionable and has helped me to become a better marketer…”, “I love the way you’re able to market your company’s products without ever feeling spammy…”, “The video series you produced for XYZ Corp’s Facebook page made me laugh so hard I cried…”. If they are a 3rd level connection or not connected at all, then you will be given the option of sending an InMail. Keep in mind that when you select people from this list, you will not have an opportunity to add a personal note to your invitation. Well, if someone on your team is leaving the company (or if you are leaving), it will be easier to stay connected for the long term. I often get this question with people new to LinkedIn, or with small networks. Granger: You should customize your LinkedIn connection … Reach Out: How to Connect with Someone on LinkedIn, write a more descriptive LinkedIn headline, https://www.linkedin.com/mynetwork/invitation-manager/sent/, How to Close and Delete Your LinkedIn Account, “I noticed that we’re both connected to Jerri Smith. You’ve been told you need to be on LinkedIn. That’s only two per day but, feel free to do more! Guide to connecting to people on LinkedIn. Once you’re connected, you gain access to their complete profile, network, and ability to message them directly. When you click the plus sign, your contact will receive a generic “I’d like to join your LinkedIn network” message. Below that are suggestions based on your existing network, associated companies, and interests. 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